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From Amazon.co.uk
Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks) would like nothing better than to spend a quiet week's vacation in his suburban home, drinking beer and watching TV. But, spurred on by his two friends' spinning of boyish paranoid fantasies about their reclusive neighbours, the Klopeks, the usually down-to-earth Ray begins to suspect his idyllic neighbourhood has been invaded by an evil force, to the point where he and his friends become psychotically nosey. You see where this is going, and you see it from a mile off. Only the general surface-thin plot is somewhat offset by director Joe Dante's fine sense of the absurd, and a host of engagingly played neighbor-types, namely Rick Ducommun as Ray's best friend who's always proposing bad ideas, and Bruce Dern as a sometimes wild-eyed ex-vet who'd love some action. Dante and crew seem to have a knack for keeping these broad characterisations light enough that you don't mind their superficiality. But the best jokes in this unprepossessing film come from composer Jerry Goldsmith's score; Bruce Dern's presence, for instance, is announced by the theme from Patton, and the boys' first approach to the Klopeks' for a meet-and-greet is buttressed by classic strains from Sergio Leone spaghetti Westerns. Kudos to the Klopeks, for their evil ways are ably embodied by Henry Gibson, Courtney Gains, and Brother Theodore. In particular, any suburb that finds it's inhabited by the likes of Brother Theodore is in dire need of new zoning laws. But Carrie Fisher's role as Ray's amiably long-suffering wife is thankless, and she deserves better. --Jim Gay
Product Description
Life is pleasant, if dull, in the suburb of Hinckley Hills until the weird Klopeks move in next door to Ray Peterson (Tom Hanks). When Ray decides to spend his week's vacation relaxing at home, he soon allows himself to be persuaded by his other neighbours that the Klopeks are in fact marauding killers, and joins in the suburbanites' investigation.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
If you have the appropriate sense of humour, you will laugh at this film forever. It carries more character quotes than any other film I can remember, like Bruce Dern's "Where you going Pinocchio", Corey Feldman's "No tan-lines today" or Tom Hanks " Who keeps a horse in their basement?" amongst others. The performances by the star cast are so strong that they completely take over what is a fairly ordinary storyline. The excellent directing catches some wonderful moments of real pace during a pedantic day in suburbia which comes alive with the antics of the various characters as they interact with their strange neighbours, the Klopeks. On average I watch this film once a month and still find new angles on the jokes and asides which pepper the script. Give it a chance and it will hook you in too.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:VHS Tape
An absolute classic. You really can't describe The 'Burbs, a bit of horror, a bit of suspense, a bit of action, adventure and a huge assortment of comedy glued together with slapstick and dark humor. Altogether, a great film, a great cast and a great script. This film has sadly been forgot but for the few people who actually appreciate this film it remain an all-time great forever. Full marks to the director Joe Dante. Buy this film, its EXCELLANT!!!
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By The Fault
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
The Burbs is a cult classic black comedy directed by Joe Dante and stars Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher and Corey Fledman among other reocognisable faces.
The story is based around a group of suburbanites and their obsession with a strange new family in the neighbourhood called the Clopeks. Their overactive imaginations lead them to delve deeper into the odd activities taking place at the Clopek residence, such as the strange noises coming from the basement, digging up the back yard in the middle of the night (like grave diggers) and the general odd behaviour of the family.
What makes this film so appealing is that this could take place in any neighbourhood you care to think of. The suburb is otherwise very ordinary - set routines, nosy neighbours and typical banter you would find in a quiet suburb.
The Burbs features a fantastic cast, lively script and some genuine laughs. The characters are all fantastic to watch and you learn to love them all for their individual qualities (of which there are many).
This is the uncut version of one of the best films I have ever seen. The only part I have never noticed before was the inclusion of a four letter swear word in one scene (for those who want to know, it begins with "s"). I didn't notice any other differences to when it is on television.
This DVD only includes a 90 second teaser trailer from when the film was released but the film is so good you shouldn't let the lack of extras put you off. This is easily one of my all time favourite films. Very little comes anywhere close to the quality of this little gem. An incredible film!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
My sister and I are reviewing this film as it is definetley one of our favourites.First is that anyone I know who has seen this film cannot help quoting from it comments such as "this is walter" and "what is that Slavic?".
What makes this film remarkable is that Tom Hanks leads the film and it is just not a Tom Hanks film. There is no message of hope no triumph of decent Americans.on the contrary this is a film that celebrates fear of strangers/foreigners and extols the virtue of snooping. What I find slightly annoying is that Rick Duccomon (Art aka Tuna-Neck) has been in so little since (I think he was in the lamentable California Man and Gremlins 2 but that is it). This is a tragedy as Rick's performance is a revelation especially his ability to eat in every single scene.
It also has excellent support from the always interesting Feldman and the barking mad Dern. One review (halliwells)described the Burbs as the most unusual American major studio film of the 80s It is certainly one of them. Make sure you buy the dvd because it is on tv a lot but always annoyingly cut.
What makes this film remarkable is that Tom Hanks leads the film and it is just not a Tom Hanks film. There is no message of hope no triumph of decent Americans.on the contrary this is a film that celebrates fear of strangers/foreigners and extols the virtue of snooping. What I find slightly annoying is that Rick Duccomon (Art aka Tuna-Neck) has been in so little since (I think he was in the lamentable California Man and Gremlins 2 but that is it). This is a tragedy as Rick's performance is a revelation especially his ability to eat in every single scene.
It also has excellent support from the always interesting Feldman and the barking mad Dern. One review (halliwells)described the Burbs as the most unusual American major studio film of the 80s It is certainly one of them. Make sure you buy the dvd because it is on tv a lot but always annoyingly cut.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By J. E. Murphy
Format:DVD
I'm absolutely positive that this is the only movie I've seen with Tom Hanks that I have enjoyed. It's certainly the only one I've ever bought!
A quirky look at suburban life, nosy neighbors and dark secrets lurking beneath the floor boards of the house next door. A Horror-Comedy classic, this movie is a "must have" for anyone who (a) grew up in the 1980's and/or (b) enjoyed such movie's as House (I, II, III, etc.), Ghostbusters, Evil Dead, Beetlejuice and Gremlins.
A quirky look at suburban life, nosy neighbors and dark secrets lurking beneath the floor boards of the house next door. A Horror-Comedy classic, this movie is a "must have" for anyone who (a) grew up in the 1980's and/or (b) enjoyed such movie's as House (I, II, III, etc.), Ghostbusters, Evil Dead, Beetlejuice and Gremlins.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Cassir
Format:DVD
Arrived very quickly. Great film enjoyed as a child and now enjoyed by my children. New and good value for money. Happy customer.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By bonnie0771
Format:DVD
for anyone who has wondered about those strange folk next door, an absolute belter of a dvd one for the collection.
just brilliant
just brilliant
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Stampy
Format:DVD
On a week off from work Ray Peterson (Hanks) and his neighbours become
suspicious of the new residents next door who are hardly ever seen in
daylight.
In and amongst The Da Vinci Code, Charlie Wilson's War and Cast Away it
is easy to forget how brilliant a comedy actor Tom Hanks is.
Has it really been over 20 years since his first Oscar nomination in
the groundbreaking Big? That vintage scene stealing presence with a
charming innocence was exquisite method acting by the American, in
which his child was trapped inside the vulnerable adult figure. Of
course you only have to visit a few years back for his last "comedy" if
you can call The Lady-killers that. Dark reality humour encoded but his
awkwardness peeked through in perhaps the Coen's worst picture.
Nevertheless here we were in 1989 having come back off the monumental
success of Big and Hanks was up and running towards Hollywood stardom
and this Joe Dante picture showcased much more of the comic genius of
its central star.
With a plot spilling out mystery about quiet and non fundamental
neighbours this is a perfect example of what society in the suburbs is
reflected as from an outsider's view. You only have to flick on the TV
to see the same representation in a sitcom such as Desperate Housewives
or a film in Little Children to find gossipy neighbour's prying eyes
over their fence for a good nosy at everyone else's dirty laundry.
The Burbs' sensationally capitalizes on this conformed ideology of the
nosy neighbour by parodying all the way through by running delicious
gags at how formula and formality gets shaken up by the arrival of the
unknown.... Read more ›
suspicious of the new residents next door who are hardly ever seen in
daylight.
In and amongst The Da Vinci Code, Charlie Wilson's War and Cast Away it
is easy to forget how brilliant a comedy actor Tom Hanks is.
Has it really been over 20 years since his first Oscar nomination in
the groundbreaking Big? That vintage scene stealing presence with a
charming innocence was exquisite method acting by the American, in
which his child was trapped inside the vulnerable adult figure. Of
course you only have to visit a few years back for his last "comedy" if
you can call The Lady-killers that. Dark reality humour encoded but his
awkwardness peeked through in perhaps the Coen's worst picture.
Nevertheless here we were in 1989 having come back off the monumental
success of Big and Hanks was up and running towards Hollywood stardom
and this Joe Dante picture showcased much more of the comic genius of
its central star.
With a plot spilling out mystery about quiet and non fundamental
neighbours this is a perfect example of what society in the suburbs is
reflected as from an outsider's view. You only have to flick on the TV
to see the same representation in a sitcom such as Desperate Housewives
or a film in Little Children to find gossipy neighbour's prying eyes
over their fence for a good nosy at everyone else's dirty laundry.
The Burbs' sensationally capitalizes on this conformed ideology of the
nosy neighbour by parodying all the way through by running delicious
gags at how formula and formality gets shaken up by the arrival of the
unknown.... Read more ›
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4.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good
The film I purchased was worth the wait in the end... Was happy with the service I got, would recommend to a friend!
Published 16 days ago by Derry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb Fantastic Comedy
I have loved this movie from watching it as a kid. If I ever catch it on tv while changing channels I have to watch it even though I have seen it hundreds of times, it is that... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Active Yaw
5.0 out of 5 stars
Still funny!!
Tom Hanks is so funny in this even though it's an old film now, I can still chuckle at this.
Published 2 months ago by S. LOWE
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is my cult film
I could watch this over and over again. Just goes to show that you don't need CGI, big locations and masses of distracting stunts. Just a street in the burbs and some great actors.
Published 3 months ago by Salthouse
4.0 out of 5 stars
Silly Fun
Bought this for my boyfriend who loves the film. It is a silly, but funny film that both adults and kids can enjoy. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lizzie Lockett
4.0 out of 5 stars
blurbs
very funny classic comedy tom hanks at his best, bought this as a gift it was much appreciated and enjoyed
Published 4 months ago by carol weston super mare
5.0 out of 5 stars
Not much uncut material * may contain spoiler*
I simply love this movie, it have helped me during hardships and dark times in my life. It is so funny, Tom Hank is perfect for this kind of layback dude roles. Read more
Published 11 months ago by N. Lindström
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Enjoyable
Remember watching this a long time ago and though it was great, love the characters in it, the kid watching the whole mess unfold is hilarious. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Fozzy
5.0 out of 5 stars
the burbs
bloody funny film great stuff , tom hanks is great in it , and its the best movie he has been in really good fun
Published 21 months ago by rick stark
3.0 out of 5 stars
He's a man of peace in a savage land... Suburbia
While Tom Hanks may deserves every award and nomination under the sun, he receives for dramatic roles such as Forrest Gump, Philadelphia, and Saving Private Ryan, I would argue... Read more
Published 23 months ago by Lord Anon
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