He's a man of peace in a savage land... Suburbia.
When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation.
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Character
Classical in form, effortless, spare and cool.
- classical in formformally daring
- effortlessdemanding
- sparerichly built
- cooloverwhelming
- unpretentiousprestige
Who loves it, who doesn't
17 profiled raters. Loved most by The Sinceres; disliked most by The Cartographers.
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A yes-or-no question, answered from what people wrote here, on TMDB and on Wikipedia. Never made up.
Reviews
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Reviews on TMDB
Written by TMDB members; each links to the original. Not part of Tastebuds's numbers.
- Wuchakon TMDB · Oct 20256/10
**_Tom Hanks & neighbors vs. the new weirdo family on the block_** Shot in the summer of 1988, this capitalized on Tom Hanks’ popularity after hits like “Splash” and “Big.” He was in his youthful prime and people flocked to the theaters. It’s a fun flick about any average neighborhood in America, dealing with quirky neighbors and the adult males acting like kids. A new family has moved into the local rundown house, but they’re strangely aloof and “only come out at night.” The likable cast includes stalwarts Bruce Dern, Carrie Fisher, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Wendy Schaal and Henry Gibson. While there are elements of The Munsters and The Addams Family, don’t expect over-the-top bits, such as in the director’s “Gremlins,” at least not until the climax. It’s all about the journey and the amusing goings-on as the neighbors attempt to discover the truth about the eccentric (creepy) new family. Ricky’s girlfriend, played by blonde Heather Haase, is a minor peripheral highlight, but she’s underused. At the end of the day, it's enjoyable in an underwhelming way while playing, but there's no denying that it's forgettable throwaway entertainment (at least for me). It runs 1 hour, 41 min
Read the whole review on TMDB - kevin2019on TMDB · Aug 20258/10
"The 'Burbs" develops in the most outrageously crazy ways imaginable as three overly curious neighbours band together and pool their limited resources to investigate their mysterious new neighbours and they inadvertently wreck all manner of assorted havoc upon their neighbourhood in the process. This film has been superbly directed by Joe Dante and he uses both visual comedy along with some gothic visuals to establish a genuine sense of macabre menace. He is invaluably aided throughout by the exemplary work of composer Jerry Goldsmith. He effortlessly manages to create all the various mood changes with an amusing and often magnificently subtle musical score that is well up to his marvellous Academy Award winning standard.
Read the whole review on TMDB
Cast
- Tom HanksRay Peterson
- Bruce DernLt. Mark Rumsfield
- Carrie FisherCarol Peterson
- Rick DucommunArt Weingartner
- Wendy SchaalBonnie Rumsfield
- Corey FeldmanRicky Butler
- Courtney GainsHans Klopek
- Henry GibsonDr. Werner Klopek
- Gale GordonWalter Seznick
- Dick MillerVic, Garbageman #1
Crew
- Joe DanteDirector
- Dana OlsenWriter
- Robert M. StevensDirector of Photography
- Jerry GoldsmithOriginal Music Composer
- Marshall HarveyEditor
- Michael FinnellProducer
- Larry BreznerProducer
Where to watch
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Pairings
Companions we picked from the closest works, and how to take them.
Similar in taste
Closest on the same fourteen dimensions, from everything scored on Tastebuds Other media included when they land close.
The Honey Pot 196779% alikeBoth cool, classical in form, comic.
We're No Angels 198978% alikeBoth classical in form, comic, effortless.
Grosse Pointe Blank 199777% alikeBoth classical in form, effortless, comic.
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil 201076% alikeBoth comic, effortless, unpretentious.
Goin' South 197876% alikeBoth classical in form, comic, effortless.
Buddy Buddy 198175% alikeBoth classical in form, comic, effortless.
A Shock to the System 199075% alikeBoth classical in form.
The League of Gentlemen 196075% alikeBoth classical in form.
The Reptile Room 199982% alikeBook · Both classical in form, spare.
The Bad Beginning 199977% alikeBook · Both spare, classical in form.
Often watched with
Recommendations from TMDB. Opening one adds it to Tastebuds
