Dante's excoriating view of homegrown isolationism is as profound and misunderstood as Spielberg's in 1941
The Burbs (1989)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:12
Fresh:5
Rotten:7
Average Rating:5/10
Synopsis: Set in an average neighborhood that is anything but average, Tom Hanks portrays suburbanite Ray Peterson, who finally takes a much-needed week of vacation. However, Ray doesn't use the time to jet... Set in an average neighborhood that is anything but average, Tom Hanks portrays suburbanite Ray Peterson, who finally takes a much-needed week of vacation. However, Ray doesn't use the time to jet off to some exotic locale, there are no frolicsome adventures in his plans, all he wants is a week of mindless relaxation in his own comfortable suburban home. His wife Carol (Carrie Fisher) warns him that he's liable to go crazy from the boredom, but he refuses to listen. The nothingness finally does get to him, however, and he creates a little excitement for himself by spying on his neighbors - the Klopeks, a mysterious, oddball family that just moved in to a dilapidated home down the street. When the neighborhood grouch mysteriously disappears, Ray and a motley crew of other neighborhood crackpots begin to concoct wild theories about the strange, and perhaps murderous, goings on in the Klopek's creepy, old house. For one brief, shining moment their lives seem to have some meaning and purpose as Ray and his friends become consumed with the secrets of the bizarre family. Tom Hanks is hysterical as Ray, bring his own brand of boyish charm and zany slapstick comedy to the screen. [More]
Starring: Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, Rick Ducommun
Starring: Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, Rick Ducommun, Corey Feldman, Dana Olsen, Henry Gibson, Wendy Schaal, Courtney Gains
Director: Joe Dante
Director: Joe Dante
Screenwriter: Dana Olsen
Producer: Michael Finnell, Larry Brezner
Composer: Jerry Goldsmith
Reviews for The Burbs
A weird and misshapen farce, but there's something going on here beyond simple goofiness.
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