The 'Burbs

It fumbles at the last moment... but this is still mainly a pleasantly nasty delight that was strangely overlooked in the cinema.

It's inconceivable that "The 'burbs looked good on paper.

Also starring Carrie Fisher, 'Burbs is a hilarious look at suburban mischief pre-Desperate Housewives. Check it out.

The 'Burbs doesnit quite go the distance, but for most of its length it is a superbly inventive, insightful and funny black comedy.

This movie was directed by Joe Dante, whose style has become increasingly broad and abrasive since he made the clever Gremlins back in 1984.

The script would like to be a horror film, a comedy and a commentary on suburban living, but it doesn't hit any target.

That sense of frivolity helps you tuck yourselves into bed at night in your safe home, trusting in the knowledge that Tom Hanks saved the neighborhood. But The ‘Burbs also contains the lingering reminder of Ray’s words: “It’s not them, it’s us!”

In between set pieces, The ’Burbs thrives on a dynamic conflict between genres, ideas, and eras.

I'm a bit bummed to see a rotten score on this movie so I felt inclined to throw my positive review into the ring. The Burbs is a great little flick&#59; with a strong cast of neighbors, a simple, yet effective premise and enough intrigue to keep you hooked!

It benefits from Dante's inventive direction, but it's hampered by an insufferable character in Ducommun's Art as well as an unfortunate (if predictable) denouement that totally upends the sturdy theme and edgy moralizing that would have made this unique.