But if I'm forced to choose just one, I'll go with Ray, Rumsfield, and Art on their little stakeout with the night vision scope. Something about that scene is pure magic. Maybe it reminds me of when I would hang out with my best friend as a kid and sneak through people's yards, pretending the people in the houses were evil, scaring ourselves silly.
The nighttime atmosphere of the cul de sac, the creepiness of Hans with the trash can, the thunderstorm...I just love it!
The Sergio Leone homage in the scene where Ray and Art dare each other to go and ring the Klopeks' doorbell for the first time is epic. Love it when the "Once Upon A TIme in The West" music kicks in and the wind starts to blow ominously as they walk towards the house, intercut with "Spaghetti Western"-style zoom shots into the watching eyes of the other neighbors, ending hilariously on the eyes of Walter's poodle. Joe Dante's knowing and witty use of cinematic homages is part of what makes his movies so much fun.
The Sergio Leone homage in the scene where Ray and Art dare each other to go and ring the Klopeks' doorbell for the first time is epic. Love it when the "Once Upon A TIme in The West" music kicks in and the wind starts to blow ominously as they walk towards the house, intercut with "Spaghetti Western"-style zoom shots into the watching eyes of the other neighbors, ending hilariously on the eyes of Walter's poodle. Joe Dante's knowing and witty use of cinematic homages is part of what makes his movies so much fun.
Absolutely agree although I have to mention that it took some time until I realized this was a Sergio Leone reference.
Every time I say what my favourite scene is I feel guilty for not choosing a hundred other moments. It's like choosing your favourite kid! One of my favourite moments from The Burbs, and from any film, is the close up on Queenie's eyes while Ray and Art are walking up the Klopek's front path. So originally funny. I never get tired of it!
Like everyone, I think it's very difficult to narrow it down to on scene. BUT, if I had to, I'd say the night spying on the Klopeks and Hans banging the hell out of the garbage with a stick. I've never seen that.
All of them. So many good ones, but I really like the one where Art and Rummy rings the doorbell and runs, and then Ray freaking out when he learns what they've done.
