What IS that?

Art_Weingartner

Art_Weingartner

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Okay. This is a topic I know we've delved into in the past. But it is a good one - and I think it makes us search deep within to exactly what it is we like about the burbs? What appeals most?

For me it's a few things. It reminds me of when I was young on my old street with my best mate Dave. We used to go prowling and snooping around. But the beauty of the burbs is the message "just because you're grown up...married, maybe, a kid, doesn't mean you can't be mischievous". That's what I like about it. There are other things, but the first time I watched it I noticed the wedding rings. These middle aged guys were acting like kids and it supports one of my dogmatic dictums: "Who says I have to grow up?!"

What about you guys. What IS it about this movie that appeals to you so much that it makes it your favourite movie?

A movie? That's not real! ...yes it can be...
 
I have not been on the board long enough so this is a fresh topic for me. The movie appeals to my chilhood memories, as well. Nothing more exciting than a good mystery. Also, as a kid I remmeber always hanging out with friends, talking about weird neighbors. We did not have XBox or PS so we made our own fun, on our block. My friends and I did a detective club. The characters in the movie have similar qualities to people on my block- the pro military guy, the ditzy lady, the nosy neighbor, the grumpy old man..you name it. As an adult I love the subtle and not so sublte humor, the slapstick comedy and I love the music, as well as the funny quotes. I also happen to love horror movies so that had some appeal too.
 
<span class="postlistquotedtext"><blockquote>quote:<center><hr width="100%"/></center>Art Weingartner wrote:

Okay. This is a topic I know we've delved into in the past. But it is a good one - and I think it makes us search deep within to exactly what it is we like about the burbs? What appeals most?

For me it's a few things. It reminds me of when I was young on my old street with my best mate Dave. We used to go prowling and snooping around. But the beauty of the burbs is the message "just because you're grown up...married, maybe, a kid, doesn't mean you can't be mischievous". That's what I like about it. There are other things, but the first time I watched it I noticed the wedding rings. These middle aged guys were acting like kids and it supports one of my dogmatic dictums: "Who says I have to grow up?!"

What about you guys. What IS it about this movie that appeals to you so much that it makes it your favourite movie?

A movie? That's not real! ...yes it can be... <center><hr width="100%"/></center></blockquote></span>

There's just something about it. It's not like other movies. I do feel the same way with them acting like kids.

I also think, maybe sometimes we think the places where live can be boring, and this movie makes us wonder...could something like this be going on in my neighborhood. I mean...when you think about..sometimes you really don't. And, the comedy in it, is brilliant. I've grown up watching it, so the movie itself is part of my childhood. I love how they act like kids. Because I think all of us, never really grow up...if we did, we'd be completely miserable! And the movie reminds us that we should be fun..maybe not so much burning down your neighbors house...but just take time away from adulthood every now and then, and just relax, be mischievous, get out a night scope and have a good time. :)
 
I posted this on the imdb board a couple of years ago and I stored it on my local disk, so I just paste it:

The magic behind “The Burbs”

Watching “The Burbs” is always something really special to me. This movie succeeds in making me feel good and relaxed. I have to admit that “The Burbs” hardly makes me laugh out loud. Nonetheless it manages to keep me smiling for about 100 minutes which is even harder to do. If I want to laugh I watch movies like “The naked gun” or “Airplane!”. But if I want to have this special cheerful feeling inside of me, I insert my “Burbs” tape.

If we take a closer look at the boards and comments we can see that many people feel this way. We can even see people who claim that this movie has changed their life, prevents them from getting depressed and so on.

So what are the points which make this movie something so special?

In my opinion the light - hearted manner of “The Burbs” is caused by various aspects.

1.)The setting takes place in a beautiful and idyllic cul – de – sac with lovely and expensive houses and a marvellous nature setting in which everyone of us would like to live as well.

2.)Furthermore it’s summer vacation - time and we certainly all agree: That’s the best time of the year!
 
3.)The neighbours in Mayfield place are a bunch of very different but nonetheless very amiable persons. Let’s focus on Ray, Art and Mark. Their behaviour reminds us of our own childhood days when we were snooping around in the neighbourhood, pretending we were cops, private investigators or something similar. And Joe Dante expressed that by making the three guys act like children from time to time (remember the scene when Art and Rumsfield stroll away after Carol gets angry with them?).

4.)The only problem in this movie are the Klopeks. No other problems are discussed. Nobody talks about war, poverty, being afraid of unemployment (a very urgent topic here in Germany these days), getting cancer, losing family members and so on. It’s just about living in Mayfield place and dealing with some strange neighbours. Great.

5.)Even in darker moments (Ray’s dream; the end of the movie) the dark scenes are so completely overdrawn that you still keep on smiling.
 
In the darker moments I find it's Hanks that makes them lighter with a facial gesture or a scream!!!

I love the bit at the beginning when you see Rosanna Norton's name in the spokes of the paperboy's bike. It's bright, shiney and sunny, the music is uplifting.

What the movie does, I think, is draw us in so we are like Ricky Butler, observing at a safe distance. But we're there with the boys every step of the way!
 
You guys have summed it up pretty well. I think I laughed out loud the first time I saw it at a couple of scenes (that was about 200 viewings ago os it is hard to remember). I think it sets a very nice, idyllic atmosphere in a neighborhood that would be fun to live in. And then there is the added element of the sinister that makes it exciting. The opening scene is one of my favorites - suburban/pastoral.
 
I also, love Tom Hank's Maybe I have watched this movie one too many times but I cannot imagine anyone else playing the part like he did.
 
Yeah, whoever cast that movie nailed it. It might be interesting to look up the casting director and see what other movies they have done and whether they were any good.
 
<span class="postlistquotedtext"><blockquote>quote:<center><hr width="100%"/></center>Mayfield669 wrote:

Yeah, whoever cast that movie nailed it. It might be interesting to look up the casting director and see what other movies they have done and whether they were any good.<center><hr width="100%"/></center></blockquote></span>

Which I just did. Mike Fenton and Judy Taylor were responsible for the casting. And there are some big movie names on their list as well:

Mike Fenton

Judy Taylor
 
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