Suburbia
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Bill Coyne, Chris Pedersen, Jennifer Clay, Timothy O'Brien (II), Wade WalstonDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Special Edition
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 94 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2000-10-24
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: New Concorde
Product features:
- Produced By: Bert L. Dragin, Roger Corman
- Directed by: Penelope Spheeris ("Wayne's World," "The Beverly Hillbillies")
- Written by: Penelope Spheeris
- Cast: Chris Pederson ("Platoon," 'Twin Peaks"), Bill Coyne, Jennifer C
- 1984
Movie Reviews of Suburbia
Movie Review: A strange and interesting little movie...
Summary: 5 Stars
"Suburbia" is a rather interesting film that paints a much different perspective on the life of street punks who are often branded as `major undesirables' and how the central characters often are at major odds with the `normal' suburban establishments.
The story begins with a very disturbing scene involving stray dogs but then cuts to the story of a highly disillusioned adolescent named Ethan whose life is utter hell with his unpleasant mother (who's become a very angry alcoholic) who runs away from home in search of a better life. Later he is taken in and becomes a part of a large gang of rowdy punk rockers. Later in the movie we see a whole barrage of scenes of the lifestyles of the punk rockers in their `alternate' lifestyle in a run down home.
At first the movie seems to be directed at a more of a `trailer trash' society but at the same time, it is actually a much more socially-conscious insight into the broken home lifestyle and also questions the way that the authoritarian side of normal society (police, politicians, businessmen, and a large sector of the normal people) treats the youth and what causes the gang act the way they do but also the wild behavior of these individuals. The `normal' side of the movie showcases them as `dangerous to society' and need to be dealt with by any means necessary yet the `alternate' part of the movie showcases the `normal' society as repressive towards the different lifestyle of the gang and how that the cultures between them and the establishment can barely even coexist without major confrontations.
My take on this I could not write in stone. I first saw this movie in a social problems class so I couldn't help but want to write my side on this. I sometimes think that both sides are victims as well as perpetrators of the problems of the community. The victims are the people whove been harmed or worse, lost their lives. The `normal' side of society seems more victimized by the vandalism by the gang who spray offensive graffiti on the store walls and on buildings yet the punk rockers themselves seem to be victims of the repressions of the authoritarian nature of the established society by being threatened with being evicted from their dilapidated home due to the increasing property value and while the neighborhood that they live in is rather tired, the increasing property value is viewed by them as an assault on their livelihood by the `rich folks'. That's my interpretation.
This is a very interesting movie and am very glad to have stumbled upon it. It has a very unique kind of appeal to it in the way it shows the varying perspectives of the many characters. In ways, some of the `anti-punks' who are a pair of middle-aged trailer trash men commit worse acts than what the punks did. The ending is rather suprising and kind of depressing yet it is so sudden that it dilutes the emotional quality.
The movie, as good as it is, was not very well made. Yes, the movie is very good for a cheap low-budget movie but the scenes are a bit blurry and the sound quality is also muffled. The acting is also quite campy but it's interesting how a lot of the actors and actresses never acting an any movies since this time.
The DVD itself offers NO improvement on the old VHS release from the early 1980s. The biggest disappointment is that the picture and sound quality are utterly ATROCIOUS and makes the movie look much older than it really is. Sure movies from around 1984 may have a rather gritty appearance in their original look but "Suburbia" suffers immensely from the really gritty picture quality especially during nighttime scenes. The sound quality is also a bit muffled. Compared to some special editions of lets say "Gone With The Wind" or "The Godfather DVD Collection" which the new versions sounds like a heavy towel is lifted off the television speakers, this one sounds garbled and the combination results in a movie that looks and sounds dated as hell.
Other than the ancient sound and look of the film, "Suburbia" is a really good but very obscure little treasure that may not be picked up by most people's radars. For those who do find it especially those who are strongly into the punk rock culture (which I'm not that much into) will find this to have a strange appeal but even I find this little movie to have its strange appeal in a strange way. A Mildly recommended movie.
Summary of Suburbia
When household tensions and a sense of worthlessness overcome Evan, he finds escape when he clings with the orphans of a throwaway society. The runaways hold on to each other like a family until a tragedy tears them apart. Directed by Penelope Spheeris of "Decline of Western Civilization." Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, Special Edition, NTSC Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.) Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Number of discs: 1 Rated: R (Restricted) Studio: New Concorde DVD Release Date: October 24, 2000 Run Time: 94 minutesSimilar DVD Movies
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