Joe Dante's THE 'BURBS (1989): Fear & Paranoia On Laughing Gas!

With credits incl. THE HOWLING, GREMLINS (and it's sequel), INNERSPACE, MATINEE, SMALL SOLDIERS and the recent THE HOLE, some find it odd that Joe Dante's 1989 humorous "fear and paranoia" treatise THE 'BURBS (not a critical darling upon release) would emerge as his "testament" film: that single work best encapsulating said film maker's entire cinematic - thematic oeuvre.  Part Hitchcockian homage, part MAD magazine social-satire, and part live action Looney Tunes epic, Dante's THE BURBS would be a seminal 80's film for numerous reasons. 1) It was a fulcrum point in Tom Hanks’s career - the first time he’d portray an older family man / parent.  2) It was the first feature produced by Ron Howard & Brian Grazer’s newly formed Imagine Ent. Co.  3) It would be one of only two times during the 80s in which Dante would direct a feature outside the Spielberg / Amblin banner.  And as such it would 4) signal the "from then on" advent of a more personal style / stamp on the remainder of the director's film and television work - it becoming more socio-politically aware.  Join us and guest commentator / illustrator Chris Heady for a 25th Anniversy "look back" on the long hidden genius of Joe Dante's THE 'BURBS. You'll never look at your neighborhood in quite the same way again.

More:

* More from illustrator Chris Heady @ http://www.atomicotton.com/

* Joe Dante chats with Rue Morgue about THE 'BURBS (complete) @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDbK7CbF_Es 

* More from Craig Jamison @ www.GullCottageOnline.com