That piece of scum barking rat has taken it's last dump on my lawn!

Sometimes I like to imagine what it would be like to bump into a celebrity on the street and talk with them briefly. I find it funny that when people run into Tom Hanks they probably say things like: "you were great in Saving Private Ryan" or "your work in Philadelphia really moved me." If I were to meet Mr. Hanks I would have only this to say: "I loved the Burbs, it's one of my favorite movies."

The Burbs was released in 1989 and for some reason that is unknown to me, was not even close to being the box-office juggernaut it should have been. I suppose going against Ghostbusters 2 didn't help it, but I mean, as much as I like Ghostbusters 2 and all, it's obvious that the Burbs is the better film.

Black comedies that actually succeed artistically at the level the Burbs did are few and far between. Most modern interpretations of the genre fill the script with controversial scenes intended to both shock and amuse. I feel that most horror films of the current era are the new wave of black comedies, effectively screwing up both genres. Most Eli Roth stuff isn't shocking and disturbing, it's just a poor attempt by a hack director to put as much screwed up stuff into a movie as he can because he thinks it's funny. The Burbs had a PG-13 rating and I'll be damned if it wasn't awesome that way.

The plot is self-contained on one suburban street but doesn't leave you tired of the location, bringing you in as a resident and giving you the familiarity of your own neighborhood. Who doesn't snoop on what their neighbors are up to? Why, just last night I watched as the lady across the street threw her boyfriend out. You can't buy that sort of entertainment.

As I said before, artistically the Burbs is a win, but it is also what probably hurt it's commercial success the most. The jokes are smart and intelligent in their subtlety. Never once does this movie come out and say "Look! Look! This is funny!" Instead some of it's more humorous moments take place in actions underneath the dialogue or in the background of a scene. Watch this movie and pay attention and you will laugh.

Plot: 8/10

Taking a typical real-life neighborhood and making it into a character that is this much fun for a viewer was first-rate.

Cast: 9/10

Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern, Corey Feldman, all fantastic.

Quotable: 10/10

There are so many great lines in this movie you could almost quote the entire thing.

Final Word:

I have shown this movie to people who didn't think it was all that funny, and to each their own. But rest assured if you see this movie and love it, you are better than all of those people.

Over there...in the trees...

People forget about this movie more often than you might think considering it produced three sequels, many novels and comics, and several video games.
Predator is hands down one of the main reasons Arnold Schwarzeneggar became the top box office draw in his era. Though not one of his most iconic roles, Predator showed the viewing public that Arnold would give you a solid movie time and time again. People knew for years that if they plopped down their cash to see the new Arnold flick, Mr. Schwarzenegger would deliver.
Directed by John McTiernan (need I say more?) everyone in this movie is fantastic, and anytime you put Arnold, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, and Jesse Ventura in a movie together, you should expect to have a great time.
The plot is fairly simple, and moves along quickly despite the CIA double-crossing that tries to ad depth to the story. We get to have fun with the characters and feel a bit attached to them even though we know they're history whenever things really get rolling.
No one is going to give Arnold an Oscar(unless it's honorary and long after he's gone), and his acting took flack through most of his career. But I defy you to watch this movie and tell me that Arnold is not believable as Dutch. He makes me want to serve in his unit. They're a rescue team, not mercenaries, and his men aren't expendable.  

Stan Winston's alien creature is awesome, not that you would expect any less from Mr. Winston, and for some reason seeing Arnold go hand-to-hand with the thing makes me feel so damn patriotic. 

Plot: 9/10

It's a sci/fi-action movie and makes no bones about it.

Cast: 10/10

Arnold, Carl Weathers, Bill Duke, and Jesse Ventura.  A veritable cornucopia of testosterone.

Quotable: 8/10

Plenty of memorable lines from every character, and a few gems that fit perfectly into everyday situations.

Final Word:
A must own, I have witnessed this movie spoofed on The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park. Proof positive that this movie has to be seen.  Do yourself a favor and run, get to the choppa'...

Who ya gonna call?

Ok, honestly, if you haven't seen this movie I suggest keeping it your yourself. News that you've missed it will probably drive your friends into a deep depression and leave your parents wondering where they went wrong in raising you. It's even possible that Dan Aykroyd may fade out of existence because you don't believe in him. Ghostbusters is a modern-day renaissance classic that really sets the bar for a unique rating system that we will take a peek at later. With a cast that includes two SNL originals and two SCTV performers, it should have been obvious from the start that this one would be a blockbuster.


Despite all the great characters Bill Murray has played, it's obvious that Peter Venkman is his finest creation. It's not much of an acting stretch. Pete Venkman is simply Bill Murray had he been a scientist: funny, cool, and with a touch of melancholy.


Dan Aykroyd once had a reputation for delivering comedy gold time and time again. Over the years his good name has suffered irreparably from inconsistency and few people remember just how funny this guy could be. His portrayal of Dr. Raymond Stantz is a reminder of the good days of Aykroyd, and let us not forget that his genius helped write this movie.



Harold Ramis is now known more for his directing than for creating Egon Spangler, but rest assured he does a great job. He Dan Aykroyd wrote this gem together in one hell of a collaboration.


Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, everyone is great here. 1984 was a good year for movies, and this was one of the best. Now for our rating's scale...


Plot: 8/10
A wacky team of scientists catching ghosts in NYC? Where do I sign up?


Cast: 10/10
There are so many talented people in this movie it caused the plot rating above to drop 2 points because we'll never know how mediocre this movie would have been without them.


Quotable: 10/10
You and another fan of the movie could hold a conversation using only memorable lines from this film.


Final Words:
At Wizard World Chicago a few years ago there was a group of four who had cosplayed the Ghostbusters for the event. I walked up to one of them, looked him up and down and said:
"What are you supposed to be, some kind of a cosmonaut?"
The guy looked at me strangely.
"What?" he responded.
What. That's all he had to say. I don't think I've ever been more disappointed in my life. I had set him up perfectly to deliver the film quote of the year and he had no idea what I was talking about. These are the people we are helping folks. See this movie. See it to save your life and the lives of those around you.

My goal is to help those who cannot help themselves...

How many times have you been involved in a conversation with someone and attempted to use a movie reference to try and describe a person, place, or thing? Probably quite a few times. Now, how many times has that person actually seen the movie and understood your reference? Have you ever found yourself saying to another person: "Seriously? You've never seen Ghostbusters?!"

Though the prospect of someone having never seen Ghostbusters may be ludicrous to some, I assure you that there are those poor souls out there who haven't seen it, and many classic films like it. Yet do not judge them harshly, it is not for us to do so. It is our job as the purveyors of obscure references to educate others.

How many of us have laughed at some random acknowledgement on Family Guy, while those around us simply stared at the screen confused? Worse yet, maybe they laughed anyway simply to be included in a joke they could not understand. It is time for someone to help these poor souls. That is the purpose of this blog.

We will review and promote classic and cult films, comics, graphic novels, video games, and various other hidden and not-so-hidden gems in the annals of pop culture. Whether you want to learn about just what exactly is funny and cool, or wish to expand your already thorough knowledge, drop by and enjoy what we have to offer.