Suburbia

(Penelope Spheeris; 1983)

(New Concorde Home Video)

 

 

-Overview-

Classic punk rock film about a group of teens who call themselves “The Rejected” living out on their own in an abandoned house. An absolute favorite of mine, the film is a dark, gritty look at society and conformity in general. The filmmakers used real punk kids in lieu of actors, and this just adds to the realism and atmosphere. The film also features live performances of  punk bands TSOL, D.I., and The Vandals, all of which are an asset to the film’s integrity. I personally love films that don’t have happy endings, and make you feel violated and dirty after viewing them. This one achieves both painstakingly. The opening scene where a toddler gets mauled by a wild dog is absolute genius. Essential viewing. Bleak.

-Sound-

The sound quality is about average for a DVD release of this nature, but no surround or THX enhancements (and rightfully so)

-Picture-

The film quality is dark and grainy, as the film was intended to be. Although I was a tad disappointed that New Concorde didn’t letterbox it, but I can’t complain seeing as I was just happy to have one of my desert island films finally on DVD.                                                                 

-Special Features-

No extras to speak of, aside from trailers and bios.

-Box Art-

I have to say I do prefer the artwork for this DVD release over the old VHS cover, since it made it look like some sort of weird David Bowie cyberpunk sci fi movie. 


 

 

Sound: 6
Picture: 6
Special Features: 1.5
Box Art: 6
Film: 10

Overall Rating: 10

(Rating scale is out of 10, with 1 being the worst and 10 the best)