The 'Burbs

If you are after a comedy that actually makes you laugh out loud, The 'Burbs is available in Australia on BINGE and Foxtel Now, and in the US on TCM right now. It says what it needs to say in one sitting, no filler. 1,386 people have weighed in on TMDB, and the verdict leans heavily positive. Tom Hanks is the obvious draw, but the whole ensemble earns its laughs. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on BINGE.

Whatever else is competing for your attention this week, The 'Burbs is worth clearing space for. Sharp writing and a well-matched ensemble are what separate The 'Burbs from the crowd. When secretive new neighbors move in next door, suburbanite Ray Peterson and his friends let their paranoia get the best of them as they start to suspect the newcomers of evildoings and commence an investigation. But it's hardly how Ray, who much prefers drinking beer, reading his newspaper and watching a ball game on the tube expected to spend his vacation. Tom Hanks and Bruce Dern lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 1989. The timing in The 'Burbs is precise enough that even the throwaway lines land on a second watch. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

If you need a comedy that actually makes you laugh, The 'Burbs is a strong candidate. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. The complete film is available and best experienced without too much prior knowledge of where it goes. Tom Hanks anchors an ensemble with real chemistry. Genuinely funny, consistently, across the whole run.