Suburbia

Director: Penelope Spheeris Penelope Spheeris

Overview

Misanthropic punk rockers take over an LA suburb slated for demolition and try to form a family of sorts in this interesting drama. Unfortunately, the remaining neighbors do not want fringe people living near them and organize a redneck gang of vigilantes to chase the punks away, but the punks are more clever than they look and soon begin retaliating in interesting ways.

Product Details

Release Date:	05/04/2010
UPC:	0826663118872
Original Release:	1983
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital Stereo]
Language:	English
Time:	1:35:00
Sales rank:	32,651

Special Features

Audio commentary with director Penelope Spheeris; New audio commentary with director Penelope Spheeris, producer Bert Dragin and actress Jennifer Clay; Still gallery; Trailers

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Chris Pederson	Jack Diddley
Bill Coyne	Evan Johnson
Jennifer Clay	Sheila
Michael Bayer	Razzle
Timothy Eric O'Brien	Tom
Grant Miner	Keef
Andrew Pece	Ethan
Wade Walston	Joe Schmo
Dee Waldron	De Generate
Maggie Ehrig	Mattie
Christina Beck	Tiresa
Andre Boutilier	Peg Leg
Robert Peyton	Jim Triplett
Jeff Prettyman	Bob Skokes
Donald V. Allen	Officer Rennard
Joe Battenberg	Officer Bates
Dorlinda Griffin	Mother,Baby,Baby
Donna La Manna	Tina
Julie Winchester	Blonde
John McCormack	Bouncer
Gavin Courtney	Joe's Father
Robert A. Van Senus	Joe's Father's Friend
Larry Wiley	Camper Buyer
Marlena Brause	Mrs. Triplett
Ron Hugo	Pastor Farrell
Barbara Doyle	Heatherton Ave. Woman
Arvid Blomberg	Procedures Man
Jerry Madison	Mr. Dawson
Barbara Benham	Mrs. Martin
James Harrison	Repaint Store Man
Ed Mertens	Cop
Ray Lawrence	Elderly Man
Gil Christner	Store Manager
J. Dinan Myrtetus	Sheila's Father
Ricky Jewitt	Elderly Man's Wife
Irene Latter	Sheila's Mother
Flea	Razzle
Anna Schoeller	Anna
Mike B	Actor
D.I.	Actor
TSOL	Actor
The Vandals	Actor
Chris Pedersen	Actor
Alex Gibson	Composer

Technical Credits

Penelope Spheeris

Roger Corman	Executive Producer,Producer
Bert Dragin	Producer
Penelope Spheeris	Director,Screenwriter

Editorial Reviews

The first narrative feature film from Penelope Spheeris, Suburbia is an '80s classic along the same lines as her punk rock documentary The Decline of Western Civilization. Shot in Southern California during the Reagan era, Suburbia effectively captures the time and place that could create a group of discordant young people into a group called "the Rejected." Casting real-life street kids, Spheeris achieves the realism that Hollywood actors couldn't have offered, but the movie still suffers from amateur acting and shoddy production. However, the technical details aren't really the point for the D.I.Y. attitude of the intended audience. With Roger Corman producing, this sociological study is filled with action, chases, and some violence for low-budget entertainment value. The music is a vital element, and fans will be pleased to see footage of bands like T.S.O.L. and the Vandals, as well as the acting debut of Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Made before the idea of punk rock became overwhelmingly marketable and before Spheeris moved on to mainstream fare like Wayne's World, Suburbia ranks up there with Repo Man as an enjoyable rebellious '80s teen movie.