Suburbia [Blu-ray]

Director: Penelope Spheeris Penelope Spheeris

Overview

Following up her critically acclaimed documentary The Decline of Western Civilization, Penelope Spheeris made this gritty drama her first feature-film outing. Bill Coyne stars as Evan Johnson, an angst-ridden kid living in L.A., who bands together with a group of other young societal rejects and immerses himself in the mid-'80s punk rock scene. Most of the cast was comprised of actual teenagers off the streets of Los Angeles. Among them is Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea. Suburbia is also known as The Wild Side and Rebel Streets, and should not be confused with the 1996 Richard Linklater film of the same name.

Product Details

Release Date:	01/29/2019
UPC:	0826663192988
Original Release:	1983
Rating:	R
Source:	Shout Factory
Region Code:	A
Language:	English
Time:	1:34:00
Sales rank:	16,486

Special Features

New 4k Scan of the Original Film Elements; Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Penelope Spheeris; Audio Commentary with Penelope Spheeris, Producer Bert Dragin and Actress Jennifer Clay; Theatrical Trailer; TV Spots; Still Gallery

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.

All Movie Guide - Andrea LeVasseur