Tuff Turf (1985)

[DR Herbert West]

for morgan hiller (james spader), it's tough enough being the new kid in school. But when he tangles with a local gang, he becomes the lone target of some rough revenge. And when he falls for the gang leader's girlfriend, the situation turns from dangerous to deadly. Welcome to tuff turf - where enemies are made, reputations are earned, and love is the most risky affair of all.

Robert downey jr. Co-stars in this powerful '80s high school drama that features live performances by the jim carroll band and jack mack & the heart attack, plus songs by marianne faithfull, southside johnny, lene lovich and more.

[Member-222782]

To this day I associate Robert Downey Jr. to this this film and ONLY this film lol

The actor has come a long way since Tuff Turf. I wonder if he's embarrassed by it. I'd be great to get an interview with him but I'm not holding my breath. A Kim Richards interview seems much more likely but I haven't seen or heard from the actress in decades so she may be hiding out. Saw a recent photo of her online and she's virtually unrecognizable. I had a major crush on her after seeing her in Tuff Turf. That hair

Going to revisit The Principal and pair it with this for an awesome 80's High School gang double feature.

[trentdiesel]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

To this day I associate Robert Downey Jr. to this this film and ONLY this film lol

The actor has come a long way since Tuff Turf. I wonder if he's embarrassed by it. I'd be great to get an interview with him but I'm not holding my breath. A Kim Richards interview seems much more likely but I haven't seen or heard from the actress in decades so she may be hiding out. Saw a recent photo of her online and she's virtually unrecognizable. I had a major crush on her after seeing her in Tuff Turf. That hair

Going to revisit The Principal and pair it with this for an awesome 80's High School gang double feature.

The Principal is a big favorite of mine from my childhood, I was so happy when it got the release from Sony. I always associate Tuff Turf with The New Kids, if you havent seen that I recommend you make it the other part of the double feature or turn it into a triple feature

[BagheeraMcGee]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

To this day I associate Robert Downey Jr. to this this film and ONLY this film lol

The actor has come a long way since Tuff Turf. I wonder if he's embarrassed by it. I'd be great to get an interview with him but I'm not holding my breath. A Kim Richards interview seems much more likely but I haven't seen or heard from the actress in decades so she may be hiding out. Saw a recent photo of her online and she's virtually unrecognizable. I had a major crush on her after seeing her in Tuff Turf. That hair

Going to revisit The Principal and pair it with this for an awesome 80's High School gang double feature.

Kim Richards is actually one of The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills, so I wouldn't classify that as hiding out.

I like your idea of double featuring this along with The Principal. I think I'll hold off watching my Blu-ray of that one, wait for Tuff Turf to come out and do the same.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

A Kim Richards interview seems much more likely but I haven't seen or heard from the actress in decades so she may be hiding out. Saw a recent photo of her online and she's virtually unrecognizable. I had a major crush on her after seeing her in Tuff Turf. That hair

I mostly remember Kim Richards from her childhood roles. She stars in Assault on Precinct 13 as the world's most annoying cute girl who gets her comeuppance while buying ice cream. She also stars in the Disney films, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain. She starred in The Car as well.

When I saw Tuff Turf during my youth, I loved her character, but did not realize that she was the same actress that was in the above-mentioned movies.

These days, she's one of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. (EDIT: The above poster beat me to it.)

Back to Tuff Turf, the scene that stands out most of all to me is the one with the two roaches.

[BagheeraMcGee]

One of the things I love the most about this movie is the soundtrack, which was a little bit different than the other movie soundtracks at that time. Love Hates by Marianne Faithfull going over the opening credits is a good tone-setter. It's quite a bit more ominous sounding than anything you'd hear in a John Hughes movie, for example.

Ultimately I became a Jim Carroll fan after watching this movie. The performances of It's Too Late and Voices in the film (with RDJ on drums!) along with People Who Died being played elsewhere in the film compelled me to find more of his music (my vote goes to Catholic Boy as his best album). His lyrics stood out to me ("I'm here to give you my heart, and you want some fashion show!")

Then I come to find out years later the guy's also an author (The Basketball Diaries), and then 10 years after the release of this film, Leonardo DiCaprio's playing him in the movie based on his rough adolescence.

[50strat54]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I mostly remember Kim Richards from her childhood roles. She stars in Assault on Precinct 13 as the world's most annoying cute girl who gets her comeuppance while buying ice cream. She also stars in the Disney films, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain. She starred in The Car as well.

When I saw Tuff Turf during my youth, I loved her character, but did not realize that she was the same actress that was in the above-mentioned movies.

These days, she's one of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. (EDIT: The above poster beat me to it.)

Back to Tuff Turf, the scene that stands out most of all to me is the one with the two roaches.

...and Nanny and the Professor!

[xander]

I LOVE this movie. My day is made.

[gates70]

Day one.

[AKORIS]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I mostly remember Kim Richards from her childhood roles. She stars in Assault on Precinct 13 as the world's most annoying cute girl who gets her comeuppance while buying ice cream. She also stars in the Disney films, Escape to Witch Mountain and Return from Witch Mountain. She starred in The Car as well.

.

odd that you would say that. I've seen ASSAULT many times and never thought her character was annoying. Interesting to see differences on how people react to performances... unless you're semi-joking of course.

[Lurtz6]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

odd that you would say that. I've seen ASSAULT many times and never thought her character was annoying. Interesting to see differences on how people react to performances... unless you're semi-joking of course.

There's definitely some black humor in her death scene, but I don't know if I'd call her annoying.

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by AKORIS

odd that you would say that. I've seen ASSAULT many times and never thought her character was annoying. Interesting to see differences on how people react to performances... unless you're semi-joking of course.

I'm being somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but her character is exaggeratedly cutesy.

[MechaFresh82]

Wow, Turf Turf and 3:15 both announced on the same day. How Epic!

[StacyHamilton]

Oh this is great news! Never thought we'd see the day!! Spader's early work deserves recognition. Who knows, maybe soon we'll get a New Kids or Rachel Papers blu.

[Blu-Dre]

We certainly do need “The New Kids” to double feature with Tuff Turf. Spader got to be the bully and the bullied all in the same year.

[d2cheer]

Awesome news. Day one for sure. Such a great soundtrack. I had it on vinyl when it came out.

[AJC]

I cannot wait for July 9th!

[meremortal]

Originally Posted by Cinema84

To this day I associate Robert Downey Jr. to this this film and ONLY this film lol

The actor has come a long way since Tuff Turf. I wonder if he's embarrassed by it. I'd be great to get an interview with him but I'm not holding my breath. A Kim Richards interview seems much more likely but I haven't seen or heard from the actress in decades so she may be hiding out. Saw a recent photo of her online and she's virtually unrecognizable. I had a major crush on her after seeing her in Tuff Turf. That hair

Going to revisit The Principal and pair it with this for an awesome 80's High School gang double feature.

Never seen this film but know what you mean. For a while I often thought of RDJ from his wisecracking supporting role in Back to School.

[The Star of Astaroth]

Never seen this film but know what you mean. For a while I often thought of RDJ from his wisecracking supporting role in Back to School.

Tuff Turf, Back to School, Weird Science, The Pick Up Artist, Less Than Zero, etc. That's who he'll always be to me.

[bonehica]

Originally Posted by The Star of Astaroth

Tuff Turf, Back to School, Weird Science, The Pick Up Artist, Less Than Zero, etc. That's who he'll always be to me.

Can't believe this has never been released on blu. One of my ultimate wants.