Customer Reviews

Tuff Turf

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

BUY IT !!! IT'S A STEAL AT THIS PRICE. Besides it never was sold to television and I hear that Spader and the others may be embarrased by it since he and Downey Jr. went on to have "serious" acting careers. I have looked for it forever and I have never seen it on the late nite movies but it would be perfect for that. Former child star Kim Richards (Witch Mountain and numerous Disney Movies/Hello Larry sitcom/Meatballs II) plays a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who falls for a new boy in town played by James Spader. He is immediately befriended by a class clown played by Downey Jr. upon arriving to his new high school. When Kim's street-gang leader boyfriend played well by Paul Mones (actor/ writer/director of the excellent teen/coming of age flick: "The Beat", find it on vhs if you can, although I did catch it on late nite t.v. once) then all you know what starts between Mones and Spader. The movie plays out kinda like a cross between "Rebel Without A Cause" and "West Side Story". But overall "Tuff Turf" is truly alot of fun. The music is diverse and plentiful (Jim Carroll, Lena Lovich, Jack Mack and the Heart Attack) and really great throughout the movie as is the fine score by the now renowned film composer Jonathan Elias. Poet, Novelist, and Musician (The Basketball Diaries) Jim Carroll actually makes a rare cameo appearance and Kim always an angel to me gets to look sexy finally in a more mature acting(non-Disney) role. I have my old copy and I still to this day enjoy watching it. It's an underrated and lost gem from the 80's. Get it now!

I had never seen this movie before (I grew up in the 80's too), but after seeing it pop up in a couple of list mania lists, i thought I'd check it out.
The movie is really well done for its time period, although the majority of the music chosen for the film doesn't age well.
James Spader plays a sort of underdog hero role in this film compared to some of his other teen oriented 80's films where he's the antagonist. He's new in town, and foils a mugging that is taking place. This sets him up as the target for the local gang. Which is pretty much what half the movie is about, how the gang wants to get him, and how he foils their attempts. The other half is the budding romance of Spader and Richards. Kim Richards plays the gang leaders girl friend and slowly falls for Spader. Downey has a few small appearances, but barely seems like he's in the movie.
The story is very predictable for the most part, but is still fun to watch.
I would say buy it if you like 80's, teen or underdog movies.

When people are asked to name great 80's teen movies, they will almost invariably list THE BREAKFAST CLUB, 16 CANDLES, PRETTY IN PINK, etc. But no one will ever mention TUFF TURF. I wonder why this is? In fact, I'd never heard of this movie until my boyfriend showed it to me. Talk about the most underrated flick of all time! One look at it immediately took me back to my own 80's teenagehood. Did anyone notice how typical of the decade the girls dressed? Forget Molly Ringwald; she wasn't 80's. She was Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" look mixed with some kind of post-modern late-80's/early 90's get-up. If you want bona-fide 80's fashion, take a look at Frankie, a.k.a. Kim Richards, of TUFF TURF. Also, there were a requisite number of mullets in this movie, more than in any other 80's flick I can think of. These are the reasons I consider TUFF TURF to be the premier movie of the 80's.

I got a kick out of Robert Downey Jr., who looked no older than a middle schooler!

The story line works well. I felt sorry for Morgan Hiller and his family b/c they had sunk to such new socioeconomic lows; however, I think Morgan's travails are an entirely realistic depiction of what a kid in his situation would go through and how he would react to it.

Marianne Faithful sings the haunting theme song during the movie's opening segment. Yes, that's actually a WOMAN singing, not Ozzie with a sore throat!

Good film if you are a fan of cheese. Kim Richards is at her hottest before her plastic surgery drunkeness What can you say about James Spader The man is full of tigers blood and Adonis DNA
Also When shot of Kim topless Obviously body double but still a highlight
All I can say is get a beer and your favorite smoke and Get it on

This is the Best movie EVER MADE!!! James Spader captivates the audience as the new kid in town who stirs up trouble with the local youth. I would place this movie on my top ten list along with MISCHIEF, GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN, STAYING ALIVE, And ALIVE.

This movie is so awesome. It's one of the best.

Tuff Turf has a great cast, great acting, cool music, great fight scenes, and of course shows James Spader in his best movie moment when he sings to Kim Richards! Ahhh!!!

James Spader is fantastic in this movie, and he looks hot even when he's beat up.

Kim Richards is so hot and her long hair realy defines her character!

Robert Downey Jr. Comon!!!He's awesome!!!

And of course Jack Mack and the Heart Attack comon putting them in your movie is pure genius!

If you have never seen this movie...you are deprived.
If you don't own this movie...you are missing out on a great movie gem.

GREAT, FANTASTIC, AWESOME. I GIVE IT 5 STARS!!!

This film has remained a favorite of mine since the first time I saw it on the big screen. James Spader has also remained possibly my favorite actor of all time since I fell for his incredible face after seeing IT for the first time here as well.

James Spader plays Morgan Hiller, the cute(!!!!) new guy at a highschool in a seedy part of Los Angeles. Immediately Morgan incenses the town gang by ruining a heist they're pulling by going by on his bicycle and spray-painting Paul Mones who plays the gang leader. His girlfriend played by child actress almost grown-up Kim Fields, is secretly amused by Morgan's nerve. Never one to back off, Morgan sees what he wants, and goes for the girl. The result is a dangerous "Turf" war between the Spader and Mones characters that lead to an eventual showdown over Fields.

Robert Downey Jr. plays a great role here as well as Spaders' loyal new pal in town. He sticks with his buddy Morgan until the bitter end.

There is great atmosphere and pacing in this film. It truly has no dull moments. The leads are well cast, and VERY easy on the eyes. The story makes you really care about the characters, a sure sign of quality filmakng in my book. Spader as Morgan Hiller is particularly excellent here. After seeing this in the theatre, I knew he would become a star. A funny note, Spaders tattoo of a Spade on his upper arm is seen here in a locker room scene. It is also seen in the great Rowdy Herrington classic "Jack's Back." It is NOT seen however in "White Palace" or "Dream Lover" despite the nude scenes in both. Was it removed, or covered? I don't know about that, but I DO know that "Tuff Turf" remains as fresh a teen angst love story now, as it was nearly 20 years ago. For any James Spader or Robert Downey Jr. fan, this is a must see film.

Action, Adventure, Lust and Romance, this has it all. I owned it on VHS and wore it out, had to get the DVD!
James Spader is very convincing in his role and Kim Richards just complements him.
Robert Downey Jr. is quality as always in his understated roles.
This is a must for anyone who enjoys the movies of the 80's!

I own this video and have watched it several times since my parents bought it for me in 1987. It was my favorite then and is definately on my top ten list now. Lots of action as well as humour and if you went to school in the 80s this movie will bring back a lot of memories. Great movie! A steal at $9.99

This movie, although very over-the-top, wasn't any cheesier than other teen eighties films considered classics today. I read the overly harsh reviews from critics and audiences alike and agree that it is completely out there, but it was a fun viewing experience. I bought the DVD because I'm a fan of Spader and Downey and I'm surprised it doesn't receive more attention simply because it provides evidence of some of their earliest roles. I purchased a used copy but you can't tell as it's in excellent condition. If you're a fan of the actors or teen cinema and willing to let the film critic that we all pretend to be rest for a couple of hours, sit back and enjoy Tuff Turf.