Wounds Of Love: Ten Reasons I’ve Seen Tuff Turf Over 100 Times
Posted in Films, Retrovirus, Top Ten Lists |
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2. Robert Downey, Jr.
I’ve shied away from mentioning Downey until now because his performance as Jimmy is an integral part of why I love Tuff Turf so much that it has to be Reason Two. I’ve often wondered what in the hell the guy would do if he wasn’t an actor; his wit, charm, and magnetism are overwhelming onscreen in just about everything he’s ever done. He’s just a natural. I don’t know for sure that his dialogue here is mostly adlibbed, but in certain parts of the movie (like the country club scene) it seems so. He absolutely steals the show. Tuff Turf and Weird Science kept me faithful that he would one day stop dicking around with drugs and courtrooms (a perfect example of how his natural charm has swayed others) and get back down to business.
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1. James Spader
When I was a teen, I just wanted to find a guy like Morgan Hiller: the sexy, smart rebel with a heart of gold. And a spade tattoo. And washboard abs. I can’t recall if I saw Tuff Turf on cable before or after Pretty In Pink came out in 1986, but at any rate, it started a massive James Spader crush that continued for years and years. Not all of his movies are top notch (The New Kids, for example) but when he’s good he’s really good. Besides being hopelessly beautiful, there’s something charismatic, something mysterious about him that comes through in every role he plays (okay, maybe not in Mannequin). He just commands attention. And then there’s the voice. It’s like velvet. I’ve seen most of his movies by now but Tuff Turf remains my favorite (with Secretary as a close, close second). And when he went on to win so many awards for his outstanding portrayal of Alan Shore on Boston Legal, I was thrilled that others were finally taking notice of what I’d been seeing all along.
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17 Responses to “Wounds Of Love: Ten Reasons I’ve Seen Tuff Turf Over 100 Times”
December 5th, 2008 at 7:46 pm
James Spader looks like Evil Dave Foley.
December 5th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Haha, I never noticed that before! You know who I think really looks like James Spader? Jensen Ackles from Supernatural. If they ever make a James Spader biopic he should play him. It’s uncanny.
LLM
December 8th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
I’m not sure who is more obsessed with this movie…you or I. It’s a good thing it’s not a competition….most people I know aren’t familiar with it, but they always love it when I show it to them.
I also have a WELL WORN vhs version from the 80s, taped off some network…and a few years ago I wrote a song based on the movie called SPADER VS. EVERYONE EXCEPT DOWNEY JR.
You can host an MP3 of it here, if you like. Let me know!
December 8th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Wow, not being in contact with you for a few years means I really missed out! Of course, I want to hear/host an MP3 of this song; are you kidding?
LLM
December 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
thanks for the link. and yes, come download “We Walk The Night” or any other crap i have available.
December 11th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
LOVELOVELOVELOVE all of this. Your top two reasons are big places in my heart. I love RDJ and since Iron Man, I love seeing how everything is FINALLY coming together for him. That, and how Spader is FINALLY getting recognition, too. He doesn’t command a big screen blockbuster as well as he does just “movies” and just “television”. He’s a great actor, even if he’s no Blockbuster Will Smith or Keanu Reeves (how in the hell does that work–a robot actor is better than Spader?)
April 5th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Other film location is the Highland Park. The Highland Park Liquor is located at 5900 N Figueroa St and it was used as Frankie’s house in the movie. I’d like to go to LA to see this place and take a picture there.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11073967@N00/218183006
Richard
April 6th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Wow! That’s a great photo, Richard. Thanks for sharing!
LLM
April 11th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I loved your countdown to #1. This is a movie that is so bad that it is fun. Thank goodness the music and the talent of James Spader and Robert Downey Jr were able to carry the very heavy baggage that was the rest of the film. These two actors have such wonderful charisma and charm, even when playing unlikeable characters. It is just fun seeing them at the very beginning of their long careers. HAIL…HAIL, to Spader and Downey…now and forever!!!
April 11th, 2009 at 10:59 pm
Thanks onekey and Kataomoi for your praise! I’m glad we can share in the Tuff Turf love!
LLM
June 16th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
I love watching this movie and guessing the filming locations. I found the burger joint (photo above) its in the 6200 block of Lankershim in North Hollywood. It was closed up the last time I saw it, a year ago or so, but the BURGERS sign was still up. I also know where the alley chase scene was filmed where Morgan thinks Nick is chasing him, but it’s Jimmy – that was in Culver City around Sawtelle & Hannum, near the Blanco Park mall. I have been wondering where that high school was filmed. Pleeease post it if anyone knows. Also, Morgan’s house would be interesting to see.
June 26th, 2009 at 1:20 am
Sharon this is amazing! I was looking for that burger joint during a long time. Thanks for sharing this information with us.
I also love guessing the Tuff Turf filming locations.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:32 am
The “Hiller” residence is located at 12951 panama street Los Angeles, ca. (right off Culver city blvd.)
October 13th, 2009 at 11:55 am
The high WAS located at 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. in Redondo Beach, Ca. It was formerly known as the Redondo Beach “Aviation High School”. Sorry Tuff Turf fans, it was torn down and is now the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, Finding this location just about killed me.
October 13th, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Photos of the high school being torn down are available at: http://www.barrsam.com/AHS.HTM
October 13th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
Wow, that is a real bummer. Thanks for the info and that link!
LLM
January 30th, 2011 at 11:04 pm
[...] deserving fare, such as Back to School, Basket Case, The Last American Virgin, Savage Streets, and my favorite cult movie of all time, Tuff Turf. They have a genuine love of and appreciation for fringe films and it shows. Hell, [...]