Neon Dreams Cinema Club is officially entering its “terrible twos” and we’re celebrating with a film that quite literally captures every essential component of the series. From the punk-AF romance of VALLEY GIRL, the outrageous musical performances in STREET OF FIRE, the sinister showdown in MANHUNTER, to the rain-drenched and neon-lit aesthetic of AFTER HOURS, TUFF TURF truly has it all. And considering its pathetically scarce home video release we are thrilled to announce that it will be screened on a pristine 35mm print, courtesy of the American Genre Film Archive in Austin, TX.
Once-affluent Morgan Hiller (James Spader) relocates from white-collar Connecticut to a thug-ridden Los Angeles neighborhood after his father's business fails. Enrolling in a rough-and-tumble inner-city high school, Morgan befriends goof-ball Jimmy Parker (Robert Downey Jr.), who happens to be drummer for enfant terrible poet Jim Carroll (playing himself). Things go sour almost immediately when Hiller sets his sights on the beautiful Frankie (Kim Richards) who, as it turns out, is dating the school’s resident psychopath Nick Hauser (Paul Mones). This leads to a rabbit hole of thrilling car chases, choreographed dance numbers, vicious axe fights, and jaw-dropping musical performances. A rare film that knows exactly when to be ridiculous and when to be legitimately horrifying, TUFF TURF is the “James Spader and Robert Downey Jr. take down vicious high school thugs” neon-noir-musical-thriller you never knew you needed.
This screening and others are made possible thanks to our wonderful sponsors Sonic Boom and Hollywood Suite. As always there will be a fully licensed event, featuring a fabulous pre-show and great prizes before the film. So be sure to arrive early!
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