While I don't hate any of the "Tmnt" movies (not even the confused patchwork that is the Michael Bay-produced 2014 big screen reboot), director Steve Barron's "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" is the only one I would venture so far as to call a genuinely good film. Unlike the other "Tmnt" movies to date, Barron's 1990 flick serves up plenty of silly Turtle-related hijinks while also being serious and even moving when it needs to be, creating a vision of New York City that feels lived-in and real. That's no minor achievement, either, given this version of NYC is swarming with masked ninjas, mutated reptiles, and a giant talking rat voiced by original Elmo puppeteer Kevin Clash.
Equally good is the voice work for the Turtles themselves in the film. Brian Tochi, who evolved into a prolific voice actor starting in the '90s, lends his vocals to Leonardo, the...
Equally good is the voice work for the Turtles themselves in the film. Brian Tochi, who evolved into a prolific voice actor starting in the '90s, lends his vocals to Leonardo, the...
- 10/11/2022
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Isn’t it funny how some actors somehow appear to have one role that really defines them in the eyes of their fans and then kind of fall off the edge of the world apparently? Brian Tochi didn’t exactly go anywhere but the one role that people might be enticed to remember in is Takashi from Revenge of the Nerds, which today stands as kind of a problematic movie for a lot of people since there is a lot of material and subject matter in the movie that people find controversial. Far be it from me to say that the old
Whatever Happened to Brian Tochi?...
Whatever Happened to Brian Tochi?...
- 4/16/2020
- by Tom
- TVovermind.com
Robert Altman's murder tale reeks of insider access and Hollywood hipster Bs; its main claim to greatness is its fifty-plus star cameos. It may no longer seem as smart as it looked in 1992, but they don't make 'em any slicker than this. The Player Blu-ray The Criterion Collection 812 1992 / Color /1:85 widescreen / 124 min. / Available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 24, 2016 / 39.95 Starring Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher, Brion James, Cynthia Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lyle Lovett. Cinematography Jean Lépine Original Music Thomas Newman Written by Michael Tolkin from his novel Produced by David Brown, Michael Tolkin, Nick Wechsler Directed by Robert Altman
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Robert Altman's filmography is undergoing what looks like a full retrospective through Criterion; even the 1975 title Nashville came out not long ago. This very successful later picture marks a revitalization of the director's career. It's sort of a Kafkaesque spin on Hail,...
Reviewed by Glenn Erickson
Robert Altman's filmography is undergoing what looks like a full retrospective through Criterion; even the 1975 title Nashville came out not long ago. This very successful later picture marks a revitalization of the director's career. It's sort of a Kafkaesque spin on Hail,...
- 5/31/2016
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
One of the hardest bouts of growing pains experienced by adolescents is that rite of passage known as the high school experience. In high school one is subject to discovering their own sense of self-identity and purpose. In fact, sometimes the social factor is crucial because the cost of belonging in social-related circles is vital in a four-year commitment to belonging among your peers.
The tension is high to belong and get along as your search for excellence in good grades, social interaction and the overall learning experience is important. However, not every youngster can cope with what they are faced as the obstacles to excel are demanding in high school. Hence, the potential to become “an outsider” is inevitable and the unlikeliest label that no one can overcome no matter how much they try.
The movies have been instrumental in capturing such heavy-handed angst and frustration of the tortured...
The tension is high to belong and get along as your search for excellence in good grades, social interaction and the overall learning experience is important. However, not every youngster can cope with what they are faced as the obstacles to excel are demanding in high school. Hence, the potential to become “an outsider” is inevitable and the unlikeliest label that no one can overcome no matter how much they try.
The movies have been instrumental in capturing such heavy-handed angst and frustration of the tortured...
- 2/23/2015
- by Frank Ochieng
- SoundOnSight
“Excuse please, but why do they call you ‘booger’?”
Thanks to films like Revenge Of The Nerds, it is becoming clear that we, the nerds of this world, are here to stay and to conquer. Ok, so I don’t wear my pants up to my chest. Or use my hair full of gel. Or have that characteristic “snort” in my laugh. Still, I am a nerd. Actually, I’m a Geek, which is a sub-set of nerds, and I know I’ll always be one. It’s just that it was so uncool to be one back in the 1980’s. People used to bother us, kick us, insult us, hit us. They took our stuff away, hid it, or simply threw it in the trash. And then, Revenge Of The Nerds came along and showed us that, indeed, we are nerds, but that we must not accept a punishment for it.
Thanks to films like Revenge Of The Nerds, it is becoming clear that we, the nerds of this world, are here to stay and to conquer. Ok, so I don’t wear my pants up to my chest. Or use my hair full of gel. Or have that characteristic “snort” in my laugh. Still, I am a nerd. Actually, I’m a Geek, which is a sub-set of nerds, and I know I’ll always be one. It’s just that it was so uncool to be one back in the 1980’s. People used to bother us, kick us, insult us, hit us. They took our stuff away, hid it, or simply threw it in the trash. And then, Revenge Of The Nerds came along and showed us that, indeed, we are nerds, but that we must not accept a punishment for it.
- 11/25/2014
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Written by Todd W. Langen and Bobby Herbeck
Directed by Steven Barron
U.S.A., 1990
When Channel 3 news reporter April O’Neil (Judith Hoag) is accosted one night during the walk to her car by a group of thugs, four strange saviors submerged in shadow come to her rescue with the speed and stealth of ninjas. Both foes and friends represent forces the city of Manhattan will reckon with in incredible ways. On the side of crime and greed is the mysterious Foot Clan, a clandestine syndicate originating from Japan believed to be long forgotten. Led by the imposing Shredder (James Saito) and trained as ninjas, the Foot uses their talent for crime’s sake, in addition to recruiting the city’s delinquent youth as the next generation of troops. On the side of virtue and righteousness are…mutated teenage turtles who dwell in the sewers,...
Written by Todd W. Langen and Bobby Herbeck
Directed by Steven Barron
U.S.A., 1990
When Channel 3 news reporter April O’Neil (Judith Hoag) is accosted one night during the walk to her car by a group of thugs, four strange saviors submerged in shadow come to her rescue with the speed and stealth of ninjas. Both foes and friends represent forces the city of Manhattan will reckon with in incredible ways. On the side of crime and greed is the mysterious Foot Clan, a clandestine syndicate originating from Japan believed to be long forgotten. Led by the imposing Shredder (James Saito) and trained as ninjas, the Foot uses their talent for crime’s sake, in addition to recruiting the city’s delinquent youth as the next generation of troops. On the side of virtue and righteousness are…mutated teenage turtles who dwell in the sewers,...
- 8/30/2014
- by Edgar Chaput
- SoundOnSight
Transformers must seem like a cakewalk right about now. The saga of Michael Bay’s vilified Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles reboot — which will feature an “alien race” origin story for the heroes — continues to mutate, with two people involved in early iterations of the franchise now lending their support to Bay.
Peter Laird, one of the comic book’s co-creators, posted a statement on his blog addressing the fan uproar about the story change, which was only exacerbated after Michael Bay instructed Turtles fans to “chill” and “relax.” In a post, Laird encouraged fans to “swallow the ‘chill pill’ Mr.
Peter Laird, one of the comic book’s co-creators, posted a statement on his blog addressing the fan uproar about the story change, which was only exacerbated after Michael Bay instructed Turtles fans to “chill” and “relax.” In a post, Laird encouraged fans to “swallow the ‘chill pill’ Mr.
- 3/22/2012
- by Marc Snetiker
- EW.com - PopWatch
'Classic' turtle actor Brian Tochi speaks out in favour of Michael Bay's controversial plans for new Turtles film
It's shaping up to be the celluloid debate of the year: should Michael Bay be taken to task for "sodomising" the memory of millions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans by reimagining the much-loved "heroes in a half shell" as "lovable aliens"?
The original Michelangelo voice actor, Robbie Rist, earlier this week laid into Bay's plans to reboot the series. Today, the battle for the soul of the pugilistic amphibians continues with news that Brian Tochi, who played Leonardo in the "classic" 1990 film, is backing the Transformers director. "If Michael Bay wants to do a different take on the turtles origin story ... mazel tov!" he told TMZ.
Fans took to Twitter and Facebook in anger after Bay unveiled proposals to change the turtles to extraterrestrials (as opposed to mutants who gain...
It's shaping up to be the celluloid debate of the year: should Michael Bay be taken to task for "sodomising" the memory of millions of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles fans by reimagining the much-loved "heroes in a half shell" as "lovable aliens"?
The original Michelangelo voice actor, Robbie Rist, earlier this week laid into Bay's plans to reboot the series. Today, the battle for the soul of the pugilistic amphibians continues with news that Brian Tochi, who played Leonardo in the "classic" 1990 film, is backing the Transformers director. "If Michael Bay wants to do a different take on the turtles origin story ... mazel tov!" he told TMZ.
Fans took to Twitter and Facebook in anger after Bay unveiled proposals to change the turtles to extraterrestrials (as opposed to mutants who gain...
- 3/22/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Peter Laird, has weighed in on Michael Bay's comments relating to the new Tmnt film on his personal blog. Bay spoke at a Nickelodeon event where he said that the Turtles would now be aliens or interdimensional beings and launched a massive firestorm of hatred from fanboys. Laird reiterates that he no longer has any control regarding the Turtles because Nickelodeon bought out his rights to the property. He writes,
...I would actually encourage Tmnt fans to swallow the 'chill pill' Mr. Bay recently suggested they take, and wait and see what might come out of this seemingly ill-conceived plan. It's possible that with enough truly creative brainpower applied to this idea, it might actually work. I'm not saying it's probable, or even somewhat likely… but it Is possible.
Bay claimed in an update on his website's forums that one of the...
...I would actually encourage Tmnt fans to swallow the 'chill pill' Mr. Bay recently suggested they take, and wait and see what might come out of this seemingly ill-conceived plan. It's possible that with enough truly creative brainpower applied to this idea, it might actually work. I'm not saying it's probable, or even somewhat likely… but it Is possible.
Bay claimed in an update on his website's forums that one of the...
- 3/22/2012
- by Zack Parks
- GeekTyrant
A few days ago, Michael Bay revealed that the upcoming live-action "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" movie will make the turtles aliens rather than mutants. Fans reacted very negatively to this, prompting Bay to release a statement, telling everyone to "take a breath and chill." Since then, Robbie Rist, who voiced Michaelangelo in the original film trilogy, said that what Bay is doing is "the rape of our childhood memories." But now comes word that Brian Tochi, who voiced Leonardo, is not worried about Bay creating a new origin for the characters. "If Michael Bay wants to do a different take on the turtles origin story ... Mazel Tov," he said. And Judith Hoag, who played April O'Neil, just revealed to TMZ that she's excited to see what Bay comes up with, mostly because "I was in 'Armageddon' ... which Michael directed ... as well as 'Nightmare On Elm Street' and 'I Am Number Four' which he produced.
- 3/21/2012
- WorstPreviews.com
Michaelangelo needs to back the hell off of Michael Bay and let the guy turn the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles into aliens ... this according to the guy who voiced Leonardo. TMZ broke the story ... Bay has been getting some serious flack ever since he announced he'll be changing the classic Tmnt sewer-based origin story for his upcoming live-action flick. But not every member of Tmnt-nation is hating on Bay's idea to go intergalactic with the Turtles ... in fact,...
- 3/21/2012
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Join guest of honor John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing, Escape From New York) all weekend at Fright Night Film Fest/Fandom Fest. Carpenter’s latest movie “The Ward” is making its way to horror fans all around the world this year. The Walking Dead will be representing all weekend with the zombies from the hit show appearing. Melissa Cowan, Addy Miller, Keisha Tillis and Brittany Murphy will all be appearing.
Any Star Wars fans out there? Of course there is! Both boba Fett’s will be at Fandome Fest, meet Jeremy Bulloch (The Empire Strikes Back) and Daniel Logan (Attack of the Clones, Star Wars:Clone Wars)
Other awesome guests for the weekend include Henry Winkler (Happy Days, The WaterBoy, Scream), Edward Furlong (The Crow Wicked Prayer, Terminator 2, Pet Semetary 2) Michael Biehn (Aliens, Tombstone, Terminator) and Jennifer Blanc (Dark Angel, The Crow) will be screening their new movie and Biehn’s directorial debut,...
Any Star Wars fans out there? Of course there is! Both boba Fett’s will be at Fandome Fest, meet Jeremy Bulloch (The Empire Strikes Back) and Daniel Logan (Attack of the Clones, Star Wars:Clone Wars)
Other awesome guests for the weekend include Henry Winkler (Happy Days, The WaterBoy, Scream), Edward Furlong (The Crow Wicked Prayer, Terminator 2, Pet Semetary 2) Michael Biehn (Aliens, Tombstone, Terminator) and Jennifer Blanc (Dark Angel, The Crow) will be screening their new movie and Biehn’s directorial debut,...
- 7/18/2011
- by brians
- GeekTyrant
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