The prospect of making a grounded "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" film sounds decidedly counterintuitive to the very concept of the franchise. Yet, that's exactly what director Steve Barron did with the Turtles' first-ever live-action film, and with flying colors no less. It's honestly kind of a miracle how real so much of Barron's 1990 "Tmnt" movie feels. Yes, there are human-sized anthropomorphic turtles skateboarding and snacking on pizza in its sewers, yet the film's depiction of New York City is believably scuzzy and lived-in.
Then there are the four heroes in a half-shell themselves, who are brought to life by incredibly textured and emotive animatronic suits designed by the magicians at Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Most importantly for a film with the word "Ninja" in the title, they're able to convincingly perform martial arts in action scenes that are far more exhilarating and visceral than the relatively weightless tussles...
Then there are the four heroes in a half-shell themselves, who are brought to life by incredibly textured and emotive animatronic suits designed by the magicians at Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Most importantly for a film with the word "Ninja" in the title, they're able to convincingly perform martial arts in action scenes that are far more exhilarating and visceral than the relatively weightless tussles...
- 8/13/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
If you're a fan of the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," then you are familiar with The Suits. You know the ones. They made their first appearance in the 1990 film directed by Steve Barron. Created by Jim Henson and his Creature Shop, these giant anthropomorphic turtle costumes have become synonymous with the Tmnt brand. They are uniquely bulky and completely cover the actor's body, including their head. On screen, they appear as if they would be rubbery to the touch, and if you think about what it must be like to actually wear one of the costumes yourself, you might start to get claustrophobic, sweaty, or both. They are the thing that makes the '90s film trilogy so memorable because they predate CGI and are all about good old fashioned costuming and puppeteering. Depending on who you ask, people either love or hate their unique look.
But no one has...
But no one has...
- 11/24/2022
- by Miyako Pleines
- Slash Film
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may have been nicknamed "Heroes in a Half Shell," but the actors who played them in their first live-action movie in 1990 certainly weren't half-committed. Each Turtle, based on the sewer-dwelling comic book characters by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, was brought to life via puppetry and costumes from Jim Henson's Creature Shop. Making them come to life for a generation of kids weaned on their animated series and Playmates toys required the combined efforts of in-suit performers, facial assistants, voice actors, stunt doubles, and even a skateboarding double for Donatello, voiced by Corey Feldman.
In a 25th-anniversary retrospective via The Hollywood Reporter in 2015, the in-suit performers — who spent the most time embodying each character — looked back on the demanding experience they faced while becoming Ninja Turtles. Michelan Sisti, the actor who played Michelangelo and cameoed as his human pizza delivery driver, recalled going in...
In a 25th-anniversary retrospective via The Hollywood Reporter in 2015, the in-suit performers — who spent the most time embodying each character — looked back on the demanding experience they faced while becoming Ninja Turtles. Michelan Sisti, the actor who played Michelangelo and cameoed as his human pizza delivery driver, recalled going in...
- 10/16/2022
- by Joshua Meyer
- Slash Film
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
Do you remember Dinosaurs? Star Bill Barretta and his brother Gene are hosting a virtual reunion of the ABC TV show, reports ToughPigs.
The family sitcom follows the Sinclair family, a group of dinosaurs (portrayed by performers in puppets) living and working in Pangaea around 60,000,000 BC. The cast (both voice and body) includes Stuart Pankin, Bill Barretta, Jessica Walter, Mitchel Young Evans, Tony Sabin Prince, Jason Willinger, Leif Tilden, Sally Struthers, Kevin Clash, and more. The show ran on from 1991 to 1994.
Read More…...
The family sitcom follows the Sinclair family, a group of dinosaurs (portrayed by performers in puppets) living and working in Pangaea around 60,000,000 BC. The cast (both voice and body) includes Stuart Pankin, Bill Barretta, Jessica Walter, Mitchel Young Evans, Tony Sabin Prince, Jason Willinger, Leif Tilden, Sally Struthers, Kevin Clash, and more. The show ran on from 1991 to 1994.
Read More…...
- 6/6/2020
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
"I run because I have to. I feel something when I run." Gravitas Ventures has released an official trailer for a romantic sports drama titled 1 Mile To You, about a runner struggling with loss. Graham Rogers (from "Quantico", Love & Mercy) stars, along with Stefanie Scott, Liana Liberato, Billy Crudup, and Tim Roth. The film is about a young man who loses his girlfriend in an accident, and runs to keep connected to her. That is until he meets a new woman, who helps him through his pain. It's described as an "uplifting, emotional, and visceral" story "about the power of our fondest memories to sustain us through our worst traumas – and when it is time to let the memories go and face an uncertain future." Doesn't that sound fun? Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for Leif Tilden's 1 Mile To You, direct from YouTube: When a teenager (Graham Rogers...
- 2/23/2017
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: After wrapping Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight, Tim Roth moved right onto the role of Coach Jarhead in Life At These Speeds, the Leif Tilden-directed film that also stars Graham Rodgers, Billy Crudup, Liana Liberato, Peter Coyote, Melanie Lynsky, Stephanie Scott, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Canavan, and Tom Cocquerel. Pic is a drama about the power of our happiest memories to sustain us in the worst of times. After a teen loses his best friends in a tragic…...
- 6/2/2015
- Deadline
Independence Day 2
Chin Han ("The Dark Knight") has joined the cast of the "Independence Day" sequel shooting in New Mexico. The film's director Roland Emmerich announced the news through his Twitter account.
Han previously worked with Emmerich on "2012" and here will play the leader of the Chinese Space Squadron. The film is due for release June 24th 2016. [Source: Twitter]
Rupture
Kerry Bishe, Peter Stormare, Lesley Manville and Ari Millen have joined the cast of sci-fi adventure thriller "Rupture" alongside Noomi Rapace and Michael Chiklis. Filming began Tuesday in Toronto.
Rapace plays a single mother abducted by a terrifying and mysterious organization who reveal to her that humanity faces an unsettling threat. Steven Shainberg is directing from Brian Nelson's script. [Source: Variety]
Empire
Adam Rodriguez ("Magic Mike") has scored a recurring role in the second season of Fox's hip-hop drama "Empire". Rodriguez joins previously announced guest stars Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz and Ne-Yo.
Chin Han ("The Dark Knight") has joined the cast of the "Independence Day" sequel shooting in New Mexico. The film's director Roland Emmerich announced the news through his Twitter account.
Han previously worked with Emmerich on "2012" and here will play the leader of the Chinese Space Squadron. The film is due for release June 24th 2016. [Source: Twitter]
Rupture
Kerry Bishe, Peter Stormare, Lesley Manville and Ari Millen have joined the cast of sci-fi adventure thriller "Rupture" alongside Noomi Rapace and Michael Chiklis. Filming began Tuesday in Toronto.
Rapace plays a single mother abducted by a terrifying and mysterious organization who reveal to her that humanity faces an unsettling threat. Steven Shainberg is directing from Brian Nelson's script. [Source: Variety]
Empire
Adam Rodriguez ("Magic Mike") has scored a recurring role in the second season of Fox's hip-hop drama "Empire". Rodriguez joins previously announced guest stars Chris Rock, Alicia Keys, Lenny Kravitz and Ne-Yo.
- 6/2/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Having weathered the wintry climes of Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight set, Tim Roth has turned his attention to his next job. He’s joined the cast of Life At These Speeds, adapted from Marc Novak’s novel.Life, which also stars Melanie Lynsky, Graham Rodgers, Billy Crudup, Liana Liberato, Peter Coyote, Stephanie Scott, Yul Vazquez, Elizabeth Canavan and Tom Cocquerel, follows what happens when a teenager loses his best friends in an accident. He starts running, and discovers that the exercise allows him to remember them perfectly, all while bringing him notoriety. And he realises he has a choice to make – does he keep his past memories alive, or start making new ones in the present?Roth is set to play Coach Jarhead in the film, which Leif Tilden is directing. In addition to The Hateful Eight (which has yet to set a UK release date), the actor...
- 6/2/2015
- EmpireOnline
Highly Functional
Bruce Campbell and James Frecheville have joined the cast of Marc Forby's road comedy "Highly Functional" with filming about to take place in New Mexico and Canada over the next month. Tom Dibble penned the script.
Campbell plays a washed-up former country rock star who is kidnapped by a young autistic man (Frecheville) with the belief that his dying caregiver can only be cured by the star performing. Annabeth Gish, Missi Pyle, G.W. Bailey and Judge Reinhold also star. [Source: Variety]
The Out of Town Wedding
Brooks Wheelan, Kurt Braunohler and Michael Cassidy are set to star in Jed Rigney's indie comedy "The Out of Town Wedding" and Zuko Films.
The story centers on a group of five friends who reluctantly travel to a resort for a wedding that deteriorates into mayhem. Rigney wrote the script, and Justin Workman will produce. [Source: THR]
Life At These Speeds
Graham Rogers has...
Bruce Campbell and James Frecheville have joined the cast of Marc Forby's road comedy "Highly Functional" with filming about to take place in New Mexico and Canada over the next month. Tom Dibble penned the script.
Campbell plays a washed-up former country rock star who is kidnapped by a young autistic man (Frecheville) with the belief that his dying caregiver can only be cured by the star performing. Annabeth Gish, Missi Pyle, G.W. Bailey and Judge Reinhold also star. [Source: Variety]
The Out of Town Wedding
Brooks Wheelan, Kurt Braunohler and Michael Cassidy are set to star in Jed Rigney's indie comedy "The Out of Town Wedding" and Zuko Films.
The story centers on a group of five friends who reluctantly travel to a resort for a wedding that deteriorates into mayhem. Rigney wrote the script, and Justin Workman will produce. [Source: THR]
Life At These Speeds
Graham Rogers has...
- 11/12/2014
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Leif Tilden’s Life At These Speeds starring Douglas Booth, Billy Crudup, AnnaSophia Robb and Sam Rockwell will start production in autumn and Content will introduce to Cannes buyers.
Marc Novak wrote the story of a youngster who takes up running as a way of remembering his best friends who died in an accident.
Tom Butterfield and Scott Alvarez produce.
“Every now and then a script comes from left field and entirely captures your imagination and your heart,” said Content’s Jamie Carmichael.
“Life At These Speeds is that script. It’s powerful, emotional, inspiring and uplifting – Leif, Tom and Scott have put together something truly beautiful.”
The Content slate includes: Amy Berg’s Janis Joplin documentary Janis: Little Girl Blue, Mike van Diem’s The Surprise, Jimi: All Is By My Side starring Andre Benjamin; family adventure Pudsey: The Movie and supernatural horror Dark Summer.
Marc Novak wrote the story of a youngster who takes up running as a way of remembering his best friends who died in an accident.
Tom Butterfield and Scott Alvarez produce.
“Every now and then a script comes from left field and entirely captures your imagination and your heart,” said Content’s Jamie Carmichael.
“Life At These Speeds is that script. It’s powerful, emotional, inspiring and uplifting – Leif, Tom and Scott have put together something truly beautiful.”
The Content slate includes: Amy Berg’s Janis Joplin documentary Janis: Little Girl Blue, Mike van Diem’s The Surprise, Jimi: All Is By My Side starring Andre Benjamin; family adventure Pudsey: The Movie and supernatural horror Dark Summer.
- 5/8/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
When I met Sam Rockwell, he struck me as simultaneously cordial and aloof. It's almost as if he was saying, "You're only going to get a fraction of who I really am, but I'm going to give that part to you with 100 percent conviction." Which seemed fair enough, considering (a) we were strangers and (b) promotional interviews are among the most awkward experiences in existence.
Then, for whatever reason, things changed. Rockwell moved closer to me on the couch and the look on his face changed from "When can I leave this hotel and enjoy my life like a normal person?" to "I am now engaged in this conversation." I've interviewed Rockwell once before, but this is the conversation I've always wanted to have with him -- an actor I consider one of the most interesting and hardest-working in the business today.
His new film is the Sundance favorite "The Way,...
Then, for whatever reason, things changed. Rockwell moved closer to me on the couch and the look on his face changed from "When can I leave this hotel and enjoy my life like a normal person?" to "I am now engaged in this conversation." I've interviewed Rockwell once before, but this is the conversation I've always wanted to have with him -- an actor I consider one of the most interesting and hardest-working in the business today.
His new film is the Sundance favorite "The Way,...
- 7/3/2013
- by Mike Ryan
- Huffington Post
Douglas Booth ("Lol," "Great Expectations") and Billy Crudup ("Watchmen," "Hoover") are set to star in "Life at These Speeds" reports Variety.
Based on the novel by Jeremy Jackson, the story follows a rural teenager (Booth) who loses his best friends in a tragic accident and channels his survivor's guilt into an addiction to running. Along the way he becomes a world-class distance runner
Crudup will co-star as Booth's coach and confidante. Leif Tilden ("BigLove") will direct from a script by Marc Novak. Sam Rockwell will executive produce and shooting kicks off late March in Jackson, Mississippi.
Based on the novel by Jeremy Jackson, the story follows a rural teenager (Booth) who loses his best friends in a tragic accident and channels his survivor's guilt into an addiction to running. Along the way he becomes a world-class distance runner
Crudup will co-star as Booth's coach and confidante. Leif Tilden ("BigLove") will direct from a script by Marc Novak. Sam Rockwell will executive produce and shooting kicks off late March in Jackson, Mississippi.
- 1/12/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Douglas Booth and Billy Crudup have signed on for Life at These Speeds. The pair will star in Leif Tilden's debut feature film, which has Conviction star Sam Rockwell attached as executive producer, according to Variety. The movie centres around a teenager (Booth) who attempts to deal with the death of his closest friend by channeling all his energy into becoming a world class runner. (more)...
- 1/12/2012
- by By Hugh Armitage
- Digital Spy
One of Billy Crudup's earliest roles was in the film Without Limits. In that movie, the actor played Steve Prefontaine, the world-famous runner who competed in the Olympics and had his life tragically cut short when he was killed in a car accident at the age of 24. Now Crudup has signed on to be in a new movie about running, but instead of being the athlete, this time he'll be playing the coach. Both Billy Crudup and Douglas Booth have signed on to star in Life At These Speeds, a new film from director Leif Tilden and writer Marc Novak, according to Variety. Based on the novel by Jeremy Jackson, the movie tells the story of a young man (Booth) whose friends are killed in an accident. Needing a way to eliminate his grief, he begins to take up running and winds up becoming a world-class athlete. Sam Rockwell...
- 1/12/2012
- cinemablend.com
It’s not every first-time feature film director who scores established thesp Billy Crudup and rising star Douglas Booth for their project, but then, not every debutant director is Leif Tilden, who has the benefit of Sam Rockwell executive producing his debut, Life At These Speeds.Life, which writer Marc Novak has adapted from Jeremy Jackson’s novel, is the story of a teenager (Booth) whose life falls apart when his best friend dies in an accident. He becomes addicted to running (well, it’s better than crack) and channels his survivor’s guilt into the determination to become a world-class distance runner.Crudup, who knows a thing or two about going like the clappers on screen after playing Steve Prefontaine in Without Limits, is on to play the young running fanatic’s coach and confidant.While Crudup is well known from his appearances in the likes of Almost Famous,...
- 1/12/2012
- EmpireOnline
Billy Crudup fans — like myself, for instance — can take some solace in today’s news. According to Variety, the actor will co-star with Douglas Booth in Life at These Speeds, a drama directed by Leif Tilden and executive produced by Sam Rockwell. Based on Jeremy Jackson‘s novel — adapted for the screen by Marc Novak — the story follows “ a rural teenager (Booth) who loses his best friends in a tragic accident and channels his survivor’s guilt into an addiction to running, becoming a world-class distance runner in the process”; Crudup is playing “Booth’s coach and confidante.”
Tilden described the project as a “moving film about hope and forgiveness,” while Rockwell spoke enthusiastically about the prospect of having such a team come together for a story he’s supportive of. When asked about Speeds, meanwhile, Booth deemed it “a script [...] that really makes you sit up and pay attention,...
Tilden described the project as a “moving film about hope and forgiveness,” while Rockwell spoke enthusiastically about the prospect of having such a team come together for a story he’s supportive of. When asked about Speeds, meanwhile, Booth deemed it “a script [...] that really makes you sit up and pay attention,...
- 1/11/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Billy Crudup, Douglas Booth join Sam Rockwell executive produced Life at These Speeds. Leif Tilden directs from the script by Marc Novak, based on the novel by Jeremy Jackson. This reunites Rockwell with Tilden who directed him in the award-winning short BigLove, reports Variety. Booth plays a rural teen who loses his best friends in a tragic accident, takes all of his guilt as a survivor, and channels it into a running addiction, becoming a world-class distance runner. This is not unfamiliar ground for Crudup who portrayed Steve Prefontaine in Without Limits, and will play Booth's coach in Life at These Speeds.
- 1/11/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Billy Crudup, Douglas Booth join Sam Rockwell executive produced Life at These Speeds. Leif Tilden directs from the script by Marc Novak, based on the novel by Jeremy Jackson. This reunites Rockwell with Tilden who directed him in the award-winning short BigLove, reports Variety. Booth plays a rural teen who loses his best friends in a tragic accident, takes all of his guilt as a survivor, and channels it into a running addiction, becoming a world-class distance runner. This is not unfamiliar ground for Crudup who portrayed Steve Prefontaine in Without Limits, and will play Booth's coach in Life at These Speeds.
- 1/11/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Billy Crudup, Douglas Booth join Sam Rockwell executive produced Life at These Speeds. Leif Tilden directs from the script by Marc Novak, based on the novel by Jeremy Jackson. This reunites Rockwell with Tilden who directed him in the award-winning short BigLove, reports Variety. Booth plays a rural teen who loses his best friends in a tragic accident, takes all of his guilt as a survivor, and channels it into a running addiction, becoming a world-class distance runner. This is not unfamiliar ground for Crudup who portrayed Steve Prefontaine in Without Limits, and will play Booth's coach in Life at These Speeds.
- 1/11/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The turtles are back again. The Mirage Group will bring the pizza loving group of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the big screen again in a live-action film which goes back to the origins of the crime fighters. Apparently, the film has been targeted for a release some time in 2011, marking the fifth bigscreen trial for the sewer-dwelling warriors. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick will produce with Galen Walker, the producer of the 2007 cgi pic "Tmnt." Another live-action film was back in 1990 which Steve Barron helmed. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman lead the cast. The characters were first seen in the 1984 comicbook prior to the massively successful toy line in the 90s. ...
- 4/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The turtles are back again. The Mirage Group will bring the pizza loving group of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the big screen again in a live-action film which goes back to the origins of the crime fighters. Apparently, the film has been targeted for a release some time in 2011, marking the fifth bigscreen trial for the sewer-dwelling warriors. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick will produce with Galen Walker, the producer of the 2007 cgi pic "Tmnt." Another live-action film was back in 1990 which Steve Barron helmed. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman lead the cast...
- 4/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
The turtles are back again. The Mirage Group will bring the pizza loving group of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" to the big screen again in a live-action film which goes back to the origins of the crime fighters. Apparently, the film has been targeted for a release some time in 2011, marking the fifth bigscreen trial for the sewer-dwelling warriors. Legendary Pictures former chief marketing officer Scott Mednick will produce with Galen Walker, the producer of the 2007 cgi pic "Tmnt." Another live-action film was back in 1990 which Steve Barron helmed. Judith Hoag, Elias Koteas, Josh Pais, Michelan Sisti, Leif Tilden and David Forman lead the cast...
- 4/23/2009
- Upcoming-Movies.com
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