Why ‘Turbo Cola’ is the nostalgic 90s film we all need

Updated Jan 3, 2022 5:13 PM PST

A movie poster for "Turbo Cola" features six young people arranged above a large red cup filled with ice and money. The central figure is a young man with short curly hair wearing a black and red jacket. Surrounding him are a blonde woman in a plaid shirt, a man holding a gun in a black leather jacket, a young man in a blue and yellow letterman jacket, a woman in a white fur coat and plaid skirt, and a man with long hair wearing a beanie and green jacket inside the cup. The background is a snowy night scene with a lit-up convenience store displaying a neon sign that reads "HAPPY Y2K!" and a car with headlights on. Text at the top reads, "New Year's Eve 1999. Small-town Michigan. THIS NIGHT WILL CHANGE HIS LIFE." The bottom credits list cast and crew details. — Turbo Cola poster. Courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

Turbo Cola brings us back to the late 1990s with a film steeped in centered nostalgia, a heist scheme, and small-town drama which will resonate with your inner youth. It’s Oceans 7-11! The direction, acting, plot and soundtrack are excellent, endearing and display what passionate indie filmmakers can accomplish even during the pandemic. The key song in the film, 1999, by Arlen Gun Club, draws upon 90s wistfulness and yearning as well.

Logline: It’s small-town Michigan, New Year’s Eve, 1999, & it’s frickin’ cold out.

Synopsis: With all of his friends headed to a party on the last night of 1999, Austin takes an extra shift at the Quality Mart gas station and is forced to look down the barrel of what it means to graduate high school and face a future stuck in his middle of nowhere hometown.

Turbo Cola is based on the play New Year’s Eve at the Stop-n-Go written by Samantha Oty and the movie is the director Luke Covert’s feature film debut. Brandon Keeton, retired Marine Corps Captain and martial artist, is a first-time producer on the film as well.

Six young adults are gathered around a gas pump at night. Two men stand on either side of the pump, one in a light denim outfit holding a gas nozzle, and the other in a black jacket and boots. Four people sit on the ground in front of the pump: a man with long blonde hair in a green and orange jacket, a man in a black and teal jacket, a woman in a black puffer jacket, and a woman in a white coat with her hair styled in two buns. The setting is dimly lit with cars and buildings in the background. A sign above the pump reads "PARKING FOR GAS PUMPING ONLY. — The cast of Turbo Cola from left to right is Anthony Notarile (standing), Erik Walker Neil (seated), Nicolas Stoesser (seated), Jordyn Denning (seated), Brooke Maroon (seated), and Landon Tavernier (standing). Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

We are introduced to the main character Austin, portrayed by Nicolas Stoesser, as he discusses the proposed heist of the Quality Mart gas station with his friend and confidant “Swearsky” and the role is played by Jared Spears. They develop an ingenious plan to take the money from the ATM, stash it in a special pocket in Austin’s pants and then move it inside a Turbo Cola display which can be conveniently taken out of the store at the end of Austin’s shift. He uses movement throughout the store such as mopping and restocking to obscure his transfer of the money. Dennis Thomas’s cinematography is great and has some distinct movement shots as part of the mop bucket. Austin deals with high school antics from a host of characters that make memorable scenes inside of the Quality Mart. Warning: Lots of Turbo Cola is drunk throughout the film as well.

Two men are pictured indoors. The man on the left has light skin, a beard, and long hair tied back, wearing a gray knit beanie and a black shirt, smiling at the camera. The man on the right has light skin, short dark hair, and is wearing a black jacket over a black shirt with headphones around his neck, looking at the camera with a neutral expression. Behind them, there is a wall with an "EXIT" sign and some papers posted. — Erik Walker Neil on set with director Luke Covert. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

We are introduced to newcomers such as Landon Tavernier who plays the troubled and likable Jimmy, the youthful and fun Jordyn Denning as Mary Jane, the stuck-in-high-school Anthony Notarile as Eric and Eric’s equally arrested development love interest Brooke Maroon as Jennifer. The character portrayals nail the small-town Americana played upon in the film, which adds to the depth and reality of the movie. We get to see the troubled angst of suburbia that was true in 1999 and is still true today. People trying to change the course of their lives and families through education, work and schemes. There are those people stuck in a rut and those getting liftoff to break free of the town’s gravitational pull. We get a great intro to actress Erin Nordseth’s abilities as she plays Austin’s mother with some issues, but a good heart. A small-town mom stuck in the same whirlwind as are many people in the story. Producer and Marine Brandon Keeton has a memorable cameo role as a police officer stopping in at the Quality Mart for some fresh coffee. It’s great to see fellow veterans and Marines finding their passion in life and getting to live post their military service.

The film has its ups and downs while paying homage to such masterpieces as John Sturge’s The Great Escape with Steve McQueen (also a Marine), James Garner, and Charles Bronson. There is an undertone of escaping the town, so finding a way to “tunnel out” is key. If only we had a King of Cool motorcycle chase across the frozen tundra. There are some excellent and humorous stock room discussions over pizza covering a multitude of topics to include philosophy. These scenes call upon countless real-life small town employees at their local store, restaurant or supermarket conversing on how their lives fit into the overall place in the universe.

A group of four people wearing face masks are inside a convenience store with money scattered on the floor. One person is falling backward with legs in the air, while the others are reacting with raised hands and leaning forward. The store shelves are stocked with various products, and a large light reflector is set up, suggesting a filming or photo shoot scene. — More fun on set with the crew of Turbo Cola. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

The project is most impressive with it being filmed during the pandemic and turning out so well as an ensemble piece that hits the correct tone for the material. The film is a fun ride worth the watch and rates at three out of four red star clusters in my book. It will be coming out in the spring of 2022 during its festival run. Check it out at your local Blockbuster…no wait, your local streaming platform or theater here soon. Stuck in the 90s a little, let me grab a can of Kick or Surge, with a Whatchamacallit bar, some regular unleaded for a buck seventeen and a Turbo Cola VHS rental, not Laserdisc or Betamax, for my Friday evening. Be kind, rewind.

A person wearing a black beanie, black sweatshirt, black pants, gray socks, and brown leather boots is sitting on a wooden box. They are operating a professional RED camera mounted on a tripod, positioned in front of refrigerated shelves stocked with various beverages, including cans and bottles. The person is resting their chin on their hand and wearing a gray face mask. — Cinematographer Dennis Thomas at work on Turbo Cola. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

Two young men stand in a convenience store. The man on the left wears a gray tracksuit with a red Wonder Woman t-shirt and a face mask, while the man on the right wears a light blue denim shirt and jeans, with blood stains on his shoulder and hand. In the background, several people are gathered near refrigerated shelves. The store is well-lit with snacks and products displayed on racks. — On set with the cast and crew of Turbo Cola. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

Three people are inside a store. One person with long curly hair wearing a white jacket is facing away from the camera. Another person with short dark hair, wearing a black hoodie and a floral face mask, is holding a white cup and looking at the third person. The third person, wearing a blue and yellow letterman jacket, is gesturing with their hands while talking. The store shelves are stocked with various items, and a person in a gray shirt and jeans is reaching for something on a high shelf in the background. — Director Luke Covert (center) with Brooke Maroon (left) and Anthony Notarile (right) preparing another scene. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

Six young adults sit on the floor in front of refrigerated beverage coolers stocked with milk, juices, sodas, and energy drinks. They are dressed in casual, trendy clothing with jackets, boots, and sneakers. The group appears relaxed and close, with some leaning on each other. The setting suggests a convenience store or supermarket. — The cast after another long shift at the Quality Mart. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.

Marine turned Producer Brandon Keeton provided by, well, Brandon Keeton.

Young man sitting in the driver's seat of a car at night, looking towards the camera. The car interior and exterior are visible, with a parking lot and illuminated buildings in the background. The image is in black and white. — Anthony Notarile as Eric in the quintessential 90s preppy ride for a man who wears a letterman jacket, a Mustang GT. Photo courtesy of Brandon Keeton.