Photos by Ben Deibert

The hellacious heroes in a half shell are back! The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles celebrated their 25th anniversary Thursday night at the World Financial Center Plaza, where fans proved there was no shame partyin’ it up in full turtle attire (the greener, the better). Part of the Tribeca Film Festival Drive-In movie feature, the Shell-ebration kicked off with free pizza, martial arts demos, face-painting and tours of the memorabilia-packed TMNT party bus, and finished with a free outdoor screening of the original (and arguably best) live-action film, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990). Even the Empire State Building glowed green in their honor. Read more »

Cowabunga, dudes!

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are celebrating their 25th year (yes, it’s true, you are getting old) of kicking the stuffing out of Shredder. They may not be adolescents anymore, but we still love ‘em.

So we’re psyched to hear that plans for a new live-action TMNT movie are moving ahead for 2011. Where the Wild Things Are and 300 producer Scott Mednick is on board, so you can expect to drool over Raphael’s six-pack (which is a little disturbing). You can read all about it on cocreater Peter Laird’s blog.

It looks like you’re going to have to brush up on your Turtle trivia. Lucky for you we’ve already spoken to Laird, so you can impress your friends by telling them how the creators came up with the idea of reptilian ninjas named after great Renaissance men.

And we also have video clips of Laird’s four favorite TMNT onscreen moments. Naturally, two of them involve kick-ass fights. Remember, though, your mom told you not to copy the fight moves on your friends. (All right, don’t worry, we won’t snitch.)

Real turtleheads should head to the World Financial Center Plaza tonight for three ways to shell-ebrate, and take our personality quiz before you go to find out which TMNT you’re like.

Treeless Mountain, now playing at Film Forum

Film
Treeless Mountain
This tender melodrama of two sisters subverts the kids-in-trouble template.

Birthday Bash
Shell-ebration
Get radical on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle’s 25th birthday at a free screening, on a party bus or by breaking a world record.

Music
The Thing + Sparks + Little Women
An ultravisceral Scandinavian jazz unit headlines a bill, joined by two ferocious local counterparts.

Drink Up
Take Your Parents to the Bar Day
Nothing could convince us to take our parents to SideBar. You say the first round of drinks are on the house if they’re in tow? Where did I put Mom’s number?

Comedy
Collective Comedy
Amy Schumer’s show takes off tonight with Anthony Jeselnik and Jim Norton. Aiding its flight: free beer.

See more recommended events today.