Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
02-15-10, 09:37 PM
#51
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Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
I don't know about that. 1970's Love Story made him a star (and an Oscar-nominee), and he continued his success streak with films like What's up, Doc, Paper Moon (with his own daughter, who did win the Oscar), and, yeah, I guess, Barry Lyndon, which I still haven't seen yet.
As for Kurt Russell, he just got "played out." When certain actors reach a certain point in life, they're either endurable despite their weight gain, or they're repulsive. Kurt kind of became repulsive. He tried to be "cool" in Death, but it was borderline pathetic. And films like that Elvis Impersonators with that other washed up actor Kevin Costner. Costner is another actor who lost his looks early in the game (after JFK, he became unwatchable to me).
But look at the bright side: guys like Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner and Ryan O'Neal had their day in the sun! Their movies will be watched over and over and over again, and they are IMMORTAL!! These guys will live forever. Kurt Russell will live forever because of Escape From New York and The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China (and yes, even Unlawful Entry).
He may not be something now. But he was something. And nobody can take that away from him. Nobody.
As for Kurt Russell, he just got "played out." When certain actors reach a certain point in life, they're either endurable despite their weight gain, or they're repulsive. Kurt kind of became repulsive. He tried to be "cool" in Death, but it was borderline pathetic. And films like that Elvis Impersonators with that other washed up actor Kevin Costner. Costner is another actor who lost his looks early in the game (after JFK, he became unwatchable to me).
But look at the bright side: guys like Kurt Russell and Kevin Costner and Ryan O'Neal had their day in the sun! Their movies will be watched over and over and over again, and they are IMMORTAL!! These guys will live forever. Kurt Russell will live forever because of Escape From New York and The Thing and Big Trouble in Little China (and yes, even Unlawful Entry).
He may not be something now. But he was something. And nobody can take that away from him. Nobody.
02-15-10, 11:39 PM
#52
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Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
He's not quite on the level of Jeff Bridges, but Kurt Russell is just a really solid, underrated performer. I bumped into him in New York like 7 or 8 years ago and he was looking old/haggard back then. I'm sure the level of scripts he's offered these days is pretty poor.
He was very good in a movie called Swingshift years ago with Goldie and Christine Lahti.
02-16-10, 05:37 AM
#53
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Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
For those who think he's over-rated and mediocre, I would say this: Nobody has ever played Joe Sixpack better than Kurt Russell. Whenever I see virtually anyone else in a blue collar role, they either try too hard to come off as gritty, or they play up stereotypes for laughs and I think, "I know the guy that he's making fun of." Russell has always given us a grounded, believable performance, and I think, "I know that guy." It doesn't seem impressive, until you tally up all the other performances that have missed the mark.
02-16-10, 07:50 AM
#54
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Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
Always linked him together with Dennis Quaid in my mind...both are solid, dependable actors but I really couldn't care if they end up retiring.
02-16-10, 10:39 AM
#55
Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
I'm a big Russell fan and liked him alot in "Death Proof". I can't believe it's now been 3 years since that came out. Time is flying by.
Another favorite Russell performance of mine is in "Breakdown", which is a very underappreciated thriller. Maybe we'll get an actual 16x9 enhanced DVD or even a *gulp* BD release of that film in the near future.
Another favorite Russell performance of mine is in "Breakdown", which is a very underappreciated thriller. Maybe we'll get an actual 16x9 enhanced DVD or even a *gulp* BD release of that film in the near future.
02-16-10, 10:54 AM
#56
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
Aw, "Breakdown" was just another superhero movie. A regular joe getting under a truck while its moving to find his wife? Not bloody likely. I forget the other elements of that film I found unbelievable, but there were many. Too many.
02-16-10, 11:08 AM
#58
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
At least he don't have "man-boobs" like I do. And he gets hot chicks despite his "pouch." Can't beat that with a stick, no sir. Would I trade places with the man? Hell Yes.
02-16-10, 12:53 PM
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Re: Kurt Russell: what happened to him?
'Dark Blue' struck me as probably his best performance.
He never took movies or Hollywood seriously enough to go 'legit' as a 'complicated Oscar nominated actor', or the 'A list action superstar' like Tom Cruise or etc. Someone who just lives for more fame, more money, more awards and nominations, bigger opening weekends, anything to get more.
After 'Silkwood' he was certainly set to go 'full retard' in the business. He just chose to have fun as an actor, make some money, and also have a life outside of 'the right parties, the right people' and etc.
I saw him discussing that stuff in an interview once, also some people who know him. He had been a star since he was a child with Disney, and it was just a job, not something he craved like a needy child(like the bulk of people in entertainment do). It was kind of a 'Biography' type of program but I don't think it was actually the Biography Channel.
He never took movies or Hollywood seriously enough to go 'legit' as a 'complicated Oscar nominated actor', or the 'A list action superstar' like Tom Cruise or etc. Someone who just lives for more fame, more money, more awards and nominations, bigger opening weekends, anything to get more.
After 'Silkwood' he was certainly set to go 'full retard' in the business. He just chose to have fun as an actor, make some money, and also have a life outside of 'the right parties, the right people' and etc.
I saw him discussing that stuff in an interview once, also some people who know him. He had been a star since he was a child with Disney, and it was just a job, not something he craved like a needy child(like the bulk of people in entertainment do). It was kind of a 'Biography' type of program but I don't think it was actually the Biography Channel.
02-16-10, 12:58 PM
#65
