Arnav Srivastav
In the twilight years of the glamorous ’60s, Kurt Russell signed a lucrative ten-year deal with Walt Disney. That prompted Robert Osborne to deem him as the studio’s biggest star, and effectively of Hollywood. His rampant image as an anti-hero took from through the ’70s, owing to his fruitful unison with John Carpenter. The underestimated Russell’s star appeal and charisma charmed masses and earned millions at the box office. His big bad mustache became an integral part of an iconic apparel and a sordid image. Honoring this global star and his painstaking efforts, we celebrate a career spanning more than five decades. Here is the list of top 12 Kurt Russell movies. Happy reading!
12. Captain Ron (1992)
The film is about a mild-mannered and laidback man Martin, who one fateful day, fortunately, inherits a yacht. Elated and beaming with joy, the excited Martin decides to circumnavigate the earth and takes his family on a voyage. Needing a charismatic and rugged captain, they stumble upon the erratic Captain Ron (Russell), who soon enough proves his childish temperament, putting the family in trouble. A fairly limited Russell is wonderfully in line with his character. martin Short is his usual best, but the film disappoints with a flattering screenplay and a languid narrative.
11. Tango and Cash (1989)
The amalgamation of Sylvester Stallone’s raw magnetism and Russell’s commanding stage presence yields a crass sonnet, the likes of which are rarely found Stallone portrays Raymond ‘Ray’ Tango, a highly decorated narcotics detective from Beverly Hills, whose penchant for the stock market has granted him a means to express his sophisticated nature and aspirations of financial independence. Tango yearns for a better society yet will not rest on his laurels of law and order. “Gabriel ‘Gabe’ Cash” portrayed by the flawless Kurt Russell, is the antipodean of Stallone’s practical Tango. Cash is pugnacious, assertive, and zealous, yet his diligence to enforce law and order no matter what defines this tortured soul. Stallone masterfully portrays the dichotomy of a character who is highly educated and well-mannered, yet is beset in a cesspool of crime and depravity. The chemistry between Stallone and Russell is reminiscent of Redford and Newman, if not greater, with snide remarks being made by both parties. A brilliant and evocative film that manages to hold you until the very end.
10. Escape from L.A. (1986)
After watching every sequel ever, all I ask is why can’t every sequel be like ‘Godfather II’? WHat’s so hard to do? A despairing semblance of its mighty predecessor, ‘Escape from L.A.’ presents absolutely nothing new in terms of a cinematic experience. High-octane actions sequences are probably the only saving grace. The spirited cast digs deep to salvage their pride, and to that extent, the films. Continuing in the same vein as the previous one, the film envisages Snake chasing after a detonation device, stolen by the President’s daughter herself. Brainwashing her is the terrorist group, which is the insidious provenance of the menace. Carpenter’s inconsistency strikes again with this dull and uninspired action flick.
9. Big Trouble in Little China (1987)
Truck driver Jack Burton (Russell) arrives in Chinatown and welcomes his green-eyed fiancée Miao Yin, who is arriving from China. However, she is abducted on arrival by a Chinese street gang. Soon they learn that the powerful evil sorcerer called David Lo Pan, who has been cursed more than two thousand years ago to exist without a physical body, needs to marry a woman with green eyes to retrieve his physical body and Miao is the chosen one. Jack and Wang team-up with the lawyer Gracie Law, the bus driver and sorcerer apprentice Egg Shen and their friends and embark on a great adventure in the underground of Chinatown, where they face a world of magic, monsters and martial arts fighters. ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ was my first movie of Russell, and boy was I taken aback. Stunning and invigorating at its core, the action drama is a little too much for the weak-hearted.
8. Death Proof (2007)
A sinister and suave stuntman is a serial killer and takes a special interest in women. Making every murder seem like a car accident, his foolproof plan to keep going eventually hits a roadblock in the form a spirited group of women, who intrepidly fightback. Tarantino’s passion effusively decorates this scintillating and breathtaking piece of work with charm and rigor. The insanely talented casts and the perfectly executed action scenes supplement yet another hill-belly masterpiece from the mercurial auteur. Russell’magneticic charm works well, as the stunning women steal the show.
7. Overboard (1987)
Where do you draw the line between something innocuously pleasant and something sinisterly creepy? ‘Overboard’ definitely plays with its fine margins. A stylish country carpenter tries to persuade a woman he fancies that she is his adorable wife. Will he succeed? Showing his range as an actor, Russell’s is almost perfect in this half-hearted yet endearing comedy-romance. Built up with its exciting premise and a lovable cast, ‘Overboard’ manages to stay on board and wither away from senseless and useless antics to present a wholesome and solid film.
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6. Tombstone (1983)
There’s that mustache! Seeking a peaceful and idyllic life in the docile town of Tombstone retired peace office Wyatt looks to settle with his brothers. But as fate would have it, trouble finds him in the form of Cochise Cowboys, led by their enigmatic and ruthless leader William “Curly Bill” Brocius. The iconic cast features names like Russell, Kilmer, Paxton, and Sam Elliot. Partially true to the Western genre, this subdued but effective drama takes innate human instincts of savagery and destruction vis-a-vis the ordained rule-oriented society. A real good one that’s half made up of that frigging mustache!
5. Bone Tomahawk (2015)
After a bandit unwittingly drives a band of savage Troglodytes into the quiet western town of Bright Hope, the creatures capture a few pioneers, including the spouse of a nearby farmer. In spite of his harmed leg, the farmer joins a little protect party with the sheriff, his maturing appointee, and a solid willed gunfighter. What takes after is an adventure into terrible as the force comes to acknowledge it is up against an adversary whose viciousness knows no limits. The film happens when the new century rolled over around the fringe of what is presently Texas and New Mexico. It is the last 45 minutes of the picture that will leave everybody talking about it. ‘Bone Tomahawk’ detonates into the awful types with its barbarian viciousness. The escalation is quick, and I mean exceptionally quick. It truly appears out of the blue, without warnings. It’s this fear makes the last third of the motion picture so exciting. Masterfully planned and executed with heart and soul, ‘Bone Tomahawk’ is one of the most underrated films of 2015. Go and watch it before I can say ‘cheese’.
4. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter once again collaborated with his dependable star to produce one of the most iconic sci-fi horrors of all time. A devious shape-shifting entity takes control over a secluded Antartic laboratory. Killing the inhabitants one by one, the scientists must collectively endeavor to stop the menacing thing. With some really cool special effects and jump-scares, ‘The Thing’ successfully establishes Carpenter’s status as a prodigal filmmaker and an avid fan of disgusting, macabre things.
3. The Hateful Eight (2015)
Eight people are stranded in a deserted haberdashery owing to the blistering storm. The surprising absence of its jolly owners sparks doubts, the presence of four strange men more so. Two of them argue over the American Civil war, both being on the opposite sides, and in the process, one is killed. Someone positions the tea in the meanwhile, and the story tenses thereby, revealing four other men beneath the floor. The taut and stunningly shot movie is yet another jewel in the cinematic crown of Quentin Tarantino. Featuring a magnificent ensemble, the film remains true to the Tarantino brand of cinema, characterized by aesthetic violence and terse music. The opening scene definitely ranks as one of the best in recent memories.
2. Escape From New York (1981)
One of Russell’s most iconic roles see him inhabit the role of Gruff Snake Plissken, an ex-soldier turned convict. The black eye-patch become the talk of the industry and created a new trend in fashion. The cult classic’s rugged protagonist is tasked with extracting the President of the States, currently a hostage in the White House under terrorists. The almost dystopian setting and colorful characters work wonders in the favor of the film. Russell’s charisma and action prowess compliments an assured directorial effort from the flawless Carpenter.
1. Silkwood (1983)
Russell’s first and only Golden Globe nomination came courtesy this sublime biographical-drama. Traversing the troubled life of Karen Silkwood, a nuclear whistleblower, the film takes into account her landmark case Silkwood v. Kerr-McGee. Her tumultuous life takes a turn for the worse when powerful men feel threatened by her and decide to nullify. Full of eventful turns and powerful acting by Streep and Russell, ‘Silkwood’ is a finely crafted film.
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