io9: kurt russell

Kurt Russell's Awkward Han Solo Audition Tape

Meredith Woerner — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:30:00 PST

We knew Kurt Russell was up for the role of Han in Star Wars, but this hilarious audition video managed to sneak under our radar. It's strange and almost wrong, watching Russell's take on a good-guy Han Solo. [via Cinematical]

David Cronenberg May Direct Ultra-Violent Time-Travel Remake

Meredith Woerner — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:20:00 PDT

David Cronenberg (The Fly, Crash) is in talks to direct the American remake of the Sundance scifi crime movie Timecrimes, according to original director Nacho Vigalondo. Which would be amazing news for Timecrimes as Cronenberg could bring a lot grit and darkness to the American version, as long as it's not as bewildering as eXistenZ.

Besides Cronenberg, Vigalondo expressed interest in Kurt Russell or Bruce Willis for the remake's leading man (and what scifi fan could blame him?). Vigalondo also has hopes for Adam Brody as the scientist and Joan Allen for the main character's wife. Timecrimes is about a man who travels back in time and discovers that infinite possibilities lead to infinite corruption. And that's before he comes face-to-face with himself. [Blog de Cine via Shock til You Drop]

Own Your Own Thing From 'The Thing'

Kevin Kelly — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:00:04 PST

If you haven't seen John Carpenter's classic The Thing, which shows you just how scary a remote Antarctic ice station can be when a parasitic alien thaws out, you should. If you have seen it, then you'll recognize this sucker designed by FX whiz Rob Bottin. Remember when Kurt Russell starts testing everyone's blood to see if they've become infected and have shapeshifted into an alien? Well, this is what pops out of the petri dish in one of those "shit your pants" screen moments, and it can be yours for the semi-outrageous opening bid of $3,499.00. Although there's no certificate of authenticity, there is a very nice glass case, which might explain the upcharge. If it were made out of diamond. [Ain't It Cool]

Must See: The Thing

Annalee Newitz — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:08:03 PDT

Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale. Written by James Rocchi.

Title: John Carpenter's The Thing
Date: 1982

Vitals: John Carpenter's remake of the 1951 sci-fi chiller The Thing from Another World isn't just a high-water mark in pre-digital special effects; it's one of the most effective and chilling sci-fi horror films ever made, as a group of U.S. personnel at an Antarctic base are besieged by an invader from beyond who can take any shape it wishes ... and duplicate any of its victims. Mixing action, horror, big sci-fi ideas and great production design, The Thing is a true classic.

Famous Names: John Carpenter (Director) Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley, Keith David (Cast).

Crunchy Goodness: 5

Elevator Pitch: "It's ... And Then There Were None with a space alien!"

Sight You'll Never Unsee: The shape-shifting Thing's unique way of escaping a fire — as a severed head sprouts legs and eyes to scuttle away. ...

Bang for Your Buck: Rob Bottin and Stan Winston's brilliant goopy creature work — perhaps the greatest achievement in pre-digital special effects.

Ebert's Review

Must See: Stargate

Annalee Newitz — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 21:26:12 PDT

Must-see movies are futuristic classics that shouldn't be missed. Of course, not every must-see is perfect. That's why we've rated them 1-5 on the patented "crunchy goodness" scale.

Title: Stargate
Date: 1994

Vitals: Military scientists discover a "gate" that connects Earth with another world, whose culture resembles that of ancient Egypt. Will a bumbling white guy archaeologist be able to prevent Arab-looking aliens from turning his home planet into classical antiquity hell?

Famous names: Roland Emmerich, James Spader, Kurt Russell, Jaye Davidson

Crunchy goodness: 3

Spinoffs: Two long-running SciFi TV series based on the movie, Stargate: SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis, became mini-industries unto themselves.

Elevator pitch: Think Star Trek, except there are no ships and the menacing aliens are Middle Easterners rather than Russians.

Deadliest spoiler: The pyramids really were built by aliens.

Mutant Reviewers from Hell do "Stargate"