The League - Kurt Russell

This week's League topic is two words "Kurt Russell"... nothing more. 

Kurt Russell and Brian Presley in a scene from "Touchback" courtesy Anchor Bay Films

Kurt Russell is one of my favorite actors, appearing in a great number of some of my favorite films largely based on the characters he plays so well. How fantastic and/or interesting would it be to be on a film set with him? I have an answer to that. In the summer of 2010 I found out in a nearby town in Michigan that a film company was shooting a film called "Touchback" starring Kurt Russell. It's a sports film and the production was doing an all-night shooting at a high school football stadium for portions of the film that had a football game being played. Kurt's role is that of a coach. There was a call for extras to show up to fill the stands and be the crowd for the home and opposing team's fans. I had to go there with the possibility of seeing Kurt Russell in action, if even from 500 ft away.

For a few hours Kurt didn't show up, but then when his scenes were ready to be filmed he came out onto the field and the crowd erupted in applause and cheering. He looked up to everyone and was waving. When there was down time and he wasn't on the sidelines acting he came up to the stands and talked with fans and that was all pretty cool. So in the end I'm in the film somewhere in the sea of extras in the stands. I've yet to see the movie and really try to pinpoint where I am, but knowing that I was there and I can say "I was in a film starring Kurt Russell" is fantastic. It was a fun experience getting to to see the film being made and being able to take part in it. Plus I got $75 so that was sort of nice too. I wish I would have had my phone with me to snap a couple of pictures, but alas I didn't have one then.

Here is a local news story about the night shooting that I was at. 

http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/entertainment/Touchback-cast-extras-filming-at-HS

See what other League members had to say about Kurt.

Green Plastic Squirt Gun's Top 10 favorite Kurt Russell movies.

The Liar of the Dork Horde has Kurt all lit up!

Memories of Toymorrow: Kurt Russell, what could have been.

Movie Hodge Podge says Kurt is Disney's greatest child star.

Bishop of Battle - 1983

Here is the very memorable story "The Bishop of Battle" from the 1983 Nightmares anthology. I don't ever remember seeing the other stories when I was younger, just this one. I wonder if they were shown as one-off stories later after the initial release. The story stars Emilio Estevez as who is one of the best video game players in his area and is trying to beat the difficult "Bishop of Battle" game. His desire to win is so intense that he ends up breaking into the arcade after hours to do battle. It's a pretty fun watch if you have the time. Below is part 1 on Youtube. It appears its in 3 parts or so.

"Greetings, Earthling. I am the Bishop of Battle, master of all I survey. I have 13 progressively harder levels. Try me if you dare."

Alien 1979 - Dallas Air Shaft Scene

Ever since I was little I've always loved monsters. Monster movies, shows, toys and what-have-you. 99% of the time I'm never truly scared by them monsters, I just enjoy it for good. However, there are a few moments in film that did terrify me. One of the more memorable moments of fright was in Alien. I can't remember how young I was, but I was watching Alien for the very first time and I was frozen with fear when the Alien got Dallas in the air shaft. The quick reveal of the Alien, the music and that build up to that moment were scary as hell.