On this day in Science Fiction history, Steven Spielberg's E.T. - The Extraterrestrial was first released theatrically in 1982. The whimsical modern-day fairly tale of a boy and his -- erm -- alien warmed the hearts of audiences around the world. Actor Ed Bishop had a small part in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but he greatly established himself with fans of sci-fi in the series-leading-role of Commander Ed Straker in Gerry Anderson's live action series UFO (1969-1973). Though he's no longer with us, Bishop was born on this day in 1932. We fanboys take our heroines seriously, and, throughout the late 70's and much of the 80's, Adrienne Barbeau ruled the silver screen. She appeared in John Carpenter's The Fog as well as his Escape from New York, and she was the only beauty capable of taming the beast that was Swamp Thing. Barbeau was born on this day in 1945. In any account of the Trojan War, it's been said that Helen had a face that launched a thousand ships to war. Well -- in the anals of sci-fi films -- it was the face of Cherry 2000 who launched one man's attempt to bring his own 'Helen' back to life. The android Cherry 2000 was played by the lovely Pamela Gidley, who was born on this day in 1965. Peter Dinklage is definitely 'ruling the roost' so far as most fanboys are concerned. He's plays a key figure aboard HBO's Games of Thrones, and he definitely upped his game as part of X-Men: Days of Future Past in the summer of 2014. Dinklage was born on this day in 1969 and has been turning in nothing but quality work ever since. Joshua Jackson was part of the winning ensemble that made Fox TV's Fringe so popular. Throughout the show's tenure, Jackson stayed near the helm, both as an actor as well as a character given the fact that his Peter Bishop was a driving force behind why all of these parallel worlds were originally in collision. Jackson was born on this day in 1978. Pardon me if I sound a bit snarky: there's been something refreshing about watching Shia Labeouf's public persona implode almost as easily as a plot device in any of the Transformers' flicks he's headlined. (Truth is I enjoyed the first as a guilty popcorn pleasure, but the rest have been awful.) Labeouf was born on this day in 1986. Just over ten years after Steven Spielberg left his footprint on film history with E.T. (previously mentioned above), he did it again with the very first installment of the Jurassic Park (1993) franchise exploding into theatres. I can still remember the first time I heard the T-Rex roar ... and it still brings me chills! Vin Diesel loves the character that launched his career, and why not? Riddick is a seminal loner with a penchant for solving problems the old-fashioned way: violently. The man who can see in the dark returned to the silver screen (in a somewhat complex, convoluted plot) with the release of The Chronicles of Riddick on this day in 2004.
Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was one of those characters who -- despite a truly awful script -- truly lit up the screen when given the chance to throw down opposite Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. I'm not one of those fair-weather-fans who hated all things about the Prequel Trilogy, but I'll be the first to admit the narrative had problems. Think what you may, the gravitas actor Liam Neeson helped stabilize even the weakest of those films. As much as he could, Neeson emboldened Jinn with the right amounts of nobility and (dare I say?) cynicism as the Jedi who sees the fate of the galaxy within his grasp while the Jedi Council wastes time fracturing over every possible mention of Anakin Skywalker bringing "balance" to the Force. (Whatever that was!) Neeson was born on this day back in 1952. Birthdays Late in her incredible career, Jessica Tandy was given the opportunity to appear on-screen not once but three times with her real-life hubby Hume Cronyn in sci-fi-themed films: first was in Ron Howard's Cocoon (1985), second was Matthew Robbins' Batteries Not Included (1987), and last was Daniel Petrie's Cocoon: The Return (1988). Though she's no longer with us, Tandy was born on this day in 1909. I know more people who flat-out hated Mars Attacks! when it premiered in theatres, but what I honestly don't understand is why. To be honest, I enjoyed its good-time shtick from start-to-finish, and, yes, I even loved it when legendary crooner and ladies' panties collector Tom Jones showed up in an absurd role. Jones was born on this day in 1940. Still, George Lucas's Star Wars isn't the only franchise who had a warrior born on June 7: back in 1969, Anthony Simcoe was brought into this world by way of birth. His face sans make-up is probably not all that recognizable to genre fans, but, once he's properly done up in the guise, he played Ka D'Argo on Syfy's absolutely stellar Farscape. Happy birthday, indeed! Star Trek (2009). Star Trek Into Darkness. Fox TV's Almost Human. Dredd. Need I go on, or do you get the point? I penned an article for UnrealityMag.com not all that long ago about how Karl Urban had indeed become 'the Man' to watch in sci-fi. Although JJ's Trek films haven't exactly grown on me and although Almost Human didn't make it past its first season, I for one am holding out hope that someone greenlights a Dredd sequel for this man. Urban was born on this day in 1972. The equally incomparable and delicious Anna Torv is what made watching Fox TV's Fringe such a delight. She put a human face on some otherwise inhuman science, and the opportunity to play both good and evil versions of one single persona gave her a chance to display her acting gifts. Torv was born on this day in 1979. And that's all I have for today, folks. In the meantime: May the Force Be With You, Live Long & Prosper, So Say We All! |
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