A star is born! Even with its modest ruminations and commentary on the state of mankind's demise, Mad Max is at best little more than a revenge picture set with a mild sci-fi premise. It premiered theatrically on this day in 1979 in the land down under (Australia), but it eventually made its way to United States and practically exploded the home video theatre market. For those of you who've never seen the original, here's a plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A vengeful Australian policeman sets out to avenge his partner, his wife and his son whom were murdered by a motorcycle gang in retaliation for the death of their leader."
"A vengeful Australian policeman sets out to avenge his partner, his wife and his son whom were murdered by a motorcycle gang in retaliation for the death of their leader."
During her decades in the entertainment business, Elspet Gray made a welcome visit to the world of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Though she's no longer with us, Gray was born on this day in 1929. [Source: IMDB.com]
Legendary character actor and screen baddie Charles Napier -- seen above in Star Trek's "The Way To Eden" -- was born on this day in 1936. Though he passed away in 2011, Trek was thrilled to have his presence and contribution. [Source: IMDB.com]
Independence Day (1996) is one of those flicks I can re-watch and still find a familiar face I hadn't recognized before. Today's evidence: The Wonder Years' regular Dan Lauria showed up in the Alien Invasion flick in a small role as a military commander. Lauria was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Tom Noonan has an impressive resume of appearances, all of which can be found over at IMDB.com. However, his role in Syfy's recent time travel drama -- the televised 'adaptation' of 12 Monkeys -- remained a bit of a mystery as his purpose in the broader time travel conspiracy. Noonan was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Andy Garcia enjoyed a role aboard Max Steel (2016), the family-friendly SciFi feature involving a young teen gifted with alien technology. In 2017, he went one better by taking executive action to try and save our planet aboard the ill-received Geostorm for Warner Bros. Garcia was born on this day in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
Long-time TV scribe Tracy Torme has contributed to the success of not only Star Trek: The Next Generation but also some fan-friendly programs as Carnivale, Odyssey 5, and Sliders. He celebrates his birthday (1959) today. [Source: IMDB.com]
Brent Hinkley is a bit of a acting chameleon, being able to change himself into whatever the role requires of him. He's definitely traveled some roads worthy of mention here, including work aboard Brain Dead (1990), Carnosaur (1993), SeaQuest 2032, The X-Files, Star Trek: Voyager, Weird Science, Universal Soldier: The Return, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and HBO's under-appreciated Carnivale. Hinkley was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Alicia Coppola had a brief fling in the Star Trek universe, appearing as 'Lieutenant Stadi' aboard Star Trek: Voyager. Thankfully, she kept her feet firmly planted in genre entertainment, and she's since booked appearances as part of The Burning Zone, UPN's The Sentinel, Stephen King's Dead Zone, and CBS's Jericho. Coppola was born on this day in 1968. [Source: IMDB.com]
NiCole Robinson has enjoyed small roles in such genre projects as Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Evil Alien Conquerors (2003), and Dragon Wars: D-War (2007). Robinson was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Claudia Jordan has left a few footprints in the realm of Science Fiction: she appeared briefly aboard the motion picture S1m0ne (2002) as well as Sharknado 5: Global Swarming (2017). Jordan was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ever have one of those flicks everyone loved but you were bored with? Scarlett Johansson's Lucy (2014) was that for me. It was smartly made ... but I didn't believe a note of it. Still, the reliable Amr Waked had a role in it, and for that I was happy. Waked was born on this day in 1973. [Source: IMDB.com]
As much as theatrical critics loved the Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez Grindhouse experiment when it spawned a life of its own at the cineplexes, I honestly felt Tarantino's half was terribly flat and uninteresting. However, Rodriguez's Planet Terror was a SciFi junkie's delight! In it, the delicious Marley Shelton brought 'Dr. Dakota Block' to the masses, and thank goodness she did. As far genre credentials go, she's also appeared in Sin City (2005), The Lottery, and Tomorrow's Monsters. Shelton was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ashley O'Connell continues to build visibility with small roles aboard Stargate: Atlantis, Watchmen, Legends of Tomorrow, and Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. O'Connell was born on this day in 1975. [Source: IMDB.com]
Most folks know her as 'Summer Vale,' the temptress/heroine at the heart of the Dark Rising franchise. To the rest of us, that's actress Brigitte Kingsley ... and Kingsley was born on this day in 1976. [Source: IMDB.com]
Earlier in her professional career, the lovely Sarah Jane Morris enjoyed a guest spot aboard the SciFi Jessica Alba series Dark Angel. Morris was born on this day in 1977. [Source: IMDB.com]
Personally, I loved Frequency (2000), but I struggled with the short-lived television series on the same idea. Still, kudos to actor Riley Smith for giving it a go. Smith was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Oh, the things we do for art! The fellow buried under all of that makeup for his work aboard the Fantasy/Drama The Shannara Chronicles is none other than Jared Turner. He's also dabbled a bit in the greater realm of TV's Power Rangers universe. Turner was born on this day in 1978. [Source: IMDB.com]
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines is often dismissed as a more popcorn diversion in the Terminator universe, but -- as I've said many times before -- I actually found plenty to enjoy in each and every Terminator film thus far. Claire Danes gave an exceptional performance as Kate Brewster, the woman who John Connor would ultimately love. Danes was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Anyone wanna shoot some hoops? The delicious Amy Kerr knows a thing or two about drawing attention to her skills. As far as genre work goes, she's been involved with Lexx, Outlander (2008), SEX! with Hot Robots (2010), and Syfy's Haven. Kerr was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
I've lamented before about the current state of the Star Trek movie franchise. Star Trek Into Darkness was just plain awful (in my humble estimation), an abomination of many things the property has long stood for, but -- despite some narrative problems -- I did think the first film (2009's Star Trek) was still quite entertaining. The lovely Jennifer Morrison had a short but spirited cameo as the lady who would be James T. Kirk's mother, so kudos to her for bringing the ultimate starship captain to life. Morrison was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sadly, easy on the eyes Brooklyn Decker has only flirted with Science Fiction, appearing in a small role in 2012's SciFi/Actioner Battleship. Becker was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Another day, another Power Rangers veteran! The young Yoshi Sudarso brought 'Koda' aka The Blue Dino Charge Ranger to life for Power Rangers Dino Charge. Sudarso was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Saoirse Ronan headlined 2013's underwhelming The Host, a SciFi/Drama that sprang from the mind of Twilight scribe Stephenie Meyer. Ronan was born on this day in 1994. [Source: IMDB.com]
Newcomer Peter DaCunha found himself in certain peril aboard Syfy's popular 12 Monkeys adaptation during its run on the network. DaCunha was born on this day in 2003. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1940, Universal Pictures released the Boris Karloff / Bela Lugosi chiller, Black Friday. From IMDB.com:
"Dr. Sovac transplants the brain of a gangster into his professor friend's body to save his life, but there is a side effect that causes a dangerous split personality."
"Dr. Sovac transplants the brain of a gangster into his professor friend's body to save his life, but there is a side effect that causes a dangerous split personality."
On this day in 1940, being little turned big again aboard the SciFi/Drama Dr. Cyclops. The feature starred Albert Dekker and Thomas Coley, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A mad scientist working in the South American jungle miniaturizes his colleagues when he feels his megalomania is threatened."
"A mad scientist working in the South American jungle miniaturizes his colleagues when he feels his megalomania is threatened."
A star is born! Only a year earlier than Mad Max's engines roared, Roger Corman launched the sci-fi bloodfest, Deathsport, in theatres circa this day in 1978 (per Google). The tagline promised: "Death Sport isn't just a game. In the Year 3000, it's the only way to survive!" Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Futuristic Science Fiction about a sport to the death, using 'destructocycles'."
"Futuristic Science Fiction about a sport to the death, using 'destructocycles'."
A star is born! I have a vague recollection of seeing advertisements for The Archer: Fugitive From The Empire on television. If I remember correctly, the Fantasy feature was advertised as being simply the first installment of what the network promised to be a series of films exploring this universe ... but -- as is so often the case with genre entertainment -- no sequels followed. (Well, at least none that I'm aware of anyway.) In any event, the flick aired on this day in 1981, and here's the premise compliments of IMDB.com:
"The hero is given his mentor's bow (the Heartbow) which chooses its new owner when passed on. It fires arrows that blow up like grenades, but can only be wielded by the one chosen to wield her. The hero is a member of a nomadic tribe wiped out by the Draikian Empire's forces. He attempts to find the wizard Lazar-Sa who might be able to help him. He is joined by a thief looking for adventure and cash, and the daughter of a goddess, Estra, looking to revenger herself on Lazar-Sa for crimes against her mother."
"The hero is given his mentor's bow (the Heartbow) which chooses its new owner when passed on. It fires arrows that blow up like grenades, but can only be wielded by the one chosen to wield her. The hero is a member of a nomadic tribe wiped out by the Draikian Empire's forces. He attempts to find the wizard Lazar-Sa who might be able to help him. He is joined by a thief looking for adventure and cash, and the daughter of a goddess, Estra, looking to revenger herself on Lazar-Sa for crimes against her mother."
On this day in 1991, Class of Nuke 'Em High Part II: Subhumanoid Meltdown graduated into the marketplace. The feature starred Brick Bronsky and Lisa Gaye, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The class of nuke 'em high is back, and this time they're in college! Tromaville's nuclear factory has been rebuilt and now includes the Tromaville institute of technology. Located inside the nuclear plant, Tromaville Tech is where Prof. Holt has perfected Sub-humanoids.... Living beings without emotions, who have been genetically programmed to perform menial tasks. When school reporter Roger Smith meets a beautiful subhumanoid named Victoria, they fall in love. It's too bad the creatures have a tendency to go into spontaneous meltdown. Roger is now determined to save Victoria from this messy fate, but first he'll have to face the giant mutant squirrel, Tromie, who attacks Tromaville tech in the explosive climax."
"The class of nuke 'em high is back, and this time they're in college! Tromaville's nuclear factory has been rebuilt and now includes the Tromaville institute of technology. Located inside the nuclear plant, Tromaville Tech is where Prof. Holt has perfected Sub-humanoids.... Living beings without emotions, who have been genetically programmed to perform menial tasks. When school reporter Roger Smith meets a beautiful subhumanoid named Victoria, they fall in love. It's too bad the creatures have a tendency to go into spontaneous meltdown. Roger is now determined to save Victoria from this messy fate, but first he'll have to face the giant mutant squirrel, Tromie, who attacks Tromaville tech in the explosive climax."
A star is born! On this day in 1995, the SciFi/Telefilm The Android Affair aired on television. The feature starred Harley Jane Kozak and Griffin Dunne, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Karen Garrett, a promising young doctor, is assigned to perform a difficult operation on Teach, an advanced android who has never "blanked" (had his memory erased.) She soon realizes that Teach is much more than an assignment, and is drawn to his desire for a very human life. When Karen takes Teach into the outside world, they soon discover that there is something far more mysterious and dangerous than a medical experiment planned for them."
"Karen Garrett, a promising young doctor, is assigned to perform a difficult operation on Teach, an advanced android who has never "blanked" (had his memory erased.) She soon realizes that Teach is much more than an assignment, and is drawn to his desire for a very human life. When Karen takes Teach into the outside world, they soon discover that there is something far more mysterious and dangerous than a medical experiment planned for them."
On this day in 2016, Flight 7500 finally took off in the U.S. (It was produced back in 2014.) The SciFi feature starred Ryan Kwanten and Leslie Bibb, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Flight 7500 departs Los Angeles International Airport bound for Tokyo. As the overnight flight makes its way over the Pacific Ocean during its ten-hour course, the passengers encounter what appears to be a supernatural force in the cabin."
"Flight 7500 departs Los Angeles International Airport bound for Tokyo. As the overnight flight makes its way over the Pacific Ocean during its ten-hour course, the passengers encounter what appears to be a supernatural force in the cabin."
On this day in 1957, Adventures of Superman aired the curiously titled "Disappearing Lois." This served as the sixth episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lois goes undercover as a maid to get an exclusive interview with a notorious gangster."
"Lois goes undercover as a maid to get an exclusive interview with a notorious gangster."
On this day in 1969 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Space Pirates, Part 6." This served as the thirty-fourth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With Clancey and Issigri trapped aboard the LIZ, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe try to convince Madeleine to help them before Caven destroys Ta."
"With Clancey and Issigri trapped aboard the LIZ, the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe try to convince Madeleine to help them before Caven destroys Ta."
On this day in 1974, The Six Million Dollar Man aired "Burning Bright." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Astronaut Josh Lang has been acting even more far out than usual after being affected by a mysterious electrical field during his last spacewalk. Lang's friend and colleague Steve Austin is called in to evaluate his sanity. Steve soon realizes there is a method to Josh's madness, as he develops strange powers of the mind that can make dolphins and men do his bidding."
"Astronaut Josh Lang has been acting even more far out than usual after being affected by a mysterious electrical field during his last spacewalk. Lang's friend and colleague Steve Austin is called in to evaluate his sanity. Steve soon realizes there is a method to Josh's madness, as he develops strange powers of the mind that can make dolphins and men do his bidding."
On this day in 1992, Mann & Machine aired "The Dating Game." This served as the second episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Eve has her first date, with the prime murder suspect stalking women through a dating service."
"Eve has her first date, with the prime murder suspect stalking women through a dating service."
On this day in 1993, "Face of Death" aired as the eleventh episode of Time Trax's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Darien learns that a doctor was killed in a manner that leads him to believe that he was killed by a fugitive from the future. Darien learns that the doctor is a plastic surgeon, so he assumes that the fugitive had his face altered. So following the man's m.o. Darien deduces that he wants to get an Incan treasure that's going to be discovered by some travelers on an adventure trek. Darien thinks that the fugitive is one of the men but after taking a medication needed for the trip, Selma can't find the man with a heartbeat of a man from the future. So Darien just goes ..."
"Darien learns that a doctor was killed in a manner that leads him to believe that he was killed by a fugitive from the future. Darien learns that the doctor is a plastic surgeon, so he assumes that the fugitive had his face altered. So following the man's m.o. Darien deduces that he wants to get an Incan treasure that's going to be discovered by some travelers on an adventure trek. Darien thinks that the fugitive is one of the men but after taking a medication needed for the trip, Selma can't find the man with a heartbeat of a man from the future. So Darien just goes ..."
"Jose Chung's 'From Outer Space'" is largely revered as one of the very best hours in all of The X-Files' run on the small screen. (For my tastes, it's easily the best.) The hour from 1996 (third season) was scripted by Darin Morgan, and -- in a very tongue-in-cheek way -- it poked as much fun at the show's central mythology as it positively promoted it. It's filled with brilliant performances by the main players as well as a terrific turn by the late Charles Nelson Reilly as the aforementioned Mr. Chung himself. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Scully recounts the investigation of an alledged UFO encounter for a famous author researching his latest novel."
For the record: I think it bears mentioning that Charles Nelson Reilly was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in this spectacular episode. Alas, he didn't win, but the nomination was certainly deserved.
"Scully recounts the investigation of an alledged UFO encounter for a famous author researching his latest novel."
For the record: I think it bears mentioning that Charles Nelson Reilly was nominated for an Emmy for his performance in this spectacular episode. Alas, he didn't win, but the nomination was certainly deserved.
On this day in 1996, Space: Above And Beyond aired "R&R." Officially, this served as the nineteenth episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The exhausted 58th are given 48 hours leave on the pleasure ship Bachhus. Hawkes takes a trip he really shouldn't have, Damphousse and Wang get close, Vansen shows a hidden talent and McQueen and West take in a movie."
"The exhausted 58th are given 48 hours leave on the pleasure ship Bachhus. Hawkes takes a trip he really shouldn't have, Damphousse and Wang get close, Vansen shows a hidden talent and McQueen and West take in a movie."
On this day in 1997 (in the United Kingdom), Crime Traveller aired "The Lottery Experiment." This served as the seventh episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After watching the Lottery, Jeff decides to use the Time Machine to travel back in time and find some way to give Holly the winning numbers so they can be millionaires."
"After watching the Lottery, Jeff decides to use the Time Machine to travel back in time and find some way to give Holly the winning numbers so they can be millionaires."
On this day in 2002 (in Australia), Farscape aired "Into the Lion's Den: Part 1 - Lambs to the Slaughter" as the twentieth episode to the program's third season. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Crichton and the rest of Moya's crew arrive at the Command Carrier to try and put an end to Scorpius' mad obsession with wormhole research. Slowly Crichton gains Scorpius' trust, but when a Peacekeeper commandant arrives at the Carrier and tells Scorpius that he must put an end to his wormhole research, Scorpius shows Crichton something which he has been searching for over the past three years... Earth."
"Crichton and the rest of Moya's crew arrive at the Command Carrier to try and put an end to Scorpius' mad obsession with wormhole research. Slowly Crichton gains Scorpius' trust, but when a Peacekeeper commandant arrives at the Carrier and tells Scorpius that he must put an end to his wormhole research, Scorpius shows Crichton something which he has been searching for over the past three years... Earth."
On this day in 2002, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Warrior" as the eighteenth episode of the long-running program's fifth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A new leader has risen among the Free Jaffa, K'tano, former First Prime of Imhotep. SG-1, accompanied by Bra'tac, seeks an alliance between the Tau'ri and the large force he has amassed."
"A new leader has risen among the Free Jaffa, K'tano, former First Prime of Imhotep. SG-1, accompanied by Bra'tac, seeks an alliance between the Tau'ri and the large force he has amassed."
On this day in 2003 (in Japan), Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Endless Rondo." This served as the twenty-seventh episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2004, Mutant X aired "She's Come Undone." This served as the seventeenth episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Discovering that their teammate Lexa is the subject of a covert experiment that is controlling her, the Mutant X team hunts for the doctor responsible."
"Discovering that their teammate Lexa is the subject of a covert experiment that is controlling her, the Mutant X team hunts for the doctor responsible."
On this day in 2009 (in the United Kingdom), Red Dwarf aired "Back To Earth: Part 3." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's ninth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Lister's busy day of annoying Rimmer was interrupted by the discovery of a dimension-hopping leviathan in the ship's mile-deep water tank, transporting the crew back to Earth, all Lister's dreams appear to be coming true."
"When Lister's busy day of annoying Rimmer was interrupted by the discovery of a dimension-hopping leviathan in the ship's mile-deep water tank, transporting the crew back to Earth, all Lister's dreams appear to be coming true."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2016 (in the United Kingdom), The Aliens aired the sixth (and final) episode of its only season in original broadcast history. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"With many of Troy's inhabitants trying to flee the gang war the authorities impose a lock-down - no-one in, no-one out. Lewis realizes he has to bring the conflict to an end but to do so he will have to make a sacrifice."
"With many of Troy's inhabitants trying to flee the gang war the authorities impose a lock-down - no-one in, no-one out. Lewis realizes he has to bring the conflict to an end but to do so he will have to make a sacrifice."
On this day in 2016 (in the United Kingdom), Wolfblood aired "Viral." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jana and Katrina return home to a visit from Kay and Kara, who have discovered the video footage taken by Katrina of the Wolfbloods and, despite Katrina's assurance that they are harmless, the film goes viral, attracting a local journalist. Jana attempts to persuade her that it is an exercise in CGI to promote Mr Jeffries' book but she is not convinced and the Wolfbloods realize that they are now in danger."
"Jana and Katrina return home to a visit from Kay and Kara, who have discovered the video footage taken by Katrina of the Wolfbloods and, despite Katrina's assurance that they are harmless, the film goes viral, attracting a local journalist. Jana attempts to persuade her that it is an exercise in CGI to promote Mr Jeffries' book but she is not convinced and the Wolfbloods realize that they are now in danger."
On this day in 2017, The Expanse aired "The Monster and The Rocket." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A discovery pushes Naomi and Holden apart and sets the Roci crew against each other."
"A discovery pushes Naomi and Holden apart and sets the Roci crew against each other."
On this day in 2018 (in the US and Canada), Siren aired "On The Road." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the military facility goes on high alert, Chris manages to escape, but he's not the only one."
"When the military facility goes on high alert, Chris manages to escape, but he's not the only one."
On this day back in 1977, Marvel Comics joined George Lucas's journey to a galaxy far, far away when it issued the very first Star Wars comic book to retailers. According to industry insiders, the Star Wars title is given much credit for Marvel's survival at a time when they were experiencing seriously dwindling sales. The first several issues were basically an adaptation of A New Hope, but once that was done the creative crews went to work on sending Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie and the droids into all-new tales.
