On this day in 1951 (in the U.S.), one of the earliest Science Fiction and Fantasy anthologies in the Golden Age of television -- Tales Of Tomorrow -- aired its pilot episode. The show went on to last for two years, offering an incredible number of writers, directors, actors, and actresses ample opportunity to work in the realms of the Fantastic. Here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Anthology series featuring both classic and modern sci-fi themes."
"Anthology series featuring both classic and modern sci-fi themes."
One of Science Fiction's true pioneers -- the venerable Clifford D. Simak -- was born on this day in 1904. Though I don't recall which of his books it was, I can distinctly remember that one of his works was among the very first SciFi books I read at a young age: the tale didn't intrigue me all that much (which is probably why I don't remember it), but I knew I'd never forget that name. (And I haven't!) Simak was named the third SFWA Grand Master and won three Hugos and one Nebula Award in his lifetime.
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
Irene Tedrow leaves behind a legacy rich in over two hundred different screen projects. Genre fans might know her best from work aboard One Step Beyond, The Twilight Zone, The Invaders, The Six Million Dollar Man, Empire of the Ants (1977), The Amazing Spider-Man, and Salvage 1. Though she's no longer with us, Tedrow was born on this day in 1907.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Diehard Doctor Who fans held out for some time in order to be treated to a completed version of the long lost episode, "Shada." The short version of what happened is that production on the story was stopped due to a strike at the BBC, thus it was never completed ... until the advent of modern era special effects prompted executives to finish it up with a nifty bit of animation. The venerable Denis Carey played the mysterious 'Professor Chronitis' in the serial, and -- though he's no longer with us -- Carey was born on this day in 1909.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Well before the great Raquel Welch showed mankind how good a woman could look in a loincloth and a few well-placed patches of costumed fur, the equally grand Jacqueline Dalya turned up the heat at the dawn of man that was One Million B.C. (1940) for Hal Roach Studios. Though she's no longer with us, Dalya was born on this day in 1918.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's largely renowned as a novelist of detective fiction, the late P.D. James also crafted the fascinating The Children Of Men which was adapted into a motion picture for the 2006 season. Though she's no longer with us, James was born on this day in 1920.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Jean Hagen played a central role in Panic In Year Zero (1962), a SciFi-Thriller exploring a nuclear Apocalypse set during the era of the Cold War. Though she's no longer with us, Hagen was born on this day in 1923.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though he's probably far more well known for menacing Eddie Murphy as Axl Foley in 1984's Beverly Hills Cop, screen veteran Steven Berkoff (above right) has definitely delivered some exceptional performances in genre entertainment. He's enjoyed roles in UFO, A Clockwork Orange, Octopussy, Underworld, Intruders, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and Children Of Dune. Berkoff was born on this day in 1937.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Acting legend Martin Sheen came down from stuff dramas for a role in one of the Babylon 5 telefilms. He's also booked appearances on Roswell (1994), Project: ALF (1996), and Total Recall 2070 for good measure. Sheen was born on this day in 1940.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, I received a promotional copy of The Final Countdown (1980) -- in which Sheen starred -- via a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, I received a promotional copy of The Final Countdown (1980) -- in which Sheen starred -- via a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Joss Whedon's Dollhouse never quite drew a respectable sized audience, and the SciFi-Drama ended up being canceled in its second season. Philip Casnoff had a recurring role on the Fox program, and Casnoff was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Director and producer John Landis has been involved with a good many genre projects, including Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Sliders, Weird Science, and The Lost World (1998). Landis was born on this day in 1950.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With almost 400 different screen credits to his name, Corey Burton astounds at every opportunity in the realm of voice acting. SciFi fans probably know him best from work aboard Justice League Unlimited, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Transformers: Animated, Thundercats, and Star Wars Rebels. Burton was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I didn't see Babylon AD (2008) when it made its theatrical run, but I caught it once it screened on home video. Lambert Wilson crossed wits with Vin Diesel in the SciFi-Thriller, and he came out on the losing end. Wilson was born on this day in 1958.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though today's audiences probably know John C. McGinley for his serious comedy chops, he has dabbled in other genres, including the occasional appearance in SciFi, such as his role in the 1998 TV movie, Target Earth. McGinley was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
At SciFiHistory.Net, we love celebrating "firsts," and -- so far as I've been able to figure -- the very first Vorta in all of Trekdom was Eris. She first appeared aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's second season finale -- "The Jem'Hadar" -- a terrific hour that set in motion a series of events that would forever change Trek history. And when an alien is played by an actress as lovely as Molly Hagan, then there's just one more reason to celebrate. Hagan was born on this day in 1961.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Uschi Zietsch is a masterful fantasy storyteller with several distinct franchises she's cultivated. You can access more information about her here, and Zietsch was born on this day in 1961.
The lovely Lisa Ann Walter enjoyed a small role aboard Steven Spielberg's adaptation of H.G. Wells' War Of The Worlds (2005) for Paramount Pictures. Walter was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The CW's The 100 is a program that I didn't discover in its original broadcast schedule on the network. Rather I stumbled across a rather flattering online column, and -- as a result -- I sought out its first season on DVD. (To be honest, left to my own devices I probably wouldn't find most of what I do!) In any event, I was pleasantly surprised -- not completely won over -- with the production quality as well as some of the characters, so I've stuck with it in home video release. Isaiah Washington has done a quality job presenting how one leader sorts through the various interests and conflicts that go hand-in-hand with the job, and he turns in an exciting performance when the writing warrants one. Washington was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Oh, the things we do for art! And, yes, that includes going blue, as was the case for Luke Massy for his participation aboard ABC TV's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. The actor also played one of the frost giants aboard Marvel's Thor (2011). Massy was born on this day in 1966.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Mathieu Kassovitz played his moments largely for some broad comic relief when he was in Luc Besson's cult epic, The Fifth Element. Kassovitz was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Anne Marie DeLuise has trafficked heavily in SciFi projects. She's enjoyed quality genre exposure aboard Darkman II: The Return of Durant, Earth: Final Conflict, Total Recall 2070, First Wave, Seven Days, The Outer Limits (2001), The Twilight Zone (2002), Andromeda, Stargate: SG-1, Painkiller Jane, Sanctuary, and Smallville. DeLuise was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A frumpy and somewhat grime-covered Elizabeth Berrington joined Matt Smith in a very special episode ("The Doctor's Wife") of the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. The talented actress has an amazing resume on IMDB.com (check it out here), and Berrington was born on this day in 1970.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The always lovely Brigid Brannagh once served Star Trek: Enterprise's Capt. Archer a beer or two and even offered him some helpful bartenderly advice during the program's run. Brannagh was born on this day in 1972 ... and God loves a ginger!
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sumalee Montano brings to life the equally dreamy 'Shae Vizla' aboard the Star Wars: The Old Republic - Knights of the Eternal Throne video game. She's also been involved with a solid handful of solid animated properties, including Transformers Prime, Beware The Batman, and Justice League: Throne of Atlantis (2015). Montano was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Melissa Ponzio continues to be gainfully employed in some pretty impressive franchises. Most recently, she turned up in AMC's The Walking Dead while balancing out her commitments to MTV's Teen Wolf, but SciFi fans might recall her work from the short-lived Surface back in 2006. Ponzio was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As part of the JJ Abrams'/Fox TV's futuristic police procedural Almost Human, Michael Ealy (picture above right) played a synthetic police officer with highly technical abilities as well as modestly enhanced human strengths. While not a perfect show, Almost Human was grounded in Ealy and his on-screen partner's (Karl Urban) chemistry as two cops willing to bend the rules to get the job done right. Ealy was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
When she was but an urchin, the delightful Jenny Beck enjoyed SciFi stardom for her work aboard V: The Final Battle (miniseries) and V: The Series. Beck was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Snowpiercer (2013) was perhaps a bit more divisive than most Apocalyptic thrillers. Audiences went in expecting an action flick, and it ended up being more of a futuristic satire than anything else. The talented Tómas Lemarquis appeared in the film, and he also earned screen time in X-Men: Apocalyse (2016). Lemarquis was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Shanelle Workman provided the voice for 'Dr. Alestia Iallis' for the Mass Effect (2007) video game. She also enjoyed a guest role aboard the popular Eerie, Indiana. Workman was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
One of the more interesting reasons to tune in regularly to ABC TV's signature sci-fi mystery series Lost was, if for no other reason, to find out who Evangeline Lilly's character Kate was sleeping with this week. There was a running joke amongst viewers that it was Kate's mission to be romantically linked to everyone on the Island by the show's end, and she practically was. And most recently she crossed over (in a big way) into the Marvel Movie Universe with a role in 2015's Ant-Man and its follow-up Ant-Man and The Wasp (2018). Lilly was born on this day in 1979.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Chalk this one as a unfortunate near-miss for untapped genre potential: the deliriously delicious Hannah Simone was tapped to bring an all-new girl power version of The Greatest American Hero to network television back in 2018, but somehow (!?!?!) the project fell through. What, pray tell, were you thinking, network suits, in letting this incredible talent get away from the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy?! Big miss! Big miss! Thankfully, she did take a trip to Weird City in 2019 so that I can feature her wonderfulness (is that word?) here. Simone was born on this day in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The great Aaron Dembski-Bowden is largely known for his action-packed additions to the always-expanding, always-interesting Warhammer universe of fiction and gaming. Dembski-Bowden was born on this day in 1980.
Voice-over actor Travis Willingham has explored Science Fiction and Fantasy in some high-profile franchises including work in X-Men, DC Super Friends, Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H., Ultimate Spider-man, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, and many, many, many more. Willingham was born on this day in 1981.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Mamie Gummer dipped her delicate toes into the realm of televised Fantasy with a guest spot aboard Castle Rock. Gummer was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
All within a relatively short time in the entertainment business, the fetching Julie Anne Prescott has already become a queen of the B picture, building a resume of well over one hundred different screen titles. Granted, many of them are certainly more Horror than they are Science Fiction and Fantasy, but there are a few in-production that stray much closer to these realms than what's come before. Prescott was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Lovely Emily Baldoni headlined the SciFi sleeper mystery Coherence in 2013, and she's since gone on to other projects, including a guest role on ABC TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Baldoni was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
You sell some convenience mart perishables to a Terminator, and you definitely deserve a mention here. Granted, Jon Foster's role in Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines wasn't ground-breaking. He's also appeared in Pandorum (2009). Foster was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
To his credit, Kyle Schmid has toyed with a few Science Fiction properties. He's enjoyed guest starring roles aboard My Best Friend Is An Alien, Odyssey 5, Smallville, Lost Girl, and Being Human. Schmid was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Writer/director Max Landis enjoyed 'overnight sensation' status when 2012's found footage superhero flick Chronicle set the box office on fire. Since then, he's actually been fairly quite, though IMDB.com makes it look like 2015 might be his second coming. Landis was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I absolutely loved Fox TV's Fringe. All of it. Start to finish. I even loved most of a relatively low-key final season -- the one where all of the questions were answered -- though I've read fandom was a bit split on the quality of those final stories. Georgina Haig came aboard the show as Etta -- a critical role whose identity I won't spoil for you -- and she certainly made the role her own. Wouldn't it be great to see a "Fringe: The Next Generation" some day wherein Etta could take charge? I'd watch! You bet! Haig was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
James Baxter played no less than 'Jesus Christ' himself in a guest spot aboard an episode of Red Dwarf. Baxter was born on this day in 1990.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1932 (in New York City), the nefarious Doctor X enjoyed its original theatrical premiere. Directed by Michael Curtiz, the SciFi/Horror/Mystery feature starred Lionel Atwill, Lee Tracy, and Fay Wray; and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"A wisecracking New York reporter intrudes on a research scientist's quest to unmask The Moon Killer."
ExtraExtraAlert:
Want to know more? Then check out SciFiHistory.Net's review of Doctor X right here!
"A wisecracking New York reporter intrudes on a research scientist's quest to unmask The Moon Killer."
ExtraExtraAlert:
Want to know more? Then check out SciFiHistory.Net's review of Doctor X right here!
On this day in 1933 (in Uruguay), King Kong beat his chest and roared for the first time on the silver screen. Starring Fay Wray, Robert Armstrong, and Bruce Cabot, the film used some pioneering special effects to bring the king to life; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal ape who takes a shine to their female blonde star. He is then captured and brought back to New York City for public exhibition."
For the record:
In 1991, King Kong was inducted into the U.S.'s National Film Registry, which seeks to preserve films for the ages that have demonstrated significant historical, cultural, or aesthetic contributions to the genre.
"A film crew goes to a tropical island for an exotic location shoot and discovers a colossal ape who takes a shine to their female blonde star. He is then captured and brought back to New York City for public exhibition."
For the record:
In 1991, King Kong was inducted into the U.S.'s National Film Registry, which seeks to preserve films for the ages that have demonstrated significant historical, cultural, or aesthetic contributions to the genre.
A star is born! On this day in 1936 (in the U.S.), Ghost Patrol soared onto the silver screen. Directed by Sam Newfield from a story by Wyndham Gittens, the Western/Fantasy starred Tim McCoy, Claudia Dell, and Walter Miller. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A professor invents a radium tube that makes internal combustion engines stop running. He and his invention are captured by a gang of robbers. A federal agent is sent to rescue him."
"A professor invents a radium tube that makes internal combustion engines stop running. He and his invention are captured by a gang of robbers. A federal agent is sent to rescue him."
On this day in 1938 (in Portugal), Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars took audiences on a trip ... well ... to the Red Planet. (Hence the title, sillies.) The SciFi/Serial starred Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, and Charles Middleton; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a deadly Nitron ray strikes Earth, Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to battle Ming the Merciless and his new ally Queen Azura."
"When a deadly Nitron ray strikes Earth, Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to battle Ming the Merciless and his new ally Queen Azura."
A star is born! On this day in 1945 (in the U.S.), a bit of Sci/Fantasy serial goodness was delivered to the silver screen with the premiere of The Purple Monster Strikes! Directed by Spencer Gordon Bennet and Fred C. Brannon, the SciFi/Thriller starred Dennis Moore, Linda Stirling, and Roy Barcroft; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A Martian spacecraft crash-lands near the observatory of Cyrus Layton, designer of Earth's first spaceship. The survivor, forerunner of an invasion, can assume the form of any earthman. Calling himself the "purple monster," the humanoid invader sets about gaining control of Layton's rocket project. Opposing him is Craig Foster, former Secret Service man, who episode by episode tries to thwart the monster's attempts to acquire rocket components. Will Craig ever suspect that his closest associate is really the monster?"
"A Martian spacecraft crash-lands near the observatory of Cyrus Layton, designer of Earth's first spaceship. The survivor, forerunner of an invasion, can assume the form of any earthman. Calling himself the "purple monster," the humanoid invader sets about gaining control of Layton's rocket project. Opposing him is Craig Foster, former Secret Service man, who episode by episode tries to thwart the monster's attempts to acquire rocket components. Will Craig ever suspect that his closest associate is really the monster?"
On this day in 1973 (in the U.S.), The Neptune Factor delivered SciFi thrills and spills beneath the sea. Directed by Daniel Petrie, the feature starred Ben Gazzara, Yvette Mimieux, and Walter Pidgeon; and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When an underwater ocean lab is lost in a earthquake, an advanced submarine is sent down to find it and encounters terrible danger."
"When an underwater ocean lab is lost in a earthquake, an advanced submarine is sent down to find it and encounters terrible danger."
A star is born! On this day in 1978 (in the U.S.), Piranha emerged from the murky deep and took its place in film history. Directed by Joe Dante from a story by Richard Robinson and John Sayles, the Horror/Fantasy starred Bradford Dillman, Heather Menzies-Urich, and Kevin McCarthy. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal."
For the record:
At the 1979 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Piranha's Mark Goldblatt and Joe Dante took home the trophy in the category of 'Best Editing.' Alas, the film itself had to settle for the honor of a nomination alone in the category of 'Best Horror Film.'
"When flesh-eating piranhas are accidentally released into a summer resort's rivers, the guests become their next meal."
For the record:
At the 1979 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Piranha's Mark Goldblatt and Joe Dante took home the trophy in the category of 'Best Editing.' Alas, the film itself had to settle for the honor of a nomination alone in the category of 'Best Horror Film.'
A star is born! On this day in 1984, Cinema Group Ventures and New World Pictures unleashed The Philadelphia Experiment to audiences. The story is based on what are alleged to be true events -- have you never heard of it? -- though being familiar with the book I can say fairly confidently that it very liberally interprets the established facts of it. Still, it's a great little adventure film with a nifty time travel proposition. If you haven't seen it, I encourage you to check it out. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In 1943, the United States tests an anti-radar system to make the U.S. Navy ships invisible to the enemy. Dr. James Longstreet uses his experiment in the destroyer escort USS Eldridge that disappears from Philadelphia. The sailors David Herdeg and his best friend Jim Parker are projected to 1984, where they meet Allison Hayes. They unsuccessfully try to contact their base and out of the blue Jimmy disappears in a hospital. Allison helps David to visit Jimmy's wife Pamela, but Jimmy refuses to see him. Now David's only hope is meeting Dr. James Longstreet to learn what to do. Will he succeed?"
For the record:
At the 1985 Saturn Awards, the film's Nancy Allen enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Actress.'
"In 1943, the United States tests an anti-radar system to make the U.S. Navy ships invisible to the enemy. Dr. James Longstreet uses his experiment in the destroyer escort USS Eldridge that disappears from Philadelphia. The sailors David Herdeg and his best friend Jim Parker are projected to 1984, where they meet Allison Hayes. They unsuccessfully try to contact their base and out of the blue Jimmy disappears in a hospital. Allison helps David to visit Jimmy's wife Pamela, but Jimmy refuses to see him. Now David's only hope is meeting Dr. James Longstreet to learn what to do. Will he succeed?"
For the record:
At the 1985 Saturn Awards, the film's Nancy Allen enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Actress.'
A star is born! On this day in 1996, Alien Avengers (aka Welcome To Planet Earth) served up SciFi/Comedy for interested patrons. Directed by Lev L. Spiro, the featured starred George Wendt, Christopher M. Brown, and Shanna Reed; and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Charlie and Rhonda are a sweet and comfortable married couple on vacation with their lovely daughter Daphne. They find a rundown boarding house and its haggard owner, Joseph, an ex-con whose mother has just died and left him the house. He doesn't know why this cheerful couple would want to vacation in the worst part of Los Angeles, but he doesn't know they're vacationing from outer space, and their idea of fun is murdering lowlife out on the streets."
"Charlie and Rhonda are a sweet and comfortable married couple on vacation with their lovely daughter Daphne. They find a rundown boarding house and its haggard owner, Joseph, an ex-con whose mother has just died and left him the house. He doesn't know why this cheerful couple would want to vacation in the worst part of Los Angeles, but he doesn't know they're vacationing from outer space, and their idea of fun is murdering lowlife out on the streets."
On this day in 1999 (in the U.S.), Godzilla Vs. Mechagodzilla II enjoyed its debut on home video. Directed by the team of Takao Okawara and Kazuki Omori, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Masahiro Takashima, Ryoko Sano, Megumi Odaka. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The United Nations assembles the ultimate weapon to defeat Godzilla, while scientists discover a fresh pteranodon egg on a remote Japanese island."
"The United Nations assembles the ultimate weapon to defeat Godzilla, while scientists discover a fresh pteranodon egg on a remote Japanese island."
On this day in 1999 (in Sweden), camp and cult collided with the release of The Adventures Of Captain Zoom In Outer Space. Directed by Max Tash, the SciFi/Comedy starred Daniel Riordan, Liz Vassey, and Ron Perlman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The forces of evil are attempting to recapture a human-inhabited Earth-like planet that has been liberated by rebels. The son of one of the rebel leaders, an electronic genius, searches the galaxy for a hero and finds Captain Zoom, star of a 1950s television series. He is transported to the planet as its savior, which role he must play despite himself."
"The forces of evil are attempting to recapture a human-inhabited Earth-like planet that has been liberated by rebels. The son of one of the rebel leaders, an electronic genius, searches the galaxy for a hero and finds Captain Zoom, star of a 1950s television series. He is transported to the planet as its savior, which role he must play despite himself."
On this day in 2000 (in Germany), Monster! tried to take a healthy bite out of the competition with its debut in the home video marketplace. Directed by John Lafia, the SciFi/Horror starred M. Emmet Walsh, Tobias Mehler, and Angela Keep; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tragedy strikes a small town's monster movie festival when the monster featured in the films comes to life."
"Tragedy strikes a small town's monster movie festival when the monster featured in the films comes to life."
A star is born! On this day in 2007 (in Japan), Millennium Crisis enjoyed its theatrical run. Written (in part) and directed by Andrew Bellware, the SciFi feature starred Ted Raimi, Olja Hrustic, and Clare Stevenson; and here's the plot summary that's been listed on IMDB.com:
"A violent alien species, the Kluduthu, kidnap Aurora and take her to their desert home planet because she holds a secret power which could wipe out all of humanity. But she escapes, only to find herself in the middle of a war which has been going on for millions of years. Can she fight them, or will she become one of them?"
"A violent alien species, the Kluduthu, kidnap Aurora and take her to their desert home planet because she holds a secret power which could wipe out all of humanity. But she escapes, only to find herself in the middle of a war which has been going on for millions of years. Can she fight them, or will she become one of them?"
A star is born! On this day in 2007 (in the U.S.), Underdog flew onto screens everywhere. Directed by Frederik Du Chau, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Peter Dinklage, Jason Lee, and Amy Adams. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A Beagle must use his newly-bestowed superpowers to defend Capitol City from mad scientist Simon Barsinister."
"A Beagle must use his newly-bestowed superpowers to defend Capitol City from mad scientist Simon Barsinister."
A star is born! While Apocalypse Female Warriors (aka Warriors of the Apocalypse) was completed in 2009, it didn't premiere on video (in Japan) until this day in 2012. Written and directed by Len Kabasinski, the feature starred Darian Caine and Debbie D. According to our friends from IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After WWIII has devastated America, a small band of female warriors attempt to survive long enough to make it to the last city left. The problem is dictator Rollins doesn't want her city overpopulating so she sends out her team of mercenaries to hunt and eliminate any "survivors" in the wastelands. The females, along with the help of a man out to avenge the death of his family, fight their way to the city combating mutated scavengers, wasteland renegades, and the city's own mercenaries along the way!"
"After WWIII has devastated America, a small band of female warriors attempt to survive long enough to make it to the last city left. The problem is dictator Rollins doesn't want her city overpopulating so she sends out her team of mercenaries to hunt and eliminate any "survivors" in the wastelands. The females, along with the help of a man out to avenge the death of his family, fight their way to the city combating mutated scavengers, wasteland renegades, and the city's own mercenaries along the way!"
On this day in 2012 (in the United Kingdom), Sound Of My Voice turned up the heat with this SciFi/Mystery hybrid. Written (in part) and directed by Zal Batmanglij, the feature starred Christopher Denham, Brit Marling, and Nicole Vicius; and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"Two documentary filmmakers attempt to penetrate a cult who worships a woman who claims to be from the future."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Sound Of My Voice enjoyed a fair bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
"Two documentary filmmakers attempt to penetrate a cult who worships a woman who claims to be from the future."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Sound Of My Voice enjoyed a fair bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
It isn't that 2012's version of Total Recall -- which premiered on this day back then -- was a bad film necessarily. It had plenty going for it. I think the only real reason it didn't find a bigger audience is that the original really wasn't all that old and the new version wasn't different enough to make it worth it. Meh. I watched it eventually when it screened on home video, and I'd encourage you to check it out and make up your own mind.
On this day in 2016 (in Japan), Independents' Day enjoyed its premiere on home video. Directed by Laura Beth Love from a script by Geoff Mead, the SciFi feature starred Fay Gauthier, Johnny Rey Diaz, and Sal Landi; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Aliens invade, this time delivering a clear ultimatum. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the U.S. President and citizens decide if these aliens are to be trusted ...or feared."
"Aliens invade, this time delivering a clear ultimatum. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance as the U.S. President and citizens decide if these aliens are to be trusted ...or feared."
It all began right here: on this day in 1951 (in the U.S.), Tales of Tomorrow aired "Verdict From Space." Officially, this served as the first episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Gordon Kent is on trial for allegedly killing a scientist in an underground cavern. Desperately, he tries to explain what they found inside the cave, and the the implications for the future of mankind."
"Gordon Kent is on trial for allegedly killing a scientist in an underground cavern. Desperately, he tries to explain what they found inside the cave, and the the implications for the future of mankind."
On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), Babylon 5 aired "A Voice In The Wilderness: Part 2." Officially, this served as the nineteenth episode to the popular program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An Earthforce captain and an alien race both lay claim to the planet below."
"An Earthforce captain and an alien race both lay claim to the planet below."
On this day in 2001 (in the U.S.), Stargate: SG-1 aired "Rite of Passage." Officially, this served as the sixth episode of the long-running program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"When Cassandra collapses at home, she is taken to the SGC for treatment. A retrovirus is causing her to emit an EM field and she expresses a need to return to her planet for an initiation ritual. SG-1 investigates and finds a Goa'uld laboratory, probably having belonged to Nirrti, meant for experimentation on the planet's population. They find that the ritual is part of the experiment, a time when Nirrti studies her subjects and cures them when she is done. SG-1 has found a way to cure Cassandra, but now all that remains to be found is Nirrti."
"When Cassandra collapses at home, she is taken to the SGC for treatment. A retrovirus is causing her to emit an EM field and she expresses a need to return to her planet for an initiation ritual. SG-1 investigates and finds a Goa'uld laboratory, probably having belonged to Nirrti, meant for experimentation on the planet's population. They find that the ritual is part of the experiment, a time when Nirrti studies her subjects and cures them when she is done. SG-1 has found a way to cure Cassandra, but now all that remains to be found is Nirrti."
On this day in 2008 (in Australia), Doctor Who aired "The Poison Sky." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With planet Earth choking under the poison sky, the Doctor must stop the Sontarans' threat to the planet."
"With planet Earth choking under the poison sky, the Doctor must stop the Sontarans' threat to the planet."
On this day in 2014 (in the U.S.), Lifetime's The Lottery aired "The Greater Good." Officially, this served as the third episode of the program's first and only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Vanessa, Darius and President Westwood deal with a hostage crisis; Alison makes a discovery."
"Vanessa, Darius and President Westwood deal with a hostage crisis; Alison makes a discovery."
TNT's Falling Skies is one program that's had to work awfully hard for so little love that it's received from fandom. Still, kudos to all involved for keeping at it! On this day in 2014, the show aired "Saturday Night Massacre" as the seventh episode to its fourth season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Lexi emerges more powerful and ruthless than ever. Tom and the 2nd Mass must work together with the Volm to hold off the invading Espheni forces in what becomes the bloodiest battle of the series. Mira Sorvino, Treva Etienne and Robert Sean Leonard guest-star."
"Lexi emerges more powerful and ruthless than ever. Tom and the 2nd Mass must work together with the Volm to hold off the invading Espheni forces in what becomes the bloodiest battle of the series. Mira Sorvino, Treva Etienne and Robert Sean Leonard guest-star."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), Zoo aired "Oz Is Oz." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mitch rushes to save Clementine from international corporate leaders. Jackson discovers he has hidden abilities."
"Mitch rushes to save Clementine from international corporate leaders. Jackson discovers he has hidden abilities."
