Long before Star Trek: Voyager gave audiences the voluptuous Seven of Nine, Playboy centerfold Dorothy Stratten had given men of a certain age something to think about as the female android Galaxina. The model also turned in a nice gig on Buck Rogers In The 25th Century. Though she's no longer with us, Stratten was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Late in her professional career, Billie Bird enjoyed the role of a somewhat creepy city morgue employee aboard the pilot episode of Max Headroom. Though she's no longer with us, Bird was born on this day in 1908. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Olan Soule left behind a legacy of over 250 different screen roles. Fans recognize him best from appearances aboard The Twilight Zone, My Favorite Martian, Batman, Land of the Giants, The Six Million Dollar Man, Project U.F.O., and much, much more. Though he's no longer with us, Soule was born on this day in 1909. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Charles Durning led a career of one impressive role after another, but he also appeared in the tepid Solarbabies during the mid-1980's. Though he's no longer with us, Durning was born on this day in 1923. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Bettye Ackerman managed to squeeze in just over fifty different screen roles in her lifetime, and one of her later ones included an appearance as 'Asclepia' in "The Return of Wonder Woman" episode of the Wonder Woman franchise. Though she's no longer with us, Ackerman was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's known more for appearances in mainstream films, Kelly Bishop did give Science Fiction a try with a role in the schlocky Solarbabies (1986) for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. (What are the odds? Two Solarbabies stars ... in one day?!) Bishop was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
How great is the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy? Well, it's so powerful that it draws in folks from every field of work, including football great Bubba Smith who enjoyed a role playing himself in Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990). Though he's no longer with us, Smith was born on this day in 1945. [Source: IMDB.com]
Even a vision of loveliness like Mimsy Farmer can't quite seem to escape the hidden yet dangerous allure of The Outer Limits. Farmer was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
English actress Stephanie Beacham has an amazing history with genre entertainment that casual fans are probably unaware of. In 1972, she starred as Jessica Van Helsing in the Hammer horror flick Dracula A.D. 1972. Then, almost two decades later, she appeared as a love interest for no less than the holographic incarnation of the Sherlock Holmes nemesis, Dr. Moriarty, aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation. This led to her being cast as 'Dr. Kristin Westphalen' aboard Steven Spielberg's TV-jaunt-under-the-sea, Seaquest. Beacham was born on this day in 1947. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 1981, the lovely Bernadette Peters joined funnyman Andy Kaufman in the clever but poorly received Heartbeeps, the tale of two domestic robots who run away to start a family of their own. Peters also had a role in the 1980's TV adaptation of Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles. Peters was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
Do you remember Supertrain? It was 1979, and NBC ponied up what one could basically call "The Love Boat On Nuclear-Powered Wheels" with the short-lived series. The lovely Ilene Graff appeared in three of its nine episodes, and she found wider acclaim aboard Mr. Belvedere during its run. Graff was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 1983, the lovely Cristina Raines realized she couldn't escape Nightmares, a SciFi/Horror anthology film. Raines was born on this day in 1952.
Just as the cockroach can outlive nuclear armageddon, I suspect Syfy's Sharknado franchise will outlive us all. Heck, it even ensnared Gilbert Gottfried's into its nefarious clutches. Though he's no longer with us, Gottfried was born on this day in 1955. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor John Turturro certainly isn't well known for his work in Science Fiction, but -- to his credit -- he did make an impressive turn in the Transformers flicks. Turturro was born on this day in 1957.
Actress Rae Dawn Chong joined Mark Hamill in the B-movie time travel spectacle that was 1993's Time Runner. She's also appeared in The Outer Limits (1995), Starlight (1996), and Pegasus Vs. Chimera (2012). Chong was born on this day in 1961.
Among one of the many voices the lovely Rajia Baroudi has supplied to animated characters is that of 'Queen Miraj Scintel' aboard a pair of episodes for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Baroudi was born on this day in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Well, if you only get to be in one hour of Star Trek, then how cool would it be to appear in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's homage to the classic series, "Trials And Tribble-ations"? Charles Chun can boast as such, appearing as an unnamed engineer in the kinda/sorta 'modernization' of the episode. Chun was born on this day in 1967.
Since Doctor Who returned to the airwaves after its long hiatus in the mid-2000's, Murray Gold has been the go-to genius composing its various tracks. Gold was born on this day in 1969.
Despite some relatively uneven if not lackluster storytelling, TNT's alien invasion drama Falling Skies managed to lure some fairly impressive guest stars into its swelling ranks, including the reliable Robert Sean Leonard in the role of troubled scientist Roger Kadar. Leonard was born on this day in 1969.
Screen veteran Peter Stebbings suited up (in armor!) to play 'Helios' aboard Immortals (2011), the Fantasy which looked at man waging war against the Greek Gods. Stebbings was born on this day in 1971.
Actor Rory Cochrane appeared in creepy animation fashion in 2006's A Scanner Darkly, a theatrical adaptation of a novel by Philip K. Dick. Cochrane was born on this day in 1972.
Though she's now more well known for her work on the BBC's Sherlock, Amanda Abbington cut her teeth with a guest spot aboard Being Human. Abbington was born on this day in 1974.
Science Fiction comes in all shapes and sizes, and that includes even crowd-friendly comedies, the likes of which Michael Manasseri starred in Weird Science (1994-1998). Manasseri was born on this day in 1974.
Ali Larter certainly rose to fame as part of the ensemble that was NBC's fantasy-inspired Heroes, but she's also made some appearances in the sci-fi property Resident Evil. Larter was born on this day in 1976.
Denise Gough ventured into that galaxy far, far away with a role aboard Walt Disney's streaming series Andor. Gough was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely and funny Katy Wix played 'Rhiannon Davies' aboard the Torchwood: Children of Earth series in 2009. Wix was born on this day in 1980.
It's often been said that genre actors don't always receive the credit they deserve because much of the time they're buried under make-up, as is the case with the talented Charles Halford from his appearance in Supergirl. Halford was born on this day in 1980.
While it may be true that "beauty is only skin deep," Clash of the Titans' Natalia Vodianova proved it can be equally treacherous in the guide of Medusa (at right). Vodianova was born on this day in 1982.
Before earning her comedy chops on such projects as Burning Love and Fox TV's New Girl, the ravenous Noureen DeWulf scared a plenty in the SciFi/Horror franchise entries of Pulse 2 and Pulse 3. DuWulf was born on this day in 1984.
Sure, I know most folks didn't much care for G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009) when it hit the silver screen, but I kinda/sorta 'dug' its surgary goodness. You know what else I liked? Model-turned-actress Karolina Kurkova in uniform. She played 'Cover Girl' in the feature. Kurkova was born on this day in 1984.
In her youth, the lovely Michelle Horn boasted a pair of appearances aboard the much-lauded Star Trek: Deep Space Nine in syndication. Horn was born on this day in 1987.
The Chinese franchise surrounding Tai Chi Hero infuses elements of classic fantasy with the vastly more modern steampunk phenomenon ... but it's also propelled actress/model Angelababy (aka Angela Yeung Wing) to certain fame. Wing was born on this day in 1989, and she looks lovelier every time I see her!
Alice Kremelberg enjoyed a guest spot aboard "Unearthed," an episode of Fox TV's underrated SciFi series Fringe. Kremelberg was born on this day in 1990. [Source: IMDB.com]
Toward the tail end of the Harry Potter saga, the lovely Georgina Leonidas stepped into the shoes of 'Katie Bell.' Leonidas was born on this day in 1990.
I tuned in to AMC's recent Into The Badlands as I'd read in their promotional materials that the program was being billed as a SciFi samurai drama. Why not? I love SciFi, and I love samurai films equally. Sadly, what I saw was neither, instead being a period piece chop-socky premise packaged with SciFi and samurai elements. In fact, the opening fight sequence from the second episode was so awful I turned it off and never went back. Still, here's hoping future success to one of its players -- the lovely Sarah Bolger -- as she deserves better. Bolger was born on this day in 1991.
On this day in 1927 (in Norway), the original SciFi/Classic Metropolis enjoyed its general theatrical release. Written (in part) and directed by Fritz Lang, the feature starred Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, and Gustav Fröhlich; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences."
"In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences."
On this day in 1962 (in France), The Absent Minded Professor took to the skies on behalf of the Walt Disney Company. Directed by Robert Stevenson, the SciFi/Comedy starred Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, and Kennan Wynn; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A college professor invents an anti-gravity substance which a corrupt businessman wants for himself."
"A college professor invents an anti-gravity substance which a corrupt businessman wants for himself."
On this day in 1969 (in Norway), 2001: A Space Odyssey took audiences on a trip to the moon. Based on the work of SciFi master Arthur C. Clarke and directed by Stanley Kubrick, the feature starred Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
For the record:
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey remains one of Science Fiction's benchmark motion pictures. At the 1969 Oscars, the film was nominated in the categories of 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction,' 'Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Effects, Special Visual Effects' ... but it only took home the trophy for Best Effects. Also in 1969, the film did take home the 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the Hugo Awards.
"After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000."
For the record:
Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey remains one of Science Fiction's benchmark motion pictures. At the 1969 Oscars, the film was nominated in the categories of 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction,' 'Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Effects, Special Visual Effects' ... but it only took home the trophy for Best Effects. Also in 1969, the film did take home the 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the Hugo Awards.
On this day in 1980 (in Argentina), the 1978 version of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers snatched a bit of screen time. Directed by Philip Kaufman, the SciFi/Horror starred Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, and Jeff Goldblum; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, California, where they replicate the residents into emotionless automatons one body at a time."
For the record:
The 1978 remake of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was no creative slouch as the film received a nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1979 Hugo Awards. Also, the film received an incredible eight nominations from the 1979 Saturn Awards but only took home trophies in the categories of 'Best Sound' and 'Best Director.'
More for the record:
I was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary Blu-ray of the film's 2022 re-release from Kino Lorber. Folks interested in reading what I thought of the release can find my review right here.
"When strange seeds drift to earth from space, mysterious pods begin to grow and invade San Francisco, California, where they replicate the residents into emotionless automatons one body at a time."
For the record:
The 1978 remake of Invasion Of The Body Snatchers was no creative slouch as the film received a nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1979 Hugo Awards. Also, the film received an incredible eight nominations from the 1979 Saturn Awards but only took home trophies in the categories of 'Best Sound' and 'Best Director.'
More for the record:
I was fortunate enough to receive a complimentary Blu-ray of the film's 2022 re-release from Kino Lorber. Folks interested in reading what I thought of the release can find my review right here.
On this day in 1980 (in Portugal), The Humanoid took a stab at cinematic history. Directed by Aldo Lado and Enzo G. Castellari, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Richard Kiel, Barbara Bach, and Arthur Kennedy; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Hoping to overthrow his brother as ruler of the planet Metropolis, the evil Graal enlists the help of the insane Dr. Kraspin, who has invented a chemical capable of turning an ordinary person into a perfect soldier. They test this chemical on the pilot Golob, turning the unsuspecting victim into a mindless but indestructable automaton possessing superhuman strength. The people of Metropolis must somehow outwit Graal before he can create an army of these soldiers, or their planet will be destroyed."
For the record:
The lovely Barbara Bach received a nomination for 'Best International Actress' from the Jupiter Awards, the film awards ceremony of Germany.
"Hoping to overthrow his brother as ruler of the planet Metropolis, the evil Graal enlists the help of the insane Dr. Kraspin, who has invented a chemical capable of turning an ordinary person into a perfect soldier. They test this chemical on the pilot Golob, turning the unsuspecting victim into a mindless but indestructable automaton possessing superhuman strength. The people of Metropolis must somehow outwit Graal before he can create an army of these soldiers, or their planet will be destroyed."
For the record:
The lovely Barbara Bach received a nomination for 'Best International Actress' from the Jupiter Awards, the film awards ceremony of Germany.
On this day in 1985 (in Uruguary), Star Trek III: The Search For Spock took the crew of the Enterprise on a trip through life and death. Written by Harve Bennett and directed by Leonard Nimoy, the film starred William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, and Christopher Lloyd; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Admiral Kirk and his bridge crew risk their careers stealing the decommissioned U.S.S. Enterprise to return to the restricted Genesis Planet to recover Spock's body."
For the record:
This tad-more-cerebral entry into the cinematic realm of Star Trek garnered a handful of nominations from the 1985 Saturn Awards and a singular nomination ('Best Dramatic Presentation') from the 1985 Hugo Awards. The film brings the popular Vulcan back from the dead, indeed, though we learn from the next picture he's not quite himself ... yet.
"Admiral Kirk and his bridge crew risk their careers stealing the decommissioned U.S.S. Enterprise to return to the restricted Genesis Planet to recover Spock's body."
For the record:
This tad-more-cerebral entry into the cinematic realm of Star Trek garnered a handful of nominations from the 1985 Saturn Awards and a singular nomination ('Best Dramatic Presentation') from the 1985 Hugo Awards. The film brings the popular Vulcan back from the dead, indeed, though we learn from the next picture he's not quite himself ... yet.
On this day in 1986 (in Sweden), Red Sonja clashed swords with her mortal enemies on the silver screen. Based on a character by Robert E. Howard and directed by Richard Fleischer, the Fantasy film starred Brigitte Nielsen, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Sandahl Bergman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren."
For the record:
Some days, you have to take the good with the bad, and such is the film history of the kinda/sorta beloved character of Red Sonja. This particular incarnation, however, never quite fared well with critics or audiences. In fact, the 1986 Razzie Awards gave its lead the 'Worst New Star' honor at its annual ceremony. Ouch.
"The fearless warrior Red Sonja sets out to avenge her family's murder and rid her kingdom from the tyrannical rule of evil Queen Gedren."
For the record:
Some days, you have to take the good with the bad, and such is the film history of the kinda/sorta beloved character of Red Sonja. This particular incarnation, however, never quite fared well with critics or audiences. In fact, the 1986 Razzie Awards gave its lead the 'Worst New Star' honor at its annual ceremony. Ouch.
A star is born! On this day in 1992, Memoirs Of An Invisible Man became visible in theaters! Directed by John Carpenter, the SciFi/Comedy starred Chevy Chase, Daryl Hannah, and Sam Neill; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Nick Halloway is made invisible during an accident. When Jenkins finds out about Nick, he set out to recruit him into the world of espionage, seeing the potential for an invisible CIA agent. When Alice Monroe falls in love with Nick, they are forced to flee the attentions of Jenkins. Nick also has the problem of living invisibly whilst trying to find a cure."
For the record:
To the film's credit, the good folks at the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films gave the film an incredible four nominations in the 1993 Saturn Awards in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Supporting Actor,' 'Best Actor,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"Nick Halloway is made invisible during an accident. When Jenkins finds out about Nick, he set out to recruit him into the world of espionage, seeing the potential for an invisible CIA agent. When Alice Monroe falls in love with Nick, they are forced to flee the attentions of Jenkins. Nick also has the problem of living invisibly whilst trying to find a cure."
For the record:
To the film's credit, the good folks at the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films gave the film an incredible four nominations in the 1993 Saturn Awards in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Supporting Actor,' 'Best Actor,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
A star is born! On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), the SciFi/Telefilm Journey To The Center Of The Earth surfaced. Directed by William Dear and loosely based on the Jules Verne novel of the same name, this version starred Farrah Forke, Kim Miyori, and Tim Russ. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Taking the title from the novel by Jules Verne, this story takes his basic premise of the desire to travel to the center of the Earth. The travelers, using their craft, penetrate an active volcano and encounter a strange world filled with many creatures and an evil force controlling it all."
"Taking the title from the novel by Jules Verne, this story takes his basic premise of the desire to travel to the center of the Earth. The travelers, using their craft, penetrate an active volcano and encounter a strange world filled with many creatures and an evil force controlling it all."
A star is born! On this day in 1996 (in Germany), Savage enjoyed its debut on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Avi Nesher, the SciFi/Thriller starred Olivier Gruner, Jennifer Grant, and Kario Salem. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After his family is murdered, and he's left for dead, a farmer awakens in the desert and finds himself transformed into a savage warrior, with all the powers and skills of the ancient gods. Guided by his "spirit masters" he's given a mission; destroy Titan Corporation, the world's most powerful high-tech computer company and its ambitious leader, Michael Burroughs. Burrough's has discovered the technological remains of an ancient race and a secret that will allow him to open the Vortex and achieve immortality. Out in the desert, ancient powers collide with sophisticated technology as the Savage and Burroughs meet in a titanic struggle that could destroy mankind."
"After his family is murdered, and he's left for dead, a farmer awakens in the desert and finds himself transformed into a savage warrior, with all the powers and skills of the ancient gods. Guided by his "spirit masters" he's given a mission; destroy Titan Corporation, the world's most powerful high-tech computer company and its ambitious leader, Michael Burroughs. Burrough's has discovered the technological remains of an ancient race and a secret that will allow him to open the Vortex and achieve immortality. Out in the desert, ancient powers collide with sophisticated technology as the Savage and Burroughs meet in a titanic struggle that could destroy mankind."
On this day in 1997 (in Portugal), Star Trek: First Contact sent the crew of the Enterprise-E back in time to save the future. Written by Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, the film was directed by Jonathan Frakes and starred Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, and Michael Dorn; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed."
"The Borg travel back in time intent on preventing Earth's first contact with an alien species. Captain Picard and his crew pursue them to ensure that Zefram Cochrane makes his maiden flight reaching warp speed."
A star is born! On this day in 2001 (in Canada), Mindstorm waged war on the minds of its audience. Written (in part) and directed by Richard Pepin, the Horror/Fantasy starred Antonio Sabato Jr., Emmanuelle Vaugier, and Eric Roberts. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A psychic's investigation into the disappearance of a Senator's daughter leads her to a dangerous cult and the truth about her mysterious past."
"A psychic's investigation into the disappearance of a Senator's daughter leads her to a dangerous cult and the truth about her mysterious past."
A star is born! On this day in 2010 (in the U.S.), audiences theatrically reached Defcon 2012! Directed by R. Christian Anderson from a script by Brian Neil Hoff, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Shy Pilgreen, Dan Gruenberg, and Thema Johannsen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"On October 30, 2009 an independent filmmaker and his cast and crew are reported missing a month before the release of their controversial film predicting the end of the world. Authorities have reason to believe the film's 2012 doomsday scenario may have something to do with their disappearance. An agent for CEA (Central Extraterrestrial Agency) discovers the footage to the film and watches the film on September 10, 2012, three months before the world is to come to an end. The film is reported to star actors Brian Neil Hoff (Automaton), Shy Pilgreen (Echo 6), and Xu Razer (Fragments.) Here is the synopsis to the mystery film. In 2012 a devastating war between humans and aliens left the earth a nuclear wasteland. 200 years later the descendants of both civilizations have returned in search of treasure and lost artifacts. After landing their ship on the abandoned planet, three galactic thieves, Kaynin, Rune, and Archer descend into an underground city. Soon a series of mechanical malfunctions leaves them trapped inside the vast structure below, fighting for their lives as a sinister figure lurks in the shadows. Hidden in the rubble and debris lie the clues to the planet's final days and, in order to survive, they must unravel their meaning before time runs out."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Defcon 2012 scored the 'Best Feature Film - Sci-Fi' Genre Award trophy from the 2010 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.
"On October 30, 2009 an independent filmmaker and his cast and crew are reported missing a month before the release of their controversial film predicting the end of the world. Authorities have reason to believe the film's 2012 doomsday scenario may have something to do with their disappearance. An agent for CEA (Central Extraterrestrial Agency) discovers the footage to the film and watches the film on September 10, 2012, three months before the world is to come to an end. The film is reported to star actors Brian Neil Hoff (Automaton), Shy Pilgreen (Echo 6), and Xu Razer (Fragments.) Here is the synopsis to the mystery film. In 2012 a devastating war between humans and aliens left the earth a nuclear wasteland. 200 years later the descendants of both civilizations have returned in search of treasure and lost artifacts. After landing their ship on the abandoned planet, three galactic thieves, Kaynin, Rune, and Archer descend into an underground city. Soon a series of mechanical malfunctions leaves them trapped inside the vast structure below, fighting for their lives as a sinister figure lurks in the shadows. Hidden in the rubble and debris lie the clues to the planet's final days and, in order to survive, they must unravel their meaning before time runs out."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Defcon 2012 scored the 'Best Feature Film - Sci-Fi' Genre Award trophy from the 2010 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival.
On this day in 2011 (in Portugal), Tyrannosaurus Azteca enjoyed its release. The feature starred Ian Ziering and Marco Sanchez, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two years before his famous encounter with Montezuma, Cortes is sent on a scouting mission to shores south of Mexico where he and his band of Conquistadores discover a small tribe of Aztecs who sacrifice their own people to satisfy the hunger of the "Thunder Lizard" living in the jungle."
"Two years before his famous encounter with Montezuma, Cortes is sent on a scouting mission to shores south of Mexico where he and his band of Conquistadores discover a small tribe of Aztecs who sacrifice their own people to satisfy the hunger of the "Thunder Lizard" living in the jungle."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), The Creature Below surfaced on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Stewart Sparke, the SciFi/Horror starred Anna Dawson, Michaela Longden, and Daniel Thrace; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young scientist discovers a malevolent entity which sets her on a bloody descent into the jaws of insanity."
"A young scientist discovers a malevolent entity which sets her on a bloody descent into the jaws of insanity."
On this day in 2019 (in Hong Kong), The Wandering Earth gave audiences one more look at our planet's impending doom. Directed by Frant Gwo, the SciFi/Drama starred Jing Wu, Chuxiao Qu, and Guangjie Li; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As the sun is dying out, people all around the world build giant planet thrusters to move Earth out of its orbit and sail Earth to a new star system. Yet the 2500-year journey comes with unexpected dangers, and in order to save humanity, a group of young people in this age of a wandering Earth fight hard for the survival of humankind."
"As the sun is dying out, people all around the world build giant planet thrusters to move Earth out of its orbit and sail Earth to a new star system. Yet the 2500-year journey comes with unexpected dangers, and in order to save humanity, a group of young people in this age of a wandering Earth fight hard for the survival of humankind."
On this day in 2020 (in Mexico), the 1986-produced Aliens enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. Starring Sigourney Weaver, Bill Paxton, and Michael Biehn, the SciFi/Adventure took Ripley into her very own 'heart of darkness,' and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators."
For the record:
Simply put, Aliens was then and remains today nothing short of phenomenal. While the original established the property, I'd argue that it took the sequel to firmly establish it as a proper Science Fiction franchise. Multiple films have explored the growing mythology behind the Xenomorphs, and 20th Century Fox even paired the aliens up with the Predator for a picture or two. Still, Aliens won the Oscars for 'Best Sound Editing' and 'Best Special Effects' at the 1987 Academy Awards, and the picture even garnered an acting nomination for Weaver -- a rarity for a SciFi film.
"Fifty-seven years after surviving an apocalyptic attack aboard her space vessel by merciless space creatures, Officer Ripley awakens from hyper-sleep and tries to warn anyone who will listen about the predators."
For the record:
Simply put, Aliens was then and remains today nothing short of phenomenal. While the original established the property, I'd argue that it took the sequel to firmly establish it as a proper Science Fiction franchise. Multiple films have explored the growing mythology behind the Xenomorphs, and 20th Century Fox even paired the aliens up with the Predator for a picture or two. Still, Aliens won the Oscars for 'Best Sound Editing' and 'Best Special Effects' at the 1987 Academy Awards, and the picture even garnered an acting nomination for Weaver -- a rarity for a SciFi film.
On this day in 1963 (in the U.S.), The Twilight Zone aired "Printer's Devil." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's fourth season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man sells his soul to the devil to save his failing newspaper and gets more than he bargained for."
"A man sells his soul to the devil to save his failing newspaper and gets more than he bargained for."
On this day in 1964 (in the U.S.), The Twilight Zone aired "An Occurence At Owl Creek Bridge," the twenty-second episode of its fifth and final season. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"It is the end of the Civil War and Union troops have occupied the South. They are going to execute a Southern resistance fighter."
"It is the end of the Civil War and Union troops have occupied the South. They are going to execute a Southern resistance fighter."
On this day in 1967 (in the U.S.), The Invaders aired "Doomsday Minus One." This served as the eighth hour to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"The aliens plan to explode an anti-matter bomb in Utah during a nuclear test."
"The aliens plan to explode an anti-matter bomb in Utah during a nuclear test."
On this day in 1969 (in the U.S.), Star Trek aired "The Cloud Minders." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's third (and final) season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kirk and Spock are caught up in a revolution on a planet where intellectuals and artists live on a utopian city in the sky while the rest of the population toils in mines on the barren surface below."
"Kirk and Spock are caught up in a revolution on a planet where intellectuals and artists live on a utopian city in the sky while the rest of the population toils in mines on the barren surface below."
On this day in 1988, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future aired "Freedom One." This served as the eighteenth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Freedom One, the voice of the East Coast Resistance radio organizes a meeting between the five most powerful Resistance leaders, she contacts Power and his team to gather the leaders together."
"When Freedom One, the voice of the East Coast Resistance radio organizes a meeting between the five most powerful Resistance leaders, she contacts Power and his team to gather the leaders together."
On this day in 1991, Red Dwarf aired "Justice." This served as the third episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Red Dwarf crew transport a defrosting stasis capsule to 'Justice World', a remote penal space station, where they believe the person in the capsule may be one of the convicts or one of the guards. And Rimmer is convicted of the radioactive disaster that wiped out the entire crew of Red Dwarf."
"The Red Dwarf crew transport a defrosting stasis capsule to 'Justice World', a remote penal space station, where they believe the person in the capsule may be one of the convicts or one of the guards. And Rimmer is convicted of the radioactive disaster that wiped out the entire crew of Red Dwarf."
On this day in 1997, Sliders aired "Exodus: Part 2." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"One of the Sliders is lost during the mission to save a doomed world, while Arturo and Wade battle an egomaniacal military commander over who will be rescued."
"One of the Sliders is lost during the mission to save a doomed world, while Arturo and Wade battle an egomaniacal military commander over who will be rescued."
On this day in 1999 (in the U.S.), The X-Files aired "Monday." Officially, this served as the fourteenth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A woman desperately attempts to change the outcome of the events of a day she is forced to relive again and again in which her boyfriend explodes a bomb during a failed bank robbery killing everyone inside, including Mulder and Scully."
"A woman desperately attempts to change the outcome of the events of a day she is forced to relive again and again in which her boyfriend explodes a bomb during a failed bank robbery killing everyone inside, including Mulder and Scully."
On this day in 2000, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Time Bomb." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While examining Ma'el's ship, Liam and Renee find a chamber and in it are some life pods and the persons are all dead except for one. He awakes and reveals himself to be from Ancient Rome and he was chosen by Ma'el to deal with the Taelons if they chose not heed Ma'el's telling them not to come to Earth. At the same Tathan decides to challenge Zo'or for the right to lead the Synod and Zo'or decides to get an advantage by using Sandoval."
"While examining Ma'el's ship, Liam and Renee find a chamber and in it are some life pods and the persons are all dead except for one. He awakes and reveals himself to be from Ancient Rome and he was chosen by Ma'el to deal with the Taelons if they chose not heed Ma'el's telling them not to come to Earth. At the same Tathan decides to challenge Zo'or for the right to lead the Synod and Zo'or decides to get an advantage by using Sandoval."
On this day in 2001, Star Trek: Voyager concluded "Workforce" by airing its second part on UPN. Thankfully, all of the crew's memories were restored so they could continue on the voyage home ... which was coming very soon!
On this day in 2001, Seven Days aired "Crystal Blue Persuasion." This served as the fifteenth episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An astronaut returns with an alien virus that makes him irresistible to women, and Olga soon finds herself pregnant with a clutch of alien babies."
"An astronaut returns with an alien virus that makes him irresistible to women, and Olga soon finds herself pregnant with a clutch of alien babies."
On this day in 2001, Starhunter aired the eighteenth episode of its first season. "Eat Sin" was the follow-up to the previous hour -- "A Twist in Time" -- that saw the crew of the Tulip facing a curious temporal anomaly seemingly manipulated by the convict they had aboard the ship.
On this day in 2003, the first part of Farscape's big finish trilogy -- "We're So Screwed I: Fetal Attraction" -- aired on Syfy. According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The crew goes after Aeryn on a Scarran controlled station."
"The crew goes after Aeryn on a Scarran controlled station."
On this day in 2003, Stargate: SG-1 aired "The Changeling." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Teal'c is having strange nightmares featuring Apophis in which he is human and a firefighter with the rest of his team alongside him."
"Teal'c is having strange nightmares featuring Apophis in which he is human and a firefighter with the rest of his team alongside him."
On this day in 2004, Starhunter 2300 aired the seventeenth episode of its second season. It was an hour titled "The Heir and the Spare," and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"The hunters capture a conman named Alex Arroyan who, after a medical scan, is found to be an identical DNA match to Marcus. Marcus confronts Alex who admits they are twin brothers despite Marcus being a test-tube baby born in an artificial womb. Alex had also undergone plastic surgery to hide his true identity from a man named Jaten Sarat who is hunting him. When Sarat comes for Alex, he and Marcus escape to Io and meet their uncle Wilkes, who explains that Alex is heir to the Marendola family of Europa whose rule was overthrown in a coup. Marcus finds out he was intended to be Alex "spare" (a medical blank). To quell current uprisings, Sarat wants Alex to return to rule, but as a puppet leader under his control. In the meantime, Percy begins to lose it while trying to fix the Tulip, and decides to take a vacation."
"The hunters capture a conman named Alex Arroyan who, after a medical scan, is found to be an identical DNA match to Marcus. Marcus confronts Alex who admits they are twin brothers despite Marcus being a test-tube baby born in an artificial womb. Alex had also undergone plastic surgery to hide his true identity from a man named Jaten Sarat who is hunting him. When Sarat comes for Alex, he and Marcus escape to Io and meet their uncle Wilkes, who explains that Alex is heir to the Marendola family of Europa whose rule was overthrown in a coup. Marcus finds out he was intended to be Alex "spare" (a medical blank). To quell current uprisings, Sarat wants Alex to return to rule, but as a puppet leader under his control. In the meantime, Percy begins to lose it while trying to fix the Tulip, and decides to take a vacation."
On this day in 2017, Mark Dawidziak's Everything I Need To Know I Learned In The Twilight Zone enjoyed its release to the consumer marketplace. According to our friends at Amazon.com, here's the book's premise:
"Can you live your life by what The Twilight Zone has to teach you? Yes, and maybe you should. The proof is in this lighthearted collection of life lessons, ground rules, inspirational thoughts, and stirring reminders found in Rod Serling’s timeless fantasy series. Written by veteran TV critic, Mark Dawidziak, this unauthorized tribute is a celebration of the classic anthology show, but also, on another level, a kind of fifth-dimension self-help book, with each lesson supported by the morality tales told by Serling and his writers."
"Can you live your life by what The Twilight Zone has to teach you? Yes, and maybe you should. The proof is in this lighthearted collection of life lessons, ground rules, inspirational thoughts, and stirring reminders found in Rod Serling’s timeless fantasy series. Written by veteran TV critic, Mark Dawidziak, this unauthorized tribute is a celebration of the classic anthology show, but also, on another level, a kind of fifth-dimension self-help book, with each lesson supported by the morality tales told by Serling and his writers."
