If I'm being honest (and I do try to be), then I'd have to admit that I didn't quite get into Thundercats as much as my contemporaries did. (It premiered on this day in back in 1985 with a pair of episodes.) It launched on television while I was in college, and I was always a bit too busy with other things to tune in faithfully the way the other guys at the frat house somehow managed. Still, I could appreciate the solid SciFi/Fantasy vibe the show produced, and it certainly retains a fairly wide following even decades after the program began. That's something I always appreciate: longevity. But, Hollywood: please don't do with these cats what you did with the musical Cats (2019) as I don't think fandom would ever forgive you. Here's the show's premise from IMDB.com:
"A team of humanoid cats fight evil in their adopted home world."
"A team of humanoid cats fight evil in their adopted home world."
I think you can always judge a franchise based in part on the charisma of its lead. Shatner, Browder, and even Boxleitner come to mind, and one name I'd definitely add to that list is Gil Gerard. In the 80's, he was the face of televised science fiction as he headlined the latest incarnation of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for NBC. Gerard has lead a relatively quiet life since that time (though he might feel differently), but, if you get the chance, toss in the DVDs sometime this week to honor the man's contribution to science fiction. I think you'll be surprised how well it all holds up, thanks to his capable shoulders!
Gerard was born on this day back in 1943.
[Source: IMDB.com]
Gerard was born on this day back in 1943.
[Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Susan French enjoyed a brief guest appearance aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation's sixth season. Though she's no longer with us, French was born on this day in 1912.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor and voiceover artist Bart LaRue was contracted to provide the speaking voice to Star Trek's legendary 'Guardian Of Forever' as well as other vocal work in the show's original run. Though he's no longer with us, LaRue was born on this day in 1932.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Emily Banks enjoyed a guest spot aboard "Shore Leave," one of Star Trek's memorable first season adventures. Banks was born on this day in 1933.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With a rather obvious make-up job, Lou Antonio found himself trapped in one of Star Trek's less subtle metaphors about race in the episode "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield." Once he hung up his acting shoes, the man turned into a rather prolific director, turning in an incredible 86 different projects. Antonio was born on this day in 1934.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Artist Greg Hildebrandt was only half of the amazing creative team that were the Hildebrandt brothers -- Greg and Tim -- who left such an incredible mark on so many with their renderings of some of the biggest entertainment intellectual properties in all of human history. Though they did inevitably split up for professional reasons, most of us still think of them jointly, especially when it comes to a whole era of Star Wars and J.R.R. Tolkien stuff from the old days. Though he's no longer with us, Hildebrandt was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
Brian Croucher definitely has a few SciFi credits to his name worth mentioning. He's been seen aboard Doctor Who, Blakes 7, Quartermass (TV miniseries), Shakedown: Return of the Sontarans (1994), and C.O.O.L.I.O. Time Travel Gangster (2014). Croucher was born on this day in 1942.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I can recall a debate I had once about veteran actor Rutger Hauer and his work in the legendary Blade Runner (1982). This guy was trying to convince me that the film was all about detective Rick Deckard (played by Harrison Ford), but I contended -- as I still do today -- that without Hauer's massively charismatic portrayal of the replicant searching for his soul Roy Batty then Blade Runner wouldn't have been a tale worth telling. After all, it's Batty who learns the ultimate lesson and sacrifices for what he comes to know about life, not Deckard. But maybe that's just my take. Though he's no longer with us, Hauer was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 1983, the Saturn Awards nominated Hauer's work in Blade Runner in the category of 'Best Supporting Actor.'
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 1983, the Saturn Awards nominated Hauer's work in Blade Runner in the category of 'Best Supporting Actor.'
And need I remind you what I wrote above about charismatic leads, especially in science fiction? As I've said before (and kinda/sorta been trashed for), I just didn't get the Stargate: SG-1 fever like most SciFi fans. I guess I enjoyed it well enough. I've seen about half of its first season but only a handful of episodes after that as it just didn't quite interest me. Still, I'd never argue that the franchise wasn't in the right hands with Richard Dean Anderson (aka MacGyver) in the lead. He made even the handful of tales I saw highly entertaining. Anderson was born on this day in 1950.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Anderson was an acting phenomenon aboard the original Stargate: SG-1 series, receiving a Saturn Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Actor' an astonishing eight times. He took home the trophy at their 1999 ceremony.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Anderson was an acting phenomenon aboard the original Stargate: SG-1 series, receiving a Saturn Awards nomination in the category of 'Best Actor' an astonishing eight times. He took home the trophy at their 1999 ceremony.
David Patrick Kelly has certainly built a career out of playing some of cinema's weirdest characters. I'll never forget him as the villainous Tommy Ray Glatman from Dreamscape (1984), but he's put up plenty of other roles in some quality projects worth another look. Kelly was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With over fifty screen credits to his name, Patrick Kerr has had the opportunity to dabble in Science Fiction with roles aboard such properties as Star Trek: Voyager, Alien Nation: The Enemy Within (1996), and NBC's Third Rock From The Sun. Kerr was born on this day in 1956.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Critical favorite Richard Roxburgh (above left) braved an environmental catastrophe in Ice, a TV miniseries examining the dreadful effects behind climate change. Roxburgh was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The luminous Gail O'Grady enjoyed a guest spot aboard Time Trax during the program's run. She also put in an appearance on Superboy. O'Grady was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
OK, let's confront the elephant in the room: the lovely Mariska Hargitay originally had a relatively prominent role in 1995's Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie, but she was inevitably cut and replaced by another actress. Kudos for her for giving SciFi and Fantasy another go with an appearance aboard 1999's SciFi/Horror hybrid, Lake Placid. Imagine what her career could've been with more spandex? I do! Hargitay was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of 'Dr. Kate Heightmeyer,' the lovely Claire Rankin enjoyed a recurring spot aboard Syfy's Stargate: Atlantis. She also guested aboard Star Trek: Voyager and The Outer Limits. Rankin was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ewen Bremner is a brilliant character actor SciFi fans know most recently from his role in Snowpiercer. He's also been a part of Judge Dredd, AvP: Aliens Vs. Predator, and the 2009 TV miniseries The Day of the Triffids. Bremner was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Most websites would hardly call attention to an actress's four-episode stint on a late 80's SciFi show, but -- so far as this blogger is concerned -- if you've ever helped drive any incarnation of the starship Enterprise, then that deserves a shout-out! So, give a shout-out to lovely Lanei Chapman, who went on from her days in Star Trek: The Next Generation to serve Earth once more as Lt. Vanessa Damphousse in Fox TV's spectacular Space: Above & Beyond. Chapman was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Tiffani Amber Thiessen made the jump into Science Fiction in 2008 playing 'Lindsey Reardon' in a SciFi stinker called Cyborg Soldier. Thiessen was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hailing from England, Sonita Henry has booked appearances in some big properties in genre, including The Fifth Element, Star Trek (2009), the Dead Space 2 and 3 video games, and Doctor Who. Henry was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Well beneath the radar, Julia Jones has worked her way into several genre projects of note. Fans might recognize her from work aboard Jonah Hex (2010), the Twilight saga, Westworld, The Mandalorian, and Marvel's Echo. Jones was born on this day in 1981.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Lindsey Kraft enjoyed a wee bit of screen time aboard Them, an otherworldly genre series about racism. Kraft was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
HubbaHubba Alert! The delicious Doutzen Kroes suited up nicely in the guise of Amazonian warriorness aboard both Wonder Woman (2017) and Justice League (2017). Kroes was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ah, all of mankind loves a gal who shows up ready to kick butt and take names! In that regard, the lovely Chanel Cresswell did so as a supporting player aboard the BBC's The Aliens in 2016. In 2020, the actress also found work aboard the Dracula miniseries. Cresswell was born on this day in 1990.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Intense eyes and all, young Jack Reynor helped in the rebranding of Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014) as the fourth film in the popular toy-based film franchise. Thankfully, he's continued his work in the realms of the fantastic, making appearances in such entries as Electric Dreams, Kin (2018), Midsommar (2019), and The Peripheral for Amazon Studios. Reynor was born on this day in 1992.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1931 (in France), audiences were treated to the dawn of an Apocalypse with the End Of The World premiering on silver screens. Written (in part) and directed by Abel Gance, the SciFi/Drama starred Gance himself, Colette Darfeuil, and Sylvie Gance; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The two Novalic brothers, Jean and Martial, are in love with the same woman, Genevieve. Jean is an impoverished actor and an idealistic dreamer, who does not want Genevieve to share in his life of suffering. Martial is an internationally-respected astronomer who discovers the return of Lexell's Comet, on a collision course for Earth. Meanwhile, the rich play while the world is arming for war. Martial decides to use the impending threat of world destruction to reorganize and improve global society. But he is opposed by the rich financiers and government officials who stand to lose their power and influence."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was fortunate to receive an all-new release of End Of The World (1931) from a distributor in exchange for promotional coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts on the film? Readers can find my review right here.
"The two Novalic brothers, Jean and Martial, are in love with the same woman, Genevieve. Jean is an impoverished actor and an idealistic dreamer, who does not want Genevieve to share in his life of suffering. Martial is an internationally-respected astronomer who discovers the return of Lexell's Comet, on a collision course for Earth. Meanwhile, the rich play while the world is arming for war. Martial decides to use the impending threat of world destruction to reorganize and improve global society. But he is opposed by the rich financiers and government officials who stand to lose their power and influence."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was fortunate to receive an all-new release of End Of The World (1931) from a distributor in exchange for promotional coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts on the film? Readers can find my review right here.
A star is born! On this day in 1954, Killers From Space crashed down into Earth's theaters. The SciFi feature starred Peter Graves and James Seay, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An atomic scientist claims he was abducted by aliens after being injured in a plane crash."
"An atomic scientist claims he was abducted by aliens after being injured in a plane crash."
A star is born! On this day in 1969 (in the United Kingdom), the campy SciFi/Spy film Some Girls Do showed audiences that -- well -- some girls did. The feature starred Richard Johnson and Daliah Lavi, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A series of unexplainable accidents befall the people and companies responsible for developing the world's first supersonic airliner (SST1). A British agent is sent to investigate and with the help of another agent uncovers a plot masterminded by Carl Petersen who stands to gain eight million pounds if the aircraft is not ready by a certain date. The evil Petersen has developed a number of "robots" (actually rather beautiful girls with "electronic brains") to help him sabotage the SST1 project by means of "infrasound" (extreme low frequency sound waves) which can be directed at people or objects with devastating results."
"A series of unexplainable accidents befall the people and companies responsible for developing the world's first supersonic airliner (SST1). A British agent is sent to investigate and with the help of another agent uncovers a plot masterminded by Carl Petersen who stands to gain eight million pounds if the aircraft is not ready by a certain date. The evil Petersen has developed a number of "robots" (actually rather beautiful girls with "electronic brains") to help him sabotage the SST1 project by means of "infrasound" (extreme low frequency sound waves) which can be directed at people or objects with devastating results."
On this day in 1974 (in Paris), the 1966-produced Star Pilot enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. The film starred Leonora Ruffo and Roland Lesaffre, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Aliens from the constellation Hydra crash-land on the island of Sardinia. A prominent scientist, his daughter, several young technicians, and a pair of Oriental spies are taken hostage by the beings so they can use them to repair their spaceship's broken engine. With that done, they take off towards their home planet, taking the earthlings with them. However, the humans attempt to mutiny against their captors, inadvertently sending their tiny spaceship hurtling into the infinite beyond..."
"Aliens from the constellation Hydra crash-land on the island of Sardinia. A prominent scientist, his daughter, several young technicians, and a pair of Oriental spies are taken hostage by the beings so they can use them to repair their spaceship's broken engine. With that done, they take off towards their home planet, taking the earthlings with them. However, the humans attempt to mutiny against their captors, inadvertently sending their tiny spaceship hurtling into the infinite beyond..."
A star is born! On this day in 1974, the SciFi/Telefilm The Questor Tapes spooled out on the Boob Tube. Springing from the mind of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, the feature starred Robert Foxworth and Mike Farrell, and here's the plot synopsis from IMDB.com:
"Project Questor is the brainchild of the genius Dr. Vaslovik: he developed plans to build an android super-human. Although he has disappeared and half of he programming tape was erased in the attempt to decode it, his former colleagues continue the project and finally succeed in creating Questor. However, Vaslovik seems to have installed a secret program in Questor's brain: He flees and starts to search for Vaslovik. Since half of his knowledge is missing, he needs the help of Jerry Robinson, who is now suspected of having stolen the android."
"Project Questor is the brainchild of the genius Dr. Vaslovik: he developed plans to build an android super-human. Although he has disappeared and half of he programming tape was erased in the attempt to decode it, his former colleagues continue the project and finally succeed in creating Questor. However, Vaslovik seems to have installed a secret program in Questor's brain: He flees and starts to search for Vaslovik. Since half of his knowledge is missing, he needs the help of Jerry Robinson, who is now suspected of having stolen the android."
On this day in 1978 (in Sweden), the Creature From Black Lake emerged from hiding and wrecked havoc on the silver screen. Directed by Joy N. Houck Jr., the Fantasy/Horror starred Jack Elam, Dub Taylor, and Dennis Fimple. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two men exploring the Louisiana swamps encounter a Bigfoot-type creature."
"Two men exploring the Louisiana swamps encounter a Bigfoot-type creature."
A star is born! On this day in 1980 (in France), Death Watch delivered a social commentary on society's collective fascination with celebrity. Bernard Tavernier both directed and helped adapt the David Compton novel ("The Continuous Katherine Mortenhoe, Or The Unsleeping Eye") for the silver screen, and the project starred Romy Schneider, Harvey Keitel, and Harry Dean Stanton. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a future where dying of illness is exceedingly rare, a terminally ill woman becomes a celebrity and a man with camera implants goes to secretly record her for a morbid TV show."
For the record:
As well as garnering some praise from various festival screenings, Death Watch enjoyed five nominations (but no wins) at the 1981 César Awards, the highest film honor possible in that country ("Best Screenplay, Original or Adaptation," "Best Music," "Best Cinematography," 'Best Editing," and "Best Sound").
"In a future where dying of illness is exceedingly rare, a terminally ill woman becomes a celebrity and a man with camera implants goes to secretly record her for a morbid TV show."
For the record:
As well as garnering some praise from various festival screenings, Death Watch enjoyed five nominations (but no wins) at the 1981 César Awards, the highest film honor possible in that country ("Best Screenplay, Original or Adaptation," "Best Music," "Best Cinematography," 'Best Editing," and "Best Sound").
On this day in 1981 (in the U.S.), the good people of New York City, New York were treated to the theatrical debut of Blood Beach. Written (in part) and directed by Jeffrey Bloom, the Fantasy/Horror starred David Huffman, Marianna Hill, and Burt Young. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Something or someone is attacking people one by one on the beach. Some of them are mutilated, but most of them are sucked into the sand, disappearing without a trace. What is the creature responsible? Where does it live, and where did it come from? And is there any chance of it reproducing? Meanwhile, David Huffman and Mariana Hill are once-almost-married old friends, reunited over the death of her mother on the beach, and searching for clues in the abandoned buildings where they used to play when they were young."
"Something or someone is attacking people one by one on the beach. Some of them are mutilated, but most of them are sucked into the sand, disappearing without a trace. What is the creature responsible? Where does it live, and where did it come from? And is there any chance of it reproducing? Meanwhile, David Huffman and Mariana Hill are once-almost-married old friends, reunited over the death of her mother on the beach, and searching for clues in the abandoned buildings where they used to play when they were young."
A star is born! On this day in 1981 (in West Germany), the Horror/Sci film Imseminoid enjoyed its first theatrical engagement. Directed by Norman J. Warren, the feature starred Robin Clarke and Jennifer Ashley, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A group of scientists are working in a lab located on a distant planet. One of them, Sandy, is attacked, raped and impregnated by a monstrous creature. She then begins to stalk her colleagues one by one, killing them and drinking their blood."
For the record:
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I caught a streaming of Inseminoid via my subscription to Amazon Prime. Interested readers can find my thoughts on the film right here.
"A group of scientists are working in a lab located on a distant planet. One of them, Sandy, is attacked, raped and impregnated by a monstrous creature. She then begins to stalk her colleagues one by one, killing them and drinking their blood."
For the record:
- In 1981, the film won the Festival Award for 'Best Music Composer' from the Madrid International Film Festival.
- In 1982, it was nominated for 'Best Film' at the Fantasporto Film Festival.
- And also in the same year, it won 'Best Special Effects' from the Fantafestival Film Festival.
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2024, I caught a streaming of Inseminoid via my subscription to Amazon Prime. Interested readers can find my thoughts on the film right here.
A star is born! On this day in 1984 (in Turkey), Badi tried to charm the Turkish masses with their own remake of Steven Spielberg's E.T. Directed by Zafer Par, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Cengiz Sayhan, Tuncer Sevi, and Anni Ipekkaya. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An alien is stranded on earth and eventually befriends a young boy during his quest to return to his home planet."
"An alien is stranded on earth and eventually befriends a young boy during his quest to return to his home planet."
On this day in 1987 (in the U.S.), the good people of Orlando, Florida were treated to a special limited theatrical engagement of The Pink Chiquitas. Written and directed by Tony Currie, the SciFi/Comedy starred Frank Stallone, Bruce Pirrie, and Elizabeth Edwards. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A pink meteor controlled by aliens lands near a small town and turns the local women into nymphos. A deputy sheriff and a local private eye investigate."
"A pink meteor controlled by aliens lands near a small town and turns the local women into nymphos. A deputy sheriff and a local private eye investigate."
A star is born! On this day in 1994, William Shatner's TekWar became a SciFi/Telefilm, eventually morphing into a full-fledged series. The project starred Greg Evigan, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After four years, Jake Cardigan is prematurely awoken from his fifteen year cryogenic punishment to a world very different than the one he knew. Much more than before 'Tek', the highly-addictive electronic designer narcotic of the 21st century, seems to be prevalent. His wife has divorced him and disappeared together with their son. He wants them back and he wants justice for those undercover policemen who were murdered by unknown conspirators which led to his imprisonment for a crime he did not commit."
"After four years, Jake Cardigan is prematurely awoken from his fifteen year cryogenic punishment to a world very different than the one he knew. Much more than before 'Tek', the highly-addictive electronic designer narcotic of the 21st century, seems to be prevalent. His wife has divorced him and disappeared together with their son. He wants them back and he wants justice for those undercover policemen who were murdered by unknown conspirators which led to his imprisonment for a crime he did not commit."
A star is born! On this day in 1997 (in Australia), Epsilon (aka Alien Visitor) finally arrived on our planet. Written and directed by Rolf de Heer, the SciFi/Drama starred Ullie Birve, Syd Brisbane, and Alethea McGrath. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In this sci-fi adventure a gorgeous alien woman is sent to Earth by mistake from the planet Epsilon. Landing in the Australian outback she meets a surveyor and they cross the continent together. However, she spends the trip haranguing him for the ecological recklessness and avarice of the human race."
"In this sci-fi adventure a gorgeous alien woman is sent to Earth by mistake from the planet Epsilon. Landing in the Australian outback she meets a surveyor and they cross the continent together. However, she spends the trip haranguing him for the ecological recklessness and avarice of the human race."
A star is born! On this day in 1998, Phantoms sprang to theatrical life. Based on the novel by Dean Koontz, the film starred Peter O'Toole, Ben Affleck, Rose McGowan, and Joanna Going, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"150 dead and 350 missing in the tiny mountain town of Snowfield, Colorado. And that's only the beginning..."
"150 dead and 350 missing in the tiny mountain town of Snowfield, Colorado. And that's only the beginning..."
A star is born! On this day in 1998 (in Greece), The Sender enjoyed its arrival on home video. Directed by Richard Pepin, the SciFi/Thriller starred Michael Madsen, R. Lee Ermey, and Robert Vaughn. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An Air Force captain pursues the government agents who kidnapped his daughter after discovering that she has incredible "sending" powers."
"An Air Force captain pursues the government agents who kidnapped his daughter after discovering that she has incredible "sending" powers."
On this day in 1999, Star Portal enjoyed its premiere on U.S. television. The SciFi feature starred Athena Massey and Steven Bauer, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An alien from a race dying of a disease crashes on Earth and assumes the body of a human. She then precedes to take blood from other humans to send back to her planet. Things get complicated when she starts to feel human emotions and other aliens show up to exterminate her. Her only hope lies with a curious and helpful doctor."
"An alien from a race dying of a disease crashes on Earth and assumes the body of a human. She then precedes to take blood from other humans to send back to her planet. Things get complicated when she starts to feel human emotions and other aliens show up to exterminate her. Her only hope lies with a curious and helpful doctor."
A star is born! On this day in 2007, Night Skies gave audiences a look into the Phoenix Lights phenomenon. The feature starred Jason Connery and A.J. Cook, and here's the premise compliments of IMDB.com:
"On March 13th, 1997 one of the largest UFO sightings ever recorded took place across the southwestern United States. The event became known as the 'Phoenix Lights' and was witnessed by community leaders, members of law enforcement, as well as thousands of everyday citizens. This true story, based on transcripts from actual hypnosis-therapy sessions, finally reveals what happened after the infamous incident ended and how six people, stranded by chance on a forgotten road, encountered more than just lights in the sky."
"On March 13th, 1997 one of the largest UFO sightings ever recorded took place across the southwestern United States. The event became known as the 'Phoenix Lights' and was witnessed by community leaders, members of law enforcement, as well as thousands of everyday citizens. This true story, based on transcripts from actual hypnosis-therapy sessions, finally reveals what happened after the infamous incident ended and how six people, stranded by chance on a forgotten road, encountered more than just lights in the sky."
A star is born ... and this one just might be a satellite! On this day in 2009 (in the U.S.), audiences in attendance of the Sundance Film Festival were treated to the theatrical debut of Moon. Written (in part) and directed by Duncan Jones, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, and Dominique McElligott. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Moon turned out to be a pretty interesting sensation with audiences and critics, and the flick played to a good deal of praise on the film festival circuit.
"Astronaut Sam Bell has a quintessentially personal encounter toward the end of his three-year stint on the Moon, where he, working alongside his computer, GERTY, sends back to Earth parcels of a resource that has helped diminish our planet's power problems."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Moon turned out to be a pretty interesting sensation with audiences and critics, and the flick played to a good deal of praise on the film festival circuit.
- At the 2010 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Moon enjoyed two nominations in the categories of 'Best Actor' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
- At the 2010 Hugo Awards, Moon won the much coveted 'Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form' trophy.
A star is born! On this day in 2010, the SciFi/Comedy Drones played for audiences in attendance of the Slamdance Film Festival. The feature starred Angela Bettis and Jonathan M. Woodward, and here's the plot summary provided by IMDB.com:
"A man discovers a universal threat to his life, job and the planet."
"A man discovers a universal threat to his life, job and the planet."
On this day in 2010, Re-Generator sparked into life. The feature starred Olivier Gruner and David J. Phillips, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"The citizens of a small town face a nightmare of apocalyptic proportions after a government plane crashes nearby, unleashing a top-secret government experiment that can't be contained."
"The citizens of a small town face a nightmare of apocalyptic proportions after a government plane crashes nearby, unleashing a top-secret government experiment that can't be contained."
On this day in 1953, Adventures Of Superman aired "The Evil Three." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Perry White and Jimmy Olsen, while on a fishing trip, end up staying at a rundown hotel. It has only three occupants -- two men who are trying to kill each other and a wheelchair-bound old woman who laughs like a maniac. Superman races to help his friends before they fall victim to the "evil three.""
"Perry White and Jimmy Olsen, while on a fishing trip, end up staying at a rundown hotel. It has only three occupants -- two men who are trying to kill each other and a wheelchair-bound old woman who laughs like a maniac. Superman races to help his friends before they fall victim to the "evil three.""
On this day in 1953, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Picture Of Dorian Gray." This served as the twenty-third episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all."
"A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all."
On this day in 1954, Adventures Of Superman aired "Perry White's Scoop." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the (edited) plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"A man in a diving suit begins to walk into the Daily Planet building. He is shot before he can enter the newspaper's offices. Dying, the man says the word, "Quincy," to Perry White. Perry decides he wants to solve the mystery himself after complaining how his reporters rely too much on Superman for help."
"A man in a diving suit begins to walk into the Daily Planet building. He is shot before he can enter the newspaper's offices. Dying, the man says the word, "Quincy," to Perry White. Perry decides he wants to solve the mystery himself after complaining how his reporters rely too much on Superman for help."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "All Roads Lead To Rome." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While the Doctor and Vicki meet with Nero, Barbara is taken to Rome to be sold while Ian is forced to work as a galley slave."
"While the Doctor and Vicki meet with Nero, Barbara is taken to Rome to be sold while Ian is forced to work as a galley slave."
On this day in 1971, Doctor Who aired "Terror Of The Autons: Part 4." This served as the fourth episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor discovers the plastic daffodils are designed to fire a spray that asphyxiates people, causing havoc prior to the Nestene's arrival, but before he can alert anyone he and Jo are captured by the Master."
"The Doctor discovers the plastic daffodils are designed to fire a spray that asphyxiates people, causing havoc prior to the Nestene's arrival, but before he can alert anyone he and Jo are captured by the Master."
On this day in 1978, Blake's 7 aired "Time Squad." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Blake picks up an unidentified space projectile en route to an attack on Saurian Major, accidentally allowing three dangerous aliens aboard the Liberator."
"Blake picks up an unidentified space projectile en route to an attack on Saurian Major, accidentally allowing three dangerous aliens aboard the Liberator."
On this day in 1978, the episode of Logan's Run titled "Night Visitors" aired. Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"The runners stop at a house haunted by devil-worshiping ghosts. Jessica is captured so one of the phantoms can use her as the receptacle for his dead wife's spirit."
"The runners stop at a house haunted by devil-worshiping ghosts. Jessica is captured so one of the phantoms can use her as the receptacle for his dead wife's spirit."
On this day in 1984, the United Kingdom was treated to the third episode of the first season of Chocky. According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"The family go for a picnic beside a river. Chocky is interested about how boats float and Matthew finds a boat and investigates without the owners permission and without telling his parents. The boat owner thinks he has caught a thief and hands Matthew over to a policeman. His dad goes looking for Matthew and finds him with the policeman. Dad's old friend, Dr. Roy Landis comes to see Matthew to speak about Chocky. Landis discovers that Chocky is real and not imaginary. In bed, Matthew finally sees Chocky as a form of a swirly misty hologram."
"The family go for a picnic beside a river. Chocky is interested about how boats float and Matthew finds a boat and investigates without the owners permission and without telling his parents. The boat owner thinks he has caught a thief and hands Matthew over to a policeman. His dad goes looking for Matthew and finds him with the policeman. Dad's old friend, Dr. Roy Landis comes to see Matthew to speak about Chocky. Landis discovers that Chocky is real and not imaginary. In bed, Matthew finally sees Chocky as a form of a swirly misty hologram."
It all began right here: on this day in 1985, TV's Thundercats premiered on the immortal Boob Tube. The first episode was titled "Exodus," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Wise Jaga leads a group of nobles, the Thundercats, as they escape their home planet of THUNDERA with direction to the Third Earth of a small solar system."
"Wise Jaga leads a group of nobles, the Thundercats, as they escape their home planet of THUNDERA with direction to the Third Earth of a small solar system."
On this day in 1988, the crew of the Starship Enterprise-D continued on their journey through their inaugural season. The thirteenth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation was titled "Angel One," and here's the hour's plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Riker, Troi, Data and Yar beam down to a planet ruled by a matriarchal government in the hopes of locating a missing freighter crew."
"Riker, Troi, Data and Yar beam down to a planet ruled by a matriarchal government in the hopes of locating a missing freighter crew."
On this day in 1988, The Ray Bradbury Theatre aired "The Fruit At The Bottom Of The Bowl." This served as the first episode of the program's second season, and here's the premise as provided compliments of IMDB.com:
"A guest murders his host after an argument, then becomes increasingly worried about removing all his fingerprints from the crime scene."
"A guest murders his host after an argument, then becomes increasingly worried about removing all his fingerprints from the crime scene."
On this day in 1989, War of the Worlds aired "Dust to Dust." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by TV.com:
"After an archeologist steals a Native American headdress with an apparent alien material in it, the Blackwood Team takes notice. The aliens, too, take a vast interest in the artefact and steal it to obtain the crystal it holds. As an object that could start an ancient war machine, they search the grounds of an Indian Reservation for the missing ship that has been there for thousands of years."
"After an archeologist steals a Native American headdress with an apparent alien material in it, the Blackwood Team takes notice. The aliens, too, take a vast interest in the artefact and steal it to obtain the crystal it holds. As an object that could start an ancient war machine, they search the grounds of an Indian Reservation for the missing ship that has been there for thousands of years."
On this day in 1993, "Ship in a Bottle" aired as part of Star Trek: The Next Generation's sixth season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Diagnosing anomalies in the recreative Sherlock Holmes hologram game programs, Lieutenant Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III discovers protected memory contains the arch-villain character professor James Moriarty, who has become self-conscious and demands fulfillment of a recent promise by the crew that they would think up a way for him to leave the holodeck . To Picard's astonishment, Moriarty proves empirically his will suffices to leave the Holodeck, he even retains a physical body. Picard grants him the benefit of the doubt despite his crimes in fiction, but refuses to grant life to the countess Barthalomew, who was created as his ideal but holographic mate. Moriarty manages to seize control of the Enterprise to force the crew to obey anyhow at pain of total destruction. That still leaves the technological challenge, but Data's logical deduction comes up with an entirely different viewpoint, inspiring another challenge and approach..."
"Diagnosing anomalies in the recreative Sherlock Holmes hologram game programs, Lieutenant Reginald 'Reg' Barclay III discovers protected memory contains the arch-villain character professor James Moriarty, who has become self-conscious and demands fulfillment of a recent promise by the crew that they would think up a way for him to leave the holodeck . To Picard's astonishment, Moriarty proves empirically his will suffices to leave the Holodeck, he even retains a physical body. Picard grants him the benefit of the doubt despite his crimes in fiction, but refuses to grant life to the countess Barthalomew, who was created as his ideal but holographic mate. Moriarty manages to seize control of the Enterprise to force the crew to obey anyhow at pain of total destruction. That still leaves the technological challenge, but Data's logical deduction comes up with an entirely different viewpoint, inspiring another challenge and approach..."
On this day in 1994, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired "Illusions of Grandeur." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Lois and Clark believe that a string of kidnappings is linked to a magical box decorated with moons and stars. They decide to investigate a magic club where they meet the self-proclaimed greatest magician in the world. Things begin to get serious when the kidnapper manages to hypnotize Superman."
"Lois and Clark believe that a string of kidnappings is linked to a magical box decorated with moons and stars. They decide to investigate a magic club where they meet the self-proclaimed greatest magician in the world. Things begin to get serious when the kidnapper manages to hypnotize Superman."
On this day in 1995, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Parallax" as part of its inaugural season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Voyager has set a course for home, repairs are underway, and it's time to pick personnel to fill vital crew positions. Tempers are turbulent as the Starfleet crew absorbs the undisciplined Maquis. Neelix finds his place as chef and Kes builds the airponics bay. Paris does double duty as Conn Officer and Field Medic. Chakotay recommends Torres for Chief Engineer, but Janeway isn't convinced she can exhibit the professionalism of a Starfleet officer. All must put opinions aside when Voyager mounts a rescue of a ship caught in a quantum singularity, only to find the ship in distress is Voyager itself."
"Voyager has set a course for home, repairs are underway, and it's time to pick personnel to fill vital crew positions. Tempers are turbulent as the Starfleet crew absorbs the undisciplined Maquis. Neelix finds his place as chef and Kes builds the airponics bay. Paris does double duty as Conn Officer and Field Medic. Chakotay recommends Torres for Chief Engineer, but Janeway isn't convinced she can exhibit the professionalism of a Starfleet officer. All must put opinions aside when Voyager mounts a rescue of a ship caught in a quantum singularity, only to find the ship in distress is Voyager itself."
On this day in 1998, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Cor-ai." This served as the fifteenth episode of the long-running program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"SG1 travel to a planet where Teal'c is recognised as once having been head Jaffa to Apophis. He is arrested for the murder of a villager and put on trial for his life. Then other Jaffa attack the village. Will SG1 be able to save Teal'c and prove that he has changed allegiance?"
"SG1 travel to a planet where Teal'c is recognised as once having been head Jaffa to Apophis. He is arrested for the murder of a villager and put on trial for his life. Then other Jaffa attack the village. Will SG1 be able to save Teal'c and prove that he has changed allegiance?"
On this day in 2000, The X-Files aired "Signs & Wonders." This served as the ninth episode of the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A man is found dead in his locked car, killed from over a hundred snake bites. However, no evidence of snakes being present is found. The man was a former member of a religious cult that believes in snake handling. Mulder and Scully believe that this snake death was no accident, and that it may have been a murder involving this snake handling cult."
"A man is found dead in his locked car, killed from over a hundred snake bites. However, no evidence of snakes being present is found. The man was a former member of a religious cult that believes in snake handling. Mulder and Scully believe that this snake death was no accident, and that it may have been a murder involving this snake handling cult."
On this day in 2002, Star Trek: Enterprise aired "Dear Doctor." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Phlox is asked to save the Valakians from annihilation by disease. However, he discovers something unusual about the Menk, another humanoid race on the planet."
"Phlox is asked to save the Valakians from annihilation by disease. However, he discovers something unusual about the Menk, another humanoid race on the planet."
On this day in 2004, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Fallout." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jonas Quinn returns to SGC to ask for assistance in saving his nation. He explains that the Naquadriah was originally Naquadah and a Goa'uld started a chain reaction to transform all of his planet's Naquadah into Naquadriah. A large vein of Naquadah has just been affected and the Kelownan scientists believe that the transformation will cause this large a deposit to explode, taking their entire nation with it."
"Jonas Quinn returns to SGC to ask for assistance in saving his nation. He explains that the Naquadriah was originally Naquadah and a Goa'uld started a chain reaction to transform all of his planet's Naquadah into Naquadriah. A large vein of Naquadah has just been affected and the Kelownan scientists believe that the transformation will cause this large a deposit to explode, taking their entire nation with it."
On this day in 2006, Surface marched forward in its quest to expose what really was lurking under the water. This was its 13th episode, and here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"Experiment Gone Awry - Will the creation of the new species of creatures bring an end to the world as we know it?"
"Experiment Gone Awry - Will the creation of the new species of creatures bring an end to the world as we know it?"
On this day in 2008, Torchwood aired "Sleeper." This served as the second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a burglary turns into a slaughter, Torchwood suspect alien involvement. Who is Beth, and can she be as innocent as she seems? However, when the investigation escalates into a city-wide assault, Captain Jack realises that the whole planet is in danger."
"When a burglary turns into a slaughter, Torchwood suspect alien involvement. Who is Beth, and can she be as innocent as she seems? However, when the investigation escalates into a city-wide assault, Captain Jack realises that the whole planet is in danger."
The battledroids were closing in on this day in 2009 when Star Wars: The Clone Wars aired "Defenders of Peace" as the fourteenth episode of its first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the synopsis:
"A separatist fleet led by Neimodian Lok Durd arrives on Maridun to test their new defoliator weapon, which destroys organic live but leaves machines intact. Unknown to them, three Jedi and two Clone Troopers are stuck nearby without a means of transport off planet. When the Lurmen village becomes endangered by the test, the Jedi rush to defend it, despite the objections of village elder Tee Watt Kaa."
"A separatist fleet led by Neimodian Lok Durd arrives on Maridun to test their new defoliator weapon, which destroys organic live but leaves machines intact. Unknown to them, three Jedi and two Clone Troopers are stuck nearby without a means of transport off planet. When the Lurmen village becomes endangered by the test, the Jedi rush to defend it, despite the objections of village elder Tee Watt Kaa."
On this day in 2009, the crew of the Battlestar Galactica felt the noose tightening as Syfy aired the twelfth episode of the fourth season. The hour was titled "A Disquiet Follows My Soul," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Adama considers Saul and Tyrol's suggestion that the Fleet should integrate Cylon jump technology since it will triple the distance they will be able to cover before they run out of fuel. But the Cylon's condition is that they will be allowed to join the Fleet, for safety against Cavil, who's still out there. Ultimately, the decision is up to President Roslin, but Zarek calls the Quorum and gets them to carry the motion that no Cylon be allowed aboard any Colonial vessel unless permitted by the ship's captain. Tyrol learns from Dr. Cottle that Cally had their child tested and the results indicated that Tyrol is not the father - therefore the child is fully human. Roslin starts her climb up from the depths of despair she had fallen to soon after the Fleet found Earth."
"Adama considers Saul and Tyrol's suggestion that the Fleet should integrate Cylon jump technology since it will triple the distance they will be able to cover before they run out of fuel. But the Cylon's condition is that they will be allowed to join the Fleet, for safety against Cavil, who's still out there. Ultimately, the decision is up to President Roslin, but Zarek calls the Quorum and gets them to carry the motion that no Cylon be allowed aboard any Colonial vessel unless permitted by the ship's captain. Tyrol learns from Dr. Cottle that Cally had their child tested and the results indicated that Tyrol is not the father - therefore the child is fully human. Roslin starts her climb up from the depths of despair she had fallen to soon after the Fleet found Earth."
On this day in 2015, Syfy's 12 Monkeys aired "Mentally Divergent." This served as the second episode to the popular program's first season, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Cole returns to the year 2015 to gather knowledge from a patient inside a mental institution. Jones believes that the 12 Monkeys are somehow involved in the pandemic that wiped out the population of Earth, thus making Cole's attempt to extract the information from the patient, imperative. Dr Railly feels that her intervention in Cole's case has given her incentive to continue to help him in his mission, much to Cole's compliance."
"Cole returns to the year 2015 to gather knowledge from a patient inside a mental institution. Jones believes that the 12 Monkeys are somehow involved in the pandemic that wiped out the population of Earth, thus making Cole's attempt to extract the information from the patient, imperative. Dr Railly feels that her intervention in Cole's case has given her incentive to continue to help him in his mission, much to Cole's compliance."
