Please don't ask me to explain the logic of this, but Outlander is exactly the kind of B-movie I could watch forever. The story has just the right mix of camp and curiosity that I've no problem suspending disbelief since quite a bit of it doesn't make much sense to begin with. Still, it's confection for the brain. The film's release record is one of those mysteries forever shrouded in confusion, but -- for reasons I won't pretend to understand -- studio executives were happy burying this flick with a release on this day back in 2008 ... in Latvia. (Yes, I typed Latvia. You read that right. Nothing against any Latvians who might be here reading this ... but Latvia?!?!)
If you haven't seen it ... well, then I would guess that you've probably already decided it isn't your cup of tea. But from where I'm sitting it tastes just right.
If you haven't seen it ... well, then I would guess that you've probably already decided it isn't your cup of tea. But from where I'm sitting it tastes just right.
Born on this day in 1913, Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger -- better known to Sci-Fi fans under his pseudonym Cordwainer Smith -- was a noted expert on psychological warfare. According to Wikipedia, his most celebrated Sci-Fi short -- "Scanners Live In Vain" -- is published in the first volume of classic tales, The Science Fiction Hall of Fame (1929-1964). Collections and/or novels of his include You Will Never Be The Same, Quest of the Three Worlds, and Norstrilia.
I sometimes grow weary of explaining to all of you young Turks what Sci-Fi was like for an old dogs like me back in the days before Star Wars. Well, look no further than 1973's Westworld. This formative flick was written and directed by Michael Crichton (yes, that Michael Crichton), and its story explored the dangers of a widespread animatronic robot malfunction in an adult-themed amusement park. The Gunslinger who went all bang-bang cray-cray was played by Yul Brynner. Though Mr. Brynner's no longer with us, he was born on this day back in 1920.
Funny lady Brett Somers (above left) put the laughs on hold for a nice guest appearance aboard the popular late 1970's SciFi series Battlestar Galactica. Though she's no longer with us, Somers was born on this day in 1924. [Source: IMDB.com]
The great Bruce McGill turns up all over the place in all kinds of genres, but he has dabbled in Science Fiction from time to time with roles in Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5, and Quantum Leap. McGill was born on this day in 1950.
Confession time: most of you folks are probably crazier about Avatar than I was. Sure, it was a good story, but it wasn't anything groundbreaking if you've been around the block a few times. However, I loved its cast, among them being the very conspiratorial Stephen Lang. He followed up that jaunt in Sci-Fi with as a series' regular in Fox TV's ambitious but flat Terra Nova. Lang was born on this day in 1952.
Timeless beauty Sela Ward had a brief but important role as President Lanford in the long-awaiting sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), for 20th Century Fox. Ward was born on this day in 1956.
Lisa Rinna joined David Hasselhoff -- the original Nick Fury -- in the 1998 telefilm, Nick Fury: Agent of Shield, back in 1998. Rinna was born on this day in 1963.
Craig Charles delivered the laughs as part of his gig aboard the long-running Red Dwarf (1988-2016). He also squeezed in a visit to the wide, wide world of Lexx. Charles was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Home Improvement's Debbe Dunning played tough and lovely (not that it got her much before her cinematic demise) for her part aboard Leprecaun 4: In Space (1996). Dunning was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
Somehow, Greg Grunberg used his influence with long-time Hollywood pal JJ Abrams to weasel himself into a role in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens ... not that anyone can blame him. Grunberg was born on this day in 1966.
Michael Rosenbaum is another young actor who I think turns in some pretty impressive work no matter where he shows up. While he was around, he was one of the better things on the WB's Smallville, though the show lasted longer than it should have. He's also lent his vocal talents to a handful of DC Comics animated projects including Justice League and the Justice League: Doom direct-to-DVD production. Rosenbaum was born on this day in 1972.
In the role of Vandal Savage, Casper Crump made things rough for all of the Legends of Tomorrow as part of the CW program's inaugural season. Crump was born on this day in 1977.
Well, thank goodness Serinda Swan has absolutely no reservations about playing dress-up! She looks terrific, no? Plus, she's a talented actress -- to say the least -- one who looks great in whatever costume she dons. Watch for her curves on display in Tron: Legacy, as well as her brief stint as Zatanna in the WB's Smallville. Swan was born on this day in 1984.
A former contestant of several beauty pageants, Rachael Taylor turned into a big screen actress with an important role aboard Michael Bay's Transformers (2007). Taylor was born on this day in 1984.
The first rule when fighting pterodactyls: never bring a handgun. But that's what you do when the script calls for it, and a fetching Candice Nunes probably proved more up to the challenge than most in Terrordactyl (2016). Nunes was born on this day in 1988.
On this day in 1997, Carl Sagan's Contact entered theatres, starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughy. The film gave audiences a more academic portrait of communication taking place between the human race and some species "out there." Here's the plot summary, compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of intelligent aliens, who send plans for a mysterious machine."
"Dr. Ellie Arroway, after years of searching, finds conclusive radio proof of intelligent aliens, who send plans for a mysterious machine."
1997's Cube premiered on this day (in the Netherlands), and it explored the story of complete strangers trapped inside a sci-fi-style mechanical box that kept changing shape and altering the conditions for those desperately trying to escape. It created a strong enough buzz when it was eventually released on home video that it spawned a small franchise all of its own.
On this day in 2001, Chris Lee Productions and partners launched Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within as a theatrical motion picture. The property was based on a series of popular role-playing games, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the year 2065, the next great assault against an invading race of phantom-like aliens is about to be launched. Dr. Aki Ross, a brilliant young scientist, races to find the invaders' secrets, not only to save the planet, but herself as well after her body is infected by alien particles. She teams up with the prestigious Deep Eyes military squadron, led by her old friend Grey Edwards. But as Aki, her mentor Dr. Sid, and Grey work toward a peaceful end, the scheming General Hein devises a plot to eradicate the aliens in one swift, destructive blow...even if it destroys the Earth right along with them."
"In the year 2065, the next great assault against an invading race of phantom-like aliens is about to be launched. Dr. Aki Ross, a brilliant young scientist, races to find the invaders' secrets, not only to save the planet, but herself as well after her body is infected by alien particles. She teams up with the prestigious Deep Eyes military squadron, led by her old friend Grey Edwards. But as Aki, her mentor Dr. Sid, and Grey work toward a peaceful end, the scheming General Hein devises a plot to eradicate the aliens in one swift, destructive blow...even if it destroys the Earth right along with them."
On this day in 2008, Eddie Murphy attempted another dubious flirtation with Science Fiction with the theatrical release of Meet Dave. Murphy's The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) had pretty much tanked at the box office, and Meet Dave really didn't fare any better. (Believe it or not, rumors persist that the funnyman was linked originally to Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in the role that ultimately ended up going to Catherine Hicks.) Still, here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A crew of miniature aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a new problem, as their ship becomes smitten with an Earth woman."
"A crew of miniature aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a new problem, as their ship becomes smitten with an Earth woman."
On this day in 2014, the apes returned to take their role in Earth's future when Dawn of the Planet of the Apes premiered theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An ape empire conflicts with a sustaining human rebellion, as well as a rogue renegade due to the catastrophic events ten years earlier."
"An ape empire conflicts with a sustaining human rebellion, as well as a rogue renegade due to the catastrophic events ten years earlier."
On this day in 1964, the long-running BBC series Doctor Who continued its inaugural season with the episode "Hidden Danger." Here's the summary, provided by IMDB.com: "The Doctor, Susan and Ian agree to accompany the Sensorites to their home planet in the hope of finding a cure for John. But not everyone is willing to welcome them there."
On this day in 1997, The Outer Limits aired "Feasibility Study." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Joshua Haywood is a single parent who has his hands full with his daughter Sarah who wants to elope with her motorcycle driving boyfriend. They wake up one morning to find that there is no electricity, water or telephone service. When Joshua tries to leave their suburban neighborhood, he finds their way is blocked by an electrical field of some kind. Sarah has plans to run off but she meets an alien creature who is dying and she too is infected. Joshua eventually learns the truth: their entire neighborhood has been carried off to a distant planet to see if humans would be suitable as slave labor. For Joshua, there is only one course of action available to the survivors."
"Joshua Haywood is a single parent who has his hands full with his daughter Sarah who wants to elope with her motorcycle driving boyfriend. They wake up one morning to find that there is no electricity, water or telephone service. When Joshua tries to leave their suburban neighborhood, he finds their way is blocked by an electrical field of some kind. Sarah has plans to run off but she meets an alien creature who is dying and she too is infected. Joshua eventually learns the truth: their entire neighborhood has been carried off to a distant planet to see if humans would be suitable as slave labor. For Joshua, there is only one course of action available to the survivors."
On this day in 2004, 'they' came back ... and by 'they' I mean several thousand people who had previously been abducted by UFOs. The 4400 was a solid Sci-Fi-themed mainstay on the USA Network for all of its four seasons, exploring the stories of various former abductees and the government agency that was tasked with uncovering the conspiracy behind who they were, why they were taken, where they went, and what happened to them as a result of their experience.
On this day in 2011, the mildly Sci-Fi-themed Alphas premiered with its pilot episode. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Ominous messages steer a man to a building's rooftop, where he executes an improbable shooting in the opener of the series following a team of people with extraordinary abilities who investigate crimes linked to others like them."
"Ominous messages steer a man to a building's rooftop, where he executes an improbable shooting in the opener of the series following a team of people with extraordinary abilities who investigate crimes linked to others like them."
