Inception was one of those releases that most of mankind went ga-ga over. When my wife and I finally saw it, we thought, "Meh." It all felt like a bloated Twilight Zone episode to us, and certainly it wasn't anything worth re-evaluating your existence over. (We honestly don't "get" all the Christopher Nolan love.) It was a great idea, sure; it just wasn't our cup of tea. Still, Inception won over audiences on this day in 2010 when it premiered in theatres. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O."
"A thief who steals corporate secrets through the use of dream-sharing technology is given the inverse task of planting an idea into the mind of a C.E.O."
In the second season episode of Star Trek's original series -- "The Deadly Years" -- Felix Locher (above right) played 'Robert Johnson,' a Starfleet technician exposed to a form of radiation that caused rapid aging. Though he's no longer with us, Locher was born on this day in 1882. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Barnard Hughes stepped into a key role aboard Walt Disney's foray into digital storytelling, TRON (1982). The man can also be seen with roles aboard The UFO Incident (1975) and The Lost Boys (1987). Though he's no longer with us, Hughes was born on this day in 1915. [Source: IMDB.com]
During one of the classic Star Trek's maligned moments during its poorly received third season, Kirk and friends (including Abraham Lincoln) faced down an ensemble of history's worst villains, one of which was known as 'Col. Green' (pictured above left). Green was played by actor Phillip Pine, a man who also guest-starred in such properties as The Twilight Zone, The Invaders, Voyage To The Bottom of the Sea, and The Six Million Dollar Man. Though he's no longer with us, Pine was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
A giant in the Science Fiction industry, Robert Sheckley wrote over two dozen novels and a veritable score of short stories. Throughout his life, he was nominated for both Hugo and Nebula Awards, and -- in 2001 -- he was named an Author Emeritus by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Though he's no longer with us, Sheckley was born on this day in 1928. (FYI: photo of Sheckley has been upscaled by Icons8.com.) [Source: IMDB.com]
Richard LeParmentier had only a small part in the original Star Wars ... but what a small part it was! His arrogance as 'General Motti' was precisely what gave audiences its first chilling example of the power of the Sith Lord as Darth Vader put the force-choke on the man for something as insignificant as his lack of faith. Gotta love the little guys, eh? Though he's no longer with us, LeParmentier was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ann Turkel made a splash in some of the more subversive cult flicks of the late 1970's and 80's ... and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Personally, I remember her as Dr. Susan Drake from Roger Corman's Humanoids of the Deep (1980), a flick most folks would probably just as soon forget. She's also booked roles with such works as Ravagers, Deep Space, Robocop (the TV show), Highlander, and Deja Vu. Turkel was born on this day in 1946. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rubén Blades (pictured above) joined forces with the ensemble charged with carrying on the franchise after Arnold Schwarzenegger bowed out for Predator 2 (1990). The veteran actor has also appeared aboard The X-Files, and he played a role in AMC's Fear The Walking Dead. Blades was born on this day in 1948. [Source: IMDB.com]
A veteran of stage and screen, Camille Saviola made four appearances aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine during the show's run in television syndication. Her 'Kai Opaka' was certainly one of the kinder Bajorans we were chanced to meet on the program, and her character was even given a touching death in her planet's greater mythology. Though she's no longer with us, Saviola was born on this day in 1950. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction and fantasy author Esther Mona Friesner Stutzman was a solid resume both in creating her own worlds as well as tinkering in franchises already established. The decorated writer has been named an Outstanding New Fantasy Author (1986) as well as having been nominated for Hugo and Nebula awards. Freisner Stutzman was born on this day in 1951. (Photo of Freisner has been enhanced by Icons8.com.) [Source: Wikipedia.org]
Babylon 5 was another show that, quite frankly, I just didn't get into. (I know, I know, I've probably mentioned that before!) I tried -- twice -- both times making it through its first season and halfway through its second. Maybe I'll get back around to it sometime in this lifetime. Though he's no longer with us, Jerry Doyle -- featured prominently in the program as Garibaldi -- was born on this day back in 1956. [Source: IMDB.com]
(FYI: I'd only noticed recently that Mr. Doyle passed, and it really struck a chord with me as he was one of the first celebrities to actually reach out and engage with me on Twitter. R.I.P., my friend.)
(FYI: I'd only noticed recently that Mr. Doyle passed, and it really struck a chord with me as he was one of the first celebrities to actually reach out and engage with me on Twitter. R.I.P., my friend.)
What?!?! Who is Faye Grant, you ask? Well, you young Turk, Faye Grant (above right) was fighting aliens when you weren't even old enough to wear diapers! I loved her in the original V minis and the subsequent series, as well as her star turn on The Greatest American Hero. Ms. Grant was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in her career, actress Phoebe Cates joined the cast of any smalltown America in combating those pesky Gremlins. Cates was born on this day in 1963. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's probably recognized more for her work in mainstream projects, lovely Amy Benedict has tinkered in the realm of Science Fiction. She's appeared in guest roles aboard both Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Torchwood. Benedict was born on this day in 1964. [Source: IMDB.com]
Daryl Mitchell made a terrific splash alongside his shipmates in the stellar Galaxy Quest, which poked about as much fun at the beloved Star Trek franchise as any film possibly could. Mitchell was born on this day back in 1965. [Source: IMDB.com]
Scott Derrickson is the big league writer and director who's been involving with bringing such properties as The Day The Earth Stood Still (2008) and Doctor Strange (2016) to the silver screen. Derrickson was born on this day in 1966. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of the biggest baddies in the DC Universe in none other than Darkseid himself, a villanous ruler brought to life vocally as part of Justice League Action by voice actor Jonathan Adams. Adams was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Will Ferrell went a little bit jurassic for his part in the big screen adaptation of the popular children's television Fantasy, Land of the Lost (2009). Ferrell was born on this day in 1967. [Source: IMDB.com]
Early in his professional career, Corey Feldman made a splash opposite some of the cutest and cuddliest Gremlins (1984) known to man. Feldman was born on this day in 1971. [Source: IMDB.com]
Dreamy Jayma Mays' talent, comic timing, and general quirkiness tends to lend itself more toward much more mainstream fare, but she did play dreamy waitress Charlie Andrews (pictured above right) as part of Heroes' budding cast. Mays was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
Michelle Morgan has made a splash in Science Fiction and beyond with some qualitiy screen time aboard Diary of the Dead (2007), Stargate: Atlantis, Dominant Gene (2011), and Supernatural. Morgan was born on this day in 1981. [Source: IMDB.com]
Rosa Salazar is attached (in a big way) to James Cameron's adaptation of Alita: Battle Angel (2018). She's also been involved with Insurgent (2015), Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015), and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018). Salazar was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1928, the 1920-produced German-language silent era SciFi/Drama Algol (aka Power) enjoyed its premiere in New York City. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An alien from the planet Algol gives a man a device that gives him superpowers."
"An alien from the planet Algol gives a man a device that gives him superpowers."
A star is born! Zombies of the Stratosphere -- which screened on this day in 1952 -- was actually a feature culled together from a popular Republic SciFi serial of the era (Radar Men of the Moon). According to IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The invaders come to Earth to create an H-bomb to blast Earth out of orbit so that Mars can take its place."
"The invaders come to Earth to create an H-bomb to blast Earth out of orbit so that Mars can take its place."
A star is born! While I'll admit I don't recall seeing 1959's The Alligator People, I am comfortable saying that -- based on the still photo above -- this is exactly the kind of thing I loved watching when I was a wee one. Released on this day in 1959, here's the plot summary as recounted by IMDB.com:
"A woman in a hypnotic state recounts to two doctors the details of a horrific experience from her past life that began with the mysterious and sudden disappearance of her husband."
"A woman in a hypnotic state recounts to two doctors the details of a horrific experience from her past life that began with the mysterious and sudden disappearance of her husband."
On this day in 1969 (in Uruguay), 2001: A Space Odyssey brought the future to the modern day. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"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."
"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."
A star is born! On this day in 1981 (in the United Kingdom), Time Bandits broke through the barriers of time and space on the silver screen. Written by Terry Gilliam and Michael Palin (and directed by Gilliam himself), the Fantasy feature starred Sean Connery, John Cleese, and Shelley Duvall; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Intrigued by history but neglected by his parents, Kevin, an eleven-year-old schoolboy, gets the chance to make his dream come true when a band of six time-travelling dwarfs appears out of thin air in his bedroom. Having stolen the Supreme Being's one-of-a-kind map of time and space, the audacious time-bandits whisk Kevin off on an exciting journey to the depths of history, skipping from one era to another. Now, to further complicate matters, the dangerous arch-rival known as the Evil Genius is hot on their trail, bent on getting his hands on the precious map. But, who would have thought that Kevin's seemingly unexceptional room was the entrance to a mysterious wormhole and the portal to a marvelous world of adventure?"
"Intrigued by history but neglected by his parents, Kevin, an eleven-year-old schoolboy, gets the chance to make his dream come true when a band of six time-travelling dwarfs appears out of thin air in his bedroom. Having stolen the Supreme Being's one-of-a-kind map of time and space, the audacious time-bandits whisk Kevin off on an exciting journey to the depths of history, skipping from one era to another. Now, to further complicate matters, the dangerous arch-rival known as the Evil Genius is hot on their trail, bent on getting his hands on the precious map. But, who would have thought that Kevin's seemingly unexceptional room was the entrance to a mysterious wormhole and the portal to a marvelous world of adventure?"
On this day in 1996 (in Spain), model-turned-actress Pamela Anderson put her assets on the line in the silver screen debut of Barb Wire. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"During the Second American Civil War in 2017, Barb Wire owns a nightclub called the Hammerhead. Things become complicated when her ex-lover Axel Hood, who is married to the fugitive Corrina Devonshire, re-enters her life."
"During the Second American Civil War in 2017, Barb Wire owns a nightclub called the Hammerhead. Things become complicated when her ex-lover Axel Hood, who is married to the fugitive Corrina Devonshire, re-enters her life."
A star is born! On this day in 1997 (in Canada), audiences were treated to the first theatrical engagement of Les mille merveilles de l'univers (aka Ghost Planet). Written by a small team of screenwriters and directed by Jean-Michel Roux, the SciFi/Drama starred Julie Delpy, Tcheky Karyo, and Chick Ortega; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Humanity lives in fear of an alien invasion: for the first time in history, a coded message from outer space has reached planet Earth. A few months later, the 12,000 residents of Sepulveda vanish. Authorities immediately quarantine the area, a free zone where drug trafficking and illicit sex were the most common businesses. When strange magnetic phenomena are observed, military authorities grudgingly concede the possibility of an alien offensive, and send professor Larsen -a renowned astrophysicist specialized in UFOs- to lead a quick investigation in the ghost town."
"Humanity lives in fear of an alien invasion: for the first time in history, a coded message from outer space has reached planet Earth. A few months later, the 12,000 residents of Sepulveda vanish. Authorities immediately quarantine the area, a free zone where drug trafficking and illicit sex were the most common businesses. When strange magnetic phenomena are observed, military authorities grudgingly concede the possibility of an alien offensive, and send professor Larsen -a renowned astrophysicist specialized in UFOs- to lead a quick investigation in the ghost town."
A star is born! (Or is that 'sequel-ed'?) On this day in 2001, Jurassic Park III roared at the U.S. box office. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dr. Alan Grant is now a happy man with the previous incidents of Jurassic Park now behind him. Grant is that happy that he announce in public, that nothing on Earth can persuade him back onto the islands. Maybe nothing, except Paul Kirby. Kirby and his wife, Amanda want a plane to fly them over Isla Sorna, with Dr. Grant as their guide. But not everything Kirby says is true. When the plane lands, Dr. Grant realizes that there is another reason why they are there, that he doesn't know of. Now, Dr. Grant is stuck on an island he has never been on before, with what was a plane journey now turned into a search party."
"Dr. Alan Grant is now a happy man with the previous incidents of Jurassic Park now behind him. Grant is that happy that he announce in public, that nothing on Earth can persuade him back onto the islands. Maybe nothing, except Paul Kirby. Kirby and his wife, Amanda want a plane to fly them over Isla Sorna, with Dr. Grant as their guide. But not everything Kirby says is true. When the plane lands, Dr. Grant realizes that there is another reason why they are there, that he doesn't know of. Now, Dr. Grant is stuck on an island he has never been on before, with what was a plane journey now turned into a search party."
On this day in 2010, a restored print of Fritz Lang's SciFi masterpiece Metropolis played for audiences in attendance of the San Francisco Silent Film Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"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 2010 (in Bulgaria, Estonia, and Poland), Predators sunk their otherworldly teeth into the box office. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a group of elite warriors find themselves in a jungle they realize that they are on a completely different planet and it's home to a race of extraterrestrial hunters. The group consists of a mercenary known as Royce, an IDF sniper known as Isabelle, a Russian Spetsnaz known as Nikolai, a drug cartel enforcer known as Cuchillo, an RUF officer known as Mombasa, a death row inmate known as Stans, a Yakuza assassin known as Hanzo, and an American doctor known as Edwin. It's up to these 8 individuals to stop their hunters and get off the planet."
"When a group of elite warriors find themselves in a jungle they realize that they are on a completely different planet and it's home to a race of extraterrestrial hunters. The group consists of a mercenary known as Royce, an IDF sniper known as Isabelle, a Russian Spetsnaz known as Nikolai, a drug cartel enforcer known as Cuchillo, an RUF officer known as Mombasa, a death row inmate known as Stans, a Yakuza assassin known as Hanzo, and an American doctor known as Edwin. It's up to these 8 individuals to stop their hunters and get off the planet."
On this day in 2011, the SciFi/Telefilm Super Eruption enjoyed its broadcast on U.S. television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The super volcano under Yellowstone erupts after thousands of years, putting millions at risk, and it's up to Rangers Charlie Young and Kate to save the day."
"The super volcano under Yellowstone erupts after thousands of years, putting millions at risk, and it's up to Rangers Charlie Young and Kate to save the day."
It all began right here: on this day in 1955, the television SciFi/Action serial -- Commando Cody: Sky Marshal of the Universe -- blasted into the stratosphere with its premiere episode, "Enemies of the Universe." Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Commando Cody is introduced to his two new assistants, Joan and Ted. He briefs them on continued missile attacks on Earth and the steps being taken to stop them and track down the source of the attacks. Agents working for an unknown enemy are ordered to sabotage Cody's latest project. Commander Cody not only has to stop the sabotage but root out and expose the gang while ensuring the safety of his own team."
"Commando Cody is introduced to his two new assistants, Joan and Ted. He briefs them on continued missile attacks on Earth and the steps being taken to stop them and track down the source of the attacks. Agents working for an unknown enemy are ordered to sabotage Cody's latest project. Commander Cody not only has to stop the sabotage but root out and expose the gang while ensuring the safety of his own team."
Who doesn't want to celebrate a little vintage Who? On this day in 1966, Doctor Who's third season came to its finish with an episode titled "The War Machines - Part 4." Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The first War Machine is defeated but the Doctor only has a matter of hours to destroy WOTAN before the rest of its army is activated."
"The first War Machine is defeated but the Doctor only has a matter of hours to destroy WOTAN before the rest of its army is activated."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Keyop Does It All." This served as the forty-second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"While G-Force is working as the special guard at the building where the Intergalactic Federation is meeting, Keyop discovers a car with a Spectra insignia and stows away in its trunk."
"While G-Force is working as the special guard at the building where the Intergalactic Federation is meeting, Keyop discovers a car with a Spectra insignia and stows away in its trunk."
On this day in 1995, The Outer Limits aired "The Message." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Implants that should've allowed deaf Jennifer Winter to finally hear cause her to receive a binary message no one else can hear. Her husband thinks she's insane. Her friend on meds, Robert, thinks it's an alien distress signal."
"Implants that should've allowed deaf Jennifer Winter to finally hear cause her to receive a binary message no one else can hear. Her husband thinks she's insane. Her friend on meds, Robert, thinks it's an alien distress signal."
On this day in 1999 (in Australia), Syfy's Farscape aired "The Flax." This served as the twelfth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Aeryn takes Crichton out in a transport pod for flying lessons, they get stuck in the Flax, a space trap. To make some critical repairs, they must depressurize the pod, but there is only one functional space suit. D'Argo gets a lead on some star maps to get home. He will have to choose between retrieving the maps, or saving his comrades."
"Aeryn takes Crichton out in a transport pod for flying lessons, they get stuck in the Flax, a space trap. To make some critical repairs, they must depressurize the pod, but there is only one functional space suit. D'Argo gets a lead on some star maps to get home. He will have to choose between retrieving the maps, or saving his comrades."
On this day in 1999, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Legacy." This served as the fourth episode of the long-running program's third season, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"When the SG-1 team discover a sealed chamber of dead Goa'ulds, Daniel Jackson is exposed to the parasites that killed them and threaten to drive him insane."
"When the SG-1 team discover a sealed chamber of dead Goa'ulds, Daniel Jackson is exposed to the parasites that killed them and threaten to drive him insane."
On this day in 1999, The Outer Limits aired "The Inheritors." This served as the seventeenth episode of the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A man is killed when a meteor strikes him in the head. When the coroner examines him, tentacles exit the hole in his head and then the corpse gets up and walks off."
"A man is killed when a meteor strikes him in the head. When the coroner examines him, tentacles exit the hole in his head and then the corpse gets up and walks off."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "Bounty Hunter." This served as the tenth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Byder discovers the location of Ethaniels brother, Thorber, and Ethaniel goes to the airport to meet up with him. He arrives at the same time as Myroc, a bounty hunter hired by Banning to find Isaac Lobel. Isaac has a computer disc full of information about Banning's contacts and is going to sell it to Thorber. Myroc manages to capture Ethaniel and tells Thorber he will trade his brother for the disc. Laura, Thorber and Isaac join together to try and find Ethaniel and Myroc while Byder gets left with the job of looking after Emil, Isaac's brat of a son."
"Byder discovers the location of Ethaniels brother, Thorber, and Ethaniel goes to the airport to meet up with him. He arrives at the same time as Myroc, a bounty hunter hired by Banning to find Isaac Lobel. Isaac has a computer disc full of information about Banning's contacts and is going to sell it to Thorber. Myroc manages to capture Ethaniel and tells Thorber he will trade his brother for the disc. Laura, Thorber and Isaac join together to try and find Ethaniel and Myroc while Byder gets left with the job of looking after Emil, Isaac's brat of a son."
USA Network's The 4400 always made for some quality SciFi-Lite entertainment. Its cast was a bit too pretty for my tastes, though they were definitely talented, and the overall storyline of alien abductees returning to Earth with newfound powers and abilities gave the showrunners the flexibility they needed to explore different avenues. On this day in 2006, "The Home Front" aired as the sixth episode in the third season, and here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"Tom and Diana pursue the last member of the Nova Group, Gary Navarro but are foiled when he receives a tip off to escape capture. Alana is detained to explore suspected links to Nova Group."
"Tom and Diana pursue the last member of the Nova Group, Gary Navarro but are foiled when he receives a tip off to escape capture. Alana is detained to explore suspected links to Nova Group."
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the twenty-first episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dorian tries to prevent a terrible evil from destroying the Earf."
"Dorian tries to prevent a terrible evil from destroying the Earf."
