The appeal of Outer Space is so universal that even funnyman Don Knotts enjoyed a trip into the Final Frontier ... well, cinematically, that is. The Reluctant Astronaut gave the actor a comedy wherein he confronted his fear of heights. Though he's no longer with us, Knotts was born on this day in 1924.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though the wealth of his film work gravitates toward more mainstream and critically popular fare, director Norman Jewison did helm one of the more mainstream and critically popular Science Fiction flicks of the mid-1970's: Rollerball was an indictment of ... well ... many things that make us human or, at the very least, part of a culture that celebrates conflict. Starring John Houseman and James Cann, it showed us a world where crowds cheered the kind of carnage that in any other circumstance we'd find unacceptable and aghast. In 1976, Rollerball took home top honors in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Film' from the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films. Though he's no longer with us, Jewison was born on this day in 1926.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
John Woodvine built an impressive acting career that approaches 200 separate projects. Science Fiction fans know him best from his work aboard Doctor Who and the mid-1980's cult series, The Tripods. Woodvine was born on this day in 1929.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Penny Fuller joined SciFi favorite Scott Bakula in an episode of Quantum Leap during the program's fourth season titled "The Play's The Thing." Fuller was born on this day in 1940.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Space:1999 is one of the many SciFi properties that just doesn't seem to get any love from today's fickle fans, and that's a crying shame. The program only had two seasons -- with the second being tonally much different from the first -- but it's still worth an exploration for those who haven't seen it. Leigh Lawson had a guest spot aboard the show back in the day, and Lawson was born on this day in 1945.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran character actor Art Hindle has enjoyed a measure of spotlight since the early 70's, appearing in such screen gems as Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and The Brood (1979). He's also enjoyed bit roles on such Sci-Fi-themed properties as Airwolf, Millennium, Total Recall 2070, and Mutant X. Hindle was born on this day in 1948.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Christina Hart secured a place in pop culture history with a role in 1976's Helter Skelter, but genre fans are quick to recognize her face from appearances on Shazam, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Fantastic Journey, The Incredible Hulk, and CBS's Airwolf. Hart was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The man under the mask above is none other than perennial funnyman Robin Williams who gave Sci-Fi a respectable spin with 1999's Bicentennial Man. The comic starred as a robot trying to grow more and more human as he pursued and acquired emotions. Though he's no longer with us, Williams was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The 1980's brought us so many good Sci-Fi flicks, among the favorites being The Last Starfighter. Lance Guest played the teenage Alex Rogan, a young man hooked on video games who unwittingly gets his skills noticed by a galactic organization seeking one more starfighter in their bid to save their oppressed planet. Guest was born on this day in 1960.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As a young spud, Ike Eisenmann starred as only one-half of the two mysterious young siblings at the heart of Walt Disney's Witch Mountain franchise, and then when he was a bit older he took on the role of Peter Preston in the film that truly saved the Trek franchise, Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. Eisenmann was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As Dingaan Botha (above left), Treva Etienne had a key role as a tech expert during the final seasons of TNT's SciFi drama, Falling Skies. Etienne was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Christopher Shea (above right) is a fantastic character actor who slips easily into any number of roles, including a villainous Vorta for a few episodes aboard Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He's also enjoyed performances on Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise. Shea was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The aliens returning to take a bit out of Earth aboard Independence Day: Resurgence (2016) also gave the talented Charlotte Gainsbourg a chance to play in that expanding cinematic universe. Gainsbourg was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Double the Ali Landry means double the fun! With little more under her belt than being "the Doritos Girl" who found celebrity stardom as part of the 1998 Superbowl telecast, Landry stretched her fifteen minutes of fame well into its second decade. In 2002, she even headlined her own Sci-Fi comedy, Repli-Kate, the story of a cloned journalist who also happens to love beer, football, and frat parties. Go figure. Landry was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As I've mentioned elsewhere on SciFiHistory.Net, I totally passed up watching ABC's Defying Gravity, largely since the reviews were so tepid, but I might want to catch it sometime on home video, especially given the fact that so many talented folks were a part of the production. Florentine Lahme was possibly one of the less well-known, but she certainly aspired to fill out her space suit with wonderful delight. Lahme was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The actress Jaime Murray first came onto my radar when I saw her in the Starz Network program for Spartacus (awesome!). After making a splash there, Ms. Murray went over to Syfy, taking the role as the sensually duplicitous alien Stahma Tarr on Defiance. She was born on this day back in 1977, and everyone join in and wish her a wonderfully Happy Birthday!
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
David Dastmalchian is one of those talented secondary players who manages to turn in solid work in the most unlikely places, including bits from such properties as Fox's Almost Human, Syfy's 12 Monkeys, Fox's Gotham, The CW's The Flash, and Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Dastmalchian was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Early in his acting career, critical favorite Josh Hartnett starred as Zeke Tyler, one of a group of students who discovered that their teachers had been 'replaced' by aliens in 1998's SciFi sleeper, The Faculty. Hartnett was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Sprague Grayden is a talented young actress whose gifts often find her a home in far more conventional dramas, but she has given genre fans a fair run for their money: in 2006 she joined the ensemble cast of CBS's Jericho, an Apocalypse-themed tale about survivors after the collapse of the United States. Grayden was born on this day in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The scrumptuous Tara Yelland (insert above) appeared in a supporting role aboard one of Syfy's flagship series -- Dark Matter -- as the lovely 'Annette Devereaux.' Yelland was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Vinessa Antoine joined the ensemble of Syfy's Haven for a special character arc which stretched over several episodes. She previously appeared in a role on ReGenesis. Antoine was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Canadian-born Vanessa Lengies put her 'pipes' to good use voicing the character of 'Kordi' aboard Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures. Lengies was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Nurse Jackie's Betty Gilpin has openly flirted with the realm of Science Fiction, taking roles aboard Futurestates and Fox TV's stellar Fringe. Gilpin was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Diane Guerrero jumped feet first into the realm of Fantasy with a top role aboard DC Universe's streaming entity Doom Patrol. Guerrero was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Amazon's adaptation of Philip K. Dick's The Man In The High Castle certainly garnered much of the media's attention, and those looking for more from Dick's perspective were treated to Electric Dreams, an anthology of shorts exploring additional works from the literary giant. "Autofac" was one of the better outings, and it gave critical darling Juno Temple a chance to explore mankind's dark fate at the hands of Artificial Intelligence. Temple was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Back in 2002, young Rory Culkin found himself home alone with some very unwelcome visitors in M. Night Shyamalan's Signs. Culkin was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Showtime's Penny Dreadful gave its players the opportunity to fathom the dark side of Fantasy, and the lovely Jessica Barden certainly fit in quite nicely during the program's run. Barden was born on this day in 1992.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1933 (in the U.S.), the good people of New York City, New York enjoyed an exclusive theatrical premiere engagement of A Shriek In The Night. Directed by Albert Ray from a story by Kurt Kempler and Frances Hyland, the Horror/Fantasy starred Ginger Rogers, Lyle Talbot, and Harvey Clark. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Pat Morgan and Ted Kord are rival newspaper reporters always trying to outscoop each other. They join together to solve a series of murders being committed in an apartment building."
"Pat Morgan and Ted Kord are rival newspaper reporters always trying to outscoop each other. They join together to solve a series of murders being committed in an apartment building."
On this day in 1960 (in Mexico), The Leech Woman attached itself to audiences. Directed by Edward Dein, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Coleen Gray, Grant Williams, and Phillip Terry; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An endocrinologist in a dysfunctional marriage with an aging, alcoholic wife journeys to Africa seeking a drug that will restore youth."
"An endocrinologist in a dysfunctional marriage with an aging, alcoholic wife journeys to Africa seeking a drug that will restore youth."
On this day in 1960 (in Mexico), the Apocalyptic-themed The World, The Flesh, And The Devil enjoyed theatrical release, delivering one more look into our collective doom. With a story adapted from the novel "The Purple Cloud," the feature was directed by Ranald MacDougall and starred Harry Belafonte, Inger Stevens, and Mel Ferrer. Here's the plot summary that's been provided by IMDB.com:
"A miner trapped in a cave-in resurfaces, and upon discovering mankind has been wiped out in a nuclear holocaust, sets out to find other survivors."
For the record:
To the film's credit, The World, The Flesh, And The Devil enjoyed a 1960 Hugo Award nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"A miner trapped in a cave-in resurfaces, and upon discovering mankind has been wiped out in a nuclear holocaust, sets out to find other survivors."
For the record:
To the film's credit, The World, The Flesh, And The Devil enjoyed a 1960 Hugo Award nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 1961 (in Ireland), Konga brought some primal instinct to the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dr. Decker comes back from Africa after a year, presumed dead. During that year, he came across a way of growing plants and animals to an enormous size. He brings back a baby chimpanzee to test out his theory. As he has many enemies at home, he decides to use his chimp, 'Konga' to 'get rid of them'. Then Konga grows to gigantic proportions and reaks havoc all over the city of London!!"
"Dr. Decker comes back from Africa after a year, presumed dead. During that year, he came across a way of growing plants and animals to an enormous size. He brings back a baby chimpanzee to test out his theory. As he has many enemies at home, he decides to use his chimp, 'Konga' to 'get rid of them'. Then Konga grows to gigantic proportions and reaks havoc all over the city of London!!"
A star is born! On this day in 1966 (in Japan), Cyborg 009 catapulted human hybrids onto the silver screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Nine people from different countries are turned into super-powered cyborgs."
"Nine people from different countries are turned into super-powered cyborgs."
A star is born! On this day in 1966 (in Italy), it was the space war to end all space wars when The War Of The Planets broke out ... theatrically, that is. Directed by Antonio Margheriti from a story by Renato Moretti and Ivan Reiner, the SciFi/Thriller starred Tony Russel, Lisa Gastoni, and Franco Nero; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the 21st century, aliens (weird, green, lights which sometimes manifest themselves as large clouds of smoke) invade the solar system. Using Mars as their base, they steal all of Earth's space stations then brainwash or kill the crews. Next stop: Earth, unless Tony Russel and his crew can stop them."
For the record:
Interestingly enough, director Antonio Margheriti delivered four films to the silver screen during 1966-1967, and all of these who the basis of a loose Science Fiction saga I've seen called the 'Gamma One Quadrilogy' in articles online. While costumes and sets were re-used -- the chief setting for these flicks was the Gamma One Space Station -- different casts were involved. For those wanting to explore the titles separately -- and in the proper order -- they are Wild, Wild Planet (1966), War Of The Planets (1966), War Between The Planets (1966), and Snow Devils (1967).
"In the 21st century, aliens (weird, green, lights which sometimes manifest themselves as large clouds of smoke) invade the solar system. Using Mars as their base, they steal all of Earth's space stations then brainwash or kill the crews. Next stop: Earth, unless Tony Russel and his crew can stop them."
For the record:
Interestingly enough, director Antonio Margheriti delivered four films to the silver screen during 1966-1967, and all of these who the basis of a loose Science Fiction saga I've seen called the 'Gamma One Quadrilogy' in articles online. While costumes and sets were re-used -- the chief setting for these flicks was the Gamma One Space Station -- different casts were involved. For those wanting to explore the titles separately -- and in the proper order -- they are Wild, Wild Planet (1966), War Of The Planets (1966), War Between The Planets (1966), and Snow Devils (1967).
On this day in 1967 (in West Germany), Island Of The Doomed showed that being vegan might not be all it's cracked up to be. Written (in part) and directed by Ernst Ritter von Theumer, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Cameron Mitchell, Elisa Montés, and Jorge Martín. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Baron von Weser keeps a menagerie of carnivorous plants, but takes great care of one particular specimen."
"Baron von Weser keeps a menagerie of carnivorous plants, but takes great care of one particular specimen."
A star is born ... and this one can fight! On this day in 1978 (in the U.S.), audiences were thrust into the Death Dimension! Directed by Al Adamson from a story by Harry Hope, the SciFi/Thriller starred Jim Kelly, Harold Sakata, and George Lazenby. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Pig has a plan to eradicate some people with a freeze bomb that instantly freezes people to death. It is up to Detective Ash to stop him and protect the woman with the secret to the ice bomb embedded in a microdot under the skin of her forehead."
"The Pig has a plan to eradicate some people with a freeze bomb that instantly freezes people to death. It is up to Detective Ash to stop him and protect the woman with the secret to the ice bomb embedded in a microdot under the skin of her forehead."
On this day in 1979 (in Japan), Alien delivered a whole new version of terror to the universe of Science Fiction. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the distant future, the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo are on their way home when they pick up a distress call from a distant moon. The crew are under obligation to investigate and the spaceship descends on the moon afterwards. After a rough landing, three crew members leave the spaceship to explore the area on the moon. At the same time as they discover a hive colony of some unknown creature, the ship's computer deciphers the message to be a warning, not a distress call. When one of the eggs is disturbed, the crew realizes that they are not alone on the spaceship and they must deal with the consequences."
"In the distant future, the crew of the commercial spaceship Nostromo are on their way home when they pick up a distress call from a distant moon. The crew are under obligation to investigate and the spaceship descends on the moon afterwards. After a rough landing, three crew members leave the spaceship to explore the area on the moon. At the same time as they discover a hive colony of some unknown creature, the ship's computer deciphers the message to be a warning, not a distress call. When one of the eggs is disturbed, the crew realizes that they are not alone on the spaceship and they must deal with the consequences."
On this day in 1984 (in Japan), Super Space Fortress Macross enjoyed its full Japanese theatrical release. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In the next century, a reconfiguring ship (think "Transformer" with a pilot) called Macross carries fifty thousand refugees within its hold as it returns to Earth pursued by giant humanoid warriors. A young pilot in the military named Hikaru rescues his idol, the beautiful singer Lynn Minmay, from the giants as they break through the ship's hull during a concert-during which the giants are shocked to see females on a male vessel-and they are trapped for days in an aft hold of the ship. After their rescue, Hikaru and Minmay continue on good terms until a joyride in a fighter trainer gets Hikaru, his squadron leader, Minmay's brother, Minmay herself and the tough female operations controller captured by the giants, who grill them on how males and females can survive together without fighting. The giants' female counterparts arrive to wreak havoc on their male foes, and in the ensuing confusion Minmay and her brother are detained while the others make an escape that costs squadron leader Roy Focker his life and strands Hikaru and commander Misa Hayase on a now-totally-lifeless Earth, which leads to revelations on all three sides of the conflict regarding their past and future as well as the origins of mankind and the power of love and song, while Hikaru tangles with his feelings for both Misa and Minmay and all builds toward a final battle between the Macross and both giant fleets..."
"In the next century, a reconfiguring ship (think "Transformer" with a pilot) called Macross carries fifty thousand refugees within its hold as it returns to Earth pursued by giant humanoid warriors. A young pilot in the military named Hikaru rescues his idol, the beautiful singer Lynn Minmay, from the giants as they break through the ship's hull during a concert-during which the giants are shocked to see females on a male vessel-and they are trapped for days in an aft hold of the ship. After their rescue, Hikaru and Minmay continue on good terms until a joyride in a fighter trainer gets Hikaru, his squadron leader, Minmay's brother, Minmay herself and the tough female operations controller captured by the giants, who grill them on how males and females can survive together without fighting. The giants' female counterparts arrive to wreak havoc on their male foes, and in the ensuing confusion Minmay and her brother are detained while the others make an escape that costs squadron leader Roy Focker his life and strands Hikaru and commander Misa Hayase on a now-totally-lifeless Earth, which leads to revelations on all three sides of the conflict regarding their past and future as well as the origins of mankind and the power of love and song, while Hikaru tangles with his feelings for both Misa and Minmay and all builds toward a final battle between the Macross and both giant fleets..."
On this day in 1989 (in Spain), the good people of Barcelona were treated to the silver screen release of Slipstream. Directed by Steven Lisberger (the writer/director for the original SciFi/Classic Tron), the feature starred Bob Peck, Mark Hamill, and Bill Paxton, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the near future, where Earth has been devastated by natural disasters, and giant winds rule the planet, bounty hunter Matt kidnaps a murderer out of the hands of two police officers, planning to get the bounty himself. These in turn try to hunt the two men down."
For the record:
Slipstream is one of those B-Films that folks tend to love or hate (there's very little middleground, it would seem). IMDB.com reports that not only did the film essentially bankrupt producer Gary Kurtz but also it was Mark Hamill's first return to the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy after his (then) swan song of playing 'Luke Skywalker' in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983) for 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm.
More for the record:
If you're interested in checking out SciFiHistory.Net's collection of screencaps from the flick, you can find them right here. If you're interested in reading my Flushback Review of the film, you can find it right here.
"In the near future, where Earth has been devastated by natural disasters, and giant winds rule the planet, bounty hunter Matt kidnaps a murderer out of the hands of two police officers, planning to get the bounty himself. These in turn try to hunt the two men down."
For the record:
Slipstream is one of those B-Films that folks tend to love or hate (there's very little middleground, it would seem). IMDB.com reports that not only did the film essentially bankrupt producer Gary Kurtz but also it was Mark Hamill's first return to the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy after his (then) swan song of playing 'Luke Skywalker' in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi (1983) for 20th Century Fox and Lucasfilm.
More for the record:
If you're interested in checking out SciFiHistory.Net's collection of screencaps from the flick, you can find them right here. If you're interested in reading my Flushback Review of the film, you can find it right here.
A star is born! On this day in 2003 (in the U.S.), Lara Croft returned to the silver screen with the big screen release of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle Of Life. Directed by Jan de Bont, the Fantasy/Thriller starred Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler, and Chris Barrie. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Adventurer Lara Croft goes on a quest to save the mythical Pandora's Box, before an evil scientist finds it, and recruits a former Marine turned mercenary to assist her."
For the record:
At the 2004 Saturn Awards, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle Of Life earned a nomination in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"Adventurer Lara Croft goes on a quest to save the mythical Pandora's Box, before an evil scientist finds it, and recruits a former Marine turned mercenary to assist her."
For the record:
At the 2004 Saturn Awards, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider - The Cradle Of Life earned a nomination in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
On this day in 2006 (in the U.S.), My Super Ex-Girlfriend had audiences believing that a woman could fly. Directed by Ivan Reitman, the Superhero/Comedy starred Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, and Anna Faris; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a regular guy dumps a superhero for her neediness, she uses her powers to make his life a living hell."
"When a regular guy dumps a superhero for her neediness, she uses her powers to make his life a living hell."
A star is born! On this day in 2012 (in the Netherlands), Gangsters, Guns, & Zombies took up arms in defense of humanity ... and laughs. Written (in part) and directed by Matt Mitchell, the Horror/Comedy starred Vincent Jerome, Huggy Leaver, and Fabrizio Santino. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The whole "zombie thing" has been hyped up so much that everyone thinks it's the end of the world! Of course, where one man sees the dead rising from the grave, another sees opportunity. Q had a plan: drive the robbery getaway van, deliver everyone to the safe house and get paid - a nice, simple, plan. Unfortunately, life is never really that simple, and to top it all off, this is the first time Q has been a getaway driver. He's coping pretty well though, considering; TONY (the guy who is 'in charge' of the job) is a murderous nut case, DANNY was shot and is now bleeding all over the money in the back of the van, the Sat-Nav has a mind of its own, there's a guy in the back living up to his name "CRAZY STEVE", the safe-house already has police at it, and this whole "zombie thing" seems to be quickly becoming more of a "zombie apocalypse thing". Luckily, TONY knows of another Safe House on the coast. Not so luckily, DANNY dies of natural-ish causes and then rises from the grave. Q and the others have to deal with a recently zombie-fied medieval re-enactment group, a football team that seem hell bent on eating their brains and the van running out of fuel. In their search for refuge and some diesel, TONY spots - of all things - a fortified windmill and the group awkwardly team up with a lovely young woman called CASSIE and her insane, but well armed GRANDMA. As TONY descends into deeper and deeper psychosis, he forces a last stand against a zombie horde, dies horribly and takes GRANDMA with him. Not bad for a night's work. Some men are born into shit-storms, some achieve shit-storms, and some have shit-storms thrust upon them. Q is up to his neck in this one and must now take charge of the group in order to save his own skin - not to mention the much more attractive skin of CASSIE. Finally reaching the coast, the new group must figure out a way off this crazy island - lack of sailing know-how and the walking dead notwithstanding. Just when things couldn't get any worse, one of them suffers an accident and lands Q with a dilemma. In the one hand he holds his own life and in the other the lives of the group. Who does he choose?"
"The whole "zombie thing" has been hyped up so much that everyone thinks it's the end of the world! Of course, where one man sees the dead rising from the grave, another sees opportunity. Q had a plan: drive the robbery getaway van, deliver everyone to the safe house and get paid - a nice, simple, plan. Unfortunately, life is never really that simple, and to top it all off, this is the first time Q has been a getaway driver. He's coping pretty well though, considering; TONY (the guy who is 'in charge' of the job) is a murderous nut case, DANNY was shot and is now bleeding all over the money in the back of the van, the Sat-Nav has a mind of its own, there's a guy in the back living up to his name "CRAZY STEVE", the safe-house already has police at it, and this whole "zombie thing" seems to be quickly becoming more of a "zombie apocalypse thing". Luckily, TONY knows of another Safe House on the coast. Not so luckily, DANNY dies of natural-ish causes and then rises from the grave. Q and the others have to deal with a recently zombie-fied medieval re-enactment group, a football team that seem hell bent on eating their brains and the van running out of fuel. In their search for refuge and some diesel, TONY spots - of all things - a fortified windmill and the group awkwardly team up with a lovely young woman called CASSIE and her insane, but well armed GRANDMA. As TONY descends into deeper and deeper psychosis, he forces a last stand against a zombie horde, dies horribly and takes GRANDMA with him. Not bad for a night's work. Some men are born into shit-storms, some achieve shit-storms, and some have shit-storms thrust upon them. Q is up to his neck in this one and must now take charge of the group in order to save his own skin - not to mention the much more attractive skin of CASSIE. Finally reaching the coast, the new group must figure out a way off this crazy island - lack of sailing know-how and the walking dead notwithstanding. Just when things couldn't get any worse, one of them suffers an accident and lands Q with a dilemma. In the one hand he holds his own life and in the other the lives of the group. Who does he choose?"
A star is born ... or is that born again? On this day in 2012 (in Japan), Starship Troopers returned to cinemas with the CGI-animated release of Starship Troopers: Invasion. Directed by Shinji Aramaki and Steven Foster, the SciFi/Fantasy featured the voices of Luci Christian, David Matranga, and Justin Doran. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A black op has gone terribly wrong. Now, Captain Carmen Ibanez and a hardcore trooper famed as Major Henry "Hero" Varro must lead a team of battle-weary troopers to find the missing ship and discover what went wrong."
"A black op has gone terribly wrong. Now, Captain Carmen Ibanez and a hardcore trooper famed as Major Henry "Hero" Varro must lead a team of battle-weary troopers to find the missing ship and discover what went wrong."
A star is born ... and all roads lead to Marvel! On this day in 2014 (in the U.S.), the good people of Los Angeles, California were treated to an exclusive theatrical premiere engagement of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1. Written (in part) and directed by James Gunn, the Superhero/Fantasy starred Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, and Karen Gillan. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe."
For the record:
"A group of intergalactic criminals must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe."
For the record:
- At the 2015 Academy Awards, Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 1 earned two nominations (but no wins) in the categories of 'Best Achievement In Visual Effects' and 'Best Achievement In Makeup And Hairstyling.'
- At the 2015 Saturn Awards, Guardians took home four big wins in the categories of 'Best Actor,' 'Best Make-Up,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Comic-To-Film Motion Picture.' It missed out -- having to settle for nominations alone -- in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Editing,' 'Best Writing,' and 'Best Production Design.'
- At the 2015 Hugo Awards, the film took home to coveted trophy in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form.'
On this day in 2017, 626 Evolution evolved, in a cinematic sense. (Well, it enjoyed its general release via the internet in the U.S. anyway.) The feature starred Brandon Ray Olive and Demetrius Daniels, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Hunted by government agents and constantly assaulted by a cartel of vengeful thugs, an amnesiac known only as "626" searches for her true identity while protecting a teenage girl who shares her superhuman abilities; but when 626 uncovers the horrifying truth about her past, she must infiltrate enemy headquarters to expose a corporate conspiracy that threatens the free world,before she and her companion are silenced forever."
"Hunted by government agents and constantly assaulted by a cartel of vengeful thugs, an amnesiac known only as "626" searches for her true identity while protecting a teenage girl who shares her superhuman abilities; but when 626 uncovers the horrifying truth about her past, she must infiltrate enemy headquarters to expose a corporate conspiracy that threatens the free world,before she and her companion are silenced forever."
On this day in 2017, The Untamed was released theatrically. The SciFi/Horror feature starred Ruth Ramos and Simone Bucio, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A couple in a troubled marriage locate a meteorite, initiating an encounter with a mysterious creature. Their lives are turned upside down by the discovery of the creature, which is a source of both pleasure and destruction."
"A couple in a troubled marriage locate a meteorite, initiating an encounter with a mysterious creature. Their lives are turned upside down by the discovery of the creature, which is a source of both pleasure and destruction."
On this day in 2020 (in Italy), a little something something called Monster Zone made itself available to the masses via the Internet. Directed by Leopoldo Aguilar, the Fantasy/Comedy starred the voices of Jamie Bell, Ruby Rose, and Idzi Dulkiewicz; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An intelligent 15-year-old high school student is unexpectedly transferred to a boarding school where he opens a portal of monsters from another dimension."
For the record:
At the 2021 Ariel Awards (which are Mexico's equivalent program to the U.S. Academy Awards), Monster Zone received a nomination in the category of 'Best Feature Length Animated Film."
"An intelligent 15-year-old high school student is unexpectedly transferred to a boarding school where he opens a portal of monsters from another dimension."
For the record:
At the 2021 Ariel Awards (which are Mexico's equivalent program to the U.S. Academy Awards), Monster Zone received a nomination in the category of 'Best Feature Length Animated Film."
A star is born! On this day in 2022 (in the U.S.), the audiences in attendance of the Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival were treated to the silver screen debut of Prey. Written (in part) and directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, and Dane DiLiegro. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Naru, a skilled warrior of the Comanche Nation, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth."
For the record:
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I purchased myself a DVD copy of Prey for the purposes of entertainment. Interested in my thoughts on the project? Readers can find my review right here.
"Naru, a skilled warrior of the Comanche Nation, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth."
For the record:
- At the 2023 Primetime Emmy Awards, Prey enjoyed an incredible six nominations in such categories as 'Outstanding Picture Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie,' 'Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special,' 'Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special (Original Dramatic Score),' 'Outstanding Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie,' 'Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie,' and 'Outstanding Television Movie.'
- At the 2023 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, Prey took home a solid three trophies ('Best Creature FX,' 'Best Costume Design,' and 'Best Streaming Premiere Film') while being robbed of the big win in the category of 'Best Lead Performance.'
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I purchased myself a DVD copy of Prey for the purposes of entertainment. Interested in my thoughts on the project? Readers can find my review right here.
On this day in 1951 (in the U.S.), Space Patrol aired "Way Station To The Stars." Officially, this served as the thirtieth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by Solarguard.com:
"Commander Corry, Cadet Happy, Carol and Gerald Mazzman a civil surveyor and engineer, are on their way to the outermost planet, Pluto, to plan construction of a new Space Patrol Way Station. However, some mysterious magnetic force interferes with their landing, disrupting all power in their spaceship. They are left stranded in a desolate area of Pluto until Mazzman makes a discovery that puts all of their lives in jeopardy."
"Commander Corry, Cadet Happy, Carol and Gerald Mazzman a civil surveyor and engineer, are on their way to the outermost planet, Pluto, to plan construction of a new Space Patrol Way Station. However, some mysterious magnetic force interferes with their landing, disrupting all power in their spaceship. They are left stranded in a desolate area of Pluto until Mazzman makes a discovery that puts all of their lives in jeopardy."
On this day in 1951 (in the U.S.), Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "Trial In Space." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the episode's plot summary:
"Tom fears that Astro has contracted a serious illness called "Space Fever" that would wash him permanently out of the Space Academy."
"Tom fears that Astro has contracted a serious illness called "Space Fever" that would wash him permanently out of the Space Academy."
On this day in 1966 (in the United Kingdom), Adam Ant Lives aired "Allah Is Not Always With You." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After a strange girl comes to Adam, dying, from a gambling club, he goes there, and Miss Jones takes a job as a waitress. The owner is scheming to next kill an Arab sheik and set his weak son up to replace him."
"After a strange girl comes to Adam, dying, from a gambling club, he goes there, and Miss Jones takes a job as a waitress. The owner is scheming to next kill an Arab sheik and set his weak son up to replace him."
On this day in 1971 (in the United Kingdom), Ace Of Wands premiered its second season on television with the airing of Seven Serpents, Sulphur and Salt: Part 1." According to our friends at TV.com, here's the plot summary:
"Tarot and company face the formidable Mr. Stabs, an evil magician who, aided by the beautiful Polandi and his wicked servant Luko, will stop at nothing to retrieve from Tarot the key to the secret of the Seven Serpents—not even murder."
"Tarot and company face the formidable Mr. Stabs, an evil magician who, aided by the beautiful Polandi and his wicked servant Luko, will stop at nothing to retrieve from Tarot the key to the secret of the Seven Serpents—not even murder."
On this day in 1996 (in the U.S.), The Outer Limits aired "Vanishing Act." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as listed on IMDB.com:
"Trevor wants to celebrate New Years in style. On his way back from the store with the champagne he has an accident. When he wakes, he hitches a ride home and finds his wife thinks he has abandoned her -- ten years ago."
"Trevor wants to celebrate New Years in style. On his way back from the store with the champagne he has an accident. When he wakes, he hitches a ride home and finds his wife thinks he has abandoned her -- ten years ago."
On this day in 1999 (in the U.S.), Crusade aired "The Rules Of The Game." Officially, this served as the seventh episode in the program's only season on original broadcast television, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Excalibur goes to Babylon 5 so that Gideon can meet with an ambassador for permission to go to a planet that might have technology that can help Earth. But the ambassador refuses and Gideon is not going to accept it. And Ellerson runs into his ex-wife, who is in trouble with a loan shark. When he pays him off, he feels she owes him more. Anf goes to great lengths to collect."
"The Excalibur goes to Babylon 5 so that Gideon can meet with an ambassador for permission to go to a planet that might have technology that can help Earth. But the ambassador refuses and Gideon is not going to accept it. And Ellerson runs into his ex-wife, who is in trouble with a loan shark. When he pays him off, he feels she owes him more. Anf goes to great lengths to collect."
On this day in 2000 (in the U.S.), Farscape aired "Look at the Princess: Part 1: A Kiss Is But a Kiss." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The crew rests on a planet where the successor to the throne needs a genetically compatible mate to take the throne. She finds her mate ... in Crichton. But someone else wants the throne, and are willing to eliminate Crichton to prevent her rise."
"The crew rests on a planet where the successor to the throne needs a genetically compatible mate to take the throne. She finds her mate ... in Crichton. But someone else wants the throne, and are willing to eliminate Crichton to prevent her rise."
On this day in 2000 (in the U.S.), Stargate: SG-1 aired "Crossroads." Officially, this served as the fourth episode of the long-running program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"An old love of Teal'C approaches the SGC and the Tok'ra claiming that her Goa'uld symbiote has been convinced to defect with their help."
"An old love of Teal'C approaches the SGC and the Tok'ra claiming that her Goa'uld symbiote has been convinced to defect with their help."
On this day in 2000 (in Canada), The Outer Limits aired "Revival." Officially, this served as the sixteenth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ezra and his daughter Sarah work together on the revival circuit with a phony healing act performing miracles with prearranged plants. When a strange young man in a wheelchair approaches Ezra, he lays his hands on him and he is healed. He received a proposition that if he teaches him the art of the revival meetings, this young man will continue to help him in his act."
For the record:
This particular installment of The Outer Limits reboot brought with it some star power by enlisting cult icon Gary Busey, Superman's Margot Kidder, and the late Kevin Conway to its cast. Plus the always-good-to-look-at Nicole Eggert rounded out this indictment of crass commercialism infringing on the works of God.
"Ezra and his daughter Sarah work together on the revival circuit with a phony healing act performing miracles with prearranged plants. When a strange young man in a wheelchair approaches Ezra, he lays his hands on him and he is healed. He received a proposition that if he teaches him the art of the revival meetings, this young man will continue to help him in his act."
For the record:
This particular installment of The Outer Limits reboot brought with it some star power by enlisting cult icon Gary Busey, Superman's Margot Kidder, and the late Kevin Conway to its cast. Plus the always-good-to-look-at Nicole Eggert rounded out this indictment of crass commercialism infringing on the works of God.
On this day in 2001 (in Canada), The Outer Limits aired "Flower Child." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode in the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After an alien seed takes root in an old woman's garden, it sucks the life from her and becomes a beautiful woman who continues to look for more victims."
"After an alien seed takes root in an old woman's garden, it sucks the life from her and becomes a beautiful woman who continues to look for more victims."
On this day in 2003 (in the U.S. and the United Kingdom), Firefly aired "Trash." Officially, this served as the thirteenth episode in the program's only season in televised broadcast existence, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Saffron returns to offer the crew a mission but not everyone is willing to trust her again."
"Saffron returns to offer the crew a mission but not everyone is willing to trust her again."
On this day in 2006 (in the U.S.), Stargate: Atlantis aired "Misbegotten." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sheppard and the others are now in control of the one remaining hive ship with most of the Wraith transformed into human form, courtesy of the retrovirus. They do learn something interesting about female Wraiths, however. After they return to Atlantis, the question becomes one of what to do with the Wraiths who are again human, especially Michael who has proved to be quite helpful. Elizabeth Weir meanwhile is surprised to hear that she is to return to Atlantis as the expedition leader. She will be accompanied however by Richard Woolsey who is to review her leadership and make recommendations to the International Oversight Advisory on whether she should be allowed to continue."
"Sheppard and the others are now in control of the one remaining hive ship with most of the Wraith transformed into human form, courtesy of the retrovirus. They do learn something interesting about female Wraiths, however. After they return to Atlantis, the question becomes one of what to do with the Wraiths who are again human, especially Michael who has proved to be quite helpful. Elizabeth Weir meanwhile is surprised to hear that she is to return to Atlantis as the expedition leader. She will be accompanied however by Richard Woolsey who is to review her leadership and make recommendations to the International Oversight Advisory on whether she should be allowed to continue."
On this day in 2006 (in the U.S.), Stargate: SG-1 aired "Morpheus." Officially, this served as the second episode to the popular program's tenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The team goes off-world and ends up in serious trouble. Meanwhile, Landry is faced with having to decide whether or not Vala can be trusted to remain at the SGC."
"The team goes off-world and ends up in serious trouble. Meanwhile, Landry is faced with having to decide whether or not Vala can be trusted to remain at the SGC."
On this day in 2013 (in Canada), Continuum aired "Second Guess." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Everyone in Vancouver is the victim of a severe cyber-attack. At first it's only the Internet that seems affected but soon, traffic lights are malfunctioning and ATMs are spewing out money. Julian takes to the airwaves to take credit but Kiera isn't so sure he's responsible. Julian suddenly appears at the police station and turns himself in. Lucas has seemingly gone mad and is now having conversations with Edouard Kagame. Alec thinks Lucas may have hijacked some of the code for his all-seeing computer program. He has a plan to find him but Emily thinks he should destroy the program and be done with it. Mayoral candidate Jim Martin is facing pressure from both Sonya and Travis."
"Everyone in Vancouver is the victim of a severe cyber-attack. At first it's only the Internet that seems affected but soon, traffic lights are malfunctioning and ATMs are spewing out money. Julian takes to the airwaves to take credit but Kiera isn't so sure he's responsible. Julian suddenly appears at the police station and turns himself in. Lucas has seemingly gone mad and is now having conversations with Edouard Kagame. Alec thinks Lucas may have hijacked some of the code for his all-seeing computer program. He has a plan to find him but Emily thinks he should destroy the program and be done with it. Mayoral candidate Jim Martin is facing pressure from both Sonya and Travis."
On this day in 2013 (in the U.S.), TNT's Falling Skies continued the countdown toward the end of its third season with what appeared to be some newfound vigor in its storytelling. The eighth episode was titled "Strange Brew," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Things seem much too calm for Tom, making him suspicious of his surroundings."
"Things seem much too calm for Tom, making him suspicious of his surroundings."
On this day in 2015 (in the U.S.), Zoo aired "Pack Mentality." Officially, this served as the fourth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jackson, Jamie, and Chloe travel to Mississippi to investigate the prison fire, while Abraham and Mitch go north to trap and study wolves."
"Jackson, Jamie, and Chloe travel to Mississippi to investigate the prison fire, while Abraham and Mitch go north to trap and study wolves."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), Killjoys aired "The Lion, The Witch, & The Warlord." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Pree's warlord past is the only thing that can help Dutch and Johnny after an ambush. D'avin tries to get to the bottom of a new Black Warrant that hits close to home."
"Pree's warlord past is the only thing that can help Dutch and Johnny after an ambush. D'avin tries to get to the bottom of a new Black Warrant that hits close to home."
