On this day in Science Fiction history, Steven Spielberg's E.T. - The Extraterrestrial was first released theatrically in 1982. The whimsical modern-day fairly tale of a boy and his -- erm -- alien warmed the hearts of audiences around the world.
Richard Strauss' seminal composition -- 'Also sprach Zarathustra' -- is, arguably, one of the most recognized in all of classical music. Director Stanley Kubrick used it to cinematic delight in his Science Fiction drama 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) , and it's since been used everywhere for similar or even parodic effect. Though he's no longer with us, Strauss was born on this day in 1864.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The career of Gerald Mohr definitely leaves SciFi fans a few notes of interest. Fans of classic radio dramas might know of his work aboard the popular crime procedural 'The Whistler.' He also did some uncredited voicework in the 1941 cinema serial The Adventures Of Captain Marvel. In 1959, he visited The Angry Red Planet for MGM Studios. One of his last credited roles was voicing 'Reed Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic' for the 1967-68 animated TV program Fantastic Four. Though he's no longer with us, Mohr was born on this day in 1914.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Buddy Baer never quite achieved the Hollywood recognition that his brother Max did, but he still leaves behind a solid resume nonetheless. Genre fans might know him from appearances aboard Jack and the Beanstalk (1952), Captain Midnight, and Adventures of Superman. Though he's no longer with us, Baer was born on this day in 1915.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The venerable Richard Todd found himself trapped between some diabolical circumstances for his guest stint aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who. Though he's no longer with us, Todd was born on this day in 1919.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
His career never quite reached 100 different citations on IMDB.com, but Robert Hutton still managed to squeeze in some appearances in Science Fiction with roles aboard The Colossus of New York (1958), Invisible Invaders (1959), The Slime People (1963), They Came From Beyond Space (1967), and Trog (1970). Though he's no longer with us, Hutton was born on this day in 1920.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
So the story goes: back in 1966, Doctor Who's story editor Gerry Davis was spending an inordinate amount of time trying to resolve science-related problems in the scripts for the popular SciFi/Fantasy serial, so he went out and found a real scientist -- Kit Pedler -- to assist in hammering out the concepts needed for the developing stories. Lo and behold, one of Pedler's more interesting ideas was the creation of an all-new menace: these walking, talking human computers that would evolve into one of the Doctor's most dreaded adversaries ... the Cybermen! Eventually, Davis and Pedler went on to create Doomwatch, a SciFi/Fantasy serial that focused on the environmental issues of the day. Though he's no longer with us, Pedler was born on this day in 1927.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Ed Bishop had a small part in 2001: A Space Odyssey, but he established himself with fans of sci-fi in a leading role as 'Commander Ed Straker' in Gerry Anderson's live action series UFO (1969-1973). Thankfully, this wasn't his only foray into the worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy. The actor can also be seen aboard such other projects as The Mouse On The Moon (1963), You Only Live Twice (1967), Out Of The Unknown, Journey To The Far Side Of The Sun (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Saturn 3 (1980), Chocky's Children, Worlds Beyond, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, and Highlander. Though he's no longer with us, Bishop was born on this day in 1932.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Some folks take issue with my including so many Fantasy citations on a site admittedly charged with celebrating Science Fiction, but as Fantasy has always been a near-and-dear cousin to SciFi I've always been ok with it. Thus, I'm pleased to give a birthday shout-out to the late Gene Wilder, who made Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory such a magical delight for audiences young and old. Though he's no longer with us, Wilder was born on this day in 1933.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Ahhh, Wilder's contribution to genre -- beyond playing the best version of Willy Wonka -- is his comic addition to the Frankenstein mythology that's better known as Young Frankenstein (1975). The fabulous tale involving the misadventures of a Frankenstein descendant continues to delight audiences decades after it premiered, and it deserves to be discovered again and again if for no other reason than to give viewers some great laughs.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Ahhh, Wilder's contribution to genre -- beyond playing the best version of Willy Wonka -- is his comic addition to the Frankenstein mythology that's better known as Young Frankenstein (1975). The fabulous tale involving the misadventures of a Frankenstein descendant continues to delight audiences decades after it premiered, and it deserves to be discovered again and again if for no other reason than to give viewers some great laughs.
- In 1975, Young Frankenstein took home the coveted win for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the Hugo Awards.
- That same year, the flick scored an Academy Award nomination (shared with comedy legend Mel Brooks) in the category of 'Best Writing - Screenplay Adapted From Other Material.'
- In 1976, the film won the Nebula Award (from the Science Fiction And Fantasy Writers Of America) in the category of 'Best Dramatic Writing.'
- In 2002, Wilder himself received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to film from the Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards.
Writer and producer Jeb Rosebrook was hired by Walt Disney to craft The Black Hole as the MouseHouse's attempt to cash in on the Star Wars craze of the late 1970's. From what I've read, however, the Walt Disney Company didn't even have the courtesy to invite him to the project's theatrical premiere, having fired him (for reasons unknown) not long before it occurred. In 1984, he crafted a Fantasy of a different sort for television with a script for The Mystic Warrior, a project that did win a Primetime Emmy for hairstyling. Though he's no longer with us, Rosebrook was born on this day in 1935.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Rosebrook's work for The Black Hole didn't go unnoticed. In fact, it enjoyed two big nominations in 1980 -- the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films gave it a nod in the category of 'Best Writing' and the Hugo Awards did the same in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Rosebrook's work for The Black Hole didn't go unnoticed. In fact, it enjoyed two big nominations in 1980 -- the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films gave it a nod in the category of 'Best Writing' and the Hugo Awards did the same in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
Late in his professional career, Chad Everett brought his winning charisma to a great, great guest appearance aboard Supernatural. Though he's no longer with us, Everett was born on this day in 1937.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Jordan Rhodes dabbled in the realms of genre entertainment, making appearances in such programs as Wonder Woman, The Terminal Man (1974), and Battlestar Galactica. Rhodes was born on this day in 1939.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
We fanboys take our heroines seriously, and, throughout the late 70's and much of the 80's, Adrienne Barbeau ruled the silver screen and suitably rocked our world. She appeared in John Carpenter's The Fog as well as his Escape from New York, and she was the only beauty capable of taming the beast that was Swamp Thing (1982). Thankfully, her career never stopped growing, and she's been a part of such other genre entries as The Fog (1980), The Thing (1982), The Twilight Zone, Ultraman: The Adventure Begins, Monsters, Demolition Man (1993), Babylon 5, Judge Dredd (1995), Batman: The Animated Series, Weird Science, Sliders, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Batman Beyond, Carnivale, War Wolves (2009), Halo 4, Mad Max (video game), and Swamp Thing (2019 TV show). Barbeau was born on this day in 1945.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Barbeau's work has largely gone unsung in the world of genre entertainment -- a sad state of affairs, if you ask me -- but she has caught the eye of some organizations throughout the years. She's twice been nominated in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress' by the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards: in 1991, her work in Two Evil Eyes (1990) caught their attention and, in 2002, she took home the trophy with her work in The Convent (2000).
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Barbeau's work has largely gone unsung in the world of genre entertainment -- a sad state of affairs, if you ask me -- but she has caught the eye of some organizations throughout the years. She's twice been nominated in the category of 'Best Supporting Actress' by the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards: in 1991, her work in Two Evil Eyes (1990) caught their attention and, in 2002, she took home the trophy with her work in The Convent (2000).
Sherman Howard definitely has the credentials to play some powerful characters in Science Fiction. His resume boasts appearances in Max Headroom, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Quantum Leap, Superboy, Space Rangers, SeaQuest 2032, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Burning Zone, Superman (animated), Batman Beyond (animated), Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Armada (video game), and Star Wars: The Old Republic (video game). Howard was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Nicholas Young has certainly left his footprints on the beaches of Science Fiction. He's scored time aboard such properties as Metamorphosis Alpha (1975), Space: 1999, and The Tomorrow People. Young was born on this day in 1949.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Screenwriter David Carren has an impressive resume of contributions to an incredible roster of Science Fiction projects. During his time in the business he's crafted scripts for Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Beyond Westworld, The Powers of Matthew Star, The Twilight Zone, Beauty and the Beast (CBS), Thundercats, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Space Precinct, TekWar, Stargate: SG-1, and several others. Carren was born on this day in 1952.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
If you'd like to know more, then check out SciFiHistory.Net's interview of Carren as he reflects upon his work for Buck Rogers as well as the SciFi screenwriting process right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
If you'd like to know more, then check out SciFiHistory.Net's interview of Carren as he reflects upon his work for Buck Rogers as well as the SciFi screenwriting process right here.
Critical favorite Hugh Laurie doesn't do much in the way of traditional Science Fiction, but he did bring his considerable presence to Walt Disney's Tomorrowland (2015). Laurie was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Dawn Wildsmith ably chewed scenery as the villainous prison enforcer 'Muffin' aboard 1987's SciFi/Exploitation picture Star Slammer. As for other entries into the world of the fantastic? You can check out her work aboard Evils Of The Night (1985), The Tomb (1986), It's Alive III: Island Of The Alive (1987), Cyclone (1987), Surf Nazis Must Die (1987), Evil Spawn (1987), The Phantom Empire (1987), Deep Space (1988), Warlords (1988), B.O.R.N. (1989), Beverly Hills Vamp (1989), Future Force (1989), Alienator (1990), Dark Romances Vol. 1 (1990), Empire Of The Dark (1990), Wizards Of The Demon Sword (1991), Jack-O (1995), and Lake Of Shadows (2019). Wildsmith was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
- Via a distributor relationship in 2017, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary new release of Star Slammer in exchange for a review. Interested in knowing what I thought of the project? Readers can find my review right here.
- Via a distributor relationship in 2022, I had the good fortune of receiving a complimentary new release of Surf Nazis Must Die in exchange for a review. Interested in knowing what I thought of the project? Readers can find my review right here.
Aboard the episode "Prophecy," Wren T. Brown channeled his inner Klingon for his role on Star Trek: Voyager in 2001. Brown was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In the history of the Trojan War, it's been said that Helen had a face that launched a thousand ships to war. Well -- in the anals of SciFi/RomComs -- it was the face of Cherry 2000 who launched one man's attempt to bring his own 'Helen' back to life. The android Cherry 2000 was played by the lovely Pamela Gidley. The actress also paid more than lip service to such jaunts as Highway To Hell (1991), Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992), Strange Luck, Aberration (1997), and Bombshell (1997). Though she's no longer with us, Gidley was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Yasuko Sawaguchi stepped into the big realm of monster movies with a top role in Godzilla 1985 (1984) for Toho Company. Sawaguchi was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I know that audiences didn't exactly flock to support TV's Jericho, the tale of a small town trying to survive the aftermath of a global nuclear catastrophe; but I liked it well enough to hang with it 'til its cancellation. Clare Carey played one of those small town survivors, and Carey was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Pretty face and voice actress Cristina Pucelli brings not only 'Miss Martian' to life aboard DC Super Hero Girls but also provides the pipes for Catwoman on the same program. Pucelli was born on this day in 1969.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Peter Dinklage is definitely 'ruling the roost' so far as most fanboys are concerned. He's plays a key figure aboard HBO's Game of Thrones, and he definitely upped his game as part of X-Men: Days of Future Past in the summer of 2014. Dinklage was born on this day in 1969 and has been turning in nothing but quality work ever since.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With each and every project, Jane Goldman proves she's got the 'Midas Touch' by producing silver screen hits like Kick-Ass (2010) and Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). Goldman was born on this day in 1970.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
John Tui hails from New Zealand and has served time in front of the camera in such properties as the greater Power Rangers franchise, Battleship (2012), The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), and Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). Tui was born on this day in 1975.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Here's another case of "I don't know the face but have likely heard the voice": incredible overachiever Salli Saffioti maintains an impressive history of vocal contributions in both gaming and/or animated properties. Head on over to IMDB to check it out, and Saffioti was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though it appears that he's somewhat retired from professional acting, Shane Meier still put in some time worthy of note here at SciFiHistory.Net. The actor booked roles aboard such properties as The Ray Bradbury Theatre, The Outer Limits, Stargate: SG-1, Tru Calling, The 4400, and Stargate: Atlantis. Meier was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Joshua Jackson was part of the winning ensemble at the core of what made Fox TV's Fringe so popular. Throughout the show's five seasons, Jackson stayed near the helm, both as an actor as well as a character given the fact that his 'Peter Bishop' was a driving force behind why all of these parallel worlds were originally in collision. Jackson was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 2013, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated Joshua Jackson for his work on Fringe in the category of 'Best Actor On Television.'
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 2013, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated Joshua Jackson for his work on Fringe in the category of 'Best Actor On Television.'
Pardon me if I sound more than a bit snarky, but there's been something refreshing about watching Shia Labeouf's public persona self-destruct almost as easily as a plot device in any of the Transformers' flicks he's headlined. (Truth is that I enjoyed the first as a guilty popcorn pleasure, but the rest have been awful.) You reap what you sow, Shia. Labeouf was born on this day in 1986.
Jelly Howie sacrificed a touch of her feminine good looks in order to bring a somewhat gender-bending portrayal to FX's mind-bending Superhero drama Legion. Howie was born on this day in 1987.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Claire Holt brought her timeless beauty to The CW's pair of Fantasy programs, The Vampire Diaries and its spin-off The Originals. Holt was born on this day in 1988.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
For better and for worse, Eugene Simon embraced the dark side of a religious sect aboard HBO's stellar Game Of Thrones adaptation. Simon was born on this day in 1992.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
TV's The Shannara Chronicles isn't all that great, to be perfectly blunt, but it grew into a reasonable fulfilling guilty pleasure (until its cancellation without resolution, of course). That includes the work of Ivana Baquero, who plays the spunky warrioress 'Eretria' on the Fantasy-themed program. Her career also boasts appearances in Pan's Labyrinth (2006) and Feedback (2019). Baquero was born on this day in 1994.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Her work in Guillermo Del Torro's Pan's Labyrinth was clearly a sensation around the world. In fact, the young lady received a 2007 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor.'
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Her work in Guillermo Del Torro's Pan's Labyrinth was clearly a sensation around the world. In fact, the young lady received a 2007 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor.'
One of Charlie Tahan's earliest professional appearances was opposite Will Smith aboard I Am Legend (2007) for Warner Bros. Studios. Tahan was born on this day in 1998.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Never one to let so much as a good Zombie Apocalypse to get her down, Katelyn Nacon was once seen riding a bicycle through AMC's Fantasy juggernaut The Walking Dead. The actress has also appeared in such genre projects as Another Assembly (2014), Light As A Feather, and Linoleum (2022). Nacon was born on this day in 1999.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Twice in her run aboard the AMC Horror program, Nacon received nominations for her work on the show from the Young Artists Awards.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
Twice in her run aboard the AMC Horror program, Nacon received nominations for her work on the show from the Young Artists Awards.
As her career continues to gain speed, Saxon Sharbino proves herself as one to watch. Her genre roles are slim thus far, but work in Earthling (2010), Touch, and Poltergeist (2015) definitely put her on the map. Sharbino was born on this day in 1999.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1969 (in the U.S.), the good people of Detroit were treated to the very first theatrical engagement of The Valley Of Gwangi ever! Jim O'Connolly directed the script from William Bast, Julian More, and Willis H. O'Brien; and the feature starred James Franciscus, Gina Golan, and Richard Carlson. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A cowboy named Tuck Kirby seeks fame and fortune by capturing an Allosaurus living in the Forbidden Valley and putting it in a Mexican circus. His victim, called the Gwangi, turns out to have an aversion to being shown in public."
"A cowboy named Tuck Kirby seeks fame and fortune by capturing an Allosaurus living in the Forbidden Valley and putting it in a Mexican circus. His victim, called the Gwangi, turns out to have an aversion to being shown in public."
Though many critics dismiss 1982's Contamination (it made its U.S. premiere on this day back then) as a knock-off of Ridley Scott's Alien, the two films really have only a few passing similarities. Alien -- for instance -- takes place entirely in outer space while Contamination is Earth-based, often in laboratories or even warehouses. There's certainly no Ripley character anywhere in sight, and -- despite the appearance of an egg which produces an airborne virus which kills on contact -- there's little time spent with the 'alien' in charge. For those who missed it, here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
ExtraExtra Alert:
I had the good fortune of reviewing an all-new re-release of Contamination sometime back in 2012 or 2013 via a distributor relationship. Interested in knowing what I thought? Readers can find my review right here.
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
ExtraExtra Alert:
I had the good fortune of reviewing an all-new re-release of Contamination sometime back in 2012 or 2013 via a distributor relationship. Interested in knowing what I thought? Readers can find my review right here.
On this day in 1985 (in West Germany), Beast In Space enjoyed its theatrical release. Written and directed by Alfonso Brescia, the SciFi/Adult Film starred Sirpa Lane and Vassili Karis, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the future the struggle for space superiority has forced humanity to search the cosmos for a rare element called Antallum that is the key ingredient for the construction of neutron bombs. Starship captain Larry Madison and his crew are assigned to retrieve Antallum from the remote planet Lorigon. However, Madison and crew find themselves under the control of a powerful computer on Lorigon that incites everyone to have sex."
"In the future the struggle for space superiority has forced humanity to search the cosmos for a rare element called Antallum that is the key ingredient for the construction of neutron bombs. Starship captain Larry Madison and his crew are assigned to retrieve Antallum from the remote planet Lorigon. However, Madison and crew find themselves under the control of a powerful computer on Lorigon that incites everyone to have sex."
Just over ten years after Steven Spielberg left his footprint on film history with E.T. (mentioned above), he did it again with the very first installment of the Jurassic Park (1993) franchise exploding into theatres. I can still remember the first time I heard the T-Rex roar ... and it still brings me chills!
For the record:
Despite launching one of Science Fictions better franchises to emerge from the 1990's, the first Jurassic Park was the recipient of a whole lotta well-earned praise. At the 1994 Academy Awards, the film took home the Oscars in the categories of 'Best Sound,' 'Best Effects - Sound Effects Editing,' and 'Best Effects - Visual Effects.' It also took home the 1994 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.' At the 1994 Saturn Awards, it was recognized with an incredible 11 nominations and took home top honors in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Director,' and -- you guessed it -- 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
For the record:
Despite launching one of Science Fictions better franchises to emerge from the 1990's, the first Jurassic Park was the recipient of a whole lotta well-earned praise. At the 1994 Academy Awards, the film took home the Oscars in the categories of 'Best Sound,' 'Best Effects - Sound Effects Editing,' and 'Best Effects - Visual Effects.' It also took home the 1994 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.' At the 1994 Saturn Awards, it was recognized with an incredible 11 nominations and took home top honors in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Director,' and -- you guessed it -- 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
On this day in 1998 (in Singapore), Sinbad: The Battle of the Dark Knights enjoyed its theatrical premiere. The Fantasy feature starred Richard Grieco and Dean Stockwell, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"Young Anthony and his grandfather read a magical book about their ancestor Sinbad and become participants in it. Sinbad and wizard Sage must stop evil wizard Bophisto and his minion Nimbus from obtaining the key to all knowledge."
"Young Anthony and his grandfather read a magical book about their ancestor Sinbad and become participants in it. Sinbad and wizard Sage must stop evil wizard Bophisto and his minion Nimbus from obtaining the key to all knowledge."
The rumor is that Vin Diesel liked the character so much that he returned him to the silver screen as Riddick with the release of The Chronicles of Riddick on this day in 2004. Audiences weren't all that enamored with this second installment, but rest assured that the Vinster will likely keep trying. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"5 years after Pitch Black, the wanted criminal Riddick arrives on a planet called Helion Prime, and finds himself up against an invading empire called the Necromongers, an army that plans to convert or kill all humans in the universe."
For the record:
To the uninformed, The Chronicles Of Riddick is a sequel to Pitch Black (2000), which jettisoned that film's name in favor of establishing the wider franchise around its signature character. While visually impressive, Chronicles took the property in a completely different direction (by design) as it tried to become an expansive space opera -- with obvioius action elements -- though only enjoyed middling success. While the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated it for the 2005 Saturn Award for 'Best Special Effects,' the Razzies -- ahem -- responded by giving star Vin Diesel a nomination in their category of 'Worst Actor.' I guess what they say is true: diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.
"5 years after Pitch Black, the wanted criminal Riddick arrives on a planet called Helion Prime, and finds himself up against an invading empire called the Necromongers, an army that plans to convert or kill all humans in the universe."
For the record:
To the uninformed, The Chronicles Of Riddick is a sequel to Pitch Black (2000), which jettisoned that film's name in favor of establishing the wider franchise around its signature character. While visually impressive, Chronicles took the property in a completely different direction (by design) as it tried to become an expansive space opera -- with obvioius action elements -- though only enjoyed middling success. While the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated it for the 2005 Saturn Award for 'Best Special Effects,' the Razzies -- ahem -- responded by giving star Vin Diesel a nomination in their category of 'Worst Actor.' I guess what they say is true: diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks.
Even before its acquisition of the Star Wars media empire, Walt Disney dabbled in SciFi. On this day back in 2004, the Mouse House released the SciFi/Telefilm Zenon: Z3 to expecting audiences. The feature starred Kirsten Storms and Lauren Maltby, and here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"The heroine sets out to win an important competition - but her dreams of success are jeopardized."
"The heroine sets out to win an important competition - but her dreams of success are jeopardized."
On this day in 2019 (in the U.S.), the 2016-produced Threshold enjoyed release via various streaming platforms. Written and directed by Jason Eric Perlman, the SciFi/Drama starred Trilby Glover and Randy Wayne, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Blaming herself for her son's accidental death, young wife Cynthia risks redemption at the hands of an otherworldly intruder who appears in the couple's home during a night of apocalyptic world events and somehow knows every detail of Cynthia's guilt-ridden past."
"Blaming herself for her son's accidental death, young wife Cynthia risks redemption at the hands of an otherworldly intruder who appears in the couple's home during a night of apocalyptic world events and somehow knows every detail of Cynthia's guilt-ridden past."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet aired "Space Blindness." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that episode's plot summary:
"Commander Arkwright agrees to take an astronomy professor on a flight into deep space to get a better view of a supernova, but when the professor ignores the Commander's orders and takes down the ship's ultraviolet protection, he blinds himself and the Commander - the only crew members aboard their ship. Tom and the Polaris' crew are called upon to perform a dangerous rescue."
"Commander Arkwright agrees to take an astronomy professor on a flight into deep space to get a better view of a supernova, but when the professor ignores the Commander's orders and takes down the ship's ultraviolet protection, he blinds himself and the Commander - the only crew members aboard their ship. Tom and the Polaris' crew are called upon to perform a dangerous rescue."
On this day in 1966, Doctor Who aired "The Savages: Part 3." This served as the fortieth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by the Doctor Who Online Guide:
"Steven and Dodo break into the city of the Elders in an attempt to rescue the Doctor. But they have been detected and their escape route is cut off."
"Steven and Dodo break into the city of the Elders in an attempt to rescue the Doctor. But they have been detected and their escape route is cut off."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Raid On Riga." This served as the thirty-seventh episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Riga is attacked by Spectra, G-Force pleads with Chief Anderson to go there and help the Rigans, including Mark's old ally Col. Cronus. Anderson refuses, choosing to await a formal request from Riga and analysis of Spectra's latest weapon, a giant bird-like death machine. However, G-Force disobeys Chief Anderson and flies to Riga to engage the Spectran death craft. They are badly defeated as the Spectran aircraft deploys a high-energy ray weapon, knocking out the crew & badly damaging the ship and forcing it down. The only thing that saves them is Col. Cronus, who deploys a nuclear-tipped air-defense missile against a massive Spectran missile attack. On returning to Earth, Mark is taken aside & put through re-training with Cronus in order to get his edge back following his defeat. Now, will the team be able to survive the next confrontation with a seemingly invincible death machine?"
"When Riga is attacked by Spectra, G-Force pleads with Chief Anderson to go there and help the Rigans, including Mark's old ally Col. Cronus. Anderson refuses, choosing to await a formal request from Riga and analysis of Spectra's latest weapon, a giant bird-like death machine. However, G-Force disobeys Chief Anderson and flies to Riga to engage the Spectran death craft. They are badly defeated as the Spectran aircraft deploys a high-energy ray weapon, knocking out the crew & badly damaging the ship and forcing it down. The only thing that saves them is Col. Cronus, who deploys a nuclear-tipped air-defense missile against a massive Spectran missile attack. On returning to Earth, Mark is taken aside & put through re-training with Cronus in order to get his edge back following his defeat. Now, will the team be able to survive the next confrontation with a seemingly invincible death machine?"
On this day in 1999, Farscape aired "That Old Black Magic," the eighth episode of the program's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Crichton's spirit is captured by Maldis. The sorcerer thrives on vengeance and hate, he brings Crais's spirit down. And the two spirits battle. Zhaan can fight Maldis, but if she fights Maldis, she must take a dark path."
"Crichton's spirit is captured by Maldis. The sorcerer thrives on vengeance and hate, he brings Crais's spirit down. And the two spirits battle. Zhaan can fight Maldis, but if she fights Maldis, she must take a dark path."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "Watery Grave." This served as the fifth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"Byder gets some information about the theft of the Stone of Sorrow from a museum. The interest to Ethaniel and Laura is that a guard swears that the two men who stole it carried it out themselves. This would be impossible for humans, as it weighs 3 tons. Banning and Gant are their main suspects, but what would they want with an old relic?"
"Byder gets some information about the theft of the Stone of Sorrow from a museum. The interest to Ethaniel and Laura is that a guard swears that the two men who stole it carried it out themselves. This would be impossible for humans, as it weighs 3 tons. Banning and Gant are their main suspects, but what would they want with an old relic?"
On this day in 2005, Doctor Who aired "Bad Wolf." This served as the twelfth episode to the (restarted) program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Jack, The Doctor and Rose have been kidnapped and forced to play terrible and deadly games. But what happens to the bodies of the murdered contestants? And what sinister plot do the games hide?"
"Jack, The Doctor and Rose have been kidnapped and forced to play terrible and deadly games. But what happens to the bodies of the murdered contestants? And what sinister plot do the games hide?"
On this day in 2006, The 4400 aired "The New World." This served as the first episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In a broadcast, the Nova Group promises the world a demonstration of their power on October 19. Tom and Diana apprehend Gary, but he refuses to give any information about October 19. Meanwhile, it's learned that Shawn has been funding the Nova Group for months, unaware of their murderous intent. Meanwhile, Shawn helps Isabelle deal with the guilt of her mother's impending death. Lily dies peacefully."
"In a broadcast, the Nova Group promises the world a demonstration of their power on October 19. Tom and Diana apprehend Gary, but he refuses to give any information about October 19. Meanwhile, it's learned that Shawn has been funding the Nova Group for months, unaware of their murderous intent. Meanwhile, Shawn helps Isabelle deal with the guilt of her mother's impending death. Lily dies peacefully."
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the sixteenth episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Chosen One must choose between The Light and The Darkness."
"The Chosen One must choose between The Light and The Darkness."
Battle lines were drawn, shots were fired, and the ultimate battle for the TV survival of the human race began on this day in 2014 as The 100 aired "We Are Grounders, Part 2," the program's first season finale. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for those who missed it:
"As the remaining members of the 100 face off against the Grounders, Jaha makes a noble sacrifice to ensure the Ark makes it to Earth."
"As the remaining members of the 100 face off against the Grounders, Jaha makes a noble sacrifice to ensure the Ark makes it to Earth."
On this day in 1950, The Shadow radio serial aired an episode, but in a turn of events befitting such a character of mystery not even the name much less the plot summary of the incident survives. Not even The Shadow knows!
