It's rare when we get to experience monumentally perfect moments in film.
I've told my wife that the first time I saw Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in theatres that you could hear a pin drop during Mr. Spock's final scene with his captain, and that pretty much remains the case today when we've had the good fortune to see it again at festivals and retro-cinema nights. It's an amazingly perfect scene, rendered brilliant by the players, as is the rest of the classic Science Fiction film. Arguably, it's the best in the entire series.
On this day in 1982, Khan first premiered in theatres.
Directed by Nicholas Meyer from a story by Gene Roddenberry, Jack B. Sowards, and Harve Bennett, the film starred William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Ricardo Montalban. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
For the record:
I've told my wife that the first time I saw Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan in theatres that you could hear a pin drop during Mr. Spock's final scene with his captain, and that pretty much remains the case today when we've had the good fortune to see it again at festivals and retro-cinema nights. It's an amazingly perfect scene, rendered brilliant by the players, as is the rest of the classic Science Fiction film. Arguably, it's the best in the entire series.
On this day in 1982, Khan first premiered in theatres.
Directed by Nicholas Meyer from a story by Gene Roddenberry, Jack B. Sowards, and Harve Bennett, the film starred William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and Ricardo Montalban. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the assistance of the Enterprise crew, Admiral Kirk must stop an old nemesis, Khan Noonien Singh, from using the life-generating Genesis Device as the ultimate weapon."
For the record:
- At the 1983 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films), actor William Shatner took home the Saturn Award trophy in the category of 'Best Actor.' Walter Koenig enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Supporting Actor.' Lastly, the film also enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
- At the 1983 Hugo Awards, the film received a nomination in the category of 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
Veteran character actor Geoffrey Palmer has enjoyed great roles across all genres, but Doctor Who fans might know him best from appearances in the 1970's serial "The Mutants" and as 'Captain Hardaker' in "Voyage of the Damned." His long career also afforded visits to Out Of The Unknown, Doomwatch, and Alice Through The Looking Glass (1998). Though he's no longer with us, Palmer was born on this day in 1927. [Source: IMDB.com]
Veteran actor Bruce Dern has had an amazing career, though if you do any amount of research you're likely to find that he's played an awful lot of heavies, psychos, and generally deranged malcontents. Still, a man's gotta work, and Dern has indeed worked very hard in the business. Sci-fi fans know him best as astronaut/botanist Freeman Lowell, the spaceborne caretaker of Earth's last flora aboard a vast space station in Silent Running. When Lowell is given an order to destroy the plants and return home, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Here's the trailer if you're interested: link Dern was born on this day back in 1936.
Star Trek: The Next Generation's first season had a handful of great guest appearances, of which the lovely Michelle Phillips kinda/sorta rekindled a spark of her own with Capt. Jean-Luc Picard. Her career also boasts appearances aboard Automan and Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman. Phillips was born on this day in 1944. [Source: IMDB.com]
Derek McGrath got all "blue in the face" for his guest visits to the greater world of Star Trek: Voyager. McGrath was born on this day in 1951. [Source: IMDB.com]
Screen veteran Keith David shared the silver screen with no less than Vin Diesel himself in 2000's Pitch Black and then again in 2004's The Chronicles of Riddick. His 'man of faith' was a terrific counterpart to Riddick's man of desolation. David was born on this day in 1956.
Decorated actor Bradley Walsh brought a bit of elder maturity to his work aboard the long-running SciFi/Serial Doctor Who during its run. Walsh was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
While I did find the first Transformers movie kinda/sorta fun, the only real bright spot in that entire franchise (so far as this viewer is concerned) were the wonderful performances by the reliable Kevin Dunn and Julie White (centered) as the parents Witwicky. They were 'real' (and funny!) in films that embraced the imaginery, and there's something to be said for that measure of legitimate nuance. Plus ... isn't Julie just lovely in that old-style, classy, big studio kind of way? White was born on this day in 1961.
Earlier in her professional career, Bahni Turpin enjoyed a handful of appearances aboard UPN's Star Trek: Voyager. She also experienced the world of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman in a guest spot. Turpin was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Sean Pertwee has to be one of the busiest actors alive today. Just check out his IMDB.com profile, and you'll see he has over 100 projects to his name throughout his career. Sci-fi fans have seen him in Equilibrum, U.F.O. (aka Alien Uprising). Doomsday, and Event Horizon. And for those who aren't aware, Sean is the son of the late John Pertwee, the third man to play the legendary time traveler Doctor Who. Pertwee was born on this day in 1964 ... and, boy, he sure looks like his dad!
Scott Wolf (above left) got into the SciFi business with the role of smarmy tele-journalist and official spokesperson on behalf of the invading aliens in the rebooted V television series. Wolf was born on this day in 1968.
Julie Gardner has left her own indelible imprint on the world of Science Fiction and Fantasy thanks to her producing abilities over such properties as Doctor Who, The Sarah Jane Adventures, Torchwood, Da Vinci's Demons, and Intruders. Gardner was born on this day in 1969. [Source: Doctor Who Online Guide]
Not long after the fetching Izabella Scorupco went after Russian hackers with James Bond in GoldenEye (1995), she turned her sights on fighting dragons with Christian Bale in Fantasy-themed Reign Of Fire (2002). Scorupco was born on this day in 1970.
Actor Noah Wyle blasted to stardom with a role as a young medical doctor on NBC's ER, but genre fans have come to accept him as Tom Mason, one of the leaders of Earth's resistance against an invading force in Steven Spielberg's TNT sci-fi show, Falling Skies. Mr. Wyle was born on this day back in 1971.
Ronald Moore's newfangled interpretation of Battlestar Galactica was well done most of the time (there are a few episodes I thought lukewarm, at best), but the show certainly packed itself to the gills with some impressive players. James Callis made waves as Dr. Gaius Baltar, a man wracked with guilt over his betrayal of his planet and his people. Callis was born on this day in 1971.
I know a few folks who -- at the time of the film's released -- claimed that Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow was one of the greatest SciFi films ever made. Meh. Its pacing was too lethargic, and too many characters had too little depth for my tastes. Though -- like most -- I did dig its look. Angelina Jolie played the mysterious eye-patched captain of some weird sky barge, and she did a nice job with it. Jolie was born on this day in 1975.
Though he'll no doubt be remembered for his role of Juice on FX's Sons of Anarchy, Theo Rossi has given SciFi fans some work to (Sam)crow about as well. He's turned up in ABC's Lost, CBS's Jericho, Cloverfield, as well as Fox's Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and (later) Alcatraz. Rossi was born on this day in 1975.
The talented Tim Rozon breaths life into no less than 'Doc Holliday' aboard Syfy's Fantasy-themed Wynonna Earp. Rozon was born on this day in 1976.
Armed only with his knowledge of science and a mullet of epic proportions, Josh McDermitt is making risky business out of surviving the Apocalypse aboard AMC's juggernaut The Walking Dead. McDermitt was born on this day in 1978.
Although I can appreciate good performances as much as the next person, I just couldn't sit through very much of Fox TV's Gotham: it's constant 'wink and nod' delivery of the first season really rubbed me wrong. Still, kudos to Robin Lord Taylor for bringing to life 'Oswald Cobblepot' for the Fantasy program. Taylor was born on this day in 1978.
Funnyman T.J. Miller proved he couldn't stand up to so much as a lady in Ryan Reynold's Deadpool (2016). Not so funny when there's a chick at your throat, are you, T.J.? Miller was born on this day in 1981.
Back in 2005's rather forgettable Aeon Flux, Amelia Warner played the theatrical younger sister Una Flux to Charlize Theron's leading role for which the film is named. Warner was born on this day in 1982.
Jillian Murray (above right) found out the hard way that beauty is only skin deep when she caught up with Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (2014). Murray was born on this day in 1984.
The deliriously sexy Oona Chaplin was reduced to a somewhat bloody existence in the guise of 'Talisa Maegyr' for HBO's Fantasy Game Of Thrones ... and she suffered an equally bloody fate. (Can you say "Red Wedding"?) Chaplin was born on this day in 1986.
Fresh-faced Jordan Hinson brought her youthful exuberance to Syfy's Eureka in its early days, and -- by the time the show was over -- she had matured into a very fetching young lass. Her IMDB.com profile shows that she's still dabbling in some campy SciFi properties, so let's all be thankful for small favors. Hinson was born on this day in 1991.
Standing just a smidge over five feet tall, Kathryn Prescott long ago learned to make up for any shortcoming in big performances. As far as genre projects go, she's booked time aboard Being Human, Reign, and The Hive (2015); here's hoping she lands many, many more. Prescott was born on this day in 1991.
A star is born! On this day in 1943 (in the U.S.), Captive Wild Woman enjoyed its very first theatrical engagement ever. Directed by Edward Dmytryk, the SciFi/Horror starred John Carradine, Evelyn Ankers, and Milburn Stone; and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"An insane scientist doing experimentation in glandular research becomes obsessed with transforming a female gorilla into a human...even though it costs human life."
"An insane scientist doing experimentation in glandular research becomes obsessed with transforming a female gorilla into a human...even though it costs human life."
On this day in 1958, the Soviet-language SciFi film Doroga K Zvezdam enjoyed its U.S theatrical premiere. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A groundbreaking popular science fiction film about the past and future of astronautics, from the first experiments by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to the manned spaceflight and colonization of the Moon."
"A groundbreaking popular science fiction film about the past and future of astronautics, from the first experiments by Konstantin Tsiolkovsky to the manned spaceflight and colonization of the Moon."
On this day in 1965 (in Finland), somebody opened up a Crack In The World. Well, cinematically, that is. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A dying scientist pushes forward his project to tap through to the Earth's magma layer, with results that threaten to destroy the Earth as we know it."
"A dying scientist pushes forward his project to tap through to the Earth's magma layer, with results that threaten to destroy the Earth as we know it."
On this day in 1987 (in Mexico), Walt Disney's Flight Of The Navigator took flight. Directed by Randal Kleiser, the SciFi/Thriller starred Joey Cramer, Howard Hesseman, and Cliff De Young; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 1978, a boy travels 8 years into the future and has an adventure with an intelligent, wisecracking alien ship."
"In 1978, a boy travels 8 years into the future and has an adventure with an intelligent, wisecracking alien ship."
A star is born! On this day in 1989 (in Italy), Deadly Weapon fired onto the silver screen. Written (in part) and directed by Michael Miner, the SciFi/Thriller starred Rodney Eastman, Kim Walker, and Gary Frank; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A teenage boy who's bullied both at school by the seniors and at his home by his abusive father finds an experimental laser weapon in a river and ponders revenge. The army general who lost the gun sends his units after the kid."
For the record:
To the film's credit, actor Rodney Eastman enjoyed a 1990 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor.'
"A teenage boy who's bullied both at school by the seniors and at his home by his abusive father finds an experimental laser weapon in a river and ponders revenge. The army general who lost the gun sends his units after the kid."
For the record:
To the film's credit, actor Rodney Eastman enjoyed a 1990 Saturn Award nomination in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor.'
On this day in 1992, Alien Space Avenger crashed down into Earth's theatres! The film starred Robert Prichard and Michael McCleery, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"In 1939 a spaceship carrying four alien escaped prisoners crash-lands on Earth and the aliens take over the bodies of four locals. Fifty years later the aliens find out that an artist has written a comic book called "Space Avenger," which they believe is about them. They go to New York to try to kill the artist."
"In 1939 a spaceship carrying four alien escaped prisoners crash-lands on Earth and the aliens take over the bodies of four locals. Fifty years later the aliens find out that an artist has written a comic book called "Space Avenger," which they believe is about them. They go to New York to try to kill the artist."
A star is born! On this day in 2005, Crimson Force aired as a SciFi/Telefilm for interested audiences. The feature starred Tony Amendola and Taylor Mac Bowyer, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The first space crew to land on Mars find themselves in the middle of a Martian civil war."
"The first space crew to land on Mars find themselves in the middle of a Martian civil war."
On this day in 2008 (in Denmark), audiences saw yet one more incarnation of a destroyed future with the silver screen release of Doomsday. Written and directed by Neil Marshall, the SciFi/Thriller starred Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, and Alexander Siddig; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A futuristic action thriller where a team of people work to prevent a disaster threatening the future of the human race."
"A futuristic action thriller where a team of people work to prevent a disaster threatening the future of the human race."
On this day in 2008 (in Japan), I Am Omega took audiences on yet another tour of the Apocalypse. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In post apocalyptic LA being rampaged by zombie like cannibals humans that have some kind of genetic infection local man renchard is forced to live a daily struggle as he trys to locate radio signals and find a cure."
"In post apocalyptic LA being rampaged by zombie like cannibals humans that have some kind of genetic infection local man renchard is forced to live a daily struggle as he trys to locate radio signals and find a cure."
On this day in 2009, Splice first premiered theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Genetic engineers Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast hope to achieve fame by successfully splicing together the DNA of different animals to create new hybrid animals for medical use."
"Genetic engineers Clive Nicoli and Elsa Kast hope to achieve fame by successfully splicing together the DNA of different animals to create new hybrid animals for medical use."
A star is born! On this day in 2011, Red Factions: Origins sprang into existence. The feature starred Brian J. Smith and Kate Vernon, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"On a Mars colony in the year 2145, an officer in a rebel militia discovers that his sister, who was abducted a dozen years before, is still alive and has been raised as a soldier whose goal is to bring about the destruction of her brother's faction."
"On a Mars colony in the year 2145, an officer in a rebel militia discovers that his sister, who was abducted a dozen years before, is still alive and has been raised as a soldier whose goal is to bring about the destruction of her brother's faction."
A star is born! On this day in 2016, the SciFi/Thriller Shortwave was released to the marketplace. The film starred Cristobal Tapia Montt and Katie Carthen, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A modern and unrelentingly tense psychological thriller based on a theory of the origins of shortwave radio frequencies, Shortwave is an unnerving reminder that some stones are best left unturned."
"A modern and unrelentingly tense psychological thriller based on a theory of the origins of shortwave radio frequencies, Shortwave is an unnerving reminder that some stones are best left unturned."
On this day in 2020 (in Italy), Fast Color enjoyed a premiere on television. Written (in part) and directed by Julia Hart, the SciFi/Drama starred Gugu Mbatha-Raw, David Strathairn, and Saniyya Sidney; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After years in hiding, a woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home."
"After years in hiding, a woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home."
On this day in 2021 (in Estonia, Japan, and Lithuania), Boss Level took it up a notch ... cinematically, that is. Written (in part) and directed by Joe Carnahan, the SciFi/Thriller starred Frank Grillo, Naomi Watts, and Mel Gibson; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, a former special forces agent must unlock the mystery behind his untimely demise."
"Trapped in a time loop that constantly repeats the day of his murder, a former special forces agent must unlock the mystery behind his untimely demise."
On this day in 1955, Adventures of Superman aired "Olsen's Millions." This served as the seventh episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After rescuing a cat owned by eccentric Mrs. Peabody (Elizabeth Patterson), cub reporter Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson) is given a reward--of one million dollars! Much to the dismay of his friends Clark (George Reeves) and Lois (Noel Neill), Jimmy begins throwing away his money on useless creature comforts, including a butler named Herbert (Leonard Carey), who turns out to be in cahoots with con man Stacy Tracey (Richard Reeves). First attempting to defraud Jimmy, Stracy ends up locking the neophyte millionaire and Lois in a safe--whereupon the pair is forced to incinerate "Olsen's millions" in order to create smoke signals that will summon Superman to their rescue."
"After rescuing a cat owned by eccentric Mrs. Peabody (Elizabeth Patterson), cub reporter Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson) is given a reward--of one million dollars! Much to the dismay of his friends Clark (George Reeves) and Lois (Noel Neill), Jimmy begins throwing away his money on useless creature comforts, including a butler named Herbert (Leonard Carey), who turns out to be in cahoots with con man Stacy Tracey (Richard Reeves). First attempting to defraud Jimmy, Stracy ends up locking the neophyte millionaire and Lois in a safe--whereupon the pair is forced to incinerate "Olsen's millions" in order to create smoke signals that will summon Superman to their rescue."
On this day in 1955, Tom Corbett, Space Cadet launched "Fight For Survival." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's that episode's plot summary:
"Tom, Astro and T.J. are delivering a battered spaceship to a Venusian shipyard to be junked when the engines malfunction and the cadets are forced to abandoned ship. The three men land in a remote swamp and, after reuniting manage to find their way to a rescue station. Their relief is short-lived when nearby volcanoes suddenly become active and threatens to kill the cadets with their heat and deadly gas before they can be rescued."
"Tom, Astro and T.J. are delivering a battered spaceship to a Venusian shipyard to be junked when the engines malfunction and the cadets are forced to abandoned ship. The three men land in a remote swamp and, after reuniting manage to find their way to a rescue station. Their relief is short-lived when nearby volcanoes suddenly become active and threatens to kill the cadets with their heat and deadly gas before they can be rescued."
On this day in 1978, Project U.F.O. aired "Sighting 4013: The St. Hilary Incident." This served as the thirteen episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as detailed on IMDB.com:
"Major Gatlin and S Sgt. Fitz go to the St. Hilary Catholic Observatory in Arizona to investigate a sighting by two nuns. One of the nun's wants to leave the order for a career in astrophysics also claims to have communicated with the UFO."
"Major Gatlin and S Sgt. Fitz go to the St. Hilary Catholic Observatory in Arizona to investigate a sighting by two nuns. One of the nun's wants to leave the order for a career in astrophysics also claims to have communicated with the UFO."
On this day in 1979, Battle Of The Planets aired "Victims Of The Hawk." This served as the thirty-sixth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"A young, married couple stayed behind to help defend a base from an attack by Spectra. Both survived and were brought back to Earth as heroes. Zoltar wants to eliminate them (both are eyewitnesses to the Spectran attack) and both have parents that are highly placed in the government. He orders them kidnapped and brought to Spectra. It's up to G-Force to rescue the two from Zoltar."
"A young, married couple stayed behind to help defend a base from an attack by Spectra. Both survived and were brought back to Earth as heroes. Zoltar wants to eliminate them (both are eyewitnesses to the Spectran attack) and both have parents that are highly placed in the government. He orders them kidnapped and brought to Spectra. It's up to G-Force to rescue the two from Zoltar."
On this day in 2000, Code Name: Eternity aired "The Long Drop." This served as the fourth episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While watching the news Ethaniel sees his brother proclaiming that a businessman just seen committing suicide was pushed. Ethaniel and Laura head down to the scene and they find themselves ending up as the police's main suspects. Gant captures them and after they escape they try to follow his brothers trail and find him before Banning does."
"While watching the news Ethaniel sees his brother proclaiming that a businessman just seen committing suicide was pushed. Ethaniel and Laura head down to the scene and they find themselves ending up as the police's main suspects. Gant captures them and after they escape they try to follow his brothers trail and find him before Banning does."
On this day in 2005, Doctor Who aired "Boom Town." This served as the eleventh episode to the (restarted) program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Stopping off in present-day Cardiff to recharge the TARDIS, The Doctor, Rose and Jack encounter an old foe in the midst of hatching a scheme that could destroy the entire planet."
"Stopping off in present-day Cardiff to recharge the TARDIS, The Doctor, Rose and Jack encounter an old foe in the midst of hatching a scheme that could destroy the entire planet."
On this day in 2010, A Good Knight's Quest aired the fifteenth episode of its only season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Chosen One must find his guide in the In-between."
"The Chosen One must find his guide in the In-between."
On this day in 2011, Doctor Who aired "A Good Man Goes To War." This served as the seventh episode of the relaunched series' sixth season, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A member of The Doctor's team has been abducted and he will call in every favor and maybe even go to war to get them back."
"A member of The Doctor's team has been abducted and he will call in every favor and maybe even go to war to get them back."
On this day in 2014, all of the stages were set for what looked to be a massive showdown -- as above so below -- on the CW's teen-themed Apocalypse drama, The 100. The first part of the two-part first season finale was titled "We Are Grounders, Part 1," and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Clarke and Finn come face to face with a new enemy after Lincoln rescues them from Anya, while Bellamy, Raven, Octavia and Jasper deal with a vengeful Murphy. On the Ark, Jaha makes a plan to try and get to Earth."
"Clarke and Finn come face to face with a new enemy after Lincoln rescues them from Anya, while Bellamy, Raven, Octavia and Jasper deal with a vengeful Murphy. On the Ark, Jaha makes a plan to try and get to Earth."
On this day in 1950, The Shadow radio serial aired "Death And The Duchess." Unfortunately, it would appear that the details involving this episode are lost to history, and I've found no synopsis on the internet.
