I don't know about the rest of you, but I grew up on a regular diet of sci-fi movies on television whenever I could find one. In my youth, none stuck with me more than the popular War of the Worlds, based on the epic H.G. Wells novel of the same name. In that picture, Gene Barry played Dr. Clayton Forrester, the man of science caught between helping mankind avert the invasion and saving those he loved most. Barry even had a cameo in Steven Spielberg's tepid 2005 remake, but, for my tastes, he was one of the best reasons to still prefer the original. He was born on this day back in 1919; he passed in December of 2009, but, as a fellow physician reminds us, "He'll never die so long as we remember him."
BIRTHDAYS
Actor Will Patton has an impressive career that currently spans three-and-one-half-decades. This screen veteran has graced sci-fi with his presence in VR.5, The Postman, Armageddon, and TNT's Falling Skies. Patton was born on this day in 1954.
Alexandra Castillo is the kind of actress who pops up in smaller roles and makes the best of them. Since her career began, she's appeared in such sci-fi projects as The 6th Day, Stephen King's The Dead Zone, Mutant X, 2012, and Warehouse 13. Castillo was born on this day in 1971.
Pascale Hutton endured a handful of smaller parts until finally landing a spot as a recurring regular on Syfy's Sanctuary as Abby Corrigan. Since that program ended, she continues to keep busy, though in much more mainstream fare. Corrigan was born on this day in 1979.
I gave Syfy's Helix a chance (three episodes), but it just didn't quite stick. Loved the setting and the premise; it just seemed to really do nothing new with it. Still, I can appreciate a fresh face as much as the next, and Jordan Hayes certainly brought that to her work. Hayes was born on this day in 1987.
Another sci-fi property that underwent a reboot was Bionic Woman. As much as I wanted it to work for me, (again) it just didn't. One bright spot was the young Lucy Hale who played Becca Sommers. Otherwise, Hale can be found as part of the cast to Pretty Little Liars, and she recently released her first album (pop country). Hale was born on this day in 1989.
SCIENCE FICTION MOVIES
D.A.R.Y.L. was one of those films that certainly had an audience in mind: I just wasn't it. It was all a bit too neat, tidy, and sweet for my tastes. Still, the story of the boy with some secret abilities who can't remember where he comes from is probably a delight with younger ones even today. It premiered in theatres on this day back in 1985.
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