Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn was one of those characters who -- despite a truly awful script -- truly lit up the screen when given the chance to throw down opposite Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. I'm not one of those fair-weather-fans who hated all things about the Prequel Trilogy, but I'll be the first to admit the narrative had problems. Think what you may, the gravitas actor Liam Neeson helped stabilize even the weakest of those films. As much as he could, Neeson emboldened Jinn with the right amounts of nobility and (dare I say?) cynicism as the Jedi who sees the fate of the galaxy within his grasp while the Jedi Council wastes time fracturing over every possible mention of Anakin Skywalker bringing "balance" to the Force. (Whatever that was!) Neeson was born on this day back in 1952.
Birthdays
Late in her incredible career, Jessica Tandy was given the opportunity to appear on-screen not once but three times with her real-life hubby Hume Cronyn in sci-fi-themed films: first was in Ron Howard's Cocoon (1985), second was Matthew Robbins' Batteries Not Included (1987), and last was Daniel Petrie's Cocoon: The Return (1988). Though she's no longer with us, Tandy was born on this day in 1909.
I know more people who flat-out hated Mars Attacks! when it premiered in theatres, but what I honestly don't understand is why. To be honest, I enjoyed its good-time shtick from start-to-finish, and, yes, I even loved it when legendary crooner and ladies' panties collector Tom Jones showed up in an absurd role. Jones was born on this day in 1940.
Still, George Lucas's Star Wars isn't the only franchise who had a warrior born on June 7: back in 1969, Anthony Simcoe was brought into this world by way of birth. His face sans make-up is probably not all that recognizable to genre fans, but, once he's properly done up in the guise, he played Ka D'Argo on Syfy's absolutely stellar Farscape. Happy birthday, indeed!
Star Trek (2009). Star Trek Into Darkness. Fox TV's Almost Human. Dredd. Need I go on, or do you get the point? I penned an article for UnrealityMag.com not all that long ago about how Karl Urban had indeed become 'the Man' to watch in sci-fi. Although JJ's Trek films haven't exactly grown on me and although Almost Human didn't make it past its first season, I for one am holding out hope that someone greenlights a Dredd sequel for this man. Urban was born on this day in 1972.
The equally incomparable and delicious Anna Torv is what made watching Fox TV's Fringe such a delight. She put a human face on some otherwise inhuman science, and the opportunity to play both good and evil versions of one single persona gave her a chance to display her acting gifts. Torv was born on this day in 1979.
And that's all I have for today, folks. In the meantime: May the Force Be With You, Live Long & Prosper, So Say We All!
Birthdays
Late in her incredible career, Jessica Tandy was given the opportunity to appear on-screen not once but three times with her real-life hubby Hume Cronyn in sci-fi-themed films: first was in Ron Howard's Cocoon (1985), second was Matthew Robbins' Batteries Not Included (1987), and last was Daniel Petrie's Cocoon: The Return (1988). Though she's no longer with us, Tandy was born on this day in 1909.
I know more people who flat-out hated Mars Attacks! when it premiered in theatres, but what I honestly don't understand is why. To be honest, I enjoyed its good-time shtick from start-to-finish, and, yes, I even loved it when legendary crooner and ladies' panties collector Tom Jones showed up in an absurd role. Jones was born on this day in 1940.
Still, George Lucas's Star Wars isn't the only franchise who had a warrior born on June 7: back in 1969, Anthony Simcoe was brought into this world by way of birth. His face sans make-up is probably not all that recognizable to genre fans, but, once he's properly done up in the guise, he played Ka D'Argo on Syfy's absolutely stellar Farscape. Happy birthday, indeed!
Star Trek (2009). Star Trek Into Darkness. Fox TV's Almost Human. Dredd. Need I go on, or do you get the point? I penned an article for UnrealityMag.com not all that long ago about how Karl Urban had indeed become 'the Man' to watch in sci-fi. Although JJ's Trek films haven't exactly grown on me and although Almost Human didn't make it past its first season, I for one am holding out hope that someone greenlights a Dredd sequel for this man. Urban was born on this day in 1972.
The equally incomparable and delicious Anna Torv is what made watching Fox TV's Fringe such a delight. She put a human face on some otherwise inhuman science, and the opportunity to play both good and evil versions of one single persona gave her a chance to display her acting gifts. Torv was born on this day in 1979.
And that's all I have for today, folks. In the meantime: May the Force Be With You, Live Long & Prosper, So Say We All!
RSS Feed