Good morning, gentle readers, and Happy Friday! Welcome to 'On This Day In Science Fiction History' for March 29, 2024!
You read that right, folks! It's Friday!
Whoop! Whoop Whoop!
Ahhh, it's great to know that Friday is here yet again, and we've been gifted with those magical two days -- better known as "the weekend" -- with which to refresh and reinvigorate ourselves once more. I know, I know, I know ... these are the days we live for, and they're here yet again for your delight and merriment. Welcome to them, you noble warriors, you!
You read that right, folks! It's Friday!
Whoop! Whoop Whoop!
Ahhh, it's great to know that Friday is here yet again, and we've been gifted with those magical two days -- better known as "the weekend" -- with which to refresh and reinvigorate ourselves once more. I know, I know, I know ... these are the days we live for, and they're here yet again for your delight and merriment. Welcome to them, you noble warriors, you!
If there can be only one, then please please please ... let it be Christopher Lambert!
The man's career definitely caught fire in genre circles when he roared onto silver screens in 1986 in Highlander -- another genre film that launched a franchise -- and he re-upped for a handful of subsequent follow-ups. For what it's worth, I enjoyed the flick; I recently rewatched it, and -- for the most part -- it holds up reasonably well for the Action/BMovie that it is. Lambert's work in the project is particularly good, impressive that he can hold his own while up against the great Sean Connery and Clancy Brown, as well. While I'm no big fan of the sequels that I've seen (two? three?), the first picture retains a soft spot in my heart, even though I question the logic of a few sequences and plot turns which might inevitably be a bit too convenient.
And ... isn't this one currently getting a reboot? Why, that's kinda/sorta a shame that we can't just let bygones be bygones any more. An actor like Lambert who isn't exactly a marquee name these days deserves whatever spotlight shone on him for his contributions to film history, and I'd hate to see some contemporary reinvention strip that franchise of its fantastic nostalgia quality. I know you young'uns might disagree, but sometimes it's better just leaving things alone. You'll understand those sentiments when you get older.
Whatever the case, Happy Birthday to Mr. Lambert, wherever he is. And, yes, there can be only one.
The man's career definitely caught fire in genre circles when he roared onto silver screens in 1986 in Highlander -- another genre film that launched a franchise -- and he re-upped for a handful of subsequent follow-ups. For what it's worth, I enjoyed the flick; I recently rewatched it, and -- for the most part -- it holds up reasonably well for the Action/BMovie that it is. Lambert's work in the project is particularly good, impressive that he can hold his own while up against the great Sean Connery and Clancy Brown, as well. While I'm no big fan of the sequels that I've seen (two? three?), the first picture retains a soft spot in my heart, even though I question the logic of a few sequences and plot turns which might inevitably be a bit too convenient.
And ... isn't this one currently getting a reboot? Why, that's kinda/sorta a shame that we can't just let bygones be bygones any more. An actor like Lambert who isn't exactly a marquee name these days deserves whatever spotlight shone on him for his contributions to film history, and I'd hate to see some contemporary reinvention strip that franchise of its fantastic nostalgia quality. I know you young'uns might disagree, but sometimes it's better just leaving things alone. You'll understand those sentiments when you get older.
Whatever the case, Happy Birthday to Mr. Lambert, wherever he is. And, yes, there can be only one.
Those of us who grew up on a steady diet of misplaced blockbusters might very well remember the charms of a flick rarely -- if ever -- heard of these days but at one time from a reasonably respected video store rental: Arena (1989) emerged from the final days of Charles Band's Empire Pictures, and -- if I remember correctly -- its journey to discovery was a bit rocky.
Again, I'm going from memory -- and it's early in the morning, peeps, keep that in mind -- but I believe that the studio was in some dire financial straits. Things were being shutdown and/or seized, and this tiny little gem of a big idea was just finishing up production. I'm fairly certain it never made it to the big screen -- I'm pretty assured that it was finished up and ceremoniously dumped onto home video the way a lot of kinda/sorta forgotten films of yesteryear were -- and that's where it created a bit of a stir. The idea of an alien fight club captivated home audiences who discovered its charms, and the talented cast and crew brought the flick to reasonable life in a way that elevated the 'Rocky Balboa in Space' story above what could've been a real crash-and-burn.
And about that cast? Again, these may not be heavy hitters, but -- for their time and place -- its players are not without some name recognition. Babylon 5's Claudia Christian is in there (would like for her part to have been a bit bigger) as a kinda/sorta love/not-love interest. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine castmembers Armin Shimerman and Marc Alaimo fill out some villainous secondary roles quite nicely. So I'd strongly encourage Trekkies, Trekkers, and general Trek enthusiasts as well as Babylon Fivers to check the film out as it definitely has something to offer.
I had the good fortune of receiving a promotional release of the film (via a distributor) not all that long ago. It was part of a collector's set celebrating some of the best that emerged from Empire Pictures; and, yes, that one gets a solid thumbs up from yours truly as well. Empire didn't always lead the way in big ideas, but their releases were made with the kind of love for the filmmaking process that we don't see all that much any longer.
Again, I'm going from memory -- and it's early in the morning, peeps, keep that in mind -- but I believe that the studio was in some dire financial straits. Things were being shutdown and/or seized, and this tiny little gem of a big idea was just finishing up production. I'm fairly certain it never made it to the big screen -- I'm pretty assured that it was finished up and ceremoniously dumped onto home video the way a lot of kinda/sorta forgotten films of yesteryear were -- and that's where it created a bit of a stir. The idea of an alien fight club captivated home audiences who discovered its charms, and the talented cast and crew brought the flick to reasonable life in a way that elevated the 'Rocky Balboa in Space' story above what could've been a real crash-and-burn.
And about that cast? Again, these may not be heavy hitters, but -- for their time and place -- its players are not without some name recognition. Babylon 5's Claudia Christian is in there (would like for her part to have been a bit bigger) as a kinda/sorta love/not-love interest. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine castmembers Armin Shimerman and Marc Alaimo fill out some villainous secondary roles quite nicely. So I'd strongly encourage Trekkies, Trekkers, and general Trek enthusiasts as well as Babylon Fivers to check the film out as it definitely has something to offer.
I had the good fortune of receiving a promotional release of the film (via a distributor) not all that long ago. It was part of a collector's set celebrating some of the best that emerged from Empire Pictures; and, yes, that one gets a solid thumbs up from yours truly as well. Empire didn't always lead the way in big ideas, but their releases were made with the kind of love for the filmmaking process that we don't see all that much any longer.
Ah, the immortal spin-off.
Sigh.
Folks, I'm not a big fan of the whole idea of spin-offs. Don't get me wrong: I think that, generally speaking, there have been some good sidetracks that have emerged from some great intellectual properties, but they are so few and far between that I've just never quite seen the value. If an idea is good enough to have its own cast and show, then -- well -- so be it, but often times I've seen spin-offs feel more like a watered down incarnation of the original ... then why bother?
Such was the case on this day all the way back in 1968 when no less than the Great Bird of the Galaxy himself -- Gene Roddenberry -- gave TV audiences "Assignment: Earth," an hour of Star Trek that kinda/sorta flirted with the idea of our world being in the custody of a kinda/sorta 'timelord' watching over it and the related events from time. (Actually, the truth is that "Assignment: Earth" started as an idea for its own series, but when that never happened it was incorporated into Trek as a possible open door to continuing Trek if the show was axed by NBC, but that's too much inside baseball for some!) The show introduced Gary Seven (played by the late Robert Lansing) to Trek canon, and -- from what I recall -- he came from a planet that was monitoring events from history, putting things into motion to cement a particular outcome. While the installment was interesting, I guess interest never rose to the level sufficient to take such developments a step further.
However, it's interested to note that Gary Seven has popped up in the wider Trek universe in books and comic installments ... so storytellers have seen the addition one of significant value to the point of playing with it a bit further. Who knows? Perhaps the current crop of creators within Paramount might consider dusting the concept off and giving it a go for Paramount+?
What could it hurt?
Sigh.
Folks, I'm not a big fan of the whole idea of spin-offs. Don't get me wrong: I think that, generally speaking, there have been some good sidetracks that have emerged from some great intellectual properties, but they are so few and far between that I've just never quite seen the value. If an idea is good enough to have its own cast and show, then -- well -- so be it, but often times I've seen spin-offs feel more like a watered down incarnation of the original ... then why bother?
Such was the case on this day all the way back in 1968 when no less than the Great Bird of the Galaxy himself -- Gene Roddenberry -- gave TV audiences "Assignment: Earth," an hour of Star Trek that kinda/sorta flirted with the idea of our world being in the custody of a kinda/sorta 'timelord' watching over it and the related events from time. (Actually, the truth is that "Assignment: Earth" started as an idea for its own series, but when that never happened it was incorporated into Trek as a possible open door to continuing Trek if the show was axed by NBC, but that's too much inside baseball for some!) The show introduced Gary Seven (played by the late Robert Lansing) to Trek canon, and -- from what I recall -- he came from a planet that was monitoring events from history, putting things into motion to cement a particular outcome. While the installment was interesting, I guess interest never rose to the level sufficient to take such developments a step further.
However, it's interested to note that Gary Seven has popped up in the wider Trek universe in books and comic installments ... so storytellers have seen the addition one of significant value to the point of playing with it a bit further. Who knows? Perhaps the current crop of creators within Paramount might consider dusting the concept off and giving it a go for Paramount+?
What could it hurt?
Though I find most comedies more clever than I do actually funny, I still retain a soft spot for genre comedies that actually 'get it right.'
I say that because that simple task isn't always easy to do. A script has to have a measure of respect for whatever is being mocked or lampooned about the genre particulars, otherwise the whole shebang winds up disappointing both the core fans as well as the general audience in the process. But there are times when the stars align and we're delivered an effort worthy of celebration, and I think 2004's Shaun Of The Dead rather deftly balances what makes zombies both funny and serious at the same time.
Granted, much of the film's charm could be chalked up to a great and effective cast, but there remains no number of Simon Peggs or Nick Frosts that can make a flawed concept into a big hit. Edgar Wright's contributions to the script and direction pushes everything toward a cohesive whole, one that audiences embraced then and continue to celebrate to this day. The film turns an incredible 20 years young today, and I've no doubt that it remains a favorite amongst those who've found its deadly delights in measured doses. While I might not find it peak comedy, I think it came along at the right time and the right place -- zombie films were really just making an authentic comeback -- and, thusly, viewers embraced it for all the right reasons.
Pop in your DVD copy and give it a watch today (or stream it, if that's your thang). I think it'll resonate just as strongly now as it did 20 years ago ... and, my friends, that's saying something.
I say that because that simple task isn't always easy to do. A script has to have a measure of respect for whatever is being mocked or lampooned about the genre particulars, otherwise the whole shebang winds up disappointing both the core fans as well as the general audience in the process. But there are times when the stars align and we're delivered an effort worthy of celebration, and I think 2004's Shaun Of The Dead rather deftly balances what makes zombies both funny and serious at the same time.
Granted, much of the film's charm could be chalked up to a great and effective cast, but there remains no number of Simon Peggs or Nick Frosts that can make a flawed concept into a big hit. Edgar Wright's contributions to the script and direction pushes everything toward a cohesive whole, one that audiences embraced then and continue to celebrate to this day. The film turns an incredible 20 years young today, and I've no doubt that it remains a favorite amongst those who've found its deadly delights in measured doses. While I might not find it peak comedy, I think it came along at the right time and the right place -- zombie films were really just making an authentic comeback -- and, thusly, viewers embraced it for all the right reasons.
Pop in your DVD copy and give it a watch today (or stream it, if that's your thang). I think it'll resonate just as strongly now as it did 20 years ago ... and, my friends, that's saying something.
Regular readers of SciFiHistory.Net know that -- despite by best efforts -- even I am not above the occasional political jab.
I do try very, very, very hard to keep politics out of these pages (seriously, folks, you have no idea how many actors and actresses I take issue with for any number of reasons); and, sadly, it ain't always easy. That fact is owed to the reality that actors and actresses -- for whatever their reasons -- do get coopted often into speaking out on their pet causes. While I respect everyone's right to choose and pontificate, I just don't appreciate platforms built for entertainment purposes being employed as gateways to (cough cough) social justice. Sorry, peeps, that's just how I'm wired. Keep your politics to yourself because -- if you want to go there -- you become as much part of the problem as you could possibly be the solution.
So ...
Happy Birthday to the lovely Lucy Lawless!
While she and I might disagree on affairs of the mind, I just thoroughly love her work in genre projects near and far. Her Xena: Warrior Princess definitely brought a whole new contingent of fans to Fantasy, and it was neato-keen to see her as well crafting a whole new level of mythology to Syfy's recooked Battlestar Galactica. (I wasn't as much a fan of that show as many.) Then ... Starz Network's incredible Spartacus adaptation isn't exactly SciFi or Fantasy, but -- man oh man -- was that appointment television of what for those of us who watched it?! Plus, she made a lovely addition to the Evil Dead TV series while that filled up the Boob Tube as well.
I do try very, very, very hard to keep politics out of these pages (seriously, folks, you have no idea how many actors and actresses I take issue with for any number of reasons); and, sadly, it ain't always easy. That fact is owed to the reality that actors and actresses -- for whatever their reasons -- do get coopted often into speaking out on their pet causes. While I respect everyone's right to choose and pontificate, I just don't appreciate platforms built for entertainment purposes being employed as gateways to (cough cough) social justice. Sorry, peeps, that's just how I'm wired. Keep your politics to yourself because -- if you want to go there -- you become as much part of the problem as you could possibly be the solution.
So ...
Happy Birthday to the lovely Lucy Lawless!
While she and I might disagree on affairs of the mind, I just thoroughly love her work in genre projects near and far. Her Xena: Warrior Princess definitely brought a whole new contingent of fans to Fantasy, and it was neato-keen to see her as well crafting a whole new level of mythology to Syfy's recooked Battlestar Galactica. (I wasn't as much a fan of that show as many.) Then ... Starz Network's incredible Spartacus adaptation isn't exactly SciFi or Fantasy, but -- man oh man -- was that appointment television of what for those of us who watched it?! Plus, she made a lovely addition to the Evil Dead TV series while that filled up the Boob Tube as well.
But ... is that all?
Is there nothing more?
Oh, come on, man! You already know the answer to that! There's not only more but there's a great deal more. I never leave you hanging -- especially not when there's a mind-blowing 70 different genre trivia citations I've found -- and I challenge each and every one of you to head on over to the Daily Citation Page for March 29 to see for yourself just what goodness there is to genre entertainment. Dare I say there's something for everyone ... and I hope in those words you find at least one item to tickle your fancy on this Friday. You deserve to have your fancy tickled.
As always, thank you for reading ... thank you for sharing ... thank you for being a fan ... and live long and prosper!
-- EZ
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