With over 100 films to his credit, is it any wonder that SciFi fans will probably always know Gustav Fröhlich for his work as 'Freder' aboard Fritz Lang's SciFi classic Metropolis (1927)? Though he's no longer with us, Fröhlich was born on this day in 1902.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 1973, the actor was given an Honorary Award from the German Film Awards for his contribution to German film over the years.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 1973, the actor was given an Honorary Award from the German Film Awards for his contribution to German film over the years.
With well over one hundred different screen credits, Logan Ramsey still made time for appearances in Science Fiction. Fans recognize him from roles in The Man From U.N.C.L.E., Star Trek, Mork & Mindy, Battlestar Galactica (ABC) , The Beast Within (1982), Knight Rider, ALF, and Scrooged (1988). Though he's no longer with us, Ramsey was born on this day in 1921.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
James Coco is a name that doesn't exactly scream Science Fiction. Still, he managed a few appearances of note, including work aboard The Ray Bradbury Theatre, The Twilight Zone, and The Stepford Children (1987). Though he's no longer with us, Coco was born on this day in 1930.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Illustrator Al Williamson helped such projects climb off the page as Weird Science, Weird Fantasy, and Weird Science-Fiction, and Flash Gordon. Though he's no longer with us, Williamson was born on this day in 1931.
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
[Source: Wikipedia.org]
Lorene Yarnell Jansson enjoyed a fairly diverse life in the world in entertainment. Genre fans are probably most familiar with her work aboard Wonder Woman, The Wild Wild West Revisited (1979), and as the droid 'Dot Matrix' aboard Mel Brooks' Spaceballs. Though she's no longer with us, Jansson was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Throughout her tenure in the entertainment business, Hilary Minster garnered guest spots aboard such series as Timeslip, Doctor Who, The Tomorrow People, and Bugs. Though she's no longer with us, Minster was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Before he became James Bond, actor Timothy Dalton played Prince Barin in 1980's deliciously campy Flash Gordon reboot. (Meh, it sadly didn't take, but a sequel would've been nice for those of us who embraced the vision.) He's also booked appearances in The Rocketeer, Tales from Earthsea, Doctor Who, and Hot Fuzz for good measure. Dalton was born on this day in 1944.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Any smilers out there remember the Saturday morning live action children's SciFi program better known as Ark II? If you do, then you must remember the lovely Jean Marie Hon, one of principle stars of the show. She went on to guest aboard Man From Atlantis as well as the SciFi/Telefilm Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983). Hon was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Sabrina Le Beauf had the chance to pilot the Enterprise-D aboard "Gambit," a two-part episode of the popular Star Trek: The Next Generation. Le Beauf was born on this day in 1958.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
So far as this SciFi fan is concerned, there was a lot wrong with the RoboCop (2014) reboot -- video-game intensity of the plot; no real strong emotional core to Det. Murphy's struggle; and no charismatic villain in sight. If you want my real lowdown, then you can find my review right here. But one of the things they got right was casting screen veteran Gary Oldman as the kind-hearted Dr. Dennett Norton, RoboCop's kinda/sorta creator. Goldman was born on this day in 1958.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Jon Macht is a special effects wizard who has contributed to such properties as Masters of the Universe (1987) and Star Trek: Renegades. Macht was born on this day in 1960.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Note to director Roland Emmerich: Matthew Broderick is no action star. Period. FYI: He was Ferris Bueller (for God's sake!), and he did just fine with that. So the next time you want to try to update any monster movie (such as 1998's Godzilla), try casting an action star in an action star role. Broderick was born on this day in 1962.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Cynthia Geary burst onto the pop culture scene with her work as the plucky and attractive 'Shelley' aboard CBS's quirky Alaska comedy Northern Exposure. Thankfully, she's dabbled in SciFi with performances in The Outer Limits and the Fantasy/Telefilm Bigfoot (2012). Geary was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Remember Star Trek (2009)? Remember that somewhat cocky engineer who overshot the potential space-drop landing aboard that destructive Romulan drill that destroyed Vulcan? That was Greg Ellis. Check out his profile on IMDB.com, and you'll find he's a very impressive resume of voiceover work as well as live appearances. Ellis was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Jaye Davidson had very little acting experience when he burst onto the scene in The Crying Game (1992) and then followed it up with a SciFi star turn in Roland Emmerich's Stargate (1994) ... and it kinda showed. As the Egyptian God (or was he?) Ra, he pretty much stood there and tried to make his small frame look menacing. Davidson was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Lisa Ann Russell earned some SciFi credentials aboard A.P.E.X., a SciFi/Thriller from Blue Rider Pictures. Russell was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
As I've always said, fandom loves it when a gal plays dress-up ... and those are sentiments I suspect the yummy Vanessa Branch can appreciate. In Star Trek: Voyager's seventh season, she played the adult version of fan favorite Naomi Wildman in the episode titled "Shattered." Branch was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Luscious Laura Allen left fandom swooning (can you blame us?) over her work as Lily Moore Tyler in the USA Network original The 4400, the tale of UFO abductees being returned to Earth years later with some minor modifications to their DNA. Allen was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I don't have Netflix (probably never will, either, due to the President's pronounced anti-American sentiments), so I've never seen the Wachowskis' Sense8. I have been told I'm not missing much as even critics have found it somewhat perplexing. In any event, actor Joseph Mawle stars aboard the streaming vehicle. Mawle was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Even though I loved most of Fox TV's The X-Files in its original television fun, I honestly didn't much care for the recent relaunched miniseries. Sure, it had great potential as well as some solid ideas, but methinks the glory days of the program are well in the past at this point. Stilll, funnyman Rhys Darby had a great guest role, though his story was far too tongue-in-cheek for me to really celebrate it. Darby was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Voice actress Rachael MacFarlane has provided tracks to such projects as Samurai jack, The Batman, The Incredible Hulk, and Starcraft II: Wings Of Liberty (2010). MacFarlane was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
I have a secret fondness for the much maligned AVP: Aliens Vs. Predator. I get that it probably wasn't bled from the same thematic vein that gave us Alien or even Aliens, but it had a kind of B-movie quality that made it a fun popcorn movie for me. Sam Troughton had a small role in it, so kudos to the man. He's also appeared in the BBC's Robin Hood as well as the dark drama Hex. Troughton was born on this day in 1977.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though he may be better recognized from work in dramas, Bruno Langley did offer up a pair of guest spots aboard the BBC's popular Doctor Who. Langley was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Natalie Gumede enjoyed a guest spot aboard Doctor Who's episode "Last Christmas" in 2014. Gumede was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Playboy playmate Tamara Witmer flexed her acting chops for work aboard the SciFi feature Supergator (2007) for New Horizons Pictures. Witmer was born on this day in 1984.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
She hunted zombies on AMC's stellar The Walking Dead, and Sonequa Martin-Green had a role in the SciFi flick Shockwave Darkside back in 2014. More recently, she went boldly where no one has gone before aboard CBS's web-based Star Trek: Discovery, debatedly one of the very worst incarnations of the Gene Roddenberry juggernaut ever. Martin-Green was born on this day in 1985.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Scott Eastwood was one of the regulars who worked very hard to make the Suicide Squad (2016) get along with one another. Eastwood was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Jasmin Savoy Brown continues to impress in the realm of Fantasy with work aboard Stitchers and HBO's The Leftovers. Brown was born on this day in 1994.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
When Power Rangers (2017) finally came to the silver screen, young RJ Cyler stepped into the shoes of the Blue Ranger. Thankfull, the young talent has continued to build his genre credentials, and fans can see his work on display aboard such properties as Black Lightning, Swamp Thing, and Scream: The TV Series. Cyler was born on this day in 1995.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1927 (in Finland), the SciFi/Classic Metropolis gave mankind one of its earliest looks into what was possible on the silver screen. Written (in part) and directed by Fritz Lang, the feature film starred Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences."
For the record:
There are some who say that it wasn't until Fritz Lang's Metropolis made its silver screen debut that Science Fiction -- as a motion picture -- was truly born, and I suppose there might be a glimmer of truth to that. Arguably, the film probably wasn't as revered in its time as its become as the years have gone by, but the same could be said of other pictures in their respective genres. IMDB.com denotes only a single critical citation back then -- it received a nomination in the category of 'Most Popular Film' at the 1927 Faro Island Film Festival -- and it has racked up some solid accolades since then, especially with its 2002 restoration and subsequent home video releases.
"In a futuristic city sharply divided between the working class and the city planners, the son of the city's mastermind falls in love with a working-class prophet who predicts the coming of a savior to mediate their differences."
For the record:
There are some who say that it wasn't until Fritz Lang's Metropolis made its silver screen debut that Science Fiction -- as a motion picture -- was truly born, and I suppose there might be a glimmer of truth to that. Arguably, the film probably wasn't as revered in its time as its become as the years have gone by, but the same could be said of other pictures in their respective genres. IMDB.com denotes only a single critical citation back then -- it received a nomination in the category of 'Most Popular Film' at the 1927 Faro Island Film Festival -- and it has racked up some solid accolades since then, especially with its 2002 restoration and subsequent home video releases.
On this day in 1931 (in Sweden), beauty and genetics combined in the dreamy Alraune. Directed by Richard Oswald from a story by Hanns Heinz Ewers, Charlie Roellinghoff, and Richard Weisbach, the SciFi/Drama starred Brigitte Helm, Albert Bassermann, Harald Paulsen, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A scientist, Professor Jakob ten Brinken, interested in the laws of heredity, impregnates a prostitute in a laboratory with the semen of a hanged murderer. The prostitute conceives a female child who has no concept of love, whom the professor adopts. The girl, Alraune, suffers from obsessive sexuality and perverse relationships throughout her life. She learns of her unnatural origins and she avenges herself against the professor."
"A scientist, Professor Jakob ten Brinken, interested in the laws of heredity, impregnates a prostitute in a laboratory with the semen of a hanged murderer. The prostitute conceives a female child who has no concept of love, whom the professor adopts. The girl, Alraune, suffers from obsessive sexuality and perverse relationships throughout her life. She learns of her unnatural origins and she avenges herself against the professor."
A star is born!
On this day in 1938 (in the U.S.), the second of the original Flash Gordon serials -- Flash Gordon's Trip To Mars -- roared into the cinematic heavens! Directed by Ford Beebe, Robert F. Hill, and Frederick Stephani, the feature starred Buster Crabbe, Jean Rogers, Charles Middleton, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a deadly Nitron ray strikes Earth, Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to battle Ming the Merciless and his new ally Queen Azura."
"When a deadly Nitron ray strikes Earth, Flash Gordon and his friends travel to Mars to battle Ming the Merciless and his new ally Queen Azura."
On this day back in 1941 (in Portugal), the original 'Savior of the Universe' made his presence known on the silver screen with the release of Flash Gordon Conquers The Universe. Directed by Ford Beebe andn Ray Taylor, the SciFi/Fantasy serial starred Buster Crabbe, Carol Hughes, and Charles Middleton. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov return to the planet Mongo for an antidote to the Purple Death, which wreaking destruction on Earth. However, Ming the Merciless has other plans for them."
For the record:
It deserves mention that this serial received a nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form' from the 1941 Hugo Awards, an honor it lost out on to Walt Disney's Fantasia. Still ... pretty good company to be in, eh?
"Flash Gordon, Dale Arden and Dr. Zarkov return to the planet Mongo for an antidote to the Purple Death, which wreaking destruction on Earth. However, Ming the Merciless has other plans for them."
For the record:
It deserves mention that this serial received a nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation - Long Form' from the 1941 Hugo Awards, an honor it lost out on to Walt Disney's Fantasia. Still ... pretty good company to be in, eh?
On this day in 1958 (in Austria), Rocketship X-M blasted off onto its way into the hearts of viewers. Directed by Kurt Neumann, the SciFi/Drama starred Lloyd Bridges, Osa Massen, John Emery, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An astronaut crew on their way to the Moon are unexpectedly propelled by gravitational forces and end up on Mars instead."
For the record:
For those who like this sort of trivia, Rocketship X-M went on to be nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation for the 1951 Hugo Awards, which were actually held retroactively in 2001. (The film lost the Hugo to George Pal's Destination Moon.)
ExtraExtra Alert:
I received a complimentary DVD release of Rocketship X-M in 2022. Interested in knowing what I thought about the movie? Readers can find my review right here.
"An astronaut crew on their way to the Moon are unexpectedly propelled by gravitational forces and end up on Mars instead."
For the record:
For those who like this sort of trivia, Rocketship X-M went on to be nominated for the Best Dramatic Presentation for the 1951 Hugo Awards, which were actually held retroactively in 2001. (The film lost the Hugo to George Pal's Destination Moon.)
ExtraExtra Alert:
I received a complimentary DVD release of Rocketship X-M in 2022. Interested in knowing what I thought about the movie? Readers can find my review right here.
On this day in 1958 (in France), The Deadly Mantis crawled into theatres. Directed by Nathan Juran from a story by Martin Berkeley and William Alland, the feature starred Craig Stevens, William Hopper, Alix Talton, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A giant prehistoric praying mantis, recently freed from the Arctic ice, voraciously preys on American military at the DEW Line and works its way south."
"A giant prehistoric praying mantis, recently freed from the Arctic ice, voraciously preys on American military at the DEW Line and works its way south."
A star is born ... but this one might be a pentagram!
On this day in 1960 (in the United Kingdom), The Devil's Partner got down on his knees ... and prayed for Evil! Directed by Charles R. Rondeau, the Horror/Fantasy starred Edgar Buchanan, Jean Allison, Richard Crane, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An old man sells his soul to the devil, and turns into a young man. He then uses witchcraft and black magic to win a woman from his rival."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In early 2024, I was offered a complimentary Blu-ray of The Devil's Partner from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts? Readers can find my review right here.
"An old man sells his soul to the devil, and turns into a young man. He then uses witchcraft and black magic to win a woman from his rival."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In early 2024, I was offered a complimentary Blu-ray of The Devil's Partner from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts? Readers can find my review right here.
A star is born!
On this day in 1962 (in Japan), Gorath lumbered onto the silver screen. Directed by Ishirô Honda from a story by Takeshi Kimura, Jôjirô Okami, and John Meredyth Lucas, the SciFi feature starred Ryô Ikebe, Yumi Shirakawa, Akira Kubo, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In 1980, a giant planetoid named Gorath is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth. Even though it is smaller than Earth, its mass is huge enough to crush the Earth and destroy it. A mission sent to observe Gorath is destroyed after all the orbiting ships are drawn into the planetoid. A later mission is sent to observe and the crew barely leaves before suffering the same fate. However Astronaut Tatsuo Kanai is left in a catatonic state due to his near death experience. The Earth's scientists then come up with a desperate plan to build giant rockets at the South Pole to move Earth out of Gorath's path before it is too late."
"In 1980, a giant planetoid named Gorath is discovered to be on a collision course with Earth. Even though it is smaller than Earth, its mass is huge enough to crush the Earth and destroy it. A mission sent to observe Gorath is destroyed after all the orbiting ships are drawn into the planetoid. A later mission is sent to observe and the crew barely leaves before suffering the same fate. However Astronaut Tatsuo Kanai is left in a catatonic state due to his near death experience. The Earth's scientists then come up with a desperate plan to build giant rockets at the South Pole to move Earth out of Gorath's path before it is too late."
On this day in 1968 (in London), Planet Of The Apes enjoyed a run at the box office. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner and based on the novel by Pierre Boulle (with the adaptation in part completed by The Twilight Zone master Rod Serling), the feature starred Charlton Heston, Kim Hunter, Roddy McDowall, and others. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
For the record:
Decades later, Planet Of The Apes continues to impress both with the impact of the original film as well as the franchise's recreation in the 2000's. The feature was nominated for the 1969 Oscars in both the Best Costume Design and the Best Music (Original Score) categories but failed to capture the prized statue. Legendary make-up technician John Chambers did, however, secure an honorary Oscar for his achievements in bringing the Apes to life for the motion picture. So far as this viewer is concerned, I prefer these original Apes over the CGI creations of the modern era.
"An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved."
For the record:
Decades later, Planet Of The Apes continues to impress both with the impact of the original film as well as the franchise's recreation in the 2000's. The feature was nominated for the 1969 Oscars in both the Best Costume Design and the Best Music (Original Score) categories but failed to capture the prized statue. Legendary make-up technician John Chambers did, however, secure an honorary Oscar for his achievements in bringing the Apes to life for the motion picture. So far as this viewer is concerned, I prefer these original Apes over the CGI creations of the modern era.
A star is born!
On this day in 1969 (in Japan), the big flying turtle was back in the cinemas for the theatrical release of Gamera Vs Guiron (aka Gamera tai daiakuju Giron). Directed by Noriaki Yuasa from a story by Niisan Takahashi, the Monster movie starred Nobuhiro Kajima, Miyuki Akiyama, Christopher Murphy, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Aliens kidnap two children and take them to another planet for the purpose of getting knowledge from their brains, but Gamera follows and tries to rescue them."
"Aliens kidnap two children and take them to another planet for the purpose of getting knowledge from their brains, but Gamera follows and tries to rescue them."
A star is born!
On this day in 1970 (in Japan), the flying turtle returned to theaters once again for the glorious theatrical launch of Gamera Vs Jiger (aka Gamera tai Daimaju Jaiga). Directed by Noriaki Yuasa and Shigeo Tanaka from a story by Niisan Takahashi, the Monster movie starred Tsutomu Takakuwa, Kelly Varis, Katherine Murphy, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When an ancient statue is moved for display in Expo '70, a giant, vaguely Triceratops-like monster is released. The monster goes to Japan in pursuit of the statue and ends up battling Gamera, the giant flying turtle."
"When an ancient statue is moved for display in Expo '70, a giant, vaguely Triceratops-like monster is released. The monster goes to Japan in pursuit of the statue and ends up battling Gamera, the giant flying turtle."
On this day in 1971 (in New York City), The Andromeda Strain showed audiences one of the potential dangers of space bacteria. Adapted from the novel by Michael Crichton, the SciFi/Drama was directed by Robert Wise and starred James Olson, Arthur Hill, David Wayne, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped."
For the record:
The Andromeda Strain enjoyed a pair of Oscar nominations -- 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction' and 'Best Film Editing' -- at the 1972 Academy Awards ceremony but, alas, lost out in both categories. It also received an impressive Hugo Award nominations for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"A team of top scientists work feverishly in a secret, state-of-the-art laboratory to discover what has killed the citizens of a small town and learn how this deadly contagion can be stopped."
For the record:
The Andromeda Strain enjoyed a pair of Oscar nominations -- 'Best Art Direction - Set Direction' and 'Best Film Editing' -- at the 1972 Academy Awards ceremony but, alas, lost out in both categories. It also received an impressive Hugo Award nominations for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
A star is born!
On this day in 1972 (in Italy), Amuck brought a knife to a knife fight. Written and directed for the screen by Silvio Amadio, the Horror/Thriller starred Farley Granger, Barbara Bouchet, Rosalba Neri, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The secretary of a writer and his wife investigates the disappearance of her lover - their previous secretary - and finds herself the target of the couple's erotic desires and a murder plot."
"The secretary of a writer and his wife investigates the disappearance of her lover - their previous secretary - and finds herself the target of the couple's erotic desires and a murder plot."
A star is born!
On this day in 1972 (in the U.S.), the good people of Chicago, Illinois were treated to the silver screen premiere of The Twilight People. Written (in part) and directed by Eddie Romero (based on H.G. Wells' novel "The Island Of Dr. Moreau"), the SciFi/Fantasy starred John Ashley, Pat Woodell, Pam Grier, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A kidnapped diver is taken to an island inhabited by a mad scientist and his half-animal, half-human creations."
"A kidnapped diver is taken to an island inhabited by a mad scientist and his half-animal, half-human creations."
A star is born!
On this day in 1974 (in Japan), Godzilla roared onto the silver screen once more with the theatrical release of Godzilla Vs Mechagodzilla. Written (in part) and directed by Jun Fukuda, this massive Monster Movie starred Masaaki Daimon, Kazuya Aoyama, Reiko Tajima, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An Okinawan prophecy appears to foretell Earth's destruction at the hands of Godzilla, only for the true Godzilla to reveal his doppelganger as a mechanical alien weapon."
"An Okinawan prophecy appears to foretell Earth's destruction at the hands of Godzilla, only for the true Godzilla to reveal his doppelganger as a mechanical alien weapon."
A star is born!
In the 1970's, even the Walt Disney Company had a few campy SciFi and Fantasy films they used to woo families into theatres. Evidence A: Escape To Witch Mountain. It premiered theatrically on this day in 1975 (in the U.S. and Ireland). Directed by John Hough from a screenplay adapted (by Robert Malcolm Young) from Alexander Key's 1968 novel, the feature starred Kim Richards, Ike Eisenmann, Eddie Albert, and others. Here's the film's plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Two mysterious orphan children have extraordinary powers and are chased by a scheming millionaire. But where do these kids really call home?"
"Two mysterious orphan children have extraordinary powers and are chased by a scheming millionaire. But where do these kids really call home?"
A star is born!
On this day in 1977 (in the U.S.), Audrey Rose enjoyed its first exhibition of record when it was screened for audiences of the USA Film Festival. Directed by Robert Wise from a script by Frank De Felitta, the film starred Anthony Hopkins, Marsha Mason, John Beck, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A stranger attempts to convince a happily married couple that their daughter is actually his daughter reincarnated."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was offered a complimentary Blu-ray copy of Audrey Rose by the good people at Arrow Films in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in knowing my thoughts on the film? Readers can find my review right here.
"A stranger attempts to convince a happily married couple that their daughter is actually his daughter reincarnated."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I was offered a complimentary Blu-ray copy of Audrey Rose by the good people at Arrow Films in exchange for a review on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in knowing my thoughts on the film? Readers can find my review right here.
A star is born!
A star is born! On this day in 1978 (in Italy), The Medusa Touch enjoyed its first theatrical exhibition ever. Directed by Jack Gold and adapted (by John Briley) from Peter Van Greenaway's novel, the SciFi/Horror starred Richard Burton, Lee Remick, Lino Ventura, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A telekinetic novelist causes disasters simply by thinking about them."
For the record:
In 1979, The Meduca Touch was nominated for the Saturn Award's 'Best Horror Film,' an honor it missed out on winning.
"A telekinetic novelist causes disasters simply by thinking about them."
For the record:
In 1979, The Meduca Touch was nominated for the Saturn Award's 'Best Horror Film,' an honor it missed out on winning.
On this day in 1980 (in Portugal), Star Trek: The Motion Picture brought Kirk and company to the silver screen. Directed by Robert Wise, the feature film starred William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When an alien spacecraft of enormous power is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk resumes command of the overhauled USS Enterprise in order to intercept it."
For the record:
Star Trek enjoyed a trio of Academy Awards nominations -- 'Best Art Direction - Set Decoration,' 'Best Effects - Visual Effects,' and 'Best Music - Original Score' -- yet failed to take home any trophies. It did, however, take home the Saturn Award for 'Best Special Effects' in the 1980 ceremony. Lastly, it enjoyed the nomination only for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1980 Hugo Awards.
"When an alien spacecraft of enormous power is spotted approaching Earth, Admiral James T. Kirk resumes command of the overhauled USS Enterprise in order to intercept it."
For the record:
Star Trek enjoyed a trio of Academy Awards nominations -- 'Best Art Direction - Set Decoration,' 'Best Effects - Visual Effects,' and 'Best Music - Original Score' -- yet failed to take home any trophies. It did, however, take home the Saturn Award for 'Best Special Effects' in the 1980 ceremony. Lastly, it enjoyed the nomination only for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' from the 1980 Hugo Awards.
On this day in 1982 (in the U.S.), Forbidden Zone turned up the heat in the world of the Fantasy/Musical genre. Written (in part) and directed by Richard Elfman, the feature starred Gene Cunningham, Marie-Pascale Elfman, Virginia Rose, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The bizarre and musical tale of a girl who travels to another dimension through the gateway found in her family's basement."
For the record:
At the 1981 Saturn Awardds, Forbidden Zone was nominated in the category of 'Best Low-Budget Film.'
"The bizarre and musical tale of a girl who travels to another dimension through the gateway found in her family's basement."
For the record:
At the 1981 Saturn Awardds, Forbidden Zone was nominated in the category of 'Best Low-Budget Film.'
On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), Google.com reports that Chopping Mall enjoyed its 'test market release.' Written (in part) and directed by Jim Wynorski, the SciFi/Horror starred Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, Russell Todd, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of young shopping mall employees stay behind for a late night party in one of the stores. When the mall goes on lock-down before they can get out, the robot security system malfunctions, and goes on a killing spree."
"A group of young shopping mall employees stay behind for a late night party in one of the stores. When the mall goes on lock-down before they can get out, the robot security system malfunctions, and goes on a killing spree."
On this day in 1986 (in Portugal), D.A.R.Y.L. put the mind of a genius into the brain of a young boy ... or was he? Directed by Simon Wincer, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Barret Oliver, Mary Beth Hurt, Michael McKean, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A seemingly normal young boy is discovered abandoned on a mountain road and adopted by a family who are increasingly amazed by his abilities before discovering the secret behind his real identity."
For the record:
In 1986, the Saturn Awards gifted young Mr. Oliver -- the film's star -- with the award for 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor.'
"A seemingly normal young boy is discovered abandoned on a mountain road and adopted by a family who are increasingly amazed by his abilities before discovering the secret behind his real identity."
For the record:
In 1986, the Saturn Awards gifted young Mr. Oliver -- the film's star -- with the award for 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor.'
A star is born!
On this day in 1986 (in the U.S.), Gobots: Battle Of The Rock Lords served up animated SciFi action for the young at heart. Directed by Don Lusk, Ray Patterson, and Alan Zaslove from a story by Jeff Segal, this feature starred the voices of Roddy McDowall, Margot Kidder, Telly Savalas, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Go-Bots fight to rescue the Rock People."
"The Go-Bots fight to rescue the Rock People."
On this day in 1987 (in the Netherlands), Critters was screened as part of an exclusive engagement for an event titled The Weekend Of Terror. Written (in part) and directed by Stephen Herek, the SciFi/Satire starred Dee Wallace, M. Emmet Walsh, Billy Green Bush, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A group of small but vicious alien creatures called Crites escape from an alien prison transport vessel and land near a small farm town on earth, pursued by two shape-shifting bounty hunters."
For the record:
At the 1987 Saturn Awards, actor Scott Grimes earned a nomination in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor' for his work aboard Critters (1986).
"A group of small but vicious alien creatures called Crites escape from an alien prison transport vessel and land near a small farm town on earth, pursued by two shape-shifting bounty hunters."
For the record:
At the 1987 Saturn Awards, actor Scott Grimes earned a nomination in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor' for his work aboard Critters (1986).
On this day in 1989, Gor II (aka Outlaw Of Gor and occasionally just Outlaw) premiered in the United States. Directed by John 'Bud' Cardos from a story by John Norman, Harry Alan Towers, and Rick Marx, the SciFi/Fantasy picture starred Rebecca Ferratti, Jack Palance, Urbano Barberini, and others. Here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"An Earthman returns to the planet Gor, and fights against tyranny."
For the record:
Gor II's original release date at present appears lost to history (though I'm always searching, folks). For those who are interested in this sort of trivia, the lovely Rebecca Ferratti was featured as the 'Playmate Of The Month' in 1986's June Playboy Magazine. (Ask your parents, kids.) Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Outlaw didn't escape the comic wrath of those lovable knuckleheads at Mystery Science Theater 3000 as it was lampooned by those yucksters in their December 11, 1993 broadcast.
"An Earthman returns to the planet Gor, and fights against tyranny."
For the record:
Gor II's original release date at present appears lost to history (though I'm always searching, folks). For those who are interested in this sort of trivia, the lovely Rebecca Ferratti was featured as the 'Playmate Of The Month' in 1986's June Playboy Magazine. (Ask your parents, kids.) Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Outlaw didn't escape the comic wrath of those lovable knuckleheads at Mystery Science Theater 3000 as it was lampooned by those yucksters in their December 11, 1993 broadcast.
On this day in 1991 (in Germany), Prayer of the Rollerboys enjoyed earning its place in SciFi history. Directed by Rick King from a story by W. Peter Iliff, the feature starred Corey Haim, Patricia Arquette, Christopher Collet, and others. Here's the plot summation as provided by IMDB.com:
"Set in an unspecified time in the future, USA has declined and become a country of violence and racial prejudice. Griffin earns his living delivering pizzas while he tries to take care of his little brother. An old friend of his, Gary Lee, is the leader of a gang with big ambitions, the Rollerboys. Griff joins them to help the police keep track of the gang."
For the record:
Prayer is another one of those flicks whose original theatrical presentation date is lost to history right now, though it apparently screened at a film festival in Italy sometime during 1990. Still, the film did receive a nomination for Best Science Fiction Film from the 1992 Saturn Awards as well as a nom for Best Performance By A Younger Actor given to the late Corey Haim.
"Set in an unspecified time in the future, USA has declined and become a country of violence and racial prejudice. Griffin earns his living delivering pizzas while he tries to take care of his little brother. An old friend of his, Gary Lee, is the leader of a gang with big ambitions, the Rollerboys. Griff joins them to help the police keep track of the gang."
For the record:
Prayer is another one of those flicks whose original theatrical presentation date is lost to history right now, though it apparently screened at a film festival in Italy sometime during 1990. Still, the film did receive a nomination for Best Science Fiction Film from the 1992 Saturn Awards as well as a nom for Best Performance By A Younger Actor given to the late Corey Haim.
On this day in 1992 (in Japan), Alienator enjoyed its release on home video. Directed by Fred Olen Ray from a story by Paul Garson, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Jan-Michael Vincent, John Phillip Law, Ross Hagen, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Kol is an evil guy about to be executed on a distant spaceship. He manages to escape on a shuttle and make his way to some woods in America. The commander of the spaceship decides to send out The Alienator to execute Kol at all costs. Kol meets up with some teens and Ward Armstrong and together they all try not to get killed by the pursuing Woman of Death - The Alienator."
"Kol is an evil guy about to be executed on a distant spaceship. He manages to escape on a shuttle and make his way to some woods in America. The commander of the spaceship decides to send out The Alienator to execute Kol at all costs. Kol meets up with some teens and Ward Armstrong and together they all try not to get killed by the pursuing Woman of Death - The Alienator."
On this day in 1995 (in Argentina), that other cyborg cop -- not that Robo guy -- was back in action with the home video release of Cyborg Cop II. Written (in part) and directed by Sam Firstenberg, the SciFi/Thriller starred David Bradley, Morgan Hunter, Jill Pierce, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A fancy, loner cop loses his partner to a crazed terrorist during a hostage rescue. He settles for the terrorist going to Death Row in jail. What Jack doesn't know is that the terrorist will be taken and turned into a cyborg for the "Anti-Terrorist Group". When the Cyborg "Spartacus" wakes up accidentally, he kills the scientists and their guests, then goes to set things up for a Cyborg Empire. Only Jack and a few friends know how to stop him."
"A fancy, loner cop loses his partner to a crazed terrorist during a hostage rescue. He settles for the terrorist going to Death Row in jail. What Jack doesn't know is that the terrorist will be taken and turned into a cyborg for the "Anti-Terrorist Group". When the Cyborg "Spartacus" wakes up accidentally, he kills the scientists and their guests, then goes to set things up for a Cyborg Empire. Only Jack and a few friends know how to stop him."
On this day in 1997 (in Japan), Omega Doom dished out a rather dark look into man's possible future. Written (in part) and directed by Albert Pyun, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Rutger Hauer, Shannon Whirry, Norbert Weisser, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After Earth is taken over by an army of robots, the small number of humans left are forced into hiding. In the nuclear winter, only droids walk the face of the Earth, in fear of the rumored human resurgence, and in search of a hidden cache of weapons. One robot, his evil circuits destroyed, enters a small town where a robot civil war is taking place. He tries to convince both sides to join forces in search of the weapons, all the while having a hidden agenda, and an affinity for one of the local droids."
"After Earth is taken over by an army of robots, the small number of humans left are forced into hiding. In the nuclear winter, only droids walk the face of the Earth, in fear of the rumored human resurgence, and in search of a hidden cache of weapons. One robot, his evil circuits destroyed, enters a small town where a robot civil war is taking place. He tries to convince both sides to join forces in search of the weapons, all the while having a hidden agenda, and an affinity for one of the local droids."
A star is born!
On this day in 1998 (in the U.S.), the SciFi/Telefilm The Advanced Guard (aka The Colony) aired on television. Written (in part) and directed by Peter Geiger, the feature starred Robert Amico, James Avery, Cristi Conaway, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"As a prelude to full-blown alien invasion, a team of four aliens telepathically linked with their lifelike human-looking android bodies abducts four random humans to test them to determine if humans can make good slaves."
"As a prelude to full-blown alien invasion, a team of four aliens telepathically linked with their lifelike human-looking android bodies abducts four random humans to test them to determine if humans can make good slaves."
A star is born!
On this day in 2001 (in Switzerland), Love Bites tried to take a bite out of the box office. Directed by Antoine de Caunes from a story by Tonino Benacquista and Laurent Chalumeau, the Horror/Mystery starred Asia Argento, Guillaume Canet, Gilbert Melki, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Antoine is a social wannabe who drops an elusive aristocrat's name to get into an exclusive party. The name - Jordan - gets him whisked by two burly bodyguards into the office of the host, von Bulow, who won't accept Antoine's admission of lying, gives him $100,000, and promises $900,000 more when led to Jordan. Enticed by the money, Antoine, with the help of his friend Étienne, begins his search. He follows trails through Paris's night scene, gets beaten up and bitten, and meets Jordan's sister, Violaine. After a surreal night, he's hooked on her charms but leery of continuing his pursuit of Jordan. Von Bulow insists. Can he find Jordan, get his reward, and attract Violaine?"
"Antoine is a social wannabe who drops an elusive aristocrat's name to get into an exclusive party. The name - Jordan - gets him whisked by two burly bodyguards into the office of the host, von Bulow, who won't accept Antoine's admission of lying, gives him $100,000, and promises $900,000 more when led to Jordan. Enticed by the money, Antoine, with the help of his friend Étienne, begins his search. He follows trails through Paris's night scene, gets beaten up and bitten, and meets Jordan's sister, Violaine. After a surreal night, he's hooked on her charms but leery of continuing his pursuit of Jordan. Von Bulow insists. Can he find Jordan, get his reward, and attract Violaine?"
On this day in 2001 (in Kuwait), the Red Planet had never been closer when Mission To Mars enjoyed its theatrical release. Directed by Brian De Palma from a story by Lowell Cannon, Jim Thomas, and John Thomas, the SciFi/Drama starred Gary Sinise, Tim Robbins, Don Cheadle, and others; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster after reporting an unidentified structure, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors."
For the record:
To the film's credit, legendary director Brian De Palma was nominated in 2001 by the Razzie Awards in the category of 'Worst Director' for his work on the film.
"When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster after reporting an unidentified structure, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors."
For the record:
To the film's credit, legendary director Brian De Palma was nominated in 2001 by the Razzie Awards in the category of 'Worst Director' for his work on the film.
A star is born, and ... no wait ... not this guy again?!
On this day in 2003 (in Belgium), audiences in attendance of the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival were treated to the cinematic return of 'Dr. Herbert West' in Beyond Re-animator! Written (in part) and directed by Brian Yuzna, the Fantasy/Horror starred Jeffrey Combs, Jason Barry, Elsa Pataky, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After 13 years in prison, the mad scientist from Re-Animator (1985) gets a new chance to experiment with the arrival of a young prison doctor, who secretly hopes to learn to reanimate dead people. Good intentions turn to horror."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Beyond Re-animator was a respectable return to form and even garnered some positive attention from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"After 13 years in prison, the mad scientist from Re-Animator (1985) gets a new chance to experiment with the arrival of a young prison doctor, who secretly hopes to learn to reanimate dead people. Good intentions turn to horror."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Beyond Re-animator was a respectable return to form and even garnered some positive attention from screenings on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2003 (in Canada and the U.S.), the Horror/SciFi film Dreamcatcher enjoyed its big screen debut. Directed by Lawrence Kasdan and based on a story by Stephen King, the feature starred Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, Jason Lee, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Friends on a camping trip discover that the town they're vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space."
For the record:
This SciFi/Horror sprang from the mind of the ubiquitous Stephen King and received the nomination from the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards in 2004 for 'Worst Film.' Still not convinced? Well, the 2003 Golden Schmoes Awards nominated it in the category of 'Biggest Disappointment Of The Year.' Way to go, Mr. King!
"Friends on a camping trip discover that the town they're vacationing in is being plagued in an unusual fashion by parasitic aliens from outer space."
For the record:
This SciFi/Horror sprang from the mind of the ubiquitous Stephen King and received the nomination from the Fangoria Chainsaw Awards in 2004 for 'Worst Film.' Still not convinced? Well, the 2003 Golden Schmoes Awards nominated it in the category of 'Biggest Disappointment Of The Year.' Way to go, Mr. King!
A star is born!
On this day in 2004 (in Belgium), audiences in attendance of the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival were treated to the theatrical debut of The I Inside. Directed by Roland Suso Richter from a story by Michael Cooney and Timothy Scott Bogart, the SciFi/Mystery starred Ryan Phillippe, Sarah Polley, Piper Perabo, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A man (Simon) awakens in a hospital not recalling the last two years. As he begins to find out things from his past, he discovers his ability to move from the year 2002 to the year 2000. By doing this he meets a link between the two time periods."
"A man (Simon) awakens in a hospital not recalling the last two years. As he begins to find out things from his past, he discovers his ability to move from the year 2002 to the year 2000. By doing this he meets a link between the two time periods."
A star is born!
On this day in 2006 (in the U.S.), Lycan Colony enjoyed its launch on home video. Written and directed by Rob Roy, the Horror/Fantasy starred Karl Bertelmann, Sean Burgoyne, Libby Collins, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Some small towns hold many secrets. Two siblings and a newly settled doctor's family are about to find out this town's darkest secret...the hard way. The town folk are good and evil werewolves! And all things are not as they appear."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In late 2023, I was offered a complimentary Blu-ray of Lycan Colony in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts on the project? Readers can find my review right here.
"Some small towns hold many secrets. Two siblings and a newly settled doctor's family are about to find out this town's darkest secret...the hard way. The town folk are good and evil werewolves! And all things are not as they appear."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In late 2023, I was offered a complimentary Blu-ray of Lycan Colony in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested in my thoughts on the project? Readers can find my review right here.
A star is born ... and somebody wishes they'd upgraded to first class!
On this day in 2007 (in Japan), Flight Of The Living Dead took off into the dreary skies of home video. Written (in part) and directed by Scott Thomas, the Fantasy/Horror starred David Chisum, Kristen Kerr, Kevin J. O'Connor, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mad scientist is transferring a dead woman in a freezer with an armed guard on a plane to Paris. After slight turbulence, the freezer breaks down and she awakens, turns into a zombie, and infects all on board."
"A mad scientist is transferring a dead woman in a freezer with an armed guard on a plane to Paris. After slight turbulence, the freezer breaks down and she awakens, turns into a zombie, and infects all on board."
On this day in 2008 (in Cypress), audiences were given yet one more dark look into our tomorrow with the theatrical release of Doomsday. Written and directed by Neil Marshall, the SciFi/Thriller starred Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, Alexander Siddig, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A lethal virus spreads throughout Scotland, infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands. To contain the threat, acting authorities brutally quarantine the country as it succumbs to fear and chaos. The quarantine is successful. Three decades later, the Reaper virus violently resurfaces in London. An elite group of specialists, including Eden Sinclair, is urgently dispatched into Scotland to retrieve a cure by any means necessary. Shut off from the rest of the world, the unit must battle through a landscape that has become a waking nightmare."
For the record:
At the 2009 Saturn Awards, Doomsday did enjoy a single nomination in the category of 'Best Make-up.'
"A lethal virus spreads throughout Scotland, infecting millions and killing hundreds of thousands. To contain the threat, acting authorities brutally quarantine the country as it succumbs to fear and chaos. The quarantine is successful. Three decades later, the Reaper virus violently resurfaces in London. An elite group of specialists, including Eden Sinclair, is urgently dispatched into Scotland to retrieve a cure by any means necessary. Shut off from the rest of the world, the unit must battle through a landscape that has become a waking nightmare."
For the record:
At the 2009 Saturn Awards, Doomsday did enjoy a single nomination in the category of 'Best Make-up.'
A star is born!
On this day in 2013 (in the U.S.), Scavengers scavenged up what cinematic business it could. Written and directed by Travis Sariwny, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Sean Patrick Flanery, Jeremy London, Louise Linton, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A team of space scavengers discovers superior alien technology that threatens the balance of the known universe. Hotly pursued by a rival crew of intergalactic mercenaries, the Revelator crew must fight through the deepest reaches of space to locate and protect the life-altering device."
"A team of space scavengers discovers superior alien technology that threatens the balance of the known universe. Hotly pursued by a rival crew of intergalactic mercenaries, the Revelator crew must fight through the deepest reaches of space to locate and protect the life-altering device."
A star is born!
Well ... if the above picture is any indication, then it would look as though at least the producers for Bikini Girls Vs. Dinosaurs -- which released on this day in 2014 (in the United Kingdom) -- delivered on the premise. There are bikini girls, and there's a dinosaur. Writtten and directed by Kenneth D. Barker, the Fantasy/Comedy starred Agne Adomulyte, Vicki Glover, Cheri La May, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Three bikini clad heirs to a space age kingdom, on the eve of their inauguration, are tricked and sent into a black hole and back in time by their evil stepmother so she can take the throne."
"Three bikini clad heirs to a space age kingdom, on the eve of their inauguration, are tricked and sent into a black hole and back in time by their evil stepmother so she can take the throne."
On this day in 2014 (in Bulgaria), Code Red scared up a bit of box office business. Written (in part) and directed by Valeri Milev, the SciFi/Horror starred Paul Logan, Manal El-Feitury, Mya-Lecia Naylor, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A Special Forces soldier is sent into Bulgaria when a chemical agent from WWII is uncovered that can reanimate the dead."
"A Special Forces soldier is sent into Bulgaria when a chemical agent from WWII is uncovered that can reanimate the dead."
On this day in 2014 (in Bulgaria, Canada, Vietnam, Romania, and the U.S.), Shailene Woodley packed all of her Shailene Woodley goodness (sans nudity) into the Young Adult SciFi release, Divergent. The film was directed by Neil Burger, and the script -- based on the Veronica Roth novel ("Divergent") -- was penned by Evan Daugherty and Vanessa Taylor. The SciFi/Fantasy starred Shailene Woodley, Theo James, and Kate Winslet. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late."
For the record:
As the story deals chiefly with young people, the film was the recipient of a good amount of praise from such organizations as the Young Hollywood Awards, the Teen Choice Awards, and the MTV Movie + TV Awards.
"In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late."
For the record:
As the story deals chiefly with young people, the film was the recipient of a good amount of praise from such organizations as the Young Hollywood Awards, the Teen Choice Awards, and the MTV Movie + TV Awards.
A star is born ... and shots fired! Shots fired!
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), District C-11 took audiences a few years into the future with the collapse of civility. Directed by Wes Williams II from a story by Ralph Celestin, the SciFi/Thriller starred Alaina Gianci, Alan White, Alex Cash, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"It's the year 2019 and the world is on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile in the U.S Two rookie cops are tasked to patrol the streets of Boston's District C-11. As the rookies get closer to the source of the city's woes, they ask themselves two questions. Do they fight for what's right? Or do they join the bad guys and become part of the problem."
"It's the year 2019 and the world is on the brink of collapse. Meanwhile in the U.S Two rookie cops are tasked to patrol the streets of Boston's District C-11. As the rookies get closer to the source of the city's woes, they ask themselves two questions. Do they fight for what's right? Or do they join the bad guys and become part of the problem."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), The Quiet Hour quietly found its way to audiences via home video and streaming. Written and directed by Stéphanie Joalland, the SciFi/Drama starred Dakota Blue Richards, Karl Davies, and Jack McMullen; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Humans are few and far between since Earth was invaded by unseen extraterrestrial machines that harvest the planet's natural resources and relentlessly kill its inhabitants. In a remote part of the countryside, where starved humans have become as dangerous as the alien machines hovering in the sky, a feisty 19 year old girl, Sarah Connolly, sets out on a desperate attempt to fight back a group of bandits and defend her parents' farm, their remaining livestock, and the solar panels that keep them safe from extraterrestrials. If she doesn't succeed, she will lose her only source of food and shelter; but if she resists, she and her helpless blind sibling will be killed. And if the mysterious intruder dressed like a soldier who claims he can help them turns out to be a liar, then the enemy may already be in the house."
For the record:
I had the opportunity to watch and review The Quiet Hour upon its U.S. home video release, and those interested can check out my thoughts on it right here.
"Humans are few and far between since Earth was invaded by unseen extraterrestrial machines that harvest the planet's natural resources and relentlessly kill its inhabitants. In a remote part of the countryside, where starved humans have become as dangerous as the alien machines hovering in the sky, a feisty 19 year old girl, Sarah Connolly, sets out on a desperate attempt to fight back a group of bandits and defend her parents' farm, their remaining livestock, and the solar panels that keep them safe from extraterrestrials. If she doesn't succeed, she will lose her only source of food and shelter; but if she resists, she and her helpless blind sibling will be killed. And if the mysterious intruder dressed like a soldier who claims he can help them turns out to be a liar, then the enemy may already be in the house."
For the record:
I had the opportunity to watch and review The Quiet Hour upon its U.S. home video release, and those interested can check out my thoughts on it right here.
A star is born!
On this day in 2018 (in Belgium, France, Indonesia, South Korea, and Taiwan), Pacific Rim: Uprising brought giant robots back to the silver screen. Written (in part) and directed by Steven S. DeKnight, the SciFi/Fantasy starred John Boyega, Scott Eastwood, Cailee Spaeny, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Jake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat."
For the record:
At the 2019 Rusty Bagel Awards, Pacific Rim: Uprising was a bit of a sensation, receiving an impressive twelve nominations across the different categories. To his credit, John Boyega took home a big win in the category of 'Worst Foreign Actor,' and the film itself took home the coveted trophy in the category of 'Worst Trailer.'
"Jake Pentecost, son of Stacker Pentecost, reunites with Mako Mori to lead a new generation of Jaeger pilots, including rival Lambert and 15-year-old hacker Amara, against a new Kaiju threat."
For the record:
At the 2019 Rusty Bagel Awards, Pacific Rim: Uprising was a bit of a sensation, receiving an impressive twelve nominations across the different categories. To his credit, John Boyega took home a big win in the category of 'Worst Foreign Actor,' and the film itself took home the coveted trophy in the category of 'Worst Trailer.'
On this day in 2018 (in the Philippines), The Titan enjoyed a theatrical release. Directed by Lennart Ruff from a story by Max Hurwitz and Arash Amel, the SciFi/Drama starred Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling, Tom Wilkinson, and others. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A military family takes part in a ground-breaking experiment of genetic evolution and space exploration."
For the record:
At the 2019 Rusty Bagel Awards, The Titan received an impressive six nominations in such categories as 'Worst Foreign Actor,' 'Worst Special Effects Or 3D,' and 'Worst Foreign Film.'
"A military family takes part in a ground-breaking experiment of genetic evolution and space exploration."
For the record:
At the 2019 Rusty Bagel Awards, The Titan received an impressive six nominations in such categories as 'Worst Foreign Actor,' 'Worst Special Effects Or 3D,' and 'Worst Foreign Film.'
A star is born!
On this day in 2019 (in Croatia), robots and children were working together again with the cinematic release of My Grandpa Is An Alien (aka Moj dida je pao s Marsa). Directed by the team of Marina Andree Skop and Drazen Zarkovic, the SciFi/Adventure starred Lucija Sando, Nils Ole Oftebro, Alex Rakos, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A girl and an alien robot have a day to find her grandpa after he is kidnapped."
For the record:
To the film's credit, My Grandpa Is An Alien scored an awful lot of positive attention from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"A girl and an alien robot have a day to find her grandpa after he is kidnapped."
For the record:
To the film's credit, My Grandpa Is An Alien scored an awful lot of positive attention from screenings on the film festival circuit.
A star is born!
On this day in 2024 (in Canada), Sentinel enjoyed its first release to the masses via the World Wide Web. Directed by Stefano Milla from a story by Katherine Tomlinson, the SciFi/Thriller starred Jason R. Moore, Michael Paré, Ellie Patrikios, and others. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Years after an alien invasion, three heroes decide to time travel to save the survivors but they don't know that the Sentinel is waiting for them."
"Years after an alien invasion, three heroes decide to time travel to save the survivors but they don't know that the Sentinel is waiting for them."
On this day in 1952 (in the U.S.), Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Fisherman's Wife." This served as the twenty-fifth episode of the program's first season, and -- despite searching -- I've been unable to find a plot summary anywhere on the world wide web. In lieu of a plot summary, here's the series' premise from IMDB.com:
"Tales of Tomorrow" was a television anthology science fiction series that was aired live between 3 August 1951 - 12 June 1953 and produced by George F. Foley. The show's success, lead to the production of a radio series in 1953 "Tales of Tomorrow". "Tales of Tomorrow" was developed by Theodore Sturgeon and Mort Abrahamson, together with the membership of the "Science Fiction League of America"."
"Tales of Tomorrow" was a television anthology science fiction series that was aired live between 3 August 1951 - 12 June 1953 and produced by George F. Foley. The show's success, lead to the production of a radio series in 1953 "Tales of Tomorrow". "Tales of Tomorrow" was developed by Theodore Sturgeon and Mort Abrahamson, together with the membership of the "Science Fiction League of America"."
On this day in 1964 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who's first season marched onward, airing an episode titled "Rider From Shang-tu." Here's the summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and his friends elect to warn Marco of Acomat's attack even though it means losing their chance to gain access to the TARDIS."
"The Doctor and his friends elect to warn Marco of Acomat's attack even though it means losing their chance to gain access to the TARDIS."
On this day in 1967 (in the U.S.), The Invaders aired "The Ivy Curtain." Officially, this served as the eleventh hour to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A school in New Mexico is really a front for an alien indoctrination center. The head of the school offers a pilot a lot of money to smuggle in its otherworldly students."
"A school in New Mexico is really a front for an alien indoctrination center. The head of the school offers a pilot a lot of money to smuggle in its otherworldly students."
On this day in 1970 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Ambassadors Of Death: Part 1." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode of the program's seventh season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"While the Brigadier investigates a loss of contact with Mars Probe 7, the Doctor realises signals coming from the probe are of extra-terrestrial origin."
"While the Brigadier investigates a loss of contact with Mars Probe 7, the Doctor realises signals coming from the probe are of extra-terrestrial origin."
On this day in 1981 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Logopolis: Part 4." Officially, this served as the twenty-eighth episode of the program's eighteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the universe collapsing, the Doctor forms an uneasy alliance with the Master to save it. In case all does not go well, the Watcher takes the Doctor's companions to a safe place, but his plans for them don't stop there. The one hope for all lies back on Earth."
"With the universe collapsing, the Doctor forms an uneasy alliance with the Master to save it. In case all does not go well, the Watcher takes the Doctor's companions to a safe place, but his plans for them don't stop there. The one hope for all lies back on Earth."
On this day in 1987 (in the U.S.), Starman aired "The Wedding." Officially, this served as the eighteenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The owner of a fishing fleet hires Paul to photograph his daughter's wedding."
"The owner of a fishing fleet hires Paul to photograph his daughter's wedding."
As much as I loved the idea behind Star Trek: The Next Generation's episode "Cause and Effect," I still found it terribly painful to watch the signature ship of the Federation destroyed again and again and again in that temporal causality loop! The hour first aired on this day in 1992, serving as the eighteenth episode to the fifth season, and here's the plot summary as properly detailed by our friends at TrekCore.com:
"The crew's regular poker game suddenly feels too familiar to Crusher who experiences deja vu. The Enterprise is charting the Typhon Expanise when the ship's systems fail, hurling it onto a collision course with another starship... the Enterprise has been destroyed."
"The crew's regular poker game suddenly feels too familiar to Crusher who experiences deja vu. The Enterprise is charting the Typhon Expanise when the ship's systems fail, hurling it onto a collision course with another starship... the Enterprise has been destroyed."
On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine enriched the Ferengi universe with the airing of "The Nagus." This served as the tenth episode of its first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Ferengi leader, Grand Nagus Zek, comes to the station. He seems very interested in Quark's bar."
"The Ferengi leader, Grand Nagus Zek, comes to the station. He seems very interested in Quark's bar."
On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), RoboCop: The Series aired "Prime Suspect." Officially, this served as the third episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"When a person is killed and the murder weapon is RoboCop's gun, he is arrested and placed on trial. He has an alibi which he refuses to divulge, so he's about to be deactivated."
"When a person is killed and the murder weapon is RoboCop's gun, he is arrested and placed on trial. He has an alibi which he refuses to divulge, so he's about to be deactivated."
On this day in 1998 (in Hungary), Star Trek aired "The Alternative Factor." Officially, this served as the twenty-seventh episode in the program's first season. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Existence itself comes under threat from a man's power-struggle with his alternate self, with the Enterprise's strained dilithium crystals presenting his key to a final solution."
"Existence itself comes under threat from a man's power-struggle with his alternate self, with the Enterprise's strained dilithium crystals presenting his key to a final solution."
In another look at Seven of Nine's struggle with recovering her humanity, "Human Error" explored her attempts to perfect the social skills she had. This put her on the path to discovering what was buried in her heart. This Star Trek: Voyager episode first aired on this day in 2001.
On this day in 2001 (in the U.S.), Starhunter aired the twenty-first episode of its first season. It was an hour titled "Travis," and here's the plot summary as provided by Wikipedia.org:
"Percy goes aboard The Raider's station and meets her cousin Travis who now called Zephryn and is the leader of the Raiders. Meanwhile, Dante deals with Senaca, Zephryn's mentor and father figure, who offers to hand Travis over for the genetic-enhanced seeds Dante got from Ike. Senaca says his plan is to use the seeds to restore their ancestral home Earth, which can no longer support life. Dante finally meets his son and together they use the hologram device to see Penny who admits to experimenting with the Divinity Cluster on herself which gave their child amazing powers. Later, Salomea warns Dante and Travis of Senaca's real plan - to actually destroy what is left of Earth for the seeds are really a bioweapon."
"Percy goes aboard The Raider's station and meets her cousin Travis who now called Zephryn and is the leader of the Raiders. Meanwhile, Dante deals with Senaca, Zephryn's mentor and father figure, who offers to hand Travis over for the genetic-enhanced seeds Dante got from Ike. Senaca says his plan is to use the seeds to restore their ancestral home Earth, which can no longer support life. Dante finally meets his son and together they use the hologram device to see Penny who admits to experimenting with the Divinity Cluster on herself which gave their child amazing powers. Later, Salomea warns Dante and Travis of Senaca's real plan - to actually destroy what is left of Earth for the seeds are really a bioweapon."
Only a program as consistently stellar as Farscape could manage to serve up a series finale that -- while still serving as a cliffhanger for it was filmed before showrunners had been told they weren't being renewed -- managed to capture so very well the overall tone for the program. "Bad Timing" aired on this day back in 2003 (in the United States and Australia) as the twenty-second episode of its fourth season, and it would be some time before producers managed to put together the funds and cooperation to give their story and fans the big send-off they deserved with Farscape: The Peacekeeper Wars. As for their "Bad Timing," here's what you need to know compliments of IMDB.com:
"The Scarrans know where the Wormhole to Earth is, and they're on their way. Crichton and crew race to the wormhole to stop them. But saving the Earth means destroying the chance for John to ever return home. Aeryn finally reveals the father of the baby. John and Aeryn decide to get married, but fate steps in. The finale for the television series."
"The Scarrans know where the Wormhole to Earth is, and they're on their way. Crichton and crew race to the wormhole to stop them. But saving the Earth means destroying the chance for John to ever return home. Aeryn finally reveals the father of the baby. John and Aeryn decide to get married, but fate steps in. The finale for the television series."
On this day in 2016 (in Spain), The Department Of Time aired "Tiempo de magia." Officially, this served as the sixth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The 1924 Ministry contacts its 2016 self, concerned that one of its top agents plans to sell the secret of time travel to the highest bidder."
"The 1924 Ministry contacts its 2016 self, concerned that one of its top agents plans to sell the secret of time travel to the highest bidder."
On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), DC's Legends Of Tomorrow aired "Fellowship Of The Spear." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode in the program's second season. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Legends land in France during World War I and enlist the aid of J.R.R. Tolkien to retrieve the last pieces of the Spear of Destiny from the Legion of Doom."
"The Legends land in France during World War I and enlist the aid of J.R.R. Tolkien to retrieve the last pieces of the Spear of Destiny from the Legion of Doom."
