As much as I enjoy vintage sci-fi tales, the 2002 version of The Time Machine -- it premiered on this day back then, and it starred the usually reliable Guy Pearce and Orlando Jones -- was surprisingly uninspired. To its credit, it tried to retain the spirit of the H.G. Wells novel, but I thought it mostly tepid. Here's hoping there will be another version in my lifetime that'll set the record straight.
Fans of old school Flash Gordon are likely to recognize the lovely Priscilla Lawson who appeared in the 1936 serial as Princess Aura. Though she's no longer with us, Lawson was born on this day in 1914.
The lovely Cyd Charisse played a role aboard Warlords of the Deep (aka Warlords of Atlantis) in 1978. Though she's no longer with us, Charisse was born on this day in 1921.
Certainly Alan Hale Jr. is well remembered as 'The Skipper Jonas Grumby' aboard both Gilligan's Island and its animated SciFi counterpart Gilligan's Island, but he also guested aboard Irwin Allen's Land of the Giants. Though he's no longer with us, Hale Jr. was born on this day in 1921.
With nearly six decades in the entertainment business, Booth Colman leaves behind a resume of almost 200 different screen roles. Fans know him best from work aboard Them (1954), The Outer Limits, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Invaders, Planet of the Apes (TV), Time Travelers (1976), Project UFO, Galactica 1980, and Star Trek: Voyager. Though he's no longer with us, Colman was born on this day in 1923.
In the latter half of his career, Sean McClory assumed a guest spot aboard ABC TV's popular Battlestar Galactica. Though he's no longer with us, McClory was born on this day in 1924.
Mickey Morton played a role in Star Trek's "The Gamesters of Triskelion" in 1968. He also had screen time in Gemini Man, Wonderbug, Land of the Lost, Wonder Woman, The Bionic Woman, Legends of the Superheroes, The Star Wars Holiday Special, Bigfoot and Wildboy, Starchaser: The Legend of Orin (1985), and Small Wonder. Though he's no longer with us, Morton was born on this day in 1927.
In Colossus: The Forbin Project (1970), actress Susan Clark proved that even geniuses are willing to take it all off ... for science, that is. (You'll have to watch the flick for the popular scene.) Clark was born on this day in 1940.
The terrific Peter McCauley played a key role aboard the syndicated SciFi/Fantasy program The Lost World. McCauley was born on this day in 1950.
One of the more beautiful creatures known to man -- aka Playboy centerfold Kathy Shower -- gave SciFi a look with the curiously titled Robo-C.H.I.C. (aka Cyber-C.H.I.C.) back in the 1990's. Shower was born on this day in 1953.
Veteran character actor John Kapelos boasts a resume of nearly 200 different screen credits, but genre fans probably know him best for his appearances in Weird Science (1985), Quantum Leap, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Forever Knight, The Relic (1997), Timecop (TV), First Wave, The X-Files, Mimic: Sentinel (2003), Gemini Division, and Syfy's Lost Girl. Kapelos was born on this day in 1957.
Arguably one of the toughest ladies in film, the lovely Cynthia Rothrock maintains a resume in a wealth of respectable genre projects, including a recent foray alongside SciFi's Casper Van Dien in Star Raiders: The Adventures of Saber Raine for Gravitas Ventures. Rothrock was born on this day in 1957.
I ask you: "If you're gonna bring a property as good as Jonah Hex (2010) to the silver screen, then why wouldn't you at least give it a good script?" Meh. The film wasn't awful, I suppose, but it did waste too many great performers -- like Aidan Quinn as President Grant -- with B-movie shenanigans. Quinn was born on this day in 1959.
Camryn Manheim joined CBS's Extant in a role that made all of red-blooded mankind jealous: as the picture indicates, she got to play doctor with Halle Berry! Manheim was born on this day in 1961.
The multi-talented Meredith Scott Lynn has really only dabbled in SciFi's rich waters, securing roles aboard Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and Roswell. Lynn was born on this day in 1970.
For all intents and purposes, Andrea Parker's work as 'Miss Parker' was one of the best reasons to watch the SciFi-lite The Pretender when it was part of NBC's television line-up. Parker was born on this day in 1970.
Galaxy Quest (1999) is a genius SciFi/Comedy that holds up even after multiple viewings, largely because it's filled with so many great performances, big and small. Jed Rees played a role in the flick, and Rees was born on this day in 1970.
Matt Nable's resume over on IMDB.com is relatively light at this point in his career, but he did star alongside no less than Vin Diesel in 2013's underwhelming Riddick sequel. He's also booked appearances as Ras al Ghul on the CW's Arrow series, and that's no small feat either! Nable was born on this day in 1972.
I think I've seen every movie in the Resident Evil universe, but -- to be honest -- they all kinda/sorta blend together for me. However, I always appreciate the testosterone-fueled performances, and Boris Kodjoe's certainly qualifies. He braved this particular Apocalypse alongside Milla Jovovich in Resident Evil: Afterlife and Resident Evil: Retribution. As far as SciFi goes, he also strapped on the requisite bug-killing-gear for his work in Starship Troopers 3: Marauder. Kodjoe was born on this day in 1973.
Without mincing words, let me state this unequivocally: I don't think Freddie Prinze Jr. is the greatest actor of his generation. In fact, I've been suitably underwhelmed every time I've seen him. Still, he's always had a workmanlike approach to his work, and methinks everyone can respect that. Prince has lent his voice to the character of Kanan, the lost Jedi on Disney's first foray into the universe built by George Lucas, Star Wars: Rebels. (Much like my take on Freddie, I'm not entirely won over by the show, but I'm willing to give it time to develop, though I found its first and second seasons nearly forgettable.) Prince was born on this day in 1976.
The lovely Reagan Pasternak deserves your undivided attention. She's been seen aboard PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal, Earth: Final Conflict, Mutant X, and Savage Planet (2007). Pasternak was born on this day in 1977.
I do find televised fiction somewhat refreshing when they take real-life hunks and drop them down in full-geek scripts, the kind of which the TV miniseries The Storm presented for James Van Der Beek. Van Der Beek was born on this day in 1977.
Nick Zano plays the time-traveling historian Nate Heywood (aka Steel) aboard the CW's superhero drama, Legends of Tomorrow. Zano was born on this day in 1978.
I've yet to see 2015's Identicals, a SciFi/Romance that came and went from theatres fairly quickly; but I've been told that Nora-Jane Noone is one of the best reasons to watch it. Noone was born on this day in 1984.
The lovely Milana Vayntrub played in the cosmos for laughs as part of the cast for the web-based comedy Other Space during 2015. Vayntrub was born on this day in 1987.
The Flash has become my favorite superhero program of late, so kudos to actor Devon Graye for his willingness to visit that world in the guise of The Trickster! Graye was born on this day in 1987.
On this day in 1978, the Fantasy/Telefilm The Amazing Captain Nemo rose up from the depths. The feature starred José Ferrer and Burgess Meredith, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"After a century of being in suspended animation, the mysterious submarine commander is revived in modern times for new adventures."
"After a century of being in suspended animation, the mysterious submarine commander is revived in modern times for new adventures."
On this day in 2016, Terror Birds laid a SciFi egg for all to see. The feature starred Jessica Lee Keller and Lindsey Sporrer, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Maddy Stern discovers her father has gone missing during a routine birdwatching excursion, she and her college pals trek out into the wilderness to find him, only to end up in a wealthy scientist's desolate ranch aviary, where they encounter a pair of giant, hungry terror birds believed to be extinct for centuries."
"When Maddy Stern discovers her father has gone missing during a routine birdwatching excursion, she and her college pals trek out into the wilderness to find him, only to end up in a wealthy scientist's desolate ranch aviary, where they encounter a pair of giant, hungry terror birds believed to be extinct for centuries."
On this day in 1957, the fifth season of Adventures of Superman premiered on television with an episode titled "Peril In Paris." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Superman gets caught up in a scheme to remove a large collection of diamonds originally stolen during the war. Before he can act he has to understand who the criminals are and who are innocently trying to recover their property."
"Superman gets caught up in a scheme to remove a large collection of diamonds originally stolen during the war. Before he can act he has to understand who the criminals are and who are innocently trying to recover their property."
Let me tell you something: if Kirk takes you by the shirt, then things are in dire straights indeed! "The Ultimate Computer" pitted Kirk and his crew against an artificial intelligence that would render humans essentially useless on board a starship. I'd imagine that's what it's working at the Apple Store every day of the week. The episode first aired on this day in 1968.
NBC's sci-fi program V started to put motions in place to set-up the series' season finale (which ended up being its series' finale, sadly) as the program wore on. On this day in 1985, "War of Illusions" aired, which told the story of the Visitors plotting a final victory against the Earth.
On this day in 1993, "The Contender" aired as the seventh episode of Time Trax's first season. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A man from the future seeks Darien out to find his son, who was a boxer in the future but when the sport was banned Sambi sent him to the past so that he could continue. When the boy refuses to go back and when Darien learns that he is using the abilities he gained from being brought up in the future to win and that he will kill someone in upcoming bout, he asks the man who was his son's trainer to train him."
"A man from the future seeks Darien out to find his son, who was a boxer in the future but when the sport was banned Sambi sent him to the past so that he could continue. When the boy refuses to go back and when Darien learns that he is using the abilities he gained from being brought up in the future to win and that he will kill someone in upcoming bout, he asks the man who was his son's trainer to train him."
On this day in 1997, Crime Traveller aired "A Death In The Family." This served as the second episode of the program's first (and only) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When Holly's aunt is murdered, she and Slade travel back to find out who is responsible, only to be arrested for the crime herself."
"When Holly's aunt is murdered, she and Slade travel back to find out who is responsible, only to be arrested for the crime herself."
On this day in 1997, Dark Skies aired "Both Sides Now." This served as the sixteenth episode to the cult program's first and only season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"As the aliens infiltrate the anti-Vietnam War movement, Kim must decide whether to return to the Hive."
"As the aliens infiltrate the anti-Vietnam War movement, Kim must decide whether to return to the Hive."
On this day in 2000, Star Trek: Voyager aired "Child's Play." This served as the nineteenth episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"While Seven of Nine should be overjoyed when Icheb's parents are located, she does not believe them when told of the circumstances of his original assimilation."
"While Seven of Nine should be overjoyed when Icheb's parents are located, she does not believe them when told of the circumstances of his original assimilation."
On this day in 2002, Dark Angel aired "Love In Vein." This served as the fourteenth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Max discovers a crime spree is being launched by a group of human children brought together into a cult by a vampire-like transgenic."
"Max discovers a crime spree is being launched by a group of human children brought together into a cult by a vampire-like transgenic."
On this day in 2002, Stargate: SG-1 aired "Proving Ground." This served as the thirteenth episode of the long-running program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"While SG-1 is conducting training exercises for new recruits, Jack gets a call about a "foothold" situation. Wounded by compromised officers, O'Neill must lead the recruits in retaking the SGC."
"While SG-1 is conducting training exercises for new recruits, Jack gets a call about a "foothold" situation. Wounded by compromised officers, O'Neill must lead the recruits in retaking the SGC."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Fateful Encounter." This served as the twenty-third episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
"A war is under way between genetically enhanced Coordinators and unmodified Naturals."
On this day in 2017, The Expanse aired "The Seventh Man." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Draper struggles with what happened on Ganymede while the coming Earth/Mars peace conference tighten the tension on Erringwright. Dawes confronts Fred Johnson about what the OPA's course of action should be regarding the protomolecule."
"Draper struggles with what happened on Ganymede while the coming Earth/Mars peace conference tighten the tension on Erringwright. Dawes confronts Fred Johnson about what the OPA's course of action should be regarding the protomolecule."
