A certain degree of Science Fiction programming has always tried to skew toward a young demographic, and I think that's probably because young people tend to be a bit more accepting of certain SciFi and Fantasy elements as opposed to the aging cynics in the television audience. That's a reality that put shows like Lightning Point on the Boob Tube. I've not seen a single frame of it as yet -- didn't even know it existed until I stumbled upon it -- but here's the premise from IMDB.com:
"When Zoey and KIki, two irrepressible girls from another galaxy become castaways in the quiet, Australian seaside town of Lightning Point, they recruit local girl Amber to keep them undercover. But the whole town is abuzz with the sighting of aliens and the girls soon realize that they may not be the first intergalactic visitors..."
"When Zoey and KIki, two irrepressible girls from another galaxy become castaways in the quiet, Australian seaside town of Lightning Point, they recruit local girl Amber to keep them undercover. But the whole town is abuzz with the sighting of aliens and the girls soon realize that they may not be the first intergalactic visitors..."
I've yet to watch the full run of Syfy's Battlestar Galactica spin-off -- Caprica -- largely because it took me so long to "get into" it's original series. Plus Caprica kinda/sorta seemed to me in all of its associated advertising like it was going to be a prequel/sequel series skewed toward a much younger demographic than I fit. (Say '90210 In Space'?) However, I'm glad that one of its stars -- the young and lovely Alessandra Torresani -- so proudly embraced fandom as its next "sci-fi-babe." Google the web for pictures, and I think you'll see what I mean. Torresani was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
He's one of a very few actors who were given the chance to play the ominous Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, in Star Wars' Original Trilogy. Sebastian Shaw only had a few moments with which to capture Vader (seen briefly sans helmet in Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi), but, broken and battered, he embodied the fallen Jedi with a passing nobility. Though he's no longer with us, Shaw was born on this day in 1905. [Source: IMDB.com]
Funnyman Clifton James built a career out of playing mildly buffoonish characters to an audience's delight. Mostly, I remember him as the small town sheriff who unfortunately went up against three Kryptonian villains when they arrived on Earth in Superman II (1980). Though he's no longer with us, James was born on this day in 1920. [Source: IMDB.com]
When The Stepford Wives (1975) first introduced audiences to the most idyllic marital bliss imaginable, the lovely Nanette Newman played just one of the several mesmerizing matrons. The lady also found work aboard the TV series Journey To The Unknown and the movie Captain Nemo And The Underwater City (1969). Newman was born on this day in 1934. [Source: IMDB.com]
The talented Kevin Conway helped bring a kinda/sorta reincarnated version of the Klingon elder 'Kahless' to life aboard Star Trek: The Next Generation. Though he's no longer with us, Conway was born on this day in 1942. [Source: Memory Alpha]
The beautiful Julie Cobb turned up as an equally beautiful RedShirt in "By Any Other Name," a second season episode of the legendary Star Trek. Cobb was born on this day in 1947. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Cotter Smith has enjoyed roles large and small in a handful of quality genre projects, including work aboard The Twilight Zone, Lifeform (1996), X2: X-Men United (2003), Tru Calling, Night Stalker, Invasion, Ghost Whisperer, Person Of Interest, and Revolution. Smith was born on this day in 1949. [Source: IMDB.com]
Composer Danny Elfman continues to leave his mark on film history by penning scores for some of the most fascinating visions brought to life in celluloid. Elfman was born on this day in 1953. [Source: IMDB.com]
Though he's no doubt best remembered as playing serial killer Buffalo Bill in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs, Ted Levine also helped try to save the Earth from an alien menace in 2001's tepid Evolution. More recently, he enjoyed a somewhat nefarious turn with a role aboard Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018). Levine was born on this day in 1957. [Source: IMDB.com]
Aside from carrying the Highlander franchise throughout its several television seasons, the talented Adrian Paul continues to rack up points in genre entertainment. He's been a part of such projects as Beauty and the Beast, War of the Worlds (TV series), Phantom 2040 (animated), Relic Hunter, Eyeborgs (2009), Cold Fusion (2011), War of the Worlds: Goliath (animated), AE: Apocalypse Earth (2013), and Stormageddon (2015). Paul was born on this day in 1959. [Source: IMDB.com]
Critical darling Annette Bening turned in a wonderfully comic turn as the disillusioned Vegas starlet trying to 'find herself' via New Age mysticism in Tim Burton's demented Mars Attacks! Bening was born on this day in 1958. [Source: IMDB.com]
Character and voice actor Al Rodrigo enjoyed a bit of screen time experiencing some dark time in Earth's fictional past aboard a memorable Star Trek: Deep Space Nine two-parter. He's also turned up aboard SeaQuest 2032, The Invaders (miniseries), and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (animated). Rodrigo was born on this day in 1960. [Source: IMDB.com]
Appearing as sumptuous as a Bond girl, Melissa Young had a small role aboard "Our Man Bashir," an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's fourth season. Young was born on this day in 1967. [Source: Memory Alpha]
Hunky Steve Cardenas brought his hunky goodness to several TV incarnations of the popular Power Rangers franchise. Cardenas was born on this day in 1974. [Source: IMDB.com]
Colombian-born Zulay Henao entered the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with a role aboard S. Darko (2009) for 20th Century Fox. Henao was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
As much as I loved Peter Jackson's interpretation of The Lord of the Rings, I absolutely hated so very much of his attempt at bringing The Hobbit to life. Still, that's no fault of the players, of which the very talented Adam Brown boarded the project as the Dwarf named 'Ori.' Brown was born on this day in 1980. [Source: IMDB.com]
Chris Violette warped into Trek's ever-expanding universe with a guest role aboard CBS's controversial Star Trek: Discovery for its streaming portal. Violette was born on this day in 1981. [Source: Memory Alpha]
After enduring "The Christmas Invasion" as part of Doctor Who's 2005 season, dreamy Anita Briem took the Journey to the Center of the Earth alongside funnyman Brendan Fraser in 2008. Briem was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Actress and director Amanda Quaid got her professional acting start -- if IMDB.com has it correct -- with a small role aboard the 1992 SciFi/Telefilm adaptation of Mary Shelley's seminal Frankenstein. Quaid was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Ben Mansfield went all Jurassic for his work aboard the BBC's Fantasy series Primeval during its 2009-2011 run. Mansfield was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
In his youth, Blake Foster suited up on behalf of justice with work aboard one of TV's most enduring Fantasy franchises, Power Rangers, by serving on Power Rangers Turbo. Foster was born on this day in 1985. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lovely Pearl Mackie dipped herself into the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy when she signed aboard the BBC's long-running Doctor Who in its tenth season. Mackie was born on this day in 1987. [Source: IMDB.com]
Shara Connolly has given Fantasy a whirl with work aboard such properties as The Shannara Chronicles and Power Rangers Dino Charge. Connolly was born on this day in 1988. [Source: IMDB.com]
As part of the Spanish-language Science Fiction show El Ministerio del Tiempo ("The Ministry of Time"), the lovely Aura Garrido plays only one of the specialists trying to put history back on its proper path. Garrido was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Riley Keough played one of the lovelies in dire straits as part of Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) for Warner Bros. and Village Roadshow Pictures. Keough was born on this day in 1989. [Source: IMDB.com]
Chalk up another one for "I know that voice, but I don't know the face": the fetching Erica Lindbeck has provided vocals to a variety of projects which should delight genre fans, including characters aboard Avengers Assemble, Transformers: Robots In Disguise, and DC Super Hero Girls. Lindbeck was born on this day in 1992. [Source: IMDB.com]
With roles aboard such fantastical journeys as The Sarah Jane Adventures and Avalon High (2010), Gregg Sulkin has always been near and dear to genre entertainment. Sulkin was born on this day in 1992. [Source: IMDB.com]
Science Fiction can be a tough gig, especially when you're saddled with a bit of casting controversy and a (sadly) lukewarm script essentially retreading a box office original. That said, Maika Monroe did the best she could stepping in to the role of Patricia Whitmore (a role created in the first flick by someone else) to elevate Independence Day: Resurgence's drivel ... it just didn't help much. Monroe was born on this day in 1993. [Source: IMDB.com]
One of newcomer Paloma Kwiatkowski's first screen roles was as 'Thalia' aboard Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) for Fox 2000 Pictures. Kwiatkowski was born on this day in 1994. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1927 (in Spain), the groundbreaking Metropolis showed audiences what potential there could be for Science Fiction on the big screen. Directed by Fritz Lang, the SciFi/Drama starred Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, and Gustav Fröhlich; and 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."
"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."
On this day in 1953 (in Toronto, Canada), Invaders From Mars touched down into Earth's theaters. Directed by William Cameron Menzies, the SciFi feature starred Helena Carter and Jimmy Hunt, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young boy learns that space aliens are taking over the minds of earthlings."
"A young boy learns that space aliens are taking over the minds of earthlings."
On this day in 1956 (in Italy), Tarantula crawled onto the silver screen. Directed by Jack Arnold, the SciFi feature starred John Agar and Mara Corday, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A spider escapes from an isolated Arizona desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants."
"A spider escapes from an isolated Arizona desert laboratory experimenting in giantism and grows to tremendous size as it wreaks havoc on the local inhabitants."
On this day in 1969 (in Colombia), 2001: A Space Odyssey took audiences on a trip to the moon. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, the SciFi/Drama starred Gary Lockwood, Keir Dullea, and William Sylvester; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Monoliths push humanity to reach for the stars; after their discovery in Africa generations ago, the mysterious objects lead mankind on an awesome journey to Jupiter, with the help of H.A.L. 9000: the world's greatest supercomputer."
"The Monoliths push humanity to reach for the stars; after their discovery in Africa generations ago, the mysterious objects lead mankind on an awesome journey to Jupiter, with the help of H.A.L. 9000: the world's greatest supercomputer."
On this day in 1981 (in Portugal and the U.S.), Contamination spread like wild fire amongst theater audiences. Written (in part) and directed by Luigi Cozzi, the SciFi/Thriller starred Ian McCulloch, Louise Marleau, and Marino Masé; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
"A former astronaut helps a government agent and a police detective track the source of mysterious alien pod spores, filled with lethal flesh-dissolving acid, to a South American coffee plantation controlled by alien pod clones."
On this day in 1985 (in France), The Toxic Avenger brought his particular brand of 'justice' to the silver screen. Written (in part) and directed (in part) by Lloyd Kaufman, the Horror/Comedy starred Andree Maranda, Mitch Cohen, and Jennifer Babtist; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tromaville has a monstrous new hero. The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste. Now evildoers will have a lot to lose."
"Tromaville has a monstrous new hero. The Toxic Avenger is born when meek mop boy Melvin falls into a vat of toxic waste. Now evildoers will have a lot to lose."
On this day in 1987 (in Sweden), The Kindred kicked up some floorboards and stirred up what box office it could. The SciFi/Horror feature starred Amanda Pays and Rod Steiger, and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"A geneticist takes his assistants to his old family home to locate the deadly product of his late mother's revolutionary research into rapid human evolution - his monstrous tentacled baby brother - before a mad scientist gets to him first."
"A geneticist takes his assistants to his old family home to locate the deadly product of his late mother's revolutionary research into rapid human evolution - his monstrous tentacled baby brother - before a mad scientist gets to him first."
On this day in 1998 (in France), TekWar -- the original telefilm that started the franchise -- enjoyed its release. Directed by William Shatner (and based on his novel), the SciFi/Thriller starred Greg Evigan, Eugene Clark, and Maurice Dean Wint; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After four years, Jake Cardigan is prematurely awoken from his fifteen year cryogenic punishment to a world very different than the one he knew. Much more than before 'Tek', the highly-addictive electronic designer narcotic of the 21st century, seems to be prevalent. His wife has divorced him and disappeared together with their son. He wants them back and he wants justice for those undercover policemen who were murdered by unknown conspirators which led to his imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. He links up with his ex-partner Sid Gomez, now also an ex-cop, and they go to work for the mysterious Bascom who owns and runs the giant Cosmos security corporation. Their first job is a seemingly easy missing persons case trying to locate a missing scientist who may have developed a crystal to destroy Tek chips. The more the two men investigate the more the dark and powerful forces of the hidden Tek lords are sent to thwart them. What is the connection between this case and his wrongful imprisonment four years ago? Will he ever be able to trace his lost family through the infinite twists and turns of this new technological age? In a race against time Jake struggles to come to terms with this new world where nothing is as it seems and his place within it."
"After four years, Jake Cardigan is prematurely awoken from his fifteen year cryogenic punishment to a world very different than the one he knew. Much more than before 'Tek', the highly-addictive electronic designer narcotic of the 21st century, seems to be prevalent. His wife has divorced him and disappeared together with their son. He wants them back and he wants justice for those undercover policemen who were murdered by unknown conspirators which led to his imprisonment for a crime he did not commit. He links up with his ex-partner Sid Gomez, now also an ex-cop, and they go to work for the mysterious Bascom who owns and runs the giant Cosmos security corporation. Their first job is a seemingly easy missing persons case trying to locate a missing scientist who may have developed a crystal to destroy Tek chips. The more the two men investigate the more the dark and powerful forces of the hidden Tek lords are sent to thwart them. What is the connection between this case and his wrongful imprisonment four years ago? Will he ever be able to trace his lost family through the infinite twists and turns of this new technological age? In a race against time Jake struggles to come to terms with this new world where nothing is as it seems and his place within it."
On this day in 2002 (in Norway), Contagion broke out ... well, broke out on home video, that is. Directed by John Murlowski, the SciFi/Drama starred Bruce Boxleitner, Megan Gallagher, and Lin Shaye; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A pair of criminals infect the president of the United States with a deadly virus. His only hope is to give in to their demands, but he refuses to cooperate with terrorists. Now it is up to Dr. Diane Landis to save his life."
"A pair of criminals infect the president of the United States with a deadly virus. His only hope is to give in to their demands, but he refuses to cooperate with terrorists. Now it is up to Dr. Diane Landis to save his life."
On this day in 2009, the SciFi/ShortFilm 2081 enjoyed its audience at the Seattle International Film Festival. The flick starred James Cosmo and Julie Hagerty, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is "finally equal...." The strong wear weights, the beautiful wear masks and the intelligent wear earpieces that fire off loud noises to keep them from taking unfair advantage of their brains. It is a poetic tale of triumph and tragedy about a broken family, a brutal government, and an act of defiance that changes everything."
"A short film adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's Harrison Bergeron, 2081 depicts a dystopian future in which, thanks to the 212th Amendment to the Constitution and the unceasing vigilance of the United States Handicapper General, everyone is "finally equal...." The strong wear weights, the beautiful wear masks and the intelligent wear earpieces that fire off loud noises to keep them from taking unfair advantage of their brains. It is a poetic tale of triumph and tragedy about a broken family, a brutal government, and an act of defiance that changes everything."
I smell a knock-off! On this day in 2015 (in Germany), Jurassic City roared into existence. The feature starred some CGI dinosaurs, Ray Wise, and Kevin Gage, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Prehistoric animals emerge from a science lab and tear up most of Los Angeles."
"Prehistoric animals emerge from a science lab and tear up most of Los Angeles."
A star is born ... or is that reborn! On this day in 2015 (in France), nature found a way again to bring dinosaurs back to the silver screen with Jurassic World's big screen premiere held in Paris. Written (in part) and directed by Colin Trevorrow, the SciFi/Thriller starred Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Ty Simpkins. Heres' the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A new theme park, built on the original site of Jurassic Park, creates a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, which escapes containment and goes on a killing spree."
For the record:
Well-made visual spectacles always do well come awards time, and Jurassic World was no exception. The motion picture garnered a wealth of praise from organizations big and small. At the 2016 Saturn Awards put on by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films, the flick scored only a single win in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor' while missing out in seven other categories.
"A new theme park, built on the original site of Jurassic Park, creates a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur, the Indominus Rex, which escapes containment and goes on a killing spree."
For the record:
Well-made visual spectacles always do well come awards time, and Jurassic World was no exception. The motion picture garnered a wealth of praise from organizations big and small. At the 2016 Saturn Awards put on by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films, the flick scored only a single win in the category of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor' while missing out in seven other categories.
On this day in 1953, Tales Of Tomorrow aired "Lazarus Walks." This served as the forty-first episode in the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After being resuscitated following his death, a man discovers that he is a walking lie detector."
"After being resuscitated following his death, a man discovers that he is a walking lie detector."
On this day in 1964, The Twilight Zone aired "The Fear." This episode served as the thirty-fifth episode to the program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Charlotte Scott and policeman Robert Franklin seem to be stalked by giants."
"Charlotte Scott and policeman Robert Franklin seem to be stalked by giants."
On this day in 1965, Doctor Who aired "The Chase: The Death of Time." This served as thirty-first episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by the Doctor Who Online Guide:
"The Doctor and his friends have been given shelter from the Daleks by the Aridians. But the Daleks threaten to kill the Aridians unless they hand over the time travellers."
"The Doctor and his friends have been given shelter from the Daleks by the Aridians. But the Daleks threaten to kill the Aridians unless they hand over the time travellers."
On this day in 1971, Doctor Who aired "The Dæmons: Episode Two." This served as the twenty-second episode of the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the Doctor frozen by the energy release from the barrow, Jo calls Yates and Benton for help, but when the Brigadier tries to join them he finds the village surrounded by a heat barrier."
"With the Doctor frozen by the energy release from the barrow, Jo calls Yates and Benton for help, but when the Brigadier tries to join them he finds the village surrounded by a heat barrier."
On this day in 1979, Wonder Woman aired "The Boy Who Knew Her Secret: Part 2." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With a boy knowing that she is really Wonder Woman, Diana Prince continues her battle against a mysterious alien invasion."
"With a boy knowing that she is really Wonder Woman, Diana Prince continues her battle against a mysterious alien invasion."
It all came down to this: on this day in 2001, the SciFi/Action series Seven Days came to an end with the airing of "Live From Death Row." This served as the twenty-second episode of the show's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When a General is killed in an air show accident, Parker Backsteps, but instead uses it to save a wrongfully convicted friend on Death Row."
"When a General is killed in an air show accident, Parker Backsteps, but instead uses it to save a wrongfully convicted friend on Death Row."
On this day in 2010, Doctor Who aired "Cold Blood." This served as the ninth episode of the (relaunched) program's fifth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Nasreen Chaudry go deep underground and find an ancient society that has been disturbed by the drilling. They are gassed and taken prisoner just as Amy manages to free herself. The military commander of the underground reptilians, Restac, is convinced that the "apes' - their term for humans - are an invading force. Calmer heads prevail and the Doctor manages to negotiate a truce pending the transfer of prisoners which he, and some of the more pacifist members of the reptilians, hopes will lead to a lasting peace. The only problem is that Alaya, the reptile prisoner has been killed and Restac is ready to go to war."
"The Doctor and Nasreen Chaudry go deep underground and find an ancient society that has been disturbed by the drilling. They are gassed and taken prisoner just as Amy manages to free herself. The military commander of the underground reptilians, Restac, is convinced that the "apes' - their term for humans - are an invading force. Calmer heads prevail and the Doctor manages to negotiate a truce pending the transfer of prisoners which he, and some of the more pacifist members of the reptilians, hopes will lead to a lasting peace. The only problem is that Alaya, the reptile prisoner has been killed and Restac is ready to go to war."
It all began right here: on this day in 2012, Lightning Point aired "Wipeout," the first episode in its only season on television. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When Zoey and Kiki, two irrepressible girls from another galaxy land in Lightning Point, their dreams of surfing the waves of Earth's oceans have finally come true."
"When Zoey and Kiki, two irrepressible girls from another galaxy land in Lightning Point, their dreams of surfing the waves of Earth's oceans have finally come true."
On this day in 2015, Star Trek Continues released "The White Iris" to audiences online. This served as the fourth episode of its first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Captain Kirk finds himself haunted by guilt from his past as the fate of an alien world hangs in the balance."
"Captain Kirk finds himself haunted by guilt from his past as the fate of an alien world hangs in the balance."
