She's somewhat of a British pop icon, and thankfully the late Joan Sims enjoyed a supporting role aboard a handful of Doctor Who episodes so that I can feature her here. Though she's no longer with us, Sims was born on this day in 1930. [Source: IMDB.com]
Proving that it's never too late in one's professional career to dabble in some quality genre projects, the late Geraldine McEwan enjoyed some screen time aboard Robin Hood (1991), Red Dwarf (1999), and The Lazarus Child (2004). Though she's no longer with us, McEwan was born on this day in 1932. [Source: IMDB.com]
In the SciFi/Thriller Looker (1981), Albert Finney's 'Dr. Larry Roberts' took an interest in Susan Dey's beauty, all in the name of science. Though he's no longer with us, Finney was born on this day in 1936. [Source: IMDB.com]
I'm guessing you wouldn't recognize him under all of that fur, but that fellow is actor Ray Young from his work aboard TV's Bigfoot And Wildboy. He also booked appearances aboard Genesis II (1973), The Bionic Woman, Wonder Woman, Salvage 1, Quantum Leap, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Though he's no longer with us, Young was born on this day in 1940. [Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Virginia Wetherell enjoyed a guest spot as 'Dyoni' aboard Doctor Who's 1964 season. She also had a small role in A Clockwork Orange (1971). Wetherell was born on this day in 1943. [Source: IMDB.com]
During the mid-1980's, the talented Patrick Ryecart dabbled in the ever-growing world of Doctor Who with a supporting role in "The Trial Of A Time Lord" saga. Ryecart was born on this day in 1952. [Source: IMDB.com]
Benjamin Lum's time aboard the Starship Enterprise-D was short-lived -- only a single episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "The Naked Now" -- and maybe that's because he showed up drunk on-the-job! (Truth is, that was the episode in which everybody was drunk.) Though he's no longer with us, Lum was born on this day in 1953.
It's another one of those cases wherein sci-fi lost one of its own too soon before his time: Kevin Peter Hall played the signature alien from Predator and Predator 2 to excellent physical prowess. Though he's no longer with us, Hall was born on this day in 1955.
Most recently, hers was one of the voices behind the growing conspiracy at the heart of Syfy's big-event miniseries, Ascension. (For those of you who missed it, the program was intended as a series but lacked a successful pick-up. Too bad as I quite liked its premise.) Wendy Crewson has also booked appearances aboard Murder In Space, Bicentennial Man, The 6th Day, ReGenesis, and Alcatraz. Crewson was born on this day in 1956.
While she wore her mortal coil, Lorena Gale built an exceptional track record in the world of genre entertainment, securing roles aboard such properties as M.A.N.T.I.S., Millennium, The X-Files, First Wave, The Outer Limits, Seven Days, Stargate: SG-1, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica, and many, many more. Though she's no longer with us, Gale was born on this day in 1958.
He' has a terrific resume in genre entertainment, but most folks probably wouldn't know it. Brian Cousins appeared as Crosis (aide to Lore, pictured above) in Star Trek: The Next Generation's stellar two-parter, Descent. He's also been a part of Mandroid, The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., Roswell, Babylon 5, Space: Above and Beyond, Dark Skies, The Sentinel, Timecop, Sliders, and Star Trek: Enterprise. Cousins was born on this day in 1959.
With his ol' soul, back country personae, it's hard to imagine actor John Corbett fitting in to a Science Fiction program, but -- truth be told -- he's participated in a few. Back during the 1997-98 TV season, the man headlined a program called The Visitor which was about an abductee returning to Earth decades after his abduction. He was also part of an ensemble for something titled The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy (pictured above) in 1998. Corbett was born on this day in 1961.
1989's Slipstream is a cult film, at best, but it's one with some amazing credentials. First, it was produced by Star Wars' producer Gary Kurtz. Second, it offers up Star Wars' regular Mark Hamill in a pretty significant role. Third, it has the late Bob Peck and Bill Paxton as leads ... and those two are rounded out by the lovely Kitty Aldridge who complemented the ensemble in the role of 'Belitski.' (SciFiHistory.Net's review of Slipstream is right here.) Aldridge was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Praised often as lovely and sexy, the delightful Kristi Somers threw caution to the wind to play "lovely" and "sexy" of a mutated sort in 1988's delightful SciFi/B-Movie Hell Comes To Frogtown. Somers was born on this day in 1962. [Source: IMDB.com]
Gary Daniels has quite a resume in some B-Movie territory, and if that career leads you to trading blows with something called Reptilicant (2006) then you deserve a mention. Daniels was born on this day in 1963.
The delicious Teresa Hill definitely parlayed her skills and good looks into the realm of Science Fiction and Fantasy with roles aboard Puppet Master 4 (1993), Puppet Master 5 (1994), and the popular syndicated property Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Hill was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Honestly, I didn't get bit by the Xena: Warrior Princess bug like many fanboys of its era did. I watched enough of it to know what it was all about, and I've since watch a season or two on DVD. I did enjoy the show's burgeoning ensemble of supporting players, of which the lovely Hudson Leick did an outstanding turn as the villainous but tempting 'Callisto.' Leick was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
Producer and screenwriter Travis Milloy has a pair of impressive Science Fiction projects under his belt worthy of note: 2009's Pandorum and 2016's Infinity Chamber. Milloy was born on this day in 1969. [Source: IMDB.com]
The delightful Gillian Kearney took some time off from conventional fare for an appearance in the realm of Fantasy aboard the BBC's Primeval. Kearney was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Lovely Anna-Louise Plowman enjoyed the great gig as a recurring guest on Stargate: SG-1 (pictured above right), playing Dr. Sarah Gardner (aka Osiris). In 2005, she had a role in the BBC's rejiggered Doctor Who's first season. Plowman was born on this day in 1972. [Source: IMDB.com]
Niki Spiridakos entered the realm of Science Fiction with a plumb role aboard Moontrap: Target Earth (2017). Spiridakos was born on this day in 1975.
Actor Karl Thaning appeared as 'Judge Chan' aboard Dredd (2012). He's also booked screen time in Supernova (2005), The Triangle, Doomsday (2008), and Starship Troopers 3: Marauder (2008). Thaning was born on this day in 1977.
No stranger to genre projects, Rosario Dawson joined Josh Hartnett is examining the SciFi threat behind a biological catastrophe in Parts Per Billion (2014). Dawson was born on this day in 1979. [Source: IMDB.com]
It doesn't get any more 'Fantasy' than to cast four of the loveliest ladies on Earth in roles as witches who can make playing a desperate housewife into a work of art? Rachel Boston shone as one of the practitioners of magic aboard Witches Of East End during its run on television. Boston was born on this day in 1982. [Source: IMDB.com]
Curse you, Netflix! Curse you for cancelling the incredible Archive 81 after allowing the great Julia Chan to go to the crazy place but not giving her another season to get out! Curses! Chan was born on this day in 1983. [Source: IMDB.com]
Chris Zylka earned some screen time -- as well as Emma Stone's ire if the above pic is any indication -- by securing the role of Flash Thompson in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). Zylka was born on this day in 1985.
Grace Gummer is part of the cast of the Steven Spielberg produced SciFi summer series on CBS, Extant. Gummer was born on this day in 1986.
Young Leah Bateman found herself in the midst of some SciFi and Fantasy danger with her work aboard Fire Twister (2015) for CineTel Films. Bateman was born on this day in 1995. [Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1932 (in the Netherlands), Frankenstein enjoyed a bit of time in the cinematic limelight. James Whale directed the motion picture from an adaptation of the Mary Shelley novel, and the feature starred Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, and Boris Karloff. For those born on an island, here's the plot summary as provided by the folks at IMDB.com:
"Henry Frankenstein is a doctor who is trying to discover a way to make the dead walk. He succeeds and creates a monster that has to deal with living again."
For the record:
In 1991, Frankenstein was inducted into the National Film Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress. The National Film Registry seeks to preserve films based on their historical, cultural, and aesthetic contributions to history.
"Henry Frankenstein is a doctor who is trying to discover a way to make the dead walk. He succeeds and creates a monster that has to deal with living again."
For the record:
In 1991, Frankenstein was inducted into the National Film Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress. The National Film Registry seeks to preserve films based on their historical, cultural, and aesthetic contributions to history.
On this day in 1968 (in Iran), the original Planet Of The Apes enjoyed its theatrical release. The SciFi/Classic feature starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, and here's the plot summary as provided by 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.
If you're never seen the phenomenal Soylent Green (spoilers: it's people, you know), then stop what you're doing right now and head out to your local rental store or, better yet, purchase yourself a copy. On this day back in 1973, it premiered in theatres, and even folks back then really thought it was something special. Some critics thought that the film may've indirectly predicted the inevitable demise of mankind as well as planet Earth ... but, me, I just thought it was really solid sci-fi put together extremely well. Also, it was Edward G. Robinson's last film, and that alone makes it worth your time: his performance is tremendous. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A nightmarish futuristic fantasy about the controlling power of big corporations and an innocent cop who stumbles on the truth."
For the record:
I always thought that Soylent Green was really one of the first "environmentally conscious" Science Fiction films, something which tried to look at our world as a whole and what we were perhaps doing to it. I'd argue that it certainly sparked a trend in SciFi flicks to go a bit deeper into subject matter than just warp drive and laser pistols. The film was recognized by many to be worthy of acclaim. In 1974, it won the Nebula Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' as well as taking the Grand Prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival. In 1975, it won the Golden Scroll for Best Picture from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.
"A nightmarish futuristic fantasy about the controlling power of big corporations and an innocent cop who stumbles on the truth."
For the record:
I always thought that Soylent Green was really one of the first "environmentally conscious" Science Fiction films, something which tried to look at our world as a whole and what we were perhaps doing to it. I'd argue that it certainly sparked a trend in SciFi flicks to go a bit deeper into subject matter than just warp drive and laser pistols. The film was recognized by many to be worthy of acclaim. In 1974, it won the Nebula Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' as well as taking the Grand Prize at the Avoriaz Fantastic Film Festival. In 1975, it won the Golden Scroll for Best Picture from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films.
Perhaps it's best that you think of this as 'Punk To The Future'! On this day in 1979 (in Los Angeles, CA), Derek Jarman's disturbing SciFi/Fantasy Jubilee enjoyed a brief theatrical engagement. The film starred Jenny Runacre, Nell Campbell, and Toyah Willcox; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Queen Elisabeth I travels 400 years into the future to witness the appalling revelation of a dystopian London overrun by corruption and a vicious gang of punk guerrilla girls led by the new Monarch of Punk."
"Queen Elisabeth I travels 400 years into the future to witness the appalling revelation of a dystopian London overrun by corruption and a vicious gang of punk guerrilla girls led by the new Monarch of Punk."
A star is born! On this day in 1980 (in West Germany, according to Wikipedia.org), Contamination brought a space menace down to Earth. 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 1980 (in West Germany), Death Watch served up a grim satire on human nature. Adapted from the David Compton novel (in part) and directed by Bertrand Tavernier, the SciFi/Drama starred Harvey Keitel, Romy Schneider, and Harry Dean Stanton; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a future where dying of illness is exceedingly rare, a terminally ill woman becomes a celebrity and a man with camera implants goes to secretly record her for a morbid TV show."
For the record:
During the film's original run, Death Watch enjoyed a wealth of praise on the film festival circuit.
"In a future where dying of illness is exceedingly rare, a terminally ill woman becomes a celebrity and a man with camera implants goes to secretly record her for a morbid TV show."
For the record:
During the film's original run, Death Watch enjoyed a wealth of praise on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1984 (in France), Endgame treated audiences to yet one more dark and dismal global future. Written (in part) and directed by Joe D'Amato, the Apocalypse/Thriller starred Al Cliver, Laura Gemser, and George Eastman; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A telepathic mutant recruits a post-World War III TV game-show warrior to lead her band of mutants to safety."
"A telepathic mutant recruits a post-World War III TV game-show warrior to lead her band of mutants to safety."
A star is born ... and then it's set on fire! On this day in 1984 (in the big, big city of Bangor, Maine), the silver screen adaptation of Stephen King's Firestarter set the box office ablaze. Directed by Mark L. Lester, the SciFi/Horror starred young Drew Barrymore, David Keith, and George C. Scott. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telepathic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic."
For the record:
At the 1985 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Firestarter enjoyed a pair of nominations -- but no wins -- in the categories of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor' and 'Best Horror Film.'
"A couple who participated in a potent medical experiment gain telepathic ability and then have a child who is pyrokinetic."
For the record:
At the 1985 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Firestarter enjoyed a pair of nominations -- but no wins -- in the categories of 'Best Performance By A Younger Actor' and 'Best Horror Film.'
On this day in 1985 (in the Philippines), the search for new life took a magical twist in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock. Directed by Leonard Nimoy, the Space Fantasy starred William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, and Christopher Lloyd; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Admiral Kirk and his bridge crew risk their careers stealing the decommissioned U.S.S. Enterprise to return to the restricted Genesis Planet to recover Spock's body."
For the record:
This tad-more-cerebral entry into the cinematic realm of Star Trek garnered a handful of nominations from the 1985 Saturn Awards and a singular nomination ('Best Dramatic Presentation') from the 1985 Hugo Awards. The film brings the popular Vulcan back from the dead, indeed, though we learn from the next picture he's not quite himself ... yet.
"Admiral Kirk and his bridge crew risk their careers stealing the decommissioned U.S.S. Enterprise to return to the restricted Genesis Planet to recover Spock's body."
For the record:
This tad-more-cerebral entry into the cinematic realm of Star Trek garnered a handful of nominations from the 1985 Saturn Awards and a singular nomination ('Best Dramatic Presentation') from the 1985 Hugo Awards. The film brings the popular Vulcan back from the dead, indeed, though we learn from the next picture he's not quite himself ... yet.
Vroom vroom! On this day in 1986 (in Portugal), Battletruck roared on the silver screen for a theatrical run. Directed by Harley Cokeliss from a story by Michael Abrams, the feature starred Michael Beck, Annie McEnroe, and John Ratzenberger; and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
"Post World War III futuristic tale of collapsed governments & bankrupt countries heralding a new lawless age."
On this day in 1986 (in Spain), Hands Of Steel turned up the lasery heat at the box office. Written (in part) and directed by Sergio Martino, the SciFi/Thriller starred Daniel Greene, Janet Agren, and Claudio Cassinelli. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A cyborg is programmed to kill a scientist who holds the fate of mankind in his hands. He fails and hides in a diner in a desert run by a woman who likes him. The people who sent him are after him and so is the local arm wrestling champ."
"A cyborg is programmed to kill a scientist who holds the fate of mankind in his hands. He fails and hides in a diner in a desert run by a woman who likes him. The people who sent him are after him and so is the local arm wrestling champ."
A star is born! On this day in 1986, No. 5 came alive as Short Circuit premiered in theatres. For those of you who don't know, No. 5 was WALL*E before WALL*E was cool. (I thought I'd read somewhere that some Hollywood executive wanted to reboot this franchise, but I'm coming up empty on a search right now.) Written by the team of S.S. Wilson, Brent Maddock, and Jay Tarses, the SciFi/Comedy was directed by John Badham; and it starred Ally Sheedy, Steve Guttenberg, and Fisher Stevens. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes."
For the record:
Short Circuit enjoyed three nominations (but no wins) at the 1987 Saturn Awards sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"Number 5 of a group of experimental robots in a lab is electrocuted, suddenly becomes intelligent, and escapes."
For the record:
Short Circuit enjoyed three nominations (but no wins) at the 1987 Saturn Awards sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
A star is born! On this day in 1987 (in France), Gor played for audiences in attendance of the Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Fritz Kiersch, the Fantasy feature starred Urbano Barberini, Rebecca Ferratti, and Jack Palance; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"American professor Tarl Cabot is transported via a magical ring to planet Gor, where he must help an oppressed country overthrow its evil king and his barbarian henchmen."
For the record:
For those unaware, Gor is actually an adaptation of a novel -- "Tarnsman Of Gor" -- written by John Norman.
"American professor Tarl Cabot is transported via a magical ring to planet Gor, where he must help an oppressed country overthrow its evil king and his barbarian henchmen."
For the record:
For those unaware, Gor is actually an adaptation of a novel -- "Tarnsman Of Gor" -- written by John Norman.
Here's another one you can file in the "I've Heard Of But Never Seen" category: Timescape starred Jeff Daniels as a man who manages an inn whose guests would appear to be time travelers. It premiered on this day in 1992. Here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"Before they can complete renovations on their new inn, Widower (Ben Wilson) and daughter (Hillary) are visited by a woman seeking immediate lodging for her strange group of travellers. Why they won't stay at the hotel in town is just the first of many mysteries surrounding the group that lead Wilson to a startling discovery affecting his family and neighbours."
For the record:
At the 1992 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films), Timescape enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"Before they can complete renovations on their new inn, Widower (Ben Wilson) and daughter (Hillary) are visited by a woman seeking immediate lodging for her strange group of travellers. Why they won't stay at the hotel in town is just the first of many mysteries surrounding the group that lead Wilson to a startling discovery affecting his family and neighbours."
For the record:
At the 1992 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films), Timescape enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
A star is born! On this day in 1995, Deadlocked: Escape From Zone 14 (aka Deadlock 2) premiered as a SciFi/Telefilm. Directed by Graeme Campbell, the SciFi/Thriller starred Esai Morales, Stephen McHattie, and Nia Peeples; and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Tony is framed by Claremont for a murder he didn't commit. He is sent to prison but Claremont promises him freedom if he can find Allie in the prison and bring her out. Allie and Tony soon join forces and the actual escape from the prison is a small part of what they will go through together."
"Tony is framed by Claremont for a murder he didn't commit. He is sent to prison but Claremont promises him freedom if he can find Allie in the prison and bring her out. Allie and Tony soon join forces and the actual escape from the prison is a small part of what they will go through together."
You'll have to forgive me, folks, but I never much cared for Luc Besson's The Fifth Element. Sure, I guess it was fun (in a forgettable way), and, yeah, it served up a pretty solid performance by the ever-reliable Bruce Willis; but Besson himself said that he'd penned the script when he was but a high schooler, and it didn't it feel that way to you, too? It certainly didn't seem all that flash'n'sizzle that it received, but I know some folks have a soft spot for it. It premiered theatrically on this day back in 1997. Here's the summary from the usual suspects over at IMDB.com:
"In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr Zorg at bay."
For the record:
Luc Besson's The Fifth Element certainly garnered an awful lot of praise during its original run. At the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony, it enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing.' At the 1998 BAFTA Awards, it actually took home top honors in the category of 'Best Special Effects.' For the 1998 Saturn Awards, the film sported four nominations (but no wins) in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Supporting Actress,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' And it also enjoyed a Hugo Awards nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"In the colorful future, a cab driver unwittingly becomes the central figure in the search for a legendary cosmic weapon to keep Evil and Mr Zorg at bay."
For the record:
Luc Besson's The Fifth Element certainly garnered an awful lot of praise during its original run. At the 1998 Academy Awards ceremony, it enjoyed a nomination for 'Best Effects, Sound Effects Editing.' At the 1998 BAFTA Awards, it actually took home top honors in the category of 'Best Special Effects.' For the 1998 Saturn Awards, the film sported four nominations (but no wins) in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Supporting Actress,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' And it also enjoyed a Hugo Awards nomination for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 1997 (in Italy), Tremors II: Aftershocks enjoyed an airing on television. Directed by S.S. Wilson, the SciFi/Comedy starred Fred Ward, Helen Shaver, and Michael Gross; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Earl Bassett, now a washed-up ex-celebrity, is hired by a Mexican oil company to eradicate a Graboid epidemic that's killing more people each day. However, the humans aren't the only one with a new battle plan."
For the record:
The Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated Tremors II for the Saturn Award in the category of 'Best Home Video Release,' no small feat indeed.
"Earl Bassett, now a washed-up ex-celebrity, is hired by a Mexican oil company to eradicate a Graboid epidemic that's killing more people each day. However, the humans aren't the only one with a new battle plan."
For the record:
The Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films nominated Tremors II for the Saturn Award in the category of 'Best Home Video Release,' no small feat indeed.
A star is born! On this day in 2001 (in Japan), a little something something crawled to life under the name of Spiders II: Breeding Ground. Directed by Sam Firstenberg, the SciFi/Horror starred Stephanie Niznik, Greg Cromer, and Daniel Quinn; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After the events of Spiders (2000), a scientist conducts genetic tests, and a couple becomes the perfect host. Now, the hunt is on, as an army of arachnids is after the succulent human flesh. Who can stop the spiders' feeding frenzy?"
"After the events of Spiders (2000), a scientist conducts genetic tests, and a couple becomes the perfect host. Now, the hunt is on, as an army of arachnids is after the succulent human flesh. Who can stop the spiders' feeding frenzy?"
On this day in 2008 (in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Norway), the future didn't look all that bright aboard Doomsday. Written and directed by Neil Marshall, the SciFi/Thriller starred Rhona Mitra, Bob Hoskins, and Alexander Siddig; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"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.'
On this day in 2008 (in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, and a whole host of other countries), Speed Racer finally raced onto the silver screen. Written (in part) and directed by the Wachowskis, the feature film starred Emile Hirsch, Christina Ricci, and Matthew Fox; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Young driver Speed Racer aspires to be champion of the racing world with the help of his family and his high-tech Mach 5 automobile."
"Young driver Speed Racer aspires to be champion of the racing world with the help of his family and his high-tech Mach 5 automobile."
College coed Anna Rijnders (played by the lovely Hannah Hoekstra) finds her life being taken over by technology in ways never imagined in the sharp but kinda/sorta silly Dutch thriller App which was released on this day theatrically (in the US) in 2014. For those who'd like to know more, you can check out my review on Amazon: link Also, here's IMDB.com's summary:
"A young psychology student is drawn into the dark and fearful world of a diabolic and mysterious App that starts to terrorize her, distributing compromising photographs, videos and text messages about herself and delves deeper and deeper into her personal life, flawlessly exposing all of her deepest secrets."
"A young psychology student is drawn into the dark and fearful world of a diabolic and mysterious App that starts to terrorize her, distributing compromising photographs, videos and text messages about herself and delves deeper and deeper into her personal life, flawlessly exposing all of her deepest secrets."
On this day in 2014 (in Turkey), The Returned enjoyed a run through theaters. Directed by Manuel Carballo, the SciFi/Horror starred Emily Hampshire, Shawn Doyle, and Kris Holden-Reid; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a post-zombie world, where the infected live normal lives, their retroviral drug is running out."
For the record:
According to the film's IMDB.com citation page, The Returned enjoyed a modest bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
"In a post-zombie world, where the infected live normal lives, their retroviral drug is running out."
For the record:
According to the film's IMDB.com citation page, The Returned enjoyed a modest bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2015 (in Barcelona, Spain), the 1985-produced Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome enjoyed a rare cinematic re-release. Directed by George Miller, the SciFi/Thriller starred Mel Gibson, Tina Turner, and Bruce Spence; and here's the premise as listed on IMDB.com:
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
For the record:
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films recognized Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with an impressive four nominations (but no wins) in the categories of 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
"After being exiled from the most advanced town in post apocalyptic Australia, a drifter travels with a group of abandoned children to rebel against the town's queen."
For the record:
The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films recognized Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with an impressive four nominations (but no wins) in the categories of 'Best Costumes,' 'Best Writing,' 'Best Director,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.'
On this day in 2016 (in the United Arab Emirates), the 1995-produced version of Ghost In The Shell enjoyed a release on home video. Directed by Mamoru Oshii and starring the voices of Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, and Akio Ôtsuka, the film enjoyed a wealth of praise as well as a live adaptation remake in 2007. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master."
For the record:
At the 1996 Annie Awards (which recognizes excellence in animation on film and television, Ghost In The Shell enjoyed an incredible five nominations (alas, no wins) in the categories of 'Best Individual Achievement: Writing,' 'Best Individual Achievement: Production Design,' 'Best Individual Achievement: Producing,' 'Best Individual Achievement: Directing,' and 'Best Animated Feature.'
"A cyborg policewoman and her partner hunt a mysterious and powerful hacker called the Puppet Master."
For the record:
At the 1996 Annie Awards (which recognizes excellence in animation on film and television, Ghost In The Shell enjoyed an incredible five nominations (alas, no wins) in the categories of 'Best Individual Achievement: Writing,' 'Best Individual Achievement: Production Design,' 'Best Individual Achievement: Producing,' 'Best Individual Achievement: Directing,' and 'Best Animated Feature.'
On this day in 2017 (in Lithuania), the director's cut of Ridley Scott's Alien enjoyed a rare theatrical re-release. The SciFi/Thriller starred Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, and Harry Dean Stanton. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
For the record:
The original Alien was a film that I was a bit slow to love. I thought it was brilliant, but I honestly felt its 'rewatchability' was a bit low: once you knew where all the scares were, then the effect is pretty much lost. However, I gave it many, many, many second chances ... and it still manages to scare me all of these years later. In fact, I think Alien and Aliens are the only two films in all of the series that I truly am frightened by the Xenomorphs. And, of course, I'd be a fool if I failed to mention that the original won the coveted Oscar for 'Best Special Effects' in 1980. Like a great film should, Alien continues to resonate today, as I suspect will be the case for years to come.
"After a space merchant vessel receives an unknown transmission as a distress call, one of the crew is attacked by a mysterious life form and they soon realize that its life cycle has merely begun."
For the record:
The original Alien was a film that I was a bit slow to love. I thought it was brilliant, but I honestly felt its 'rewatchability' was a bit low: once you knew where all the scares were, then the effect is pretty much lost. However, I gave it many, many, many second chances ... and it still manages to scare me all of these years later. In fact, I think Alien and Aliens are the only two films in all of the series that I truly am frightened by the Xenomorphs. And, of course, I'd be a fool if I failed to mention that the original won the coveted Oscar for 'Best Special Effects' in 1980. Like a great film should, Alien continues to resonate today, as I suspect will be the case for years to come.
On this day in 2017 (in Canada), The Creature Below enjoyed its submergence on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Stewart Sparke, the SciFi/Horror starred Anna Dawson, Michaela Longden, and Daniel Thrace; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young scientist discovers a malevolent entity which sets her on a bloody descent into the jaws of insanity."
"A young scientist discovers a malevolent entity which sets her on a bloody descent into the jaws of insanity."
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (in the Philippines), Higher Power enjoyed a run at the moviehouses. Written (in part) and directed by Matthew Charles Santoro, the feature starred Ron Eldard, Jade Tailor, and Jordan Danger; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When the Universe decides what it wants, it's pointless to resist. With his family's life at stake, Joseph Steadman finds himself the unwilling test subject of a maniacal scientist in a battle that could save the world, or destroy it."
"When the Universe decides what it wants, it's pointless to resist. With his family's life at stake, Joseph Steadman finds himself the unwilling test subject of a maniacal scientist in a battle that could save the world, or destroy it."
On this day in 1952 (in the U.S.), Tales Of Tomorrow aired "The Gold Ingot." Officially, this served as the thirty-second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A chemist has been trying time and again to make gold from lead. He has been laughed at and his bills are overdue. Will he ever succeed? Or what would happen if someone were to fake his success?"
For the record:
This installment was penned by Max Ehrlich. Ehrlich wrote a total of four episodes for the show before going on to find work aboard such other genre properties as Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Star Trek, and The Wild Wild West. He also penned scripts for such motion pictures as Z.P.G. (1972) and The Reincarnation Of Peter Proud (1975).
"A chemist has been trying time and again to make gold from lead. He has been laughed at and his bills are overdue. Will he ever succeed? Or what would happen if someone were to fake his success?"
For the record:
This installment was penned by Max Ehrlich. Ehrlich wrote a total of four episodes for the show before going on to find work aboard such other genre properties as Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Star Trek, and The Wild Wild West. He also penned scripts for such motion pictures as Z.P.G. (1972) and The Reincarnation Of Peter Proud (1975).
On this day in 1963 (in the U.S.), The Twilight Zone aired "Passage On The Lady Anne." Officially, this served as the seventeenth episode to the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A young American couple, the Ransomes, who are trying to salvage their troubled marriage, insist on booking passage on an old trans-Atlantic cruise liner. But other passengers try to persuade them to disembark immediately."
"A young American couple, the Ransomes, who are trying to salvage their troubled marriage, insist on booking passage on an old trans-Atlantic cruise liner. But other passengers try to persuade them to disembark immediately."
On this day in 1964 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "Sentence of Death." Officially, this served as the twenty-fifth episode in the program's first season. Here's the episode summary from IMDB.com:
"The group are reunited with the Doctor in the city of Millennius where Ian faces trial for murder after the fourth key is stolen."
For the record:
For purists, this installment was part of the broader The Keys Of Marinus storyline.
"The group are reunited with the Doctor in the city of Millennius where Ian faces trial for murder after the fourth key is stolen."
For the record:
For purists, this installment was part of the broader The Keys Of Marinus storyline.
On this day in 1967 (in the U.S.), The Invaders aired "The Condemned." Officially, this served as the season finale for the program's first season -- the seventeenth episode in its first season -- and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Tate has managed to seize and hide a file named "Command Roster One" and the aliens are desperate to recover it. They bring in Tate's estranged daughter Carol to pressure the man, but with David Vincent's help, Tate may manage to save his daughter and recover the hidden file. If he can, it would be a terrible setback for the invaders."
"Tate has managed to seize and hide a file named "Command Roster One" and the aliens are desperate to recover it. They bring in Tate's estranged daughter Carol to pressure the man, but with David Vincent's help, Tate may manage to save his daughter and recover the hidden file. If he can, it would be a terrible setback for the invaders."
On this day in 1988 (in the U.S.), Something Is Out There aired Part 2 of its minseries. According to our friends at Wikipedia.org, here's the premise for the miniseries:
"Jack Breslin is a police officer investigating brutal murders in which organs have been removed from the victims. He learns that the crimes are being committed by a monstrous alien insectoid prisoner known as a xenomorph, possessing shape-shifting and physical possession abilities, who has escaped from an alien prison starship passing by the solar system, and he teams up with a beautiful medical officer from that ship, Ta'Ra, to track down the villain. Ta'Ra has assorted superhuman abilities, including telepathy and superhuman agility, which come in handy during the mission."
"Jack Breslin is a police officer investigating brutal murders in which organs have been removed from the victims. He learns that the crimes are being committed by a monstrous alien insectoid prisoner known as a xenomorph, possessing shape-shifting and physical possession abilities, who has escaped from an alien prison starship passing by the solar system, and he teams up with a beautiful medical officer from that ship, Ta'Ra, to track down the villain. Ta'Ra has assorted superhuman abilities, including telepathy and superhuman agility, which come in handy during the mission."
On this day in 1990 (in the U.S.), Quantum Leap aired "M.I.A." Officially, this served as the twenty-second episode in the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Al tells Sam that he has to convince a Navy nurse that her MIA husband is still alive, but Sam keeps getting signals that he has another mission."
"Al tells Sam that he has to convince a Navy nurse that her MIA husband is still alive, but Sam keeps getting signals that he has another mission."
On this day in 1992 (in U.S. TV syndication), Star Trek: The Next Generation fans were introduced to a kinder, gentler Borg with the airing of "I Borg." This socially-charged story served as the twenty-third episode of the program's fifth season, and it helped set the stage for greater events to follow in coming plotlines. Here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"The Enterprise detects a distress call and finds a single survivor amidst the wreckage of a Borg scout ship. As Picard is faced with a reminder of his ordeal, he argues with Guinan about the ethics of sending the Borg back as a weapon to wipe out the Collective."
"The Enterprise detects a distress call and finds a single survivor amidst the wreckage of a Borg scout ship. As Picard is faced with a reminder of his ordeal, he argues with Guinan about the ethics of sending the Borg back as a weapon to wipe out the Collective."
On this day in 1993 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Progress." Officially, this served as the fifteenth episode to the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TrekCore.com:
"Evacuating a Bajoran moon, Kira finds a stubborn old farmer called Mullibok, who has been living on the moon since the Cardassians arrived on Bajor. Soon she finds herself torn between her duty and her compassion for Mullibok."
For the record:
Sadly, actor Brian Keith (who appeared in this episode as 'Mullibok') lost his struggle with depression and took his own life on June 24, 1997. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.
"Evacuating a Bajoran moon, Kira finds a stubborn old farmer called Mullibok, who has been living on the moon since the Cardassians arrived on Bajor. Soon she finds herself torn between her duty and her compassion for Mullibok."
For the record:
Sadly, actor Brian Keith (who appeared in this episode as 'Mullibok') lost his struggle with depression and took his own life on June 24, 1997. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, please share the number for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. It's never too late to save a life.
On this day in 1994 (Canada), RoboCop: The Series aired "Faces of Eve." Officially, this served as the tenth episode of the program's only season, and here's the (edited) plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"A new miracle product from OCP offers consumers new identities via gene transplant therapy. Things go wrong quickly when Pudface Morgan and his gang become aware of this product, and use it to spring out of prison and commit a murder. Things get even worse when Pudface plans to plunge Delta City into chaos by using the Chairman's identity to sabotage OCP and the police department."
"A new miracle product from OCP offers consumers new identities via gene transplant therapy. Things go wrong quickly when Pudface Morgan and his gang become aware of this product, and use it to spring out of prison and commit a murder. Things get even worse when Pudface plans to plunge Delta City into chaos by using the Chairman's identity to sabotage OCP and the police department."
On this day in 1994 (in the U.S.), Time Trax aired "Almost Human." Officially, this served as the twelfth episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"Sahmbi's newest invention is an android that acts and looks like Darien Lambert, with a mission to kill and replace Darien."
"Sahmbi's newest invention is an android that acts and looks like Darien Lambert, with a mission to kill and replace Darien."
On this day in 1999 (in the U.S.), The X-Files aired "Field Trip." Officially, this served as the twenty-first episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The skeletal remains of a young couple are found after they have been missing for only three days in an area known for UFO activity. Mulder and Scully have different experiences in the investigation but nothing is quite as it seems."
"The skeletal remains of a young couple are found after they have been missing for only three days in an area known for UFO activity. Mulder and Scully have different experiences in the investigation but nothing is quite as it seems."
On this day in 2001 (in the U.S.), Special Unit 2 aired "The Waste." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A mysterious creature is created from the medical waste from liposuction clinics. Yes it is a creature composed of ... FAT, roaming the sewer system of Chicago, in search of even more human fat to serve its insatiable appetite and it's not above killing to get a meal. Also O'Malley's former partner, a fellow detective is wrongly charged with the murder of a police officer, who was actually killed by the monster. O'Malley swears he will find a way to clear his friend's name."
"A mysterious creature is created from the medical waste from liposuction clinics. Yes it is a creature composed of ... FAT, roaming the sewer system of Chicago, in search of even more human fat to serve its insatiable appetite and it's not above killing to get a meal. Also O'Malley's former partner, a fellow detective is wrongly charged with the murder of a police officer, who was actually killed by the monster. O'Malley swears he will find a way to clear his friend's name."
On this day in 2001 (in the U.S.), Star Trek: Voyager discovered a colony of Talaxians in the distant reaches of space, and the ship's cook makes a major decision about his future as a member of the crew. "Homestead" bid a fond farewell to the alien and his race. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Voyager finds a colony of Talaxians far from their home planet. When Neelix begins to bond with them, he makes a major decision."
"Voyager finds a colony of Talaxians far from their home planet. When Neelix begins to bond with them, he makes a major decision."
On this day in 2008 (in the U.S.), Syfy's Battlestar Galactica aired the sixth episode of its fourth (and final) season. It was titled "Faith," and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"A vicious injury ends the mutiny attempt aboard the Demetrius, Kara leads her crew to the Cylon rebel's Basestar, and Roslin begins to understand Gaius Baltar's appeal to his followers. Meanwhile, Anders attempts to secretly find answers to his purpose as a member of the Final Five."
"A vicious injury ends the mutiny attempt aboard the Demetrius, Kara leads her crew to the Cylon rebel's Basestar, and Roslin begins to understand Gaius Baltar's appeal to his followers. Meanwhile, Anders attempts to secretly find answers to his purpose as a member of the Final Five."
It all came down to this: for whatever reason, most fans of the Stargate franchise seemed to pretty much hate Stargate Universe, but I liked it well enough. Now, truth be told, that could be because I never much cared for what little I had seen of Stargate: SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis (was there ever a Stargate: Des Moines?). Those shows always seemed a bit saccharrin to me. But, after two relatively low-rated seasons, Stargate: Universe came to its inevitable end with the airing of 'Gauntlet' on this day in 2011 -- an obvious cliffhanger if there ever was one -- and it's never been heard of since. Too sad. I kinda miss it. Here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Eli and Rush have found a way to identify the location of drone mother ships using Destiny's long range sensors. The bad news is that the drones seems to be awaiting them at every possible stop along Destiny's path. They find a temporary solution to neutralize the mother ships but realize that they cannot engage in a major battle every time they need to re-supply. Eli suggest that they use the stasis pods for the crew and jump to the next galaxy, a trip that will take three years. All goes well until they realize that one of the pods has been damaged and one person will have to stay behind in the hopes of fixing the unit in the short time available or die."
"Eli and Rush have found a way to identify the location of drone mother ships using Destiny's long range sensors. The bad news is that the drones seems to be awaiting them at every possible stop along Destiny's path. They find a temporary solution to neutralize the mother ships but realize that they cannot engage in a major battle every time they need to re-supply. Eli suggest that they use the stasis pods for the crew and jump to the next galaxy, a trip that will take three years. All goes well until they realize that one of the pods has been damaged and one person will have to stay behind in the hopes of fixing the unit in the short time available or die."
On this day in 2018 (in the U.S.), Colony aired "Puzzle Man." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Will and Katie put themselves at risk to make contact with the Resistance. Broussard pieces together IGA secrets left behind in LA."
"Will and Katie put themselves at risk to make contact with the Resistance. Broussard pieces together IGA secrets left behind in LA."
On this day in 2018 (in the U.S.), The Expanse aired "Triple Point." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The search for Prax's daughter comes to a head; officers loyal to Admiral Souther plan to mutiny aboard the Agatha King."
"The search for Prax's daughter comes to a head; officers loyal to Admiral Souther plan to mutiny aboard the Agatha King."
