As can happen with these short-lived series that come and go so quickly, I've found it difficult to locate much information on Riese. For example, IMDB.com reports that the Fantasy program premiere on this day in 2009 (in Canada), but I've read a few web articles that claim the property was only a web-based show. Whatever the case, that's a very fetching lead lady (and you know how I feel about those), so here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Riese, a seemingly random wanderer, is being hunted by a terrifying religious cult, The Sect. Traveling from nation to nation for years, she is accompanied only by a wolf, Fenrir. Together they must evade the assassins sent by the Sect - who'll stop at nothing to complete the task they failed to achieve many years ago. Her past is shrouded in mystery, as even Riese can't recall the events of the tragic night when her entire family was slaughtered and she was forced to flee into the wilderness. On her journey, she'll piece together her past, and her destiny, in a conflict that will hold the fate of the world in the balance - and the once peaceful kingdom of Eleysia will be the battlefield."
"Riese, a seemingly random wanderer, is being hunted by a terrifying religious cult, The Sect. Traveling from nation to nation for years, she is accompanied only by a wolf, Fenrir. Together they must evade the assassins sent by the Sect - who'll stop at nothing to complete the task they failed to achieve many years ago. Her past is shrouded in mystery, as even Riese can't recall the events of the tragic night when her entire family was slaughtered and she was forced to flee into the wilderness. On her journey, she'll piece together her past, and her destiny, in a conflict that will hold the fate of the world in the balance - and the once peaceful kingdom of Eleysia will be the battlefield."
On this day back in 1984, the TV series V aired its second episode. Titled "Dreadnought," the summary for it from Wikipedia.org goes as follows:
"Diana talks peace while readying the fearsome Triax superweapon that could reduce Los Angeles to rubble. Meanwhile, Resistance fighters activate a new weapon of their own: a captured mothership. Robert Maxwell is killed when he collides the mothership into the Triax in order to destroy it."
"Diana talks peace while readying the fearsome Triax superweapon that could reduce Los Angeles to rubble. Meanwhile, Resistance fighters activate a new weapon of their own: a captured mothership. Robert Maxwell is killed when he collides the mothership into the Triax in order to destroy it."
Quality SciFi material will even draw the attention of seasoned veterans, and such was the case for The Island of Dr. Moreau (1977) which caught the eye of Burt Lancaster (above right) for the central role of 'Dr. Paul Moreau.' As for other forays into the realms of the Fantastic, he had a crucial role aboard 1989's Field Of Dreams, but that's really about all there was. Though he's no longer with us, Lancaster was born on this day in 1913.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though I was never much a fan of My Favorite Martian (1963-1966), Ray Walston was one of my favorite screen actors when I was a young'un. He seemed so very much like this likeable guy that you couldn't hate him in anything. Thankfully, he gave genre fans an incredible library of chances to check out his work as he's been seen aboard such properties as The Wild Wild West, The Evil Touch, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Incredible Hulk, Buck Rogers In The 25th Century, Galaxy Of Terror (1981), Fantasy Island, Misfits Of Science, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Friday The 13th: The Series, Blood Relations (1988), Superboy, Blood Salvage (1990), Popcorn (1990), Space Case (1992), The Stand, Project: ALF (1996), Addams Family Reunion (1998), Star Trek: Voyager, and Touched By An Angel. Though he's no longer with us, Walston was born on this day in 1914.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 1990, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films presented Walston with a much deserved Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the big and small screen.
[Source: IMDB.com]
For the record:
In 1990, the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films presented Walston with a much deserved Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the big and small screen.
You young'uns who populate the Internet these days have probably never even seen 1956's seminal sci-fi flick Forbidden Planet, and shame on you if you haven't. Even Gene Roddenberry credits Forbidden Planet with being one of his chief inspirations behind creating Star Trek. In it, Warren Stevens played Lt. 'Doc' Ostrow, and Stevens would even get the chance later on to appear in an episode of TOS. The actor also made visits to such enterprises as Inner Sanctum, Science Fiction Theatre, One Step Beyond, Men Into Space, The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Time Tunnel, Cyborg 2087 (1966), Tarzan, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, Land Of The Giants, Mission: Impossible, The Return Of Captain Nemo (1978), and Wonder Woman. Though he's no longer with us, Mr. Stevens was born on this day back in 1919.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2017, I was provided a complimentary new release of Cyborg 2087 (1966) from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2017, I was provided a complimentary new release of Cyborg 2087 (1966) from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Columbia Pictures sent 12 To The Moon theatrically back in 1960, and when they did they cast the lovely Michi Kobi as 'Dr. Hideko Murata.' Though she's no longer with us, Kobi was born on this day in 1924.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With only twenty screen credits to her name, Charlotte Austin still managed to find a bit of notoriety amongst genre fans of her day with work aboard such projects as The Man Who Turned To Stone (1957), The Bride And The Beast (1958), and Frankenstein 1970 (1958). Austin was born on this day in 1933.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Late in his career, Jack Starrett made a few different appearances as supporting players in the Knight Rider universe. Other genre appearances include work aboard Race With The Devil (1975), Grizzly II: Revenge (1983), and Nightwish (1989). Though he's no longer with us, Starrett was born on this day in 1936.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Not only was she The Girl From U.N.C.L.E., but the lovely Stefanie Powers had a terrific guest-starring run aboard 1970's popular The Six Million Dollar Man. Other genre stops include Die! Die! My Darling! (1965), Journey To The Unknown, Sweet Sweet Rachel (1971), The Sixth Sense, Topper Returns (1973), The Bionic Woman, and The Astral Factor (1978). Powers was born on this day in 1942.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
You can spot a veteran character actor by the roles he assumes, and -- for Jerry Wasserman -- that would include prime acting real estate in projects like I, Robot (2004) and Watchmen (2009). Wasserman was born on this day in 1945.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Very few actors can pull off universal trust and authority with each and every role, but longtime character actor David Andrews goes with an almost effortless grace. Granted, it may not save the life of the character he's playing -- such as was the case in Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines -- but it's still a good trait to have! Andrews was born on this day in 1952.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
When you're a heavy and you know it, then why not make a career out of it? Such is the case for actor and stuntman Michael Bailey Smith. He's built a resume on roles wherein only he's big enough to pursue them, booking such appearances in Cyborg 3: The Recycler, The Fantastic Four (1994), Babylon 5, Space Marines, Star Trek: Voyager, The X-Files, Seven Days, Roswell, Emperor: Battle for Dune (Video game), Men In Black II, and much more. Smith was born on this day in 1957.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
2006's Children of Men had a wealth of terrific talent in a host of supporting roles, of which Peter Mullan made up one of the better ones. Mullan was born on this day in 1959.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Janet Gunn found herself up against a threat mostly 'Jurassic' in Carnosaur 3: Primal Species (1996). She also made appearances aboard TV's Super Force and Space: Above And Beyond. Gunn was born on this day in 1961.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Samantha Ferris helped take charge of things on USA Network's The 4400 for a time. Thankfully, she's no stranger to SciFi, putting her talents to great use on such properties as Stargate: SG-1, First Wave, Smallville, Battlestar Galactica (Syfy), Supernatural, and the V reboot. Some enterprising TV executive really ought to get her her own SciFi franchise. Ferris was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Hailing originally from Haiti, Meta Golding turned up briefly in The Hunger Games universe (she played Enobaria in 2013's Catching Fire and will be back in the final installment) before signing aboard the CW's The Tomorrow People in a recurring role. Golding was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
To be perfectly honest, Samantha Womack has very little Science Fiction on her resume, but an appearance (as Samantha Janus) in Breeders (1997) definitely qualifies a citation here. Womack was born on this day in 1972.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though she was most recently caught turning heads in a recurring role aboard CBS's NCIS juggernaut, Marisol Nichols caught the eyes of SciFi fans in the SciFi miniseries, The Storm, back in 2009. Nichols was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Michael Wayne Foster continues to build a resume of genre work appearing in such features as The Thundermans, Road Wars (2015), 2037: Winter's Dream (2016). Foster was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Brandishing the quintessential 1990's mullet, young Danny Cooksey had a small role aboard James Cameron's Terminator 2: Judgment Day as the friend and accomplice of John Connor. Cooksey was born on this day in 1975.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
When he was but an urchin, young Whit Hertford was suitably terrified by Sam Neill's deadly praise for dinosaurs in a classic set-up scene from 1993's Jurassic Park. Hertford was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aboard the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode titled "Disaster," a young Erika Flores found herself trapped in the turboshaft alongside Captain Jean-Luc Picard. Flores was born on this day in 1979.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In the role of Karai, Brittany Ishibashi stepped into the world of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016) in a big way. Ishibashi was born on this day in 1980.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
In a relatively short time, actress Katharine Isabelle has built herself a rather impressive resume in genre entertainment. She's booked appearances aboard The Ray Bradbury Theatre, The X-Files, First Wave, The Outer Limits, Smallville, Earthsea, Stargate: SG-1, Supernatural, Sanctuary, and Being Human. Also -- for those who watched it -- she turned in some great work as part of the wicked ensemble that was NBC's underrated Hannibal ongoing series. Isabelle was born on this day in 1981 and continues to impress with each opportunity.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Brandon Soo Hoo yucked it up behind-the-scenes on 2013's big screen adaptation of the SciFi property Ender's Game. The talented actor also appeared as a young Storm Shadow in 2009's G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra. He was born on this day in 1995.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
A star is born! On this day in 1924, The Last Man On Earth turned up what theatrical manliness he could. Directed by John G. Blystone, the silent era SciFi/Fantasy feature starred Earle Foxe and Grace Cunard, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the future year of 1940, a young man is rejected and humiliated by a girl and goes off to be a hermit in a redwood forest. By 1950, a dreadful plague of 'Masculitis' has killed every male over the age of puberty but our hermit hero. He's become a national treasure, and millions of man-starved females crave him, yet he still wants the gal who wouldn't have him."
For the record:
Hey there, feminists and the feminist-minded! Did you know that 1924's The Last Man On Earth is regarded as the very first film in all of cinema history to feature a female President of the United States?! Woo-boy!
"In the future year of 1940, a young man is rejected and humiliated by a girl and goes off to be a hermit in a redwood forest. By 1950, a dreadful plague of 'Masculitis' has killed every male over the age of puberty but our hermit hero. He's become a national treasure, and millions of man-starved females crave him, yet he still wants the gal who wouldn't have him."
For the record:
Hey there, feminists and the feminist-minded! Did you know that 1924's The Last Man On Earth is regarded as the very first film in all of cinema history to feature a female President of the United States?! Woo-boy!
On this day in 1951 (in Canada), the original SciFi classic The Day The Earth Stood Still opened for audiences to be thrilled at this vision of mankind's contact with a higher space intelligence. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
For the record:
I'd be a fool if I failed to sing this film's praises at every opportunity ... so in that spirit I believe it important to note that in 1995 the National Film Preservation Board voted to induct The Day The Earth Stood Still into the National Film Registry, which is a list of films deemed culturally, aesthetically, or historically important enough to be preserved for the ages in the U.S. Library of Congress. Kudos to all involved.
"An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."
For the record:
I'd be a fool if I failed to sing this film's praises at every opportunity ... so in that spirit I believe it important to note that in 1995 the National Film Preservation Board voted to induct The Day The Earth Stood Still into the National Film Registry, which is a list of films deemed culturally, aesthetically, or historically important enough to be preserved for the ages in the U.S. Library of Congress. Kudos to all involved.
On this day in 1979 (in Israel and Sweden), Ridley Scott's Alien entered the audience's collective consciousness. 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 1990 (in Denmark), Total Recall turned up in the memories of those who saw it theatrically. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?"
For the record:
Truth be told, Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall languished in development for some time; I've read that it was written in the late 1970's and jumped around awhile before landing with the director and Schwarzenegger to complete. And complete it they did to an awful lot of praise from industry executives and film organizations. In 1991, it won an Academy Award for 'Special Achievement' in the field of visual effects. That same year, it took home the 'Best Science Fiction Film' Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films. Alas, it lost the 1991 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' to -- ahem -- Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands. Sigh.
"When a man goes for virtual vacation memories of the planet Mars, an unexpected and harrowing series of events forces him to go to the planet for real - or is he?"
For the record:
Truth be told, Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall languished in development for some time; I've read that it was written in the late 1970's and jumped around awhile before landing with the director and Schwarzenegger to complete. And complete it they did to an awful lot of praise from industry executives and film organizations. In 1991, it won an Academy Award for 'Special Achievement' in the field of visual effects. That same year, it took home the 'Best Science Fiction Film' Saturn Award from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films. Alas, it lost the 1991 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation' to -- ahem -- Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands. Sigh.
A star is born ... or is that porn? On this day in 1995 (in the U.S.), Beach Babes 2: Cave Girl Island proved people shouldn't be afraid to go back into the water. Directed by David DeCoteau, the Adult-themed SciFi/Fantasy starred Roxanne Blaze, Tina Lawrence, and Stephanie Hudson. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Xena, Luna, and Sola leave Malibu but return to earth unexpectedly when Xena sneezes and crash lands them on a desert isle. After being threatened by dinosaurs and having a few close encounters with some primitive stud muffins, they tangle with the evil James T. Renford II, who has some sinister profit-making plans for the babes from space."
"Xena, Luna, and Sola leave Malibu but return to earth unexpectedly when Xena sneezes and crash lands them on a desert isle. After being threatened by dinosaurs and having a few close encounters with some primitive stud muffins, they tangle with the evil James T. Renford II, who has some sinister profit-making plans for the babes from space."
A star is born! On this day in 2001, Jet Li stepped into the realm of Science Fiction with a lead role in The One. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A rogue Multiverse agent goes on a manhunt for versions of himself, getting stronger with each kill. With only one version remaining, he races against the clock to finish him and become "The One.""
For the record:
To the film's credit, The One did receive a nomination for 'Best Science Fiction Film' from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films but missed out on the win.
"A rogue Multiverse agent goes on a manhunt for versions of himself, getting stronger with each kill. With only one version remaining, he races against the clock to finish him and become "The One.""
For the record:
To the film's credit, The One did receive a nomination for 'Best Science Fiction Film' from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films but missed out on the win.
A star is born! On this day in 2002 (in Japan), the screen roared -- jointly, I might add -- with the cinematic release of Godzilla Against MechaGodzilla (aka Gojira X Mekagojira) at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Directed by Masaaki Tezuka, Katsumune Ishida, and Kazuki Ômori, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Yumiko Shaku, Shin Takuma, Kana Onodera. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A new Godzilla causes the JSDF to construct a cyborg countermeasure from the original monster's remains. The beast's restless soul is discovered to inhabit the machine as the pilot must learn to find value in her own life."
"A new Godzilla causes the JSDF to construct a cyborg countermeasure from the original monster's remains. The beast's restless soul is discovered to inhabit the machine as the pilot must learn to find value in her own life."
On this day in 2003 (in Spain), the 1974-produced SciFi/Musical Space Is The Place enjoyed a special screening for audiences in attendance of the IN-EDIT Barcelona International Music Documentary Film Festival. Directed by John Coney, the film starred Sun Ra, Raymond Johnson, and Christopher Brooks. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In an effort to bring unity and equality to African-Americans, an interstellar traveler and musician lands on earth and duels with an evil overlord for the souls of people."
"In an effort to bring unity and equality to African-Americans, an interstellar traveler and musician lands on earth and duels with an evil overlord for the souls of people."
A star is born! On this day in 2004 (in Russia), Retrograde enjoyed its original premiere on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Christopher Kulikowski, the SciFi/Thriller starred Dolph Lundgren, Silvia De Santis, and Joe Montana. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two time travelers with opposing views are sent back to the present aboard a research ship in the Antarctic to prevent a global biological disaster from occuring."
"Two time travelers with opposing views are sent back to the present aboard a research ship in the Antarctic to prevent a global biological disaster from occuring."
A star is born! On this day in 2007 (in Japan), Zombie Wars (aka War Of The Living Dead) tried to take a bite out of the home video market. Written and directed by David A. Prior, the Horror/Fantasy starred Adam Mayfield, Alissa Koenig, and Jim Hazelton. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Fifty years after a world-wide zombie epidemic had begun, a small group of rebel soldiers learn that intelligent zombies have begun breeding humans for food. The soldiers plan an all-out war to rid the Earth of the flesh-eating monsters for good, as the rest of the surviving world's population struggles to survive against the zombie hordes."
"Fifty years after a world-wide zombie epidemic had begun, a small group of rebel soldiers learn that intelligent zombies have begun breeding humans for food. The soldiers plan an all-out war to rid the Earth of the flesh-eating monsters for good, as the rest of the surviving world's population struggles to survive against the zombie hordes."
A star is born! On this day in 2008, Battle Planet crashed down into Earth's audiences. The feature starred Zack Ward and Monica May, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the not-so-distant future, Captain Jordan Strider, a Special Forces Officer in the New World Alliance, is chosen for a top-secret mission. Sent to a desolate planet, Terra 219, to arrest possible traitors to the Alliance, Strider must survive with only a government issued experimental suit as protection. Eventually Strider discovers that he has been double crossed: The mission is an experiment to test the suit, which he cannot take off."
"In the not-so-distant future, Captain Jordan Strider, a Special Forces Officer in the New World Alliance, is chosen for a top-secret mission. Sent to a desolate planet, Terra 219, to arrest possible traitors to the Alliance, Strider must survive with only a government issued experimental suit as protection. Eventually Strider discovers that he has been double crossed: The mission is an experiment to test the suit, which he cannot take off."
A star is born! On this day in 2013 (in Canada), Supercollider collided with cinematic reality. The feature starred Robin Dunne and Amy Bailey, and here's the plot summary listed on IMDB.com:
"When the largest particle collider ever built suffers a catastrophic malfunction, it opens an alternate dimension and causes a series of cataclysmic events that threaten the entire human species."
"When the largest particle collider ever built suffers a catastrophic malfunction, it opens an alternate dimension and causes a series of cataclysmic events that threaten the entire human species."
On this day in 2016 (in Italy), the SciFi film Realive played for audiences in attendance of the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Marc is diagnosed with a disease and is given one year left to live. Unable to accept his own end, he decides to freeze his body. Sixty years later, in the year 2084, he becomes the first man to be revived in history. It is then he discovers that the love of his life, Naomi, has accompanied him this entire time in a way that he'd never expected."
"Marc is diagnosed with a disease and is given one year left to live. Unable to accept his own end, he decides to freeze his body. Sixty years later, in the year 2084, he becomes the first man to be revived in history. It is then he discovers that the love of his life, Naomi, has accompanied him this entire time in a way that he'd never expected."
On this day in 2016 (in Italy), the 1981-produced SciFi film To The Stars By Hard Ways played for audiences attending the Trieste Science+Fiction Festival. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the premise:
"A female creature created in space tries to live on earth and has special (and sometimes dangerous) powers."
"A female creature created in space tries to live on earth and has special (and sometimes dangerous) powers."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in Japan), Ghost Source Zero took its spooky qualities to a launch on home video. Written (in part) and directed by Mark Cheng, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Joe Barbagallo, Emily Dennis, and Jena Goto. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The Artificial Intelligence Revolution is happening, and America is watching it on their Living Wall flat screens and Genius Phones. Homeland Security's Cyber Crime Division is the only thing trying to stop the 'bots and 'borgs from taking over."
"The Artificial Intelligence Revolution is happening, and America is watching it on their Living Wall flat screens and Genius Phones. Homeland Security's Cyber Crime Division is the only thing trying to stop the 'bots and 'borgs from taking over."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in the U.S.), Go Mad And Mark sent chills down the spines of its audience. Written and directed by Michael Gorgoglione, the Horror/Comedy starred Faith Renee Kennedy, Courtney Arlett, and Adam Klein. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A southern blue collar construction worker has an encounter with a mysterious "being" that he and his family will never forget."
"A southern blue collar construction worker has an encounter with a mysterious "being" that he and his family will never forget."
A star is born! On this day in 2017 (in the Czech Republic), Lajka enjoyed its theatrical premiere. Written (in part) and directed by Aurel Klimt, the SciFi/Musical featured the voices of Jan Budar, Petr Ctvrtnícek, and Helena Dvoráková. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Life is not easy for Laika, a dog on the outskirts of a big Russian city. She is caught and forcibly retrained to become a pioneer in astronautics. Soon after her lift-off into space, a number of animals follow that are hurriedly launched from Houston and Baikonur. The animals manage to colonize a faraway planet. After a short period of harmonious, undisturbed co-existence with indigenous life forms, however, first human cosmonaut runs ashore on their planet, and they are suddenly in jeopardy."
"Life is not easy for Laika, a dog on the outskirts of a big Russian city. She is caught and forcibly retrained to become a pioneer in astronautics. Soon after her lift-off into space, a number of animals follow that are hurriedly launched from Houston and Baikonur. The animals manage to colonize a faraway planet. After a short period of harmonious, undisturbed co-existence with indigenous life forms, however, first human cosmonaut runs ashore on their planet, and they are suddenly in jeopardy."
A star is born! On this day in 2018 ... well, one can guess that you're either going to get something pretty special or pretty stupid with a name like Post Apocalyptic Commando Shark! For what it's worth, the release's only known theatrical presentation to date was at some unnamed film festival somewheres in the vast, vast United States. Written, directed, and starring Sam Qualiana, the Fantasy release appears to have only stirred up the audience's ire as here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In the post-apocalyptic future, the world is at war. The newly instated Soviet Russian Army has invaded the USA with the assistance of an evil German scientist who has created an army of super human soldiers, half-man and half-shark."
What can I say? Some things are better off left unsaid.
"In the post-apocalyptic future, the world is at war. The newly instated Soviet Russian Army has invaded the USA with the assistance of an evil German scientist who has created an army of super human soldiers, half-man and half-shark."
What can I say? Some things are better off left unsaid.
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (behind the Maple Curtain that is Canada), Slimoids enjoyed its unveiling to interested parties. Written (in part) and directed by Sébastien Godin, the Horror/Comedy starred Brinke Stevens, Brett Kelly, and Phil Herman. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A mad scientist unleashes three mischievous little creatures to spread terror on mankind in this loving homage to the little monster movies of the past."
"A mad scientist unleashes three mischievous little creatures to spread terror on mankind in this loving homage to the little monster movies of the past."
On this day in 1968 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Invasion: Part 1." Officially, this served as the eleventh episode of the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and the newly formed UNIT must stop a Cybermen Invasion and a Sinister Industrialist in league with them."
For the record: So far as Wikipedia.org reports, this serialized adventure of Doctor Who is lost to history as the BBC policy of wiping videotapes from the era was in place at the time.
"The Doctor and the newly formed UNIT must stop a Cybermen Invasion and a Sinister Industrialist in league with them."
For the record: So far as Wikipedia.org reports, this serialized adventure of Doctor Who is lost to history as the BBC policy of wiping videotapes from the era was in place at the time.
On this day in 1970 (in the United Kingdom), Timeslip aired "The Wrong End Of Time: Part 6." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a young girl vanishes near a derelict naval station in St. Oswald, a fantastic series of events is set in motion which sends teenagers Simon Randall and Liz Skinner back in time to 1940 and the very night when the base was taken over by a group of German marines."
"When a young girl vanishes near a derelict naval station in St. Oswald, a fantastic series of events is set in motion which sends teenagers Simon Randall and Liz Skinner back in time to 1940 and the very night when the base was taken over by a group of German marines."
On this day in 1974, Partridge Family 2200 A.D. aired "Movie Madness." Officially, this served as the ninth episode of the program's only season, and here's the plot summary from the Partridge Family 2200 A.D. online website:
"Danny's newest invention crash lands the family rocket in Hollywood, where Keith is drafted to replace the star of a movie. Success goes to his head though, and the family almost loses it's lead singer to an acting career."
"Danny's newest invention crash lands the family rocket in Hollywood, where Keith is drafted to replace the star of a movie. Success goes to his head though, and the family almost loses it's lead singer to an acting career."
On this day in 1978, Project U.F.O. aired "Sighting 4022: The Camouflage Incident." This served as the seventh episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Three man driving home from a 10 day fishing trip in Cabo San Lucas experience a close encounter with a UFO. Captain Ryan and S Sgt. Fitz question the three men, all of who are considered to be well respected men in their community."
"Three man driving home from a 10 day fishing trip in Cabo San Lucas experience a close encounter with a UFO. Captain Ryan and S Sgt. Fitz question the three men, all of who are considered to be well respected men in their community."
On this day in 1981 (in the United Kingdom), Astronauts aired "Why Are We Here?" Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Colonel Beadle helps the crew find their way around new home in space."
"Colonel Beadle helps the crew find their way around new home in space."
On this day in 1985, CBS's Airwolf aired "Kingdom Come." This served as the sixth episode of the program's third season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"When some thermonuclear detonators are stolen. Hawke tried to find them with Airwolf's thermal sensors. But the man who stole them plans to use Airwolf to transport them. And part of his plan is seducing Caitlin."
"When some thermonuclear detonators are stolen. Hawke tried to find them with Airwolf's thermal sensors. But the man who stole them plans to use Airwolf to transport them. And part of his plan is seducing Caitlin."
On this day in 1985, The Tripods aired "Blessings of the Cognosc." This served as the ninth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"After meeting the Cognosc, Will is under increased threat of being found out by the Masters. Will and Fritz decide to leave the city while they can."
"After meeting the Cognosc, Will is under increased threat of being found out by the Masters. Will and Fritz decide to leave the city while they can."
On this day in 1987, Doctor Who aired "Delta And The Bannermen: Part 1." This served as the ninth episode of the program's twenty-fourth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Bannermen have successfully wiped out all but the last of the Chimeron - Delta, the queen, no less. She escapes with an egg and boards an intergalactic bus of Navarino vacationers heading for 1959 Earth to visit Disneyland. On that bus is Mel, followed closely by the Doctor in his TARDIS."
"The Bannermen have successfully wiped out all but the last of the Chimeron - Delta, the queen, no less. She escapes with an egg and boards an intergalactic bus of Navarino vacationers heading for 1959 Earth to visit Disneyland. On that bus is Mel, followed closely by the Doctor in his TARDIS."
On this day in 1988, Doctor Who aired "The Happiness Patrol: Part 1." This served as the fifth epside of the program's twenty-fifth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided via IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Ace arrive on the earth colony of Terra Alpha, a colony that is under the misguided dictatorship of Helen A. On Terra Alpha, sadness and misery are capital crimes, and "killjoys' (anyone who does not adhere to these strict laws) are executed on the spot by Helen A's secret police, a motley crew of female assassins known only as "The Happiness Patrol". The Doctor and Ace make it their mission to put a stop to Helen A's harsh regime, but that's all easier said than done. What with The Happiness Patrol, undercover snoop Silas P, and Helen A's carnivorous little pet Fifi to contend with, they can do with all the help they can get, joining forces with Earl Sigma, rogue Happiness Patrol member Susan Q and the native inhabitants of Terra Alpha who were driven into the pipes and sewers of the colony. There is one threat that the Doctor hasn't banked on - Helen A's prized chief executioner, a crazed android and creator of killer confectionery."
"The Doctor and Ace arrive on the earth colony of Terra Alpha, a colony that is under the misguided dictatorship of Helen A. On Terra Alpha, sadness and misery are capital crimes, and "killjoys' (anyone who does not adhere to these strict laws) are executed on the spot by Helen A's secret police, a motley crew of female assassins known only as "The Happiness Patrol". The Doctor and Ace make it their mission to put a stop to Helen A's harsh regime, but that's all easier said than done. What with The Happiness Patrol, undercover snoop Silas P, and Helen A's carnivorous little pet Fifi to contend with, they can do with all the help they can get, joining forces with Earl Sigma, rogue Happiness Patrol member Susan Q and the native inhabitants of Terra Alpha who were driven into the pipes and sewers of the colony. There is one threat that the Doctor hasn't banked on - Helen A's prized chief executioner, a crazed android and creator of killer confectionery."
On this day in 1990, The Ray Bradbury Theater aired "Exorcism." This served as the ninth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary that's provided by IMDB.com:
"The charming Clara Goodwater has been the president of the town's Ladies Honeysuckle Harmony Lodge for as long as anyone can remember. Her nosy rival Elmira Brown is convinced Clara maintains her position through witchcraft and plans to exorcise her at the upcoming Lodge election."
"The charming Clara Goodwater has been the president of the town's Ladies Honeysuckle Harmony Lodge for as long as anyone can remember. Her nosy rival Elmira Brown is convinced Clara maintains her position through witchcraft and plans to exorcise her at the upcoming Lodge election."
On this day in 1991, Back To The Future aired two episodes: "Time Waits For No Frog" and "Einstein's Adventure." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Time Waits for No Frog - Searching for an extinct frog, Doc and Marty head to the ancient Amazon river for a toad-ally cool adventure with Inca warriors, contrary conquistadors and a Lost City of Gold. Einstein's Adventure - A pair of bungling bank robbers swipe the De Lorean-with Einstein in the back seat. But when the crooks get up to no good Down Under in 1790's Australia, Einstein lends a paw to set them straight."
"Time Waits for No Frog - Searching for an extinct frog, Doc and Marty head to the ancient Amazon river for a toad-ally cool adventure with Inca warriors, contrary conquistadors and a Lost City of Gold. Einstein's Adventure - A pair of bungling bank robbers swipe the De Lorean-with Einstein in the back seat. But when the crooks get up to no good Down Under in 1790's Australia, Einstein lends a paw to set them straight."
On this day in 1991 (in Australia), Star Trek: The Next Generation aired "Encounter At Farpoint." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion."
"On the maiden mission of the U.S.S. Enterprise (NCC-1701-D), an omnipotent being known as Q challenges the crew to discover the secret of a mysterious base in an advanced and civilized fashion."
On this day back in 1991, Star Trek: The Next Generation boldly went in an exciting direction when it aired the first part of a two-parter, "Unification," which promised to bring the past into the future with an appearance by Leonard Nimoy as the legendary Spock. As well, Mark Lenard was given a chance to once more briefly reprise the character of Spock's father, Sarek, in the TNG universe. Where else but in Star Trek can you get two legendary Vulcans for the price of one?
When Babylon 5 premiered its second season opener -- "Points of Departure" -- on this day back in 1994, Capt. Sinclair was out and Capt. John Sheridan was in. Bruce Boxleitner lead the program through its remaining four seasons and its subsequent telefilms.
On this day in 1995 (in the United Kingdom), Star Trek: Deep Space Nine aired "Q-Less." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Q, the Enterprise-D's consistent omnipotent annoyance, comes to harass the DS9 crew when his traveling companion, Vash, refuses to travel with Q any longer."
"Q, the Enterprise-D's consistent omnipotent annoyance, comes to harass the DS9 crew when his traveling companion, Vash, refuses to travel with Q any longer."
On this day in 1996, Dark Skies aired "Dreamland." This served as the fifth episode of the cult program's only season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"John and Kim come across the eccentric Howard Hughes while investigating a Hive operation in Las Vegas."
"John and Kim come across the eccentric Howard Hughes while investigating a Hive operation in Las Vegas."
On this day in 1997 (in Hungary), Star Trek aired "The Cage," the original pilot episode of the Gene Roddenberry Science Fiction program. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions."
"Capt. Pike is held prisoner and tested by aliens who have the power to project incredibly lifelike illusions."
On this day in 1997, The X-Files premiered its fifth season with the airing of "Redux." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the episode's plot summary:
"Mulder accesses a facility that may hold a cure for Scully's illness. Scully performs an experiment in hopes of determining the origin of the disease."
"Mulder accesses a facility that may hold a cure for Scully's illness. Scully performs an experiment in hopes of determining the origin of the disease."
On this day in 1998, Earth: Final Conflict aired "Moonscape." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Augur is forced to take part in a Taelon experiment. Da'an and Liam try to convince Zo'or that altering minds and implanting humans to make them aggressive to fight the Jaridians is not the correct path. Maiya makes contact with Sandoval."
"Augur is forced to take part in a Taelon experiment. Da'an and Liam try to convince Zo'or that altering minds and implanting humans to make them aggressive to fight the Jaridians is not the correct path. Maiya makes contact with Sandoval."
On this day in 2001, Fox TV's Dark Angel aired "Boo." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"It's Halloween. Joshua, seeing people dressed up as monsters, believes it the perfect night for him to experience the outside world. He asks Max but she decides against it, insisting that people will be scared of him. Joshua reluctantly agrees to stay inside while Max prepares to go to a party."
"It's Halloween. Joshua, seeing people dressed up as monsters, believes it the perfect night for him to experience the outside world. He asks Max but she decides against it, insisting that people will be scared of him. Joshua reluctantly agrees to stay inside while Max prepares to go to a party."
On this day in 2002, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "Phase Shift Down." This served as the fifth 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 2002, Mutant X aired "The Future Revealed." This served as the fifth episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Ashlocke is desperate to find a cure for his fatal condition, and infiltrates the Sanctuary to blackmail Adam into getting hold of the antidote."
"Ashlocke is desperate to find a cure for his fatal condition, and infiltrates the Sanctuary to blackmail Adam into getting hold of the antidote."
On this day in 2006, Smallville aired "Fallout." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's sixth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Clark wasn't the only one to fall out of the Phantom Zone onto Earth. One of them, named Baern, holds a grudge against Clark and is out to settle scores him even though Raya finds Clark first. She talks about Jor-El and the destiny he had envisaged for his son. Meanwhile Lana gathers more information about what Lex is not telling her about the "ROCK" project. Baern confronts Clark and Raya, but flees only to energize himself with radioactive material and what better source of it than Zod's Rock. Only Clark can stop him now with a final showdown at the fortress."
"Clark wasn't the only one to fall out of the Phantom Zone onto Earth. One of them, named Baern, holds a grudge against Clark and is out to settle scores him even though Raya finds Clark first. She talks about Jor-El and the destiny he had envisaged for his son. Meanwhile Lana gathers more information about what Lex is not telling her about the "ROCK" project. Baern confronts Clark and Raya, but flees only to energize himself with radioactive material and what better source of it than Zod's Rock. Only Clark can stop him now with a final showdown at the fortress."
It all began right here: on this day in 2009 (in Canada), Riese enjoyed its broadcast television premiere. Officially, the first episode was titled "Hunt," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The hunt begins in this exciting premiere of Riese."
"The hunt begins in this exciting premiere of Riese."
On this day in 2010, The Sarah Jane Adventures aired "The Empty Planet: Part 2." This served as the eighth episode of the program's fourth season, and here's the plot summary that provided via IMDB.com:
"After Gavin has helped them escape Rani and Clyde reason that they have been left behind because,in a previous encounter,the Judoon decreed the pair of them should never leave Earth. The robots come back and eventually communicate in English,explaining that Gavin,who thought he was an orphan,is the son of an alien king and he is to return to rule his planet in exchange for everybody who disappeared being returned. Gavin is happy to go but Rani and Clyde have some explaining to do to their elders,who,in their parallel universe,thought that they were the tow who went missing."
"After Gavin has helped them escape Rani and Clyde reason that they have been left behind because,in a previous encounter,the Judoon decreed the pair of them should never leave Earth. The robots come back and eventually communicate in English,explaining that Gavin,who thought he was an orphan,is the son of an alien king and he is to return to rule his planet in exchange for everybody who disappeared being returned. Gavin is happy to go but Rani and Clyde have some explaining to do to their elders,who,in their parallel universe,thought that they were the tow who went missing."
On this day in 2012, Fringe aired the fifth episode of its fifth (and final) season. It was an hour titled "An Origin Story," and here's the plot summary compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"Peter in the grip of mourning Henrietta's death, resorts to extreme measures in order to gain powers that will allow him to surpass those that the Observers possess - and hopefully and eventually find a means to defeat them."
"Peter in the grip of mourning Henrietta's death, resorts to extreme measures in order to gain powers that will allow him to surpass those that the Observers possess - and hopefully and eventually find a means to defeat them."
On this day in 2015, TV's Minority Report aired "Honor Among Thieves." This served as the seventh episode in the program's only season, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"Things don't go as planned when Dash tries to investigate a murder on his own, forcing Vega to seek Arthur's help; personal details of the past are revealed."
"Things don't go as planned when Dash tries to investigate a murder on his own, forcing Vega to seek Arthur's help; personal details of the past are revealed."
On this day in 2015, Supergirl aired "Stronger Together." Officially, this served as the second episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"Kara must put doubts aside as she tries to apprehend an escapee from the Kryptonian prison; Cat pressure James for an interview with Supergirl."
"Kara must put doubts aside as she tries to apprehend an escapee from the Kryptonian prison; Cat pressure James for an interview with Supergirl."
On this day in 2017, Red Dwarf aired "Mechocracy." This served as the fourth episode of the program's twelfth season, and here's the plot summary that's listed on IMDB.com:
"When all the machines on Red Dwarf go on strike, the boys compete in an election against each other to gain control of them."
"When all the machines on Red Dwarf go on strike, the boys compete in an election against each other to gain control of them."
On this day in 2018, Titans aired "Doom Patrol." Officially, this served as the fourth episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Dick and Kory try to track down Rachel while Gar takes her to the house of the Doom Patrol for safety."
"Dick and Kory try to track down Rachel while Gar takes her to the house of the Doom Patrol for safety."