If Battlestar Galactica was TV's response to George Lucas's Star Wars, then it could be argued that Buck Rogers In The 25th Century was more in line with the campier sentiments of franchises like Space Patrol or Flash Gordon. The weekly serial premiered on this day back in 1979 (in the U.S.), giving audiences another interpretation of the classic space hero and bringing life to a small pantheon of kinda/sorta sidekicks -- human and robotic -- that delivered a reasonable amount of adventure and chuckles on a weekly basis. Here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"A 20th-century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time to become Earth's greatest hero."
For the record:
I think it's worth noting that Buck enjoyed some recognition from the Primetime Emmys for both seasons. (You read that right, kiddos: both the first season and second one -- the supposed bad one -- garnered positive critical attention #StopTheHate) A first season adventure -- "Ardala Returns" -- scored a nomination for 'Oustanding Art Direction For A Series' while another one -- "Flight Of The War Witch: Part 2" -- scored a nomination for 'Outstanding Costume Design For A Series.' During the second season, the second season opener -- "Hawk" -- scored a nomination for 'Outstanding Cinematography For A Series.' Another installment -- "The Dorian Secret" -- scored a nomination for 'Outstanding Costume Design For A Series.' Further, composer Bruce Broughton actually won the 1981 Primetime Emmy for his work on "The Satyr" with 'Outstanding Achievement In Music Composition For A Series (Dramatic Underscore).'" So there.
"A 20th-century astronaut emerges out of 500 years of suspended animation into a future time to become Earth's greatest hero."
For the record:
I think it's worth noting that Buck enjoyed some recognition from the Primetime Emmys for both seasons. (You read that right, kiddos: both the first season and second one -- the supposed bad one -- garnered positive critical attention #StopTheHate) A first season adventure -- "Ardala Returns" -- scored a nomination for 'Oustanding Art Direction For A Series' while another one -- "Flight Of The War Witch: Part 2" -- scored a nomination for 'Outstanding Costume Design For A Series.' During the second season, the second season opener -- "Hawk" -- scored a nomination for 'Outstanding Cinematography For A Series.' Another installment -- "The Dorian Secret" -- scored a nomination for 'Outstanding Costume Design For A Series.' Further, composer Bruce Broughton actually won the 1981 Primetime Emmy for his work on "The Satyr" with 'Outstanding Achievement In Music Composition For A Series (Dramatic Underscore).'" So there.
Captain Power And The Soldiers Of The Future was one of the shows that I missed during its original run but was able to enjoy on video once is was released. (It premiered on this day in 1987.) And I was glad that I did find it because -- even though the effects were more than a bit cheesy even for its era -- the storytelling was mostly smart and compelling. Here's the series' premise as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"Earth, the 22nd century. The aftermath of the Metal Wars, which led to the subjugation of humanity by intelligent machines. A small unit of human soldiers, survivors of the Metal Wars, lead an underground resistance against the activities of the evil Lord Dread and his monstrous creations, Bio-Dreads, designed to hunt down human survivors and digitise them."
For the record:
Though I did find the show's effects to be a bit dated, a quick review of the program's awards' citations (here) shows that they were definitely still ahead-of-their-time so far as the industry is concerned. What I find even more interesting, however, is the attention this fondly remembered show received from the 1988 Gemini Awards (which I'm told is the Canadian equivalent to the U.S. Emmys). Though power received only a single trophy (for 'Outstanding Technical Achievement Award'), the program drew nominations for 'Best Costume Design,' 'Best Production Design or Art Direction,' 'Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series,' 'Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Continuing Dramatic Role' (Jessica Steen), and 'Best Writing in a Dramatic Series' (J. Michael Straczynski). If you learn nothing else from these mentions, then let me leave you with this: the show is worth your attention. Seek it out, if you dare, and I suspect you'll find something to like.
"Earth, the 22nd century. The aftermath of the Metal Wars, which led to the subjugation of humanity by intelligent machines. A small unit of human soldiers, survivors of the Metal Wars, lead an underground resistance against the activities of the evil Lord Dread and his monstrous creations, Bio-Dreads, designed to hunt down human survivors and digitise them."
For the record:
Though I did find the show's effects to be a bit dated, a quick review of the program's awards' citations (here) shows that they were definitely still ahead-of-their-time so far as the industry is concerned. What I find even more interesting, however, is the attention this fondly remembered show received from the 1988 Gemini Awards (which I'm told is the Canadian equivalent to the U.S. Emmys). Though power received only a single trophy (for 'Outstanding Technical Achievement Award'), the program drew nominations for 'Best Costume Design,' 'Best Production Design or Art Direction,' 'Best Photography in a Dramatic Program or Series,' 'Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Continuing Dramatic Role' (Jessica Steen), and 'Best Writing in a Dramatic Series' (J. Michael Straczynski). If you learn nothing else from these mentions, then let me leave you with this: the show is worth your attention. Seek it out, if you dare, and I suspect you'll find something to like.
Fan favorite Sam J. Jones' screen clout didn't quite translate as well as producers hoped when they launched the high-tech adventure serial The Highwayman onto the small screen. Some of its failure is owed to the fact that it premiered in September of '87 but then didn't re-appear until the spring of '88 with new episodes; so I'd imagine most folks had forgotten all about it. Still, maybe fans could start to raise hell demanding a reboot? There's nothing wrong with that. Here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Series starring a big high-tech 18-wheeler. The driver, the title's 'Highwayman' was one of a team of federal marshals empowered to right wrongs "where ordinary laws do not reach" - and to haul special cargo. The truck was heavily armed, and had a cab that turned into a helicopter for quick escapes."
"Series starring a big high-tech 18-wheeler. The driver, the title's 'Highwayman' was one of a team of federal marshals empowered to right wrongs "where ordinary laws do not reach" - and to haul special cargo. The truck was heavily armed, and had a cab that turned into a helicopter for quick escapes."
CBS's version of DC Comics' The Flash is yet another case wherein my opinion tends to disagree with the majority: outside of a likeable supporting cast like Amanda Pays and Alex Desert, I just couldn't get excited about the property. (It premiered on this day in 1990 in the U.S.) I did appreciate the producers efforts to 'grim it up a bit' much as Tim Burton had done theatrically with 1989's Batman motion picture; but there was just no way to sustain that level of production once it morphed into a telefilm to a weekly procedural. Here's the premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"A police forensic scientist, Barry Allen, battles crimes as the super-fast superhero 'The Flash.'"
For the record:
I know that my particular 'take' on genre series can be controversial. Regarding this particular incarnation of The Flash, I found much of its episodes a bit undercooked, largely because I just never much cared for the speed-running effect sequences. Still I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that I thought it's pilot telefilm -- its first episode, basically -- was actually some very good genre storytelling. It boasts some great performances all-around, and though the villainy is a bit undercooked it worked well for its time. The pilot also scored 1991 Primetime Emmy nominations for 'Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special.' Run, Barry, run!
"A police forensic scientist, Barry Allen, battles crimes as the super-fast superhero 'The Flash.'"
For the record:
I know that my particular 'take' on genre series can be controversial. Regarding this particular incarnation of The Flash, I found much of its episodes a bit undercooked, largely because I just never much cared for the speed-running effect sequences. Still I'd be remiss if I failed to mention that I thought it's pilot telefilm -- its first episode, basically -- was actually some very good genre storytelling. It boasts some great performances all-around, and though the villainy is a bit undercooked it worked well for its time. The pilot also scored 1991 Primetime Emmy nominations for 'Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or a Special.' Run, Barry, run!
Are you kidding me? One of the world's most beautiful women -- Tia Carrere -- doing her best 'Indiana Jones' impersonation for three full seasons and how can SciFiHistory.Net not mention this?! Well, color me impressed as this Fantasy serial better known as Relic Hunter may not have always had the right stuff, but it did always have Tia: that alone should be reason enough to watch. Here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sydney Fox is a professor but primarily a globe-trotting "relic hunter," looking for ancient artifacts to return to museums and/or the ancestors of the original owner. She's aided by her linguistic assistant Nigel, and occasionally by her secretaries Claudia and Karen. She often ends up battling rival hunters seeking out artifacts for the money."
For the record:
Though I don't usually promote cultural whatnot, I do think it's worthy of note that our lovely lead Tia Carrere did score a nomination for 'Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series' from the 2001 ALMA Awards, the organization that highlights American Latino contributions to the field of the arts.
"Sydney Fox is a professor but primarily a globe-trotting "relic hunter," looking for ancient artifacts to return to museums and/or the ancestors of the original owner. She's aided by her linguistic assistant Nigel, and occasionally by her secretaries Claudia and Karen. She often ends up battling rival hunters seeking out artifacts for the money."
For the record:
Though I don't usually promote cultural whatnot, I do think it's worthy of note that our lovely lead Tia Carrere did score a nomination for 'Outstanding Lead Actress in a Syndicated Drama Series' from the 2001 ALMA Awards, the organization that highlights American Latino contributions to the field of the arts.
I say this with as much respect as I can muster: Fox TV's Firefly truly heralded an end to civility across fandom in ways that I think we're culturally still dealing with today. (The program premiered in the U.S. on this day in 2002.) Not long after the Joss Whedon crafted show debuted, its fans deluged the internet bulletin boards of the era and flooded them with posts and commentary that essentially had nothing to do with the subject matter of those particular outlets, choosing instead to hawk endless praise of the new franchise that was sputtering in the ratings department; and board moderators had no choice but to let them continue as the increased foot traffic meant big bucks in that particular era of the information superhighway. Alas, Firefly didn't last (per se), but did get a big of a farewell at least with a major motion picture that followed a few years later. Is it dead? Meh. Does anything ever die in SciFi? In any event, here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"Five hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them."
For the record:
To the show's credit, Firefly took home the 2003 Primetime Emmy in the category of 'Outstanding Special Effects For A Series.'
"Five hundred years in the future, a renegade crew aboard a small spacecraft tries to survive as they travel the unknown parts of the galaxy and evade warring factions as well as authority agents out to get them."
For the record:
To the show's credit, Firefly took home the 2003 Primetime Emmy in the category of 'Outstanding Special Effects For A Series.'
Ah, we do so love our Apocalypses, don't we? It isn't all that often that we get to see the end of life as we know it in a weekly format (well, other than the nightly news, am I right?), but Jericho did serve up a terrific cast tasked with showing us the break-up of the United States of America after a nuclear event. There were a handful of smaller conspiracies tied up in the dissolution -- as you can imagine -- and it lasted two seasons, though the promise of a follow-up movie never quite materialized. In any event, here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"A small town in Kansas is literally left in the dark after seeing a mushroom cloud over near-by Denver, Colorado. The townspeople struggle to find answers about the blast and solutions on how to survive."
For the record:
To the show's credit, Jericho enjoyed a 2008 Primetime Emmy in the category of 'Outstanding Special Effects For A Series.'
"A small town in Kansas is literally left in the dark after seeing a mushroom cloud over near-by Denver, Colorado. The townspeople struggle to find answers about the blast and solutions on how to survive."
For the record:
To the show's credit, Jericho enjoyed a 2008 Primetime Emmy in the category of 'Outstanding Special Effects For A Series.'
The Event -- a program which tried to capitalize on the hole left in quality genre programming that ABC TV's Lost created as it left the broadcast spectrum -- was a very good conspiracy drama that, sadly, raised far more questions than it answered. (It premiered on this day back in 2010.) As a consequence, I think it lost a lot of steam fairly quickly amongst viewers who'd already been frustrated with similar attempts to tell a massive 'what if' story. It had an incredible cast, and I think it's one of those shows that really should've been given a second season in order to flesh out some of its ideas and maybe even take viewers on a ride wilder than they anticipated. Here's the series' premise as provided by IMDB.com:
"When a man goes looking for his missing girlfriend, he stumbles upon a government conspiracy that is bigger than the president himself."
"When a man goes looking for his missing girlfriend, he stumbles upon a government conspiracy that is bigger than the president himself."
Picture yourself: you're Moon Bloodgood. You're a vision of beauty. And you're the modern day reigning queen of SciFi. Women want to be you. Men want to be with you. You can do no wrong. Plus, you've got a killer name! It's just the facts of your life. She's had the good fortune to be a part of the Terminator franchise in Terminator: Salvation. She got to travel through time in NBC's sadly short-lived Journeyman. Now she's kicking alien butt and taking names as part of the resistance in TNT's Falling Skies. What's not to love? Bloodgood was born on this day back in 1975 ... and thank our lucky stars that she was!
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Kenneth More got the chance to play no less than 'King Arthur' himself aboard Walt Disney's Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979). Though he's no longer with us, More was born on this day in 1914.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though she's less than ten credits to her name, thank goodness that Haya Harareet dipped her toes into Journey Beneath The Desert so that I can feature her in this space. Though she's no longer with us, Harareet was born on this day in 1931.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Though her birth name is a bit more elaborate (Yvonne Suzanne Chazelles du Chaxel), she was known in the entertainment industry as Dany Carrel. As for her genre entries? Fans can find her goodness on display in such properties as Mill Of The Stone Women (1960) and The Hands Of Orlac (1960). Carrel was born on this day in 1932.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actress Sierra Pecheur enjoyed a bit of screen time aboard an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. As for other adventures into the worlds of the Fantastic? Fans might catch her in Summer Of Fear (1978), Quantum Leap, and Touched By An Angel. Pecheur was born on this day in 1938.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
You probably won't find another person on the web who loved Farscape as much as I did, but, even with that said, I'll be the first to admit I never much cared for the character of Rygel the XVI. He was just one of those characters that felt disposable too often -- little more than comic effect so much of the time. Still, I can recognize solid voice work as well as the next person, and Jonathan Hardy did wonders in bringing the fallen royal to life. Though he's no longer with us, Mr. Hardy was born on this day back in 1940.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Back in the days when TV executives had legitimate Saturday morning programming designed for the young as well as the young-at-heart, you could find children everywhere enjoying Isis on the boob tube. She was played by JoAnna Cameron, who as an actress really didn't do all that much beyond both her show and Shazam's, but she did score a few appearances aboard the late 70's live action The Amazing Spider-Man as well. Though she's no longer with us, Cameron was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Acclaimed actress Debbi Morgan continues turning heads at every opportunity. She's also proven quite effective in such properties as The Incredible Hulk, Spawn (animated), Charmed, Touching Evil, Ghost Whisperer, and Fantasy Island. Morgan was born on this day in 1951.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
While the mainstream audiences may not know her name, those of us who traffic in genre properties are well aware of the clout behind Brinke Stevens, one of Horror's legendary scream queens. With well over two hundred different projects to her name, the lady continues to impress with each and every opportunity. It would be impossible for me to account for all of her contributions in this space, but -- to mention a few -- I'd be remiss if I didn't say you could find her talent on display in Slave Girls From Beyond Infinity (1987), Sorority Babes in The Slimebowl Bowl-O-Rama (1988), Scream Queen Hot Tub Party (1991), Mark Of The Astro-Zombies (2004), and Demon Divas And The Lanes Of Damnation (2009). Stevens was born on this day in 1954.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Anyone who knows me knows that I loved the original Battlestar Galactica. One of the smilers who helped make that program special was Sarah Rush as Flight Corporal Rigel. The lovely lady has also made appearances on The Incredible Hulk, The Nude Bomb, and Tales from the Darkside. Rush was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Lovely Betsy Brantley really only dabbled in genre entertainment, but even a good dabble here and there deserves a mention. She enjoyed a pretty sweet supporting role alongside Dolph Lundgren in 1990's cult flick I Come In Peace, along with a small role in 1998's asteroid-inspired Deep Impact. Brantley was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Early in his dramatic career, character actor David Haig delivered the one-two punch of appearing aboard Blakes 7 and then Doctor Who back in 1980. Haig was born on this day in 1955.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Gary Cole has got to be one of the hardest working professionals in all of show business. Seriously! Just check out his resume over on IMDB.com if you doubt me. He's been in everything, but not in that bad Christian Slater or Eric Roberts kind-of way. SciFi fans probably know him best from his brief stint as Capt. Matthew Gideon aboard J. Michael Straczynski's short-lived Crusade (aka 'the Babylon 5 spin-off'), which is no small thing. Cole was born on this day in 1956.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
With over one hundred roles to his name, Robert LaSardo is certainly a phenom unto himself within the entertainment industry. SciFi fans might know him best from roles in Waterworld (1995), The X-Files, The Lone Gunmen, Death Race (2008), and Jurassic City (2015). LaSardo was born on this day in 1963.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious Maggie Cheung headlined 2004's SciFi-themed Romance 2046 for Jet Tone Films. If IMDB.com is any indication, then it looks as if she's somewhat retired from acting these days. Cheung was born on this day in 1964.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Robert Rusler was one of the many supporting players that helped Babylon 5 elevate its game amongst its most ardent fans. He also made an appearance aboard Star Trek: Enterprise during its run. Rusler was born on this day in 1965.
[Source: IMDB.com]
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2023, I received a promotional copy of Weird Science (1985) -- in which Rusler played a small role -- 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 2023, I received a promotional copy of Weird Science (1985) -- in which Rusler played a small role -- from a distributor in exchange for review coverage on SciFiHistory.Net. Interested readers can find my review right here.
Of course, I realize that there isn't all that much legitimate Science Fiction packed into an NBC sitcom titled Third Rock From The Sun, but when the purported alien looks as good as dreamy Kristen Johnston you'll pardon me if I tend to be very forgiving. Besides, Johnston won an Emmy in the role! She was born on this day in 1967.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Leah Pinsent has toiled away at great character roles in television for quite some time. SciFi fans probably know her best as Dr. Ann Turnbull in the 2007 season of ReGenesis. Pinsent was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Ben Edlund has been around television SciFi and general genre entertainment for quite some time, producing such programs as The Tick, Firefly, Supernatural, and Revolution for a variety of networks. As a writer, he's also penned Titan A.E. as well as a script for Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Edlund was born on this day in 1968.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The delicious Aimee Graham dipped her toes into the realm of Science Fiction with a small role aboard Alien Hunter (2003). Graham was born on this day in 1971.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Actor Brad Beyer first dropped onto SciFi's radar as part of the cast of the CBS Apocalypse drama, Jericho, from 2006 through 2008 television seasons. Lately, he's turned up again on CBS as one of the smilers on Extant, a SciFi thriller from Steven Spielberg. Beyer was born on this day in 1973.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Voice actress Tara Sands has a resume far too rich for me to justice here, and I encourage everyone to follow the link below to check it out at length. She's voiced 'Circe' from Generator Rex, and Sands was born on this day in 1974.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The highly-regarded actress Asia Argento may owe her start into the wider film industry to her family name, but she's definitely branched out and built a presence all of her own out there. While she's trafficked in multiple genres, I'd still argue she's best known for her work in Horror and Fantasy, but -- as I always say -- I could be wrong. Fans can see her in such properties as Demons 2 (1986), The Church (1989), Trauma (1993), The Phantom Of The Opera (1998), Love Bites (2001), Land Of The Dead (2005), Dracula 3D (2012), and Alien Crystal Palace (2018). Argento was born on this day in 1975.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Enuka Okuma has lent her talents to such entities as Mobile Suit Gundam Wing (animated), War Planets (animated), First Wave, NightMan, Andromeda, MythQuest, Dark Angel, Odyssey 5, The Twilight Zone, and Dragon Ball Z (animated). Okuma was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Before suiting up as The Punisher for Marvel and Netflix, the talented Jon Bernthal braved the zombie apocalypse at the heart of AMC's The Walking Dead. Bernthal was born on this day in 1976.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Charlie Weber (above left) made a guest appearance aboard Syfy's Warehouse 13, but otherwise his resume is pretty thin on SciFi credentials. Let's work on that, eh, Charlie? Weber was born on this day in 1978.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Daniella Evangelista continues to seek out and explore roles in some quality projects. Fans have seen what she can do aboard The Outer Limits, First Wave, Infinite Ryvius (animated), The Magicians (2000), The SoulTaker (animated), Wishmaster 3 (2001), Special Unit 2, The Mangler 2 (2002), The Twilight Zone, Alienated, The 4400, Stargate: SG-1, Supernatural, Alien Trespass (2009), Hybrids (2013), Warehouse 13, and The Magicians. Evangelista was born on this day in 1982.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
California-born actress Edy Ganem doesn't have a great deal of experience in the realms of the Fantastic, but -- as I always say -- we take what we can get. Fans might recognize her from The Ghostmaker (2012), Beneath Us (2019), Undone, and Useless Humans (2020). Ganem was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
The lovely Olivia Grant has been stealing scenes ever since she appeared on the silver screen in the Fantasy-themed Stardust back in 2007. Grant was born on this day in 1983.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Antoinette Kalaj shared the screen with no less than Vin Diesel himself for her work (albeit briefly) aboard Riddick (2013). The actress has also served time aboard such properties as Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011), Exit 33 (2011), Real Steel (2011), Ninja Apocalypse (2014), and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out Of The Shadows (2016). Kalaj was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Aldis Hodge -- shown above for his work aboard The CW's long-running Supernatural -- is probably more well known for work in conventional fare than genre properties. Still, he's managed to squeeze in work in Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Charmed, The Walking Dead, and Black Mirror. Hodge was born on this day in 1986.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
That very intense looking fellow above? The one under the helmet? That's Malachi Kirby. He appeared in a recent episode of Doctor Who for the BBC. Kirby was born on this day in 1989.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Truth be told: when you look as good as Spencer Locke, then you're going to find work in Hollywood ... so it's a good thing she can act, too. The actress found some success joining the Resident Evil franchise as part of Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Afterlife. Locke was born on this day in 1991.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
She's as lovely as she is cunning, and that's what makes Wallis Day such a joy to watch aboard Syfy's imaginative Superman-themed Krypton. Day was born on this day in 1994.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
Relative newcomer Samantha Hanratty continues to up her genre game at every opportunity. Genre fans might recognize her from such projects as Charmed, Desperation (2006), Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006), Boogeyman 2 (2007), Pushing Daisies, Jack And The Beanstalk (2009), Salem, The Vampire Diaries, and Yellowjackets. Hanratty was born on this day in 1995.
[Source: IMDB.com]
[Source: IMDB.com]
On this day in 1929 (in England), the good peole of London enjoyed a special theatrical showing of High Treason. Directed by Maurice Elvey, the SciFi/Drama starred Benita Hume, Basil Gill, and Humberston Wright. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Women unite to prevent financiers from engineering a second world war."
"Women unite to prevent financiers from engineering a second world war."
On this day in 1932 (in England), the good people of London enjoyed the silver screen premiere of White Zombie. Directed by Victor Halperin, the Fantasy/Horror starred Bela Lugosi, Madge Bellamy, and Joseph Cawthron; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A young man turns to a witch doctor to lure the woman he loves away from her fiancé, but instead turns her into a zombie slave."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, White Zombie made the broadcast rounds on Turner Classic Movies, and I had the good fortune of watching it for review purposes. Want to know more? My thoughts can be found right here.
"A young man turns to a witch doctor to lure the woman he loves away from her fiancé, but instead turns her into a zombie slave."
ExtraExtra Alert:
In 2021, White Zombie made the broadcast rounds on Turner Classic Movies, and I had the good fortune of watching it for review purposes. Want to know more? My thoughts can be found right here.
A star is born! On this day in 1940 (in the U.S.), audiences took hold of ... The Mummy's Hand! Directed by Christy Cabanne, the Horror/Fantasy starred Dick Foran, Peggy Moran, and Wallace Ford. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Archaeologists defile the tomb of mummified Kharis, who was buried alive for falling in love with an Egyptian princess."
"Archaeologists defile the tomb of mummified Kharis, who was buried alive for falling in love with an Egyptian princess."
A star is born! On this day in 1963 (in West Germany), Dr. Mabuse Vs. Scotland Yard delivered his prescription of Horrorific madness. Directed by Paul May, the SciFi/Thriller starred Peter van Eyck, Sabine Bethmann, and Dieter Borsche. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"The spirit of the evil Dr. Mabuse takes over the body of a famous professor. The professor/Dr. Mabuse then begins a new crime wave that terrorizes the city."
"The spirit of the evil Dr. Mabuse takes over the body of a famous professor. The professor/Dr. Mabuse then begins a new crime wave that terrorizes the city."
A star is born! Or is that ... porn? On this day in 1968 (in the U.S.), bodies were once again heavily with the release of Space Thing. Directed by Byron Mabe, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Karla Conway, Steve Vincent, and Merci Montello. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A man is in bed reading Sci-Fi mags, and his wife seduces him. He then falls asleep, and the rest is his dream. He is from an alternate world, and disguises himself as an alien, then boards their ship, to keep them from attacking his planet. The captain is a woman, who has two lesbian encounters with her crew, and whips one of them for trying to have sex with our hero. All of the women are anxious to seduce our hero, as the other two men on the ship are not very exciting. Our hero forces a landing on an asetroid (actually the outskirts of Palmdale, California) and everyone runs around topless and has sex. He then blows up the alien ship in the worst special effects explosion."
"A man is in bed reading Sci-Fi mags, and his wife seduces him. He then falls asleep, and the rest is his dream. He is from an alternate world, and disguises himself as an alien, then boards their ship, to keep them from attacking his planet. The captain is a woman, who has two lesbian encounters with her crew, and whips one of them for trying to have sex with our hero. All of the women are anxious to seduce our hero, as the other two men on the ship are not very exciting. Our hero forces a landing on an asetroid (actually the outskirts of Palmdale, California) and everyone runs around topless and has sex. He then blows up the alien ship in the worst special effects explosion."
On this day in 1968 (in West Germany), audiences were seeing red with the theatrical release of The Power. Directed by Byron Haskin, the SciFi/Thriller starred George Hamilton, Suzanne Pleshette, and Richard Carlson. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"One by one members of a special project team are being killed by telekinesis - the ability to move things with the power of the mind alone. The race is to determine which of the remaining team members is the murderer and how to stop them."
"One by one members of a special project team are being killed by telekinesis - the ability to move things with the power of the mind alone. The race is to determine which of the remaining team members is the murderer and how to stop them."
A star is born! On this day in 1971 (in the U.S.), the good people of Los Angeles, California were treated to the showdown of the century when Dracula Vs. Frankenstein enjoyed a limited theatrical engagement. Directed by Al Adamson and Samuel M. Sherman, the Horror/Fantasy starred J. Carrol Naish, Lon Chaney Jr., and Zandor Vorkov. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Dracula conspires with a mad doctor to resurrect the Frankenstein Monster."
"Dracula conspires with a mad doctor to resurrect the Frankenstein Monster."
A star is born ... or is it created? On this day in 1985 (in the U.S.), the SciFi/Drama Creator tried to answer that question for the ages. Directed by Ivan Passer, the film starred Peter O'Toole, Virginia Madsen, and Mariel Hemingway. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An eccentric scientist teaches a student in his own manner while he looks for a way to clone his deceased wife."
"An eccentric scientist teaches a student in his own manner while he looks for a way to clone his deceased wife."
Alas, I've never seen this one, and -- with a title like this -- I'm not sure I want to! Morons From Outer Space premiered theatrically on this day in 1985 (in the U.S.), and -- thanks to our friends at IMDB.com -- here's the plot summary:
"A space ship stops at an intergalactic fuel station. While the captain's refueling, one of his idiotic companions plays with the controls and accidently starts the ship and crashes into the earth. This causes a sensation: the media celebrates the extraterrestrials, the military interrogates them for eternal wisdom. However soon they recognize that the fellows are dumb as bricks - although some generals believe it's just a mask."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Morons From Outer Space enjoyed a wee bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
"A space ship stops at an intergalactic fuel station. While the captain's refueling, one of his idiotic companions plays with the controls and accidently starts the ship and crashes into the earth. This causes a sensation: the media celebrates the extraterrestrials, the military interrogates them for eternal wisdom. However soon they recognize that the fellows are dumb as bricks - although some generals believe it's just a mask."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Morons From Outer Space enjoyed a wee bit of praise on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 1988 (in the U.S.), Cellar Dweller came out of the cellar for its debut on home video. Directed by John Carl Buechler from a story by Don Mancini, the Horror/Fantasy starred Yvonne De Carlo, Debrah Farentino, and Brian Robbins. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A comic book artist Whitney Taylor is doomed to repeat history in a most grotesque way when she unleashes a demon after drawing it."
"A comic book artist Whitney Taylor is doomed to repeat history in a most grotesque way when she unleashes a demon after drawing it."
On this day in 1990 (in Taiwan), RoboCop 2 returned to the streets of Old Detroit to fight the creeps. The feature starred Peter Weller and Nancy Allen, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
For the record:
Despite an underwhelming story, RoboCop 2 did score three impressive nominations from the 1991 Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Performance By A Younger Actor, and Best Special Effects. It lost in all three categories.
"Cyborg law enforcer RoboCop returns to protect the citizens of old Detroit but faces a deadly challenge when a rogue OCP member secretly creates a new, evil RoboCop 2."
For the record:
Despite an underwhelming story, RoboCop 2 did score three impressive nominations from the 1991 Saturn Awards: Best Science Fiction Film, Best Performance By A Younger Actor, and Best Special Effects. It lost in all three categories.
A star is born! On this day in 1991 (in the U.S.), Late For Dinner dished a bit of Science Fiction by way of romance. Directed by W.D. Richter from a script by Mark Andrus, the film starred Peter Berg, Brian Wimmer, and Marcia Gay Harden. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Two young men evading the police for a crime they didn't commit are cryogenically frozen in the early 1960s. The next thing they know is that they are in a strange new world (thirty years on)."
"Two young men evading the police for a crime they didn't commit are cryogenically frozen in the early 1960s. The next thing they know is that they are in a strange new world (thirty years on)."
A star is born! On this day in 1992 (in the U.S.), a group of survivors would rise up with the TV premiere of The Presence. Directed by Tommy Lee Wallace, the SciFi/Telefilm starred Lisa Banes, Richard Beymer, and Gary Graham. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Mixed assortment of people survive the crash of an airliner at sea; cast upon a shore of mysterious island they discover dangerous creatures, exploding bananas, mutations and a biological weapons research facility."
"Mixed assortment of people survive the crash of an airliner at sea; cast upon a shore of mysterious island they discover dangerous creatures, exploding bananas, mutations and a biological weapons research facility."
A star is born! On this day in 1995 (in Japan), Terminatrix enjoyed its launch on home video. Directed by Mikio Hirota, the SciFi/Adult film starred Kei Mizutani, Saeko Ichijou, and Yuuki Fujisawa. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Japanese sex kitten Kei Mizutani in a Terminator knock-off soft core porn vehicle. In the future, killer sex-droids rule the universe. Beautiful women either submit to slavery or they are the enemy. The Terminatrix comes back to the present from the future to combat the sex-bots."
"Japanese sex kitten Kei Mizutani in a Terminator knock-off soft core porn vehicle. In the future, killer sex-droids rule the universe. Beautiful women either submit to slavery or they are the enemy. The Terminatrix comes back to the present from the future to combat the sex-bots."
On this day in 1996 (in Ireland and the United Kingdom), Escape From L.A. caught a wave. Cinematically, that is. Written (in part) and directed by John Carpenter, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Kurt Russell, Steve Buscemi, and Stacy Keach. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Snake Plissken is once again called in by the United States government to recover a potential doomsday device from Los Angeles, now an autonomous island where undesirables are deported."
For the record:
At the 1997 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Escape From L.A. escaped the ceremony with nominations only (no wins) in the categories of 'Best Costumes' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Also -- at the 1996 Stinkers Awards -- the flick enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Worst Sequel.' Ouch.
"Snake Plissken is once again called in by the United States government to recover a potential doomsday device from Los Angeles, now an autonomous island where undesirables are deported."
For the record:
At the 1997 Saturn Awards (sponsored by the Academy Of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films), Escape From L.A. escaped the ceremony with nominations only (no wins) in the categories of 'Best Costumes' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Also -- at the 1996 Stinkers Awards -- the flick enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Worst Sequel.' Ouch.
On this day in 1996 (in the U.S.), Loch Ness tried to make audiences believe in the aquatic creature. The feature starred Ted Danson and Joely Richardson, and here's the plot summary compliments of IMDB.com:
"A scientist tries to prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Loch Ness enjoyed a wee bit of praise from the film festival circuit.
"A scientist tries to prove the existence of the Loch Ness monster."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Loch Ness enjoyed a wee bit of praise from the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2002 (in Turkey), Resident Evil delivered a healthy helping of Zombie goodness to the masses-at-large. Written and directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, the SciFi/Thriller starred Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, and Ryan McCluskey. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident."
For the record:
This day marked the film's full U.S. (and Canada) theatrical release, though it actually enjoyed its first theatrical screening in Los Angeles on March 12, 2002. At the 2003 Saturn Awards, Resident Evil enjoyed a pair of nominations -- 'Best Actress' and 'Best Horror Film' -- but missed out on the trophy in both cases.
"A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident."
For the record:
This day marked the film's full U.S. (and Canada) theatrical release, though it actually enjoyed its first theatrical screening in Los Angeles on March 12, 2002. At the 2003 Saturn Awards, Resident Evil enjoyed a pair of nominations -- 'Best Actress' and 'Best Horror Film' -- but missed out on the trophy in both cases.
On this day in 2003 (in the U.S.), the bugs were in business (yet again) with the broadcast airing of Deadly Swarm. Directed by Paul Andresen, the SciFi/Horror starred Shane Brolly, Kaarina Aufranc, and J. Patrick McCormack. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A lunatic scientist unleashes a swarm of killer wasps on an unsuspecting town. As the body count rises, one man emerges as the town's only hope for survival."
"A lunatic scientist unleashes a swarm of killer wasps on an unsuspecting town. As the body count rises, one man emerges as the town's only hope for survival."
A star is born! On this day in 2007 (in Russia, the Ukraine, and the U.S.), the Resident Evil cinematic universe expanded once more with the silver screen release of Resident Evil: Extinction. Directed by Russell Mulcahy from a script by Paul W.S. Anderson, the film starred Milla Jovovich, Ali Larter, and Oded Fehr. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Survivors of the Raccoon City catastrophe travel across the Nevada desert, hoping to make it to Alaska. Alice joins the caravan and their fight against the evil Umbrella Corp."
For the record:
At the 2008 Scream Awards, the lovely Milla Jovovich took home top honors in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Actress' for her work in the franchise.
"Survivors of the Raccoon City catastrophe travel across the Nevada desert, hoping to make it to Alaska. Alice joins the caravan and their fight against the evil Umbrella Corp."
For the record:
At the 2008 Scream Awards, the lovely Milla Jovovich took home top honors in the category of 'Best Science Fiction Actress' for her work in the franchise.
A star is born! On this day in 2007, Timecrimes both enjoyed its theatrical premiere in Brazil as well as playing for audiences in the U.S. in attendance of the Austin Fantastic Fest. Written and directed by Nacho Vigalondo, the SciFi/Thriller starred Karra Elejalde, Candela Fernández, and Bárbara Goenaga. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A man accidentally gets into a time machine and travels back in time nearly an hour. Finding himself will be the first of a series of disasters of unforeseeable consequences."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Timecrimes enjoyed a wealth of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
"A man accidentally gets into a time machine and travels back in time nearly an hour. Finding himself will be the first of a series of disasters of unforeseeable consequences."
For the record:
To the film's credit, Timecrimes enjoyed a wealth of praise from screenings on the film festival circuit.
On this day in 2008 (in Denmark), Back To The Future enjoyed a special screening for audiences in attendance of the BUSTER Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth. Written (in part) and directed by Robert Zemeckis, the SciFi/Comedy starred Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd, and Lea Thompson. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown."
For the record:
Since its theatrical debut, Back To The Future has established itself as one of Science Fiction's best comedies ... and it continues to earn praise decades after. At the 1986 Academy Awards, the film took home top honors in the category of 'Best Effects - Sound Effects Editing' while missing out on the gold in the categories of 'Best Sound,' 'Best Music - Original Song,' and 'Best Writing - Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen.' The 1986 Saturn Awards christened the flick with an incredible nine nominations, but the movers and shakers only went home with trophies in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Actor,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Lastly, it won the 1986 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
"Marty McFly, a 17-year-old high school student, is accidentally sent 30 years into the past in a time-traveling DeLorean invented by his close friend, the maverick scientist Doc Brown."
For the record:
Since its theatrical debut, Back To The Future has established itself as one of Science Fiction's best comedies ... and it continues to earn praise decades after. At the 1986 Academy Awards, the film took home top honors in the category of 'Best Effects - Sound Effects Editing' while missing out on the gold in the categories of 'Best Sound,' 'Best Music - Original Song,' and 'Best Writing - Screenplay Written Directly For The Screen.' The 1986 Saturn Awards christened the flick with an incredible nine nominations, but the movers and shakers only went home with trophies in the categories of 'Best Special Effects,' 'Best Actor,' and 'Best Science Fiction Film.' Lastly, it won the 1986 Hugo Award for 'Best Dramatic Presentation.'
On this day in 2008 (in the U.S.), the 1972-produced Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes enjoyed a very special 'director's cut' screening for audiences in attendance of the Austin (TX) Fantastic Fest. Directed by J. Lee Thompson, the SciFi/Thriller starred Roddy McDowall, Ricardo Montalban, and Don Murray. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity."
"In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity."
On this day in 2008 (in Denmark), eyes were wide open for audiences in attendance of the BUSTER Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth when they experienced a special screening of the 1985-produced Legend. Directed by Ridley Scott, the Fantasy feature starred Tom Cruise, Mia Sara, and Tim Curry. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves."
For the record:
I had the good fortune of being provided an incredible Blu-ray DVD re-release of Legend in 2021 from Arrow Video. I penned a review of the U.S. Theatrical Version which readers can find right here.
More for the record:
Legend enjoyed a singular Oscar Award for 'Best Make-up,' but the trophy went elsewhere that year. It secured three nominations from the 1986 BAFTA Awards: 'Best Costume Design,' 'Best Make Up Artist,' and 'Best Special Visual Effects.' (Again, no wins.) Lastly, it secured the nomination for 'Best Make-up' also from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films ... but lost there as well. Sigh.
"A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves."
For the record:
I had the good fortune of being provided an incredible Blu-ray DVD re-release of Legend in 2021 from Arrow Video. I penned a review of the U.S. Theatrical Version which readers can find right here.
More for the record:
Legend enjoyed a singular Oscar Award for 'Best Make-up,' but the trophy went elsewhere that year. It secured three nominations from the 1986 BAFTA Awards: 'Best Costume Design,' 'Best Make Up Artist,' and 'Best Special Visual Effects.' (Again, no wins.) Lastly, it secured the nomination for 'Best Make-up' also from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, And Horror Films ... but lost there as well. Sigh.
A star is born! On this day in 2009 (in Denmark), the Danish-language SciFi/Comedy Monster Busters was first unveiled for audiences in attendance of the BUSTER Copenhagen International Film Festival for Children and Youth. Directed by Martin Schmidt with an adaptation from the Jacob and Martin Weinreich novel, the film starred Carl Winther, Toke Lars Bjarke, and Mathias Mandrup Larsen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A grandpa tells his grandkids a story about a monster in a freezer. After the grandpa ends up in hospital, the monster is released and the kids form a monster-buster team to try to stop it."
"A grandpa tells his grandkids a story about a monster in a freezer. After the grandpa ends up in hospital, the monster is released and the kids form a monster-buster team to try to stop it."
A star is born! On this day in 2011, Aliens Vs. Avatars morphed into our collective existence. The feature starred Jason Lockhart and Cassie Fliegel, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Six college friends find themselves caught up in a cat and mouse hunt with a race of creatures who possess the ability to transform into anything from which it has consumed DNA."
"Six college friends find themselves caught up in a cat and mouse hunt with a race of creatures who possess the ability to transform into anything from which it has consumed DNA."
A star is born ... and it's alive! It's alive! On this day in 2012 (in the U.S.), the great city of Austin, Texas hosted the annual Fantastic Fest, and its audience was treated to the cinematic premiere of the animated Frankenweenie. Written (in part) and directed by Tim Burton, the SciFi/Fantasy starred the voices of Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, and Martin Short. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"When a boy's beloved dog passes away suddenly, he attempts to bring the animal back to life through a powerful science experiment."
For the record:
At the 2013 Academy Awards, Frankenweenie enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Animated Feature.' At the 2013 Saturn Awards, the film did win the top honors in the categories of 'Best Animated Film' and 'Best Music.'
"When a boy's beloved dog passes away suddenly, he attempts to bring the animal back to life through a powerful science experiment."
For the record:
At the 2013 Academy Awards, Frankenweenie enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Animated Feature.' At the 2013 Saturn Awards, the film did win the top honors in the categories of 'Best Animated Film' and 'Best Music.'
A star is born! On this day in 2013 (in Austria), Nuigulumar Z was first screened for audiences in attendance of the /slash Filmfestival. Written (in part) and directed by Noboru Iguchi, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Shôko Nakagawa, Rina Takeda, and Mao Ichimichi. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A gothic lolita merges with a samurai teddy bear to fight zombies and save the world."
"A gothic lolita merges with a samurai teddy bear to fight zombies and save the world."
On this day in 2013 (in the U.S.), The Colony enjoyed a full theatrical release. Written (in part) and directed by Jeff Renfroe, the SciFi/Thriller starred Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Zegers, and Bill Paxton. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Forced underground by the next ice age, a struggling outpost of survivors must fight to preserve humanity against a threat even more savage than nature."
"Forced underground by the next ice age, a struggling outpost of survivors must fight to preserve humanity against a threat even more savage than nature."
A star is born! On this day in 2014 (in Spain), audiences in attendance of the Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival were treated to the first theatrical exhibition ever of Automata. Written (in part) and directed by Gabe Ibáñez, the SciFi/Drama starred Antonio Banderas, Birgitte Hjort Sorensen, and Dylan McDermott. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Human race is at edge of the end. Robot race is at edge of the beginning."
For the record:
At the 2015 Goya Awards (the nation of Spain's national film awards ceremony), Automata enjoyed four nominations in the categories of 'Best Costume Design,' 'Best Cinematography,' 'Best Production Design,' and 'Best Sound.'
"Human race is at edge of the end. Robot race is at edge of the beginning."
For the record:
At the 2015 Goya Awards (the nation of Spain's national film awards ceremony), Automata enjoyed four nominations in the categories of 'Best Costume Design,' 'Best Cinematography,' 'Best Production Design,' and 'Best Sound.'
On this day in 2015 (in Japan), the 1954-produced Godzilla enjoyed a special screening for audiences in attendance of the Miyazaki Film Festival. Written (in part) and directed by genre-legend Ishirô Honda, the SciFi/Fantasy starred Takashi Shimura, Akihiko Hirata, and Akira Takarada. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"American nuclear-weapons testing results in the creation of a seemingly unstoppable, dinosaur-like beast."
For the record:
In 2007, the Saturn Awards presented the 2007 home video release of Godzilla with the trophy in the category of 'Best DVD Classic Film Release.'
"American nuclear-weapons testing results in the creation of a seemingly unstoppable, dinosaur-like beast."
For the record:
In 2007, the Saturn Awards presented the 2007 home video release of Godzilla with the trophy in the category of 'Best DVD Classic Film Release.'
A star is born! Mark my words: there are those in the Adult film industry who will never miss the opportunity to cash in on another franchise ... so on this day in 2017 Power Bangers poked (ahem) fun at the Power Rangers franchise. According to our friends at Brazzers.com, here's what all the buzz was about:
"Five ordinary college students have their lives turned upside down when evil threatens planet earth. By working together they soon discover great power - and even greater porn."
"Five ordinary college students have their lives turned upside down when evil threatens planet earth. By working together they soon discover great power - and even greater porn."
On this day in 2018 (in Hungary), A.I. Rising (aka Ederlezi Rising) played for audiences in attendance of the Jameson CineFest - Miskolc International Film Festival. Directed by Lazar Bodroza, the SciFi/Drama starred Stoya, Sebastian Cavazza, and Marusa Majer. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"An intimate relationship between a human and an android tests the boundaries of human nature."
For the record:
I think there may be a set of critics that've largely dismissed Ederlezi Rising as a kinda/sorta bloated sex film mainly because Stoya -- one of its stars -- has worked in visual sexual therapy (ahem) for years. I'd argue that's a dissservice because intimacy is certainly a component of the tale the film doesn't revel in excess the way other adult-themed flicks do. On the festival circuit, the film has been warmly received, winning a handful of statues, including a 'Best Film' category twice while missing out on a few other nominations.
"An intimate relationship between a human and an android tests the boundaries of human nature."
For the record:
I think there may be a set of critics that've largely dismissed Ederlezi Rising as a kinda/sorta bloated sex film mainly because Stoya -- one of its stars -- has worked in visual sexual therapy (ahem) for years. I'd argue that's a dissservice because intimacy is certainly a component of the tale the film doesn't revel in excess the way other adult-themed flicks do. On the festival circuit, the film has been warmly received, winning a handful of statues, including a 'Best Film' category twice while missing out on a few other nominations.
A star is born! On this day in 2018 (in Mexico), El Expediente Atlimeyaya zapped itself through the cosmos into the hearts and minds of viewers. Written and directed by Hugo Vivar, the SciFi/Drama starred Viko Carpinteyro, José Ramón Coronado, and Natalia Frausto. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"At the time of the 90's two brothers usually visit the OVNI sightings area in the town of Atlimeyaya in Atlixco, Puebla Mexico. By means of a regression, they discover that they were abducted."
"At the time of the 90's two brothers usually visit the OVNI sightings area in the town of Atlimeyaya in Atlixco, Puebla Mexico. By means of a regression, they discover that they were abducted."
A star is born! On this day in 2019 (in the U.S.), audiences in attendance of Fantastic Fest were treated to the first theatrical showing of In The Tall Grass ... before the flick was relegated to its streaming existence aboard Netflix. Written (in part) and directed by Vincenzo Natali, the Horror/Fantasy starred Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted, and Patrick Wilson. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"After hearing a young boy's cry for help, a sister and brother venture into a vast field of tall grass in Kansas but soon discover there may be no way out...and that something evil lurks within."
For the record:
At the 2020 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, In The Tall Grass enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Streaming Premiere Film.'
"After hearing a young boy's cry for help, a sister and brother venture into a vast field of tall grass in Kansas but soon discover there may be no way out...and that something evil lurks within."
For the record:
At the 2020 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, In The Tall Grass enjoyed a nomination in the category of 'Best Streaming Premiere Film.'
A star is born! On this day in 2019 (in Japan), Love Stoppage Time brought a bit of love to the world of cinematic fantasy. Directed by Hayato Kawai from a story by Sayaka Kuwamura and Yuki Nishina, the film starred Anna Ishibashi, Mizuki Itagaki, and Sakura Kiryu. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Aspiring university student is studying in order to try again for the university examination. One midday time seems to stand still for everyone and everything around him. This phenomenon repeats daily. Yet, he is not the only one who is aware of the situation. There is an explanation and there is someone who holds the key to that explanation."
"Aspiring university student is studying in order to try again for the university examination. One midday time seems to stand still for everyone and everything around him. This phenomenon repeats daily. Yet, he is not the only one who is aware of the situation. There is an explanation and there is someone who holds the key to that explanation."
On this day in 1967, Lost In Space aired "Kidnapped In Space." This served as the third episode of the program's third (and final) season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A spaceship requests medical help for their computer and Dr. Smith has to perform brain surgery on it."
"A spaceship requests medical help for their computer and Dr. Smith has to perform brain surgery on it."
- If you'd like to see the preview for this episode, it's posted on YouTube.com right here.
Well, some folks may actually not want to remember this little bit from Sci-Fi History or -- better still -- may have it scrubbed from our collective gray matter ... but on this day back in 1968 Star Trek's third (and final) season premiered on NBC with what fans have long considered to be one of the franchise's worst hours. "Spock's Brain" pitted the Enterprise crew -- along with a brainless Spock -- against a mysterious woman bent on using the Vulcan mind to save her people. Blech.
On this day in 1972 (in the United Kingdom), Ace Of Wands aired "Peacock Pie: Part 3." Officially, this served as the sixth episode in the program's third season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Tarot meets Mr Peacock, a man with the with the power of suggestion. In Peacock's hands, torn strips of newspaper become bank notes; people book holidays to places they don't want to visit - and Tarot's stage act becomes a shambles."
"Tarot meets Mr Peacock, a man with the with the power of suggestion. In Peacock's hands, torn strips of newspaper become bank notes; people book holidays to places they don't want to visit - and Tarot's stage act becomes a shambles."
On this day back in 1974, the TV series version of Planet of the Apes (which I do give a respectable 'thumbs up' if you've never seen it) aired its second adventure, "The Gladiators." This adventure pitted the astronauts against an Ape Prefect who had humans fighting to the death gladiator-style.
On this day in 1974 (in the U.S.), The Six Million Dollar Man aired "The Pioneers." Officially, this served as the second episode in the program's second season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Two scientists, David Tate and Nicole Simmons are secretly send up in space as an O.S.I experiment to test their new cell regeneration serum while in suspended animation. Unfortunately their space capsule malfunctions and crashes in Minnesota. David is accidentally injected with too much of the serum, resulting in violent, animalistic behavior and super human strength. Dr. Rudy Wells and Col. Steve Austin are first on the scene."
"Two scientists, David Tate and Nicole Simmons are secretly send up in space as an O.S.I experiment to test their new cell regeneration serum while in suspended animation. Unfortunately their space capsule malfunctions and crashes in Minnesota. David is accidentally injected with too much of the serum, resulting in violent, animalistic behavior and super human strength. Dr. Rudy Wells and Col. Steve Austin are first on the scene."
On this day in 1975, Doctor Who aired "Terror of the Zygons: Part 4." This served as the fourth episode of the program's thirteenth season, and here's the plot summary as detailed by IMDB.com:
"UNIT attempt to track down the Zygon ship while Broton prepares to have the Skarasen attack London."
"UNIT attempt to track down the Zygon ship while Broton prepares to have the Skarasen attack London."
On this day in 1975, Land of the Lost aired "Fair Trade." This served as the third episode of the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"When Rick stumbles into a pig trap with three Sleestak, Will and Holly turn to Enik and Ta for help rescuing him."
"When Rick stumbles into a pig trap with three Sleestak, Will and Holly turn to Enik and Ta for help rescuing him."
It all began right here: on this day in 1979, Capt. William 'Buck' Rogers awake from his deep-space-induced coma and duly arrived in the 25th Century as the theatrical release was edited for television as "Awakening," the very first episode of Buck Rogers in the 25th Century. Here's the episode summary, compliments of our friends at IMDB.com:
"In 1987, a space phenomenon sends NASA astronaut William "Buck" Rogers and his space shuttle off course and freezes his life support systems for 500 years. Buck is awakened in 2491 by the evil Draconians on their way to Earth to sign a peace treaty. However, Buck must convince the Earth Defense Directorate that the Draconians, led by the alluring Princess Ardala and her henchman Kane, are actually planning to conquer Earth instead."
"In 1987, a space phenomenon sends NASA astronaut William "Buck" Rogers and his space shuttle off course and freezes his life support systems for 500 years. Buck is awakened in 2491 by the evil Draconians on their way to Earth to sign a peace treaty. However, Buck must convince the Earth Defense Directorate that the Draconians, led by the alluring Princess Ardala and her henchman Kane, are actually planning to conquer Earth instead."
- If you're looking for more detailed information about this pilot movie, check out this Buck Rogers' blog right here.
- If you'd like to view the preview for this episode, it's up on YouTube.com right here.
- Want to see more? Click this link to see some of SciFiHistory.Net's screencaps for Buck's pilot episode.
On this day in 1980 (in the United Kingdom), Doctor Who aired "The Leisure Hive: Part 4." This served as the fourth episode to the program's eighteenth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"With the saboteur and murderer revealed and arrested, peace should now be restored, but a new threat emerges - a war-monger who's both ready and eager to aggress upon other worlds with a newly manufactured warrior army."
"With the saboteur and murderer revealed and arrested, peace should now be restored, but a new threat emerges - a war-monger who's both ready and eager to aggress upon other worlds with a newly manufactured warrior army."
On this day in 1985 (in the U.S.), Knight Rider aired "Knight Of The Juggernaut." Officially, this two-part episode served as the first episode in the program's fourth (and final) season; and here's the plot summary as provided by the Knight Rider Archives:
"Michael and K.I.T.T. have a dangerous mission, to guard a mysterious and volatile new isotope, "Cernium", that was inadvertently created in a Foundation laboratory. Feared international terrorist Nordstrom plans to steal the isotope during its transportation and layover in Chicago. He intercepts Michael with "The Juggernaut", a specially designed mobile battering ram, which smashes into K.I.T.T., completely destroying him. Separated from the Knight Foundation, Michael enlists some new friends to re-build a better K.I.T.T. and retrieve the missing isotope."
"Michael and K.I.T.T. have a dangerous mission, to guard a mysterious and volatile new isotope, "Cernium", that was inadvertently created in a Foundation laboratory. Feared international terrorist Nordstrom plans to steal the isotope during its transportation and layover in Chicago. He intercepts Michael with "The Juggernaut", a specially designed mobile battering ram, which smashes into K.I.T.T., completely destroying him. Separated from the Knight Foundation, Michael enlists some new friends to re-build a better K.I.T.T. and retrieve the missing isotope."
On this day in 1985 (in the U.S.), The Jetsons aired "SuperGeorge." Officially, this served as the fifth episode in the program's second season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Jetsons buy a Thinko machine that grants George's wish to become a super hero."
"The Jetsons buy a Thinko machine that grants George's wish to become a super hero."
On this day in 1986, Doctor Who aired "The Trial Of A Timelord: Part 3." This served as the third episode to the program's twenty-third season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Doctor escapes to rejoin Peri on the surface but shortly becomes the prisoner of a surface-dwelling tribe called The Free. Ravalox isn't Ravalox after all, but before the Doctor can learn much more an irresistible agent from UK Habitat comes to fetch him back."
"The Doctor escapes to rejoin Peri on the surface but shortly becomes the prisoner of a surface-dwelling tribe called The Free. Ravalox isn't Ravalox after all, but before the Doctor can learn much more an irresistible agent from UK Habitat comes to fetch him back."
It all began right here: on this day in 1987, Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future premiered its first and only season with an adventure titled "Shattered." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Captain Power receives a transmission from Athena, an old flame from before the invasion. Entering the ruins of San Francisco to meet her, he finds the reunion less than friendly."
"Captain Power receives a transmission from Athena, an old flame from before the invasion. Entering the ruins of San Francisco to meet her, he finds the reunion less than friendly."
It all began right here: on this day in 1987, The Highwayman roared onto the small screen. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary for the pilot episode:
"A government agent in a supertruck named 'Stealth' that is loaded with ultra-high-tech weapons and a helicopter travels the highways, fighting evil."
"A government agent in a supertruck named 'Stealth' that is loaded with ultra-high-tech weapons and a helicopter travels the highways, fighting evil."
On this day in 1988, Red Dwarf aired "Thanks For The Memory." This served as the third episode to the program's second season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Red Dwarf crew wake up four days after celebrating the anniversary of Rimmer's death, only to find they've got no memories of the previous four days, but when they find the black box on a moon they learn Lister gave Rimmer his memories of former girlfriend Lise Yates as a birthday present."
"The Red Dwarf crew wake up four days after celebrating the anniversary of Rimmer's death, only to find they've got no memories of the previous four days, but when they find the black box on a moon they learn Lister gave Rimmer his memories of former girlfriend Lise Yates as a birthday present."
On this day in 1989, Doctor Who aired "Battlefield: Part 3." This served as the third episode to the long-running program's twenty-sixth season, and here's the plot summary from IMDB.com:
"The Brigadier rescues the Doctor from the stone spaceship before they set out to locate Morgaine before she gains Excalibur."
"The Brigadier rescues the Doctor from the stone spaceship before they set out to locate Morgaine before she gains Excalibur."
On this day in 1989, Quantum Leap leapt into its second season with the airing of "Honeymoon Express." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Sam must save himself, while on his honeymoon, from his new bride's ex-husband. Also, Congress wants Sam to change history by stopping the U2 flight that was shot down over Russia in 1960."
"Sam must save himself, while on his honeymoon, from his new bride's ex-husband. Also, Congress wants Sam to change history by stopping the U2 flight that was shot down over Russia in 1960."
It all began right here: on this day in 1990, The Flash aired its pilot episode on CBS. This somewhat campy incarnation starred thin-skinned John Wesley Shipp -- who delivered top camp honors in the role as the speedy superhero. According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"A laboratory accident endows a police scientist with the ability to move at superhuman speed which he uses to battle a menacing gang as a superhero."
"A laboratory accident endows a police scientist with the ability to move at superhuman speed which he uses to battle a menacing gang as a superhero."
On this day in 1995 (in the U.S.), Seaquest DSV morphed into Seaquest 2032 with the airing of "Brave New World." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's third (and final) season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Seaquest and its crew reappear on earth 10 years after disappearing. The crew has no memory of what happened to them, but their skills and boat are still needed to stop a power hungry President of a new alliance."
"Seaquest and its crew reappear on earth 10 years after disappearing. The crew has no memory of what happened to them, but their skills and boat are still needed to stop a power hungry President of a new alliance."
On this day in 1996 (in the U.S.), Sliders aired "Rules Of The Game." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's third season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"In a world where all sports are banned except for televised war games, the Sliders must confront android dogs and soldiers in order to get to the only sanctuary at the finish line."
"In a world where all sports are banned except for televised war games, the Sliders must confront android dogs and soldiers in order to get to the only sanctuary at the finish line."
On this day in 1997 (in the U.S.), Superman: The Animated Series aired "Mxyzpixilated." Officially, this served as the eighth episode in the program's second season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"A powerful other-dimensional imp starts to annoy Superman every 90 days while becoming equally aggravated at the superhero forcing him back just as often."
"A powerful other-dimensional imp starts to annoy Superman every 90 days while becoming equally aggravated at the superhero forcing him back just as often."
On this day in 1997 (in the U.S.), Superman: The Animated Series aired "Action Figures." Officially, this served as the ninth episode in the program's second season; and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"An amnesiac Metallo reemerges from the ocean and is adopted by two children on an island."
"An amnesiac Metallo reemerges from the ocean and is adopted by two children on an island."
It all began right here: on this day in 1999 (in France), Relic Hunter brought an adventurous Tia Carrere to the small screen. Officially, the first episode was titled "Buddha's Bowl," and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Sydney and Nigel head to Nepal to recover Buddha's fabled overflowing alms bowl for villagers who are building a shrine to the original Buddha."
"Sydney and Nigel head to Nepal to recover Buddha's fabled overflowing alms bowl for villagers who are building a shrine to the original Buddha."
On this day in 2000 (in Canada), First Wave aired "Raven Nation." 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:
"Foster traces anti-Gua fighters Raven Nation to their headquarters and learns about their origins and tactics. The Gua follows."
"Foster traces anti-Gua fighters Raven Nation to their headquarters and learns about their origins and tactics. The Gua follows."
On this day in 2002, Firefly aired "The Train Job." Officially, this served as the first episode in the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Mal has second thoughts after discovering that two boxes of Alliance goods his crew has been hired to steal are full of badly needed medical supplies headed for the mining town of Paradiso."
"Mal has second thoughts after discovering that two boxes of Alliance goods his crew has been hired to steal are full of badly needed medical supplies headed for the mining town of Paradiso."
On this day in 2002, Justice League aired "A Knight of Shadows." This served as the twentieth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The League joins with Etrigan the Demon to battle Morgan Le Fay's scheme of world conquest for her son."
"The League joins with Etrigan the Demon to battle Morgan Le Fay's scheme of world conquest for her son."
On this day in 2003, Mobile Suit Gundam Seed aired "The Final Light." This served as the forty-ninth 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 2003, Starhunter aired "The Third Thing." This hour served as the seventh episode of the program's slightly retooled second season, and here's the plot summary as provided by TV.com:
"The crew of the holo-vision reality series, "The Third Thing", follow the crew of the Tulip. Marcus, wanting more hands-on experience, is given the job of capturing a petty criminal."
"The crew of the holo-vision reality series, "The Third Thing", follow the crew of the Tulip. Marcus, wanting more hands-on experience, is given the job of capturing a petty criminal."
On this day in 2004, Silversun aired "Spare Parts." This served as the first episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Degenhardt and Mara show everyone about Cyriax's clone, and they must use it to save Cyriax. Zandie gets angry that they are going to reanimate the clone, and tries to make it come to life, wake up and begin to dream. Tane & Leonella are to be rewarded for their courage, as is Lillian, while Degenhardt & Mara get charged for their actions."
Immediately following that, Silversun aired "Speaking Up." This served as the second episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Sheng & Mara discover that Zandie simulated C2's brain when the clone begins to dream. It wakes up, and creeps up on Pancha, who takes it to the deck, where Cyriax sees his own clone. Degenhardt & Mara kiss, and Mara gives him a new look. Just at the moment C2 is about to be reanimated, it speaks out saying that he doesn't want to be reanimated, and wants to stay onboard the ship."
"Degenhardt and Mara show everyone about Cyriax's clone, and they must use it to save Cyriax. Zandie gets angry that they are going to reanimate the clone, and tries to make it come to life, wake up and begin to dream. Tane & Leonella are to be rewarded for their courage, as is Lillian, while Degenhardt & Mara get charged for their actions."
Immediately following that, Silversun aired "Speaking Up." This served as the second episode of the program's second (and final) season, and here's the plot summary from TV.com:
"Sheng & Mara discover that Zandie simulated C2's brain when the clone begins to dream. It wakes up, and creeps up on Pancha, who takes it to the deck, where Cyriax sees his own clone. Degenhardt & Mara kiss, and Mara gives him a new look. Just at the moment C2 is about to be reanimated, it speaks out saying that he doesn't want to be reanimated, and wants to stay onboard the ship."
It all began right here: to be perfectly honest, the cast photos distributed by CBS for their Apocalyptic drama Jericho were far too (ahem) rosy given the program's ongoing subject matter, so maybe someone in the Public Relations Department really dropped the ball on this one. In any event, it was on this day back in 2006 that producers aired the pilot episode, and here's the plot summary as provided by our friends at IMDB.com:
"A small Kansas town struggles with life after a nuclear attack destroys America."
"A small Kansas town struggles with life after a nuclear attack destroys America."
It all began right here: on this day in 2010, The Event enjoyed its small screen debut with the airing of "I Haven't Told You Everything." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's the plot summary:
"Computer expert Sean Walker booked a relaxed cruise from Antigua with his girlfriend, airline pilot's daughter Leila. Its tranquility turns into a nightmare when apparently pleasant fellow passengers and crew kidnap her and set him up as a murderer. Meanwhile Blake Sterling and his national intelligence supporters are determined to protect a project they intended to keep secret even from president Martinez, involving a mysterious group of detainees."
"Computer expert Sean Walker booked a relaxed cruise from Antigua with his girlfriend, airline pilot's daughter Leila. Its tranquility turns into a nightmare when apparently pleasant fellow passengers and crew kidnap her and set him up as a murderer. Meanwhile Blake Sterling and his national intelligence supporters are determined to protect a project they intended to keep secret even from president Martinez, involving a mysterious group of detainees."
On this day in 2014, BBC's Doctor Who aired "Time Heist" -- one of the better entries in Peter Capaldi's first go-round as the seminal time traveling do-gooder. This adventure served as the fifth episode in the program's eighth season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"The Doctor and Clara must break into the most secure bank in the universe."
"The Doctor and Clara must break into the most secure bank in the universe."
On this day in 2016, Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. launched its fourth season with the airing of "The Ghost." According to our friends at IMDB.com, here's what turned up the heat:
"Daisy has left S.H.I.E.L.D. and is trying to solve the mystery of a bunch of serial killings in the Los Angeles area. At the same time her old friends suspect her for the killings and are following her trail in an attempt to find her."
"Daisy has left S.H.I.E.L.D. and is trying to solve the mystery of a bunch of serial killings in the Los Angeles area. At the same time her old friends suspect her for the killings and are following her trail in an attempt to find her."
On this day in 2017, Salvation aired "The Plot Against America." This served as the thirteenth episode of the program's first season, and here's the plot summary as provided by IMDB.com:
"Harris, Grace and Darius must topple the illegitimate government, and Darius makes final plans for the ark."
"Harris, Grace and Darius must topple the illegitimate government, and Darius makes final plans for the ark."
Today's "Sci-Fi Honorable Mention" gives a Happy Birthday shout-out to George R.R. Martin, a writer and weaver of fantasy tales, most especially A Game of Thrones. Martin was born on this day in 1948.
