3 July 2015

Birthdays
Dean Cook b. 1985 (Powers, The Little Vampire, Highlander [TV])
Corey Sevier b. 1984 (Supernatural, Immortals, Age of the Dragons, Smallville, Metamorphosis, The Dresden Files, 2030 CE)
Brandon Jay McLaren b. 1981 (Dead Before Dawn 3D, Falling Skies, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil, Kyle XY, Smallville, Blade: The Series, Power Rangers S.P.D., Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed)
Shoshannah Stern b. 1980 (Jericho)
Olivia Munn b. 1980 (X-Men: Apocalypse, Iron Man 2)
Ian Anthony Dale b. 1978 (American Horror Story, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, The Event, Tekken, Dollhouse, Charmed, Angel)
Patrick Wilson b. 1973 (Space Station 76, Prometheus, Watchmen)
Shawnee Smith b. 1970 (The Grudge 3, Saw, Island, Breakfast of Champions, Armageddon, The Shining [1997 TV], The X-Files, The Stand, The Blob [1988])
Justin Dreyfuss b. 1969 (Munchies, Close Encounters of the Third Kid)
Connie Nielsen b. 1965 (Demonlover, Mission to Mars, Solider, The Devil’s Advocate)
Tommy Flanagan b. 1965 (Sin City, Alien vs. Predator)
Thomas Gibson b. 1962 (Category 6: Day of Destruction, The Lost Empire, Psycho Beach Party)
Hunter Tylo b. 1962 (SharkMan)
Tom Cruise b. 1962 (Edge of Tomorrow, Oblivion, War of the Worlds, Minority Report, Vanilla Sky, Interview with the Vampire, Legend)
Rick Ducommun b. 1956 died June 2015 (Brimstone, Ghost in the Machine, Groundhog Day, Encino Man, Gremlins 2, Little Monsters, Spaceballs, Max Headroom)
Cork Hubbert b. 1952 died 28 September 203 (Charmed, Sabrina, The Teenage Witch, Sinbad of the Seven Seas, The Charmings, The Twilight Zone [1986], Legend)
Betty Buckley b. 1947 (The Happening, Carrie)
Michael Cole b. 1945 (It, Beyond Westworld, Wonder Woman)
Paul Young b. 1944 (The Omega Factor, Mad Max)
Kurtwood Smith b. 1943 (Resurrection, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Deep Impact, Star Trek: Voyager, Deep Space Nine, The X-Files, Star Trek VI, RoboCop)
Harrison Schmidt b. 1935 (walked on the moon)
Tom Stoppard b. 1937 (co-author, Brazil)
Ken Russell b. 1927 died 27 November 2011 (director, The Lair of the White Worm, Altered States)
Tim O’Connor b. 1927 (The Burning Zone, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, Wonder Woman, The Six Million Dollar Man, Sssssss, The Outer Limits, Twilight Zone, ‘Way Out)
Carol Ohmart b. 1927 (House on Haunted Hill, Men Into Space)
Rae Allen b. 1926 (Vampire Mob, Stargate, The Greatest American Hero)
Louise Albritton b. 1920 died 16 February 1979 (Son of Dracula)
George Sanders b. 1906 died 25 April 1972 (The Body Stealers, Batman, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Village of the Damned, From the Earth to the Moon)
Franz Kakfa b. 1883 died 3 June 1924 (author, Metamorphosis)

1. The Picture Slot. In previous year, I had moonwalker Harrison Schmidt and Thetan talker Tom Cruise in The Picture Slot. This year, I considered Kurtwood Smith (whom I didn't use because I'm a dumb-ass), George Sanders (whose iconic genre role as Mr. Freeze is beneath his dignity) and instead decided to go with happy-go-lucky elfin charmer Franz Kafka.

2. Spot the Canadians. The late Rick Ducommun was born north of the border and is hard to spot, but the other two are obvious to the trained Canuck hunter and the reader is given the chance to spot them.

3. Nepotism FTW, however small. Justin Dreyfuss is the nephew of Richard Dreyfuss. The two films lists are his entire credit list.

Many happy returns to all the living on the list and to the dead, thanks for all the memories.

Movies released
Despicable Me 2 released, 2013
The Amazing Spider-Man released, 2012
Transformers released, 2007
Men In Black released, 2002
Terminator 2 released, 1991
Back to the Future released, 1985
 

Predictor: H.G. Wells in his 1901 book Anticipations

Prediction: The suggestion is powerful, the conclusion is hard to resist, that, through whatever disorders of danger and conflict, whatever centuries of misunderstanding and bloodshed, men may still have to pass, this process nevertheless aims finally, and will attain to the establishment of one world-state at peace within itself. In the economic sense, indeed, a world-state is already established.

Reality: Wells has a full chapter devoted to what a nightmare modern warfare will be and while the particulars are off, the basic premise is correct. We don't have a one world-state and we are unlikely to get there soon, but it should be noted that it's been seventy years since two (or more) truly industrialized nations squared off against each other. It's impossible to say now whether this is just a very long lull historically or the actual beginning of a limited version of peace among the most powerful nations.

Looking two days ahead... INTO THE FUTURE!

The writer of this blog is going to take a two day break, known in some cultures as weekend. He has heard good things about them and wanted to try one just to see if he liked it. He will be back with the usual silliness on Monday.

Join us then... IN THE FUTURE!