December 18
Better Than News
On Her Majesty's Secret Santa is a 1969 spy film about the grinch Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who threatens to destroy the world's entire stockpile of Christmas presents.
The Last Temptation of Constantine is an epic religious superhero horror film directed by Martin Scorsese and Francis Lawrence, starring Keanu Reeves, Willem Dafoe, and Tilda Swinton.
The Men Who Stare at Goatees is a satirical black comedy science fiction war film starring George Clooney and Leonard Nimoy.
Blade Muppet is a 1982 science fiction film directed by Jim Henson and Ridley Scott. It is loosely based on the 1968 novel Galactic Puppet-Healer by Philip K. Dick.
Beyond the Lightcone is a 2023 science fiction horror film about a physicist who invents a faster-than-light drive which opens a hole into the demon realm.
Toilet Horn is a type of musical instrument in the wind family adapted from toilets.
Last Action Bistro is a 1993 fantasy restaurant management training film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Hollywood Shuffle is a drama buddy film about two aging actors who hope to make one last film together.
One does not simply get a good deal on a secondhand tungsten cube. —Boromir, Chief Metallurgist of Gondor
"The role of the artist is to not look away." —Akira Kurosawa
Are You Sure
• ... that physicist and academic J. J. Thomson (18 December 1856 – 30 August 1940) conducted pioneering research on cathode rays, leading to the discovery of the electron; and that Thomson discovered the first evidence for isotopes of a stable element?
... that Every Which Way But Lost in Space is a 1978 American action comedy film about an astronaut and bare-knuckle brawler (Clint Eastwood) roaming low Earth orbit in search of a lost robot while accompanied by his pet orangutan, Clyde?
On This Day in Fiction and Nonfiction
1661: Scientist, inventor, and industrialist Christopher Polhem born. He will make significant contributions to the economic and industrial development of Sweden, particularly mining.
1799: Mathematician and theorist Jean-Étienne Montucla dies. His deep interest in history of mathematics became apparent with his publication of Histoire des Mathématiques, the first part appearing in 1758.
1856: Physicist and academic J. J. Thomson born. His research in cathode rays will lead to the discovery of the electron. Thomson will also discover the first evidence for isotopes of a stable element.
1958: Project SCORE, the world's first communications satellite, is launched.
1978: Premier of Every Which Way But Lost in Space, an American action comedy film about an astronaut and bare-knuckle brawler (Clint Eastwood) roaming low Earth orbit in search of a lost robot while accompanied by his pet orangutan, Clyde.
1995: Physicist Nathan Rosen dies. He developed the idea of the Einstein–Rosen bridge, later named the wormhole.
1995: Engineer, inventor, and pioneering computer scientist Konrad Zuse dies. He invent the Z3, the world's first working programmable, fully automatic computer.
Topic of the Day
Butter
"Getting Butter" is a song by the English rock group The Breadles from their 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Bread.
Butter It's Gold is an advertising campaign slogan promoting gold as a national security foodstuff.