Mike’s Blog Round-Up

"And so those mindless beasts of the subconscious had access to a machine that could never be shut down. The secret devil of every soul on the planet all set free at once to loot and maim. And take revenge, Morbius, and kill!" -- Forbidden Planet
By driftglass — March 3, 2026

On this day in 1956 Forbidden Planet first premiered for audiences in attendance of the Southeastern Science Fiction Convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is widely regarded one of the most influential and historically important science-fiction films ever made.

Loosely inspired by The Tempest, it was among the first major studio sci-fi films to bring serious production values to space travel SF, and psychological complexity rather than as camp spectacle. Plus that theremin! It also strongly influenced later works, especially Star Trek. The starship crew structure, advanced technology, moral dilemmas about knowledge and power, and even the look of certain sets and props foreshadowed modern space opera. Additionally, Robby the Robot became a star in his/its own right. Forbidden Planet proved that science fiction could be bring more thoughtful, adult storytelling to the silver screen.

Digby's Hullabaloo: Yeah, They’re Going To Die. So?

Joe. My. God. : MTG: “Bitch” Loomer Is Celebrating US Deaths In Iran.

Blog For Iowa: Letters To Elected Officials.

Attention space nerds! India joins the most exclusive club in space: it has achieved its first docking between satellites in orbit and is already dreaming of having its own space station by 2035.

Round Up by driftglass of the Professional Left Podcast and Science Fiction University

Send tips to mbru (AT) crooksandliars (DOT) com

Can you help us out?

For over 20 years we have been exposing Washington lies and untangling media deceit, but social media is limiting our ability to attract new readers. Please give a one-time or recurring donation, or buy a year's subscription for an ad-free experience. Thank you.

Become a subscriber:
 
Make a donation:

If you don't mind the ads and would rather donate, please select one of the options below:

Kindest
Donate via PayPal
Via Snail Mail
payable to: Crooksandliars
2708 Wilshire Blvd. #148
Santa Monica, CA 90403

Explore more

Discussion

We welcome relevant, respectful comments. Any comments that are sexist or in any other way deemed hateful by our staff will be deleted and constitute grounds for a ban from posting on the site. Please refer to our Terms of Service for information on our posting policy.
Mastodon