Donald Sutherland Dies At 88

Above, Donald Sutherland in Kelly's Heroes.

Actor Donald Sutherland has died. He was 88.

According to the Daily Caller:

Legendary actor, Donald Sutherland, died at the age of 88.

His death was confirmed by his son, Kiefer Sutherland, in brief messages shared online, June 20.

“With a heavy heart, I tell you that my father, Donald Sutherland, has passed away,” Kiefer wrote. “I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly. He loved what he did and did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that,” he said. Kiefer concluded his message by writing, “A life well lived.”

I first took notice of Sutherland in the Clint Eastwood war flick, Kelly's Heroes (1969). He had appeared in other favorite movies such as Animal House and Space Cowboys (again with Eastwood). 

To read more, go here.

Star Trek: "Plato's Stepchildren"

Above, the famous kiss.

While viewing some of the Star Trek movies starring the original series cast, I found that some sets Paramount Pictures used looked cheap and obviously sets. Some sets of the Genesis Planet in Star Trek III: The Search For Spock looked very cheap. I still enjoyed the movies anyway.

But those cannot compare to the cheapness of the Star Trek original series sets. Last night, I watched the 3rd season episode, "Plato's Stepchildren". It reminded me that I didn't watch the original series as, even as a kid, I felt the show looked cheap. 

In case nobody remembers this particular episode, here's a synopsis:

The telekinetically powerful Platonians hold Capt Kirk and Mr Spock prisoner when Dr McCoy refuses to remain behind as Parmen's personal physician.

Even the acting in this episode left much to be desired. It was interesting seeing a young Barbara Babcock (Dallas, Space Cowboys). And, the famous first television interracial kiss between Captain Kirk and Lt. Uhura. I didn't think it was such a big deal. 

One blogger wrote of the episode:

While much of this episode is horrible, the series managed to slip by the censors some great moments that make it worth viewing.

Well, I'll give it that.

At least the sets in Star Trek: The Next Generation looked better to me.