Real Genius (1985)
Real Genius was the link movie connecting Ghostbusters and Burn After Reading.
Linked through William Atherton and Robert Prescott.
Both William Atherton and Robert Prescott appeared in Real Genius.
About Real Genius
"When he gets mad, he doesn't get even… he gets creative."
When teenage geniuses Mitch Taylor and Chris Knight, working on an advanced laser project, learn that the military wants to use it as a weapon, they decide to thwart the plan.
Directed by Martha Coolidge
Written by Pat Proft, Neal Israel, PJ Torokvei
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Behind the camera
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Soundtrack
Score by Thomas Newman
Movie trivia
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1
Martha Coolidge dedicated months to researching laser technology and CIA policies to prepare for the film, and she interviewed numerous students at Caltech.
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2
Val Kilmer auditioned for the role of Chris Knight by bringing candy bars and performing tricks, while he humorously remarked on the producer's youthful appearance during their introduction.
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3
For the film's climax, the production team continuously popped popcorn for three months, treating it with fire retardant to prevent combustion and protect birds from eating it.
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4
The dormitory depicted in the film is based on Dabney House at Caltech, where actual Caltech students served as consultants and extras.
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5
The film was promoted through what was claimed to be 'the world's first computer press conference,' allowing journalists to interact with Coolidge and Grazer via computer terminals.
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6
In the MythBusters episode 'Car vs. Rain', the team tested the feasibility of the film's finale, discovering that the laser-popped popcorn scene was scientifically implausible.
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