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Flash of Genius, a review by Rich

Flash of Genius



The Kearns were a typical 1960s Detroit family, trying to live their version of the American Dream. Local university professor Bob married teacher Phyllis and, by their mid-30s, had six kids who brought them a hectic but satisfying Midwestern existence. When Bob invents a device that would eventually be used by every car in the world, the Kearns think they have struck gold. But their aspirations are dashed after the auto giants who embraced Bob's creation unceremoniously shunned the man who invented it. Ignored, threatened and then buried in years of litigation, Bob is haunted by what was done to his family and their future. He becomes a man obsessed with justice and the conviction that his life's work--or for that matter, anyone's work--be acknowledged by those who stood to benefit. And while paying the toll for refusing to compromise his dignity, this everyday David will try the unthinkable: to bring Goliath to his knees.

A film regarding an inventors fight to prove he had created the worlds first intermittent windscreen wiper does not sound the most exciting idea, and so it proved. Clearly the film is concerned more with the fight Bob had with Ford to prove his patents were valid, and the effect such a lengthy legal battle had on both himself and his family.
Greg Kinnear comes out of the film with credit, at times he holds together a tired script and ponderous pacing. This is not the worst film you can invest in, but I would best describe it as a good made for TV film.
 



(From Riches Random Reviews on March 12th, 2009)

Gamera: Guardian of the Universe, a review by Danae Cassandra

Year of Release: 1995
Directed By: Shusuke Kaneko
Starring: Tsuyoshi Ihara, Akira Onodera, Shinobu Nakayama, Ayako Fujitani
Genre: Action, Science-Fiction, Tokusatsu, Kaiju

Overview:
Ten thousand years ago, an advanced civilization created the Gyaos to eliminate rampant pollution. However, the Gyaos grew stronger, started breeding and began feasting on humans. For protection, the Gameras were created to fend off the attacks. The onslaught of the Gyaos was eventually halted, and they were forced into hibernation. Despite the best efforts of its people, the advanced civilization was ruined. So, the scientists preserved the last remaining Gamera and bequeathed him to the next civilization, should the Gyaos ever return.

The giant flying turtle is back to protect the world from his old enemy, Gyaos, the giant prehistoric bird who is wreaking havoc on Tokyo!

My Thoughts:
This is the gritty 90's reboot of Gamera, and it's objectively a better movie on every level than any of its predecessors. It's still a fun film, but it eschews the silliness of the earlier films for a much more serious tone. The human characters are actually decently acted and fleshed out. Gamera's design gets a lot better too. He looks much more realistic and much more menacing. Gyaos as well. Bottom line, if you like kaiju films, this is a winner.

Bechdel Test: Fail

Overall: 3.5/5

(From Gamera! on February 28th, 2016)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

5.14 Crush
Writer: David Fury (Writer)
Director: Daniel Attias
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall), Charlie Weber (Ben), Amber Benson (Tara), Juliet Landau (Drusilla), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Frederick Dawson (Porter), Greg Wayne (Student), Joe DiGiandomenico (Matt), Walter Borchert (Jeff), Asher Glaser (Boy in Bronze), Jennifer Bergman (Girl in Bronze), Nell Shanahan (Waitress)

Spike's crush for Buffy becomes known. And we get to see Drusilla again. A good episode.

Rating:


5.15 I Was Made To Love You
Writer: Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: James A. Contner
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Shonda Farr (April), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Troy T. Blendell (Jinx), Amber Benson (Tara), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Amelinda Embry (Katrina), Paul Darrigo (Driver), Gil Christner (Resident), Kelly Felix (Teenager), Paul Walia (Friend)

An okay episode. It introduces Warren, who will have a bigger role in season six.

Rating:



5.16 The Body
Writer: Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Joss Whedon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Randy Thompson (Doctor Kriegel), Amber Benson (Tara), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Kevin Cristaldi (First Paramedic), Stefan Umstead (Second Paramedic), Loanne Bishop (911 Operator), J. Evan Bonifant (Kevin Berman), Kelli Garner (Kirstie), Rae'ven Larrymore Kelly (Lisa), Tia Matza (Teacher), John Michael Herndon (Vampire)

One of the best Buffy episodes of the entire series. Very heart-wrenching with great performances.

Rating:



5.17 Forever
Writer: Marti Noxon (Writer)
Director: Marti Noxon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), David Boreanaz (Angel), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Troy T. Blendell (Jinx), Amber Benson (Tara), Joel Grey (Doc), Todd Duffey (Murk), Andrea Gall (Customer), Alan Henry Brown (Funeral Director), Darius Dudley (Minister), Annie Talbot (Lady With Baby), Noor Shic (Lady with Rosary)

Disappointing after the previous episodes. The plot where someone tries to use a resurrection spell on a loved one is tired.

Rating:



5.18 Intervention
Writer: Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: Michael Gershman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Troy T. Blendell (Jinx), Amber Benson (Tara), Sharon Ferguson (Primitive), Todd Duffey (Murk), Kelly Donovan)

The "First Slayer" storyline is boring. But the Buffybot provides fun, and Spike gets to proof himself at the end.

Rating:



5.19 Tough Love
Writer: Rebecca Rand Kirshner (Writer)
Director: David Grossman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Clare Kramer (Glory), Charlie Weber (Ben), Troy T. Blendell (Jinx), Anne Betancourt (Principal Stevens), Leland Crooke (Prof. Lillian), Amber Benson (Tara), Todd Duffey (Murk), Alan Heitz (Slook), Pat Skipper (Doctor (uncredited))

Glory thinks that Tara is the key and goes after her. The beginning of the finale.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on June 12th, 2010)