What the Kids Were Watching

"Real Genius": A Moral Imperative

December 26, 2019 Sarah A. Ruiz and Rafael A. Ruiz Season 1 Episode 1
What the Kids Were Watching
"Real Genius": A Moral Imperative
Show Notes

Welcome to What the Kids Were Watching, a podcast dedicated to exploring the weird, wonderful, and terrible babysitter movies of Sarah and Rafael’s youth. In this podcast series, your hosts will revisit the movies they watched on repeat during their younger years, played in perpetuity thanks to their VCRs and HBO. Each episode includes a frank discussion about why the hosts loved the movie as kids, what they think upon revisiting the movie, and whether or not they’d recommend rewatching it. Not quite a gushing nostalgia-fest and not quite a harsh critical take-down, What the Kids Were Watching is funny, informative, and always honest.

In the first episode, break out your “I <3 Toxic Waste” shirt and bunny slippers, because Sarah and Raf are talking about one of their favorite childhood movies: “Real Genius.” This 1985 film starring Val Kilmer celebrates nerds, science, the Cha Cha, popcorn, Bryan Adams songs, “smart people on ice,” fighting the military-industrial complex, and more. “Real Genius” was a hilarious departure from other nerd comedies of the 80s, treating its characters — including its female characters — more like people and less like punchlines. Learn why this film turned out so different from the other movies in its genre and how it had a long-term impact on a generation of self-professed nerds. 

Give it a listen. It's a moral imperative.