Flash of Genius

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Academy Awardr nominee Greg Kinnear stars in this inspiring true story about an ordinary man and his extraordinary fight against one of the most powerful corporations in the country. Dr. Robert Kearns (Kinnear) and his family are on their way to achieving the American Dream when he invents a device that can be used in every car in the world. But when an auto giant steals his idea, Robert does the unthinkable: He takes on the corporate titan in a battle nobody thinks he can win. Co-starring Alan Alda, Dermot Mulroney and Lauren Graham, it's the remarkable, feel-good journey critics are calling "hugely entertaining!" (Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com)In the early-1990s, Greg Kinnear was just another amiable talk show host. After As Good As It Gets, however, Kinnear confirmed he could act. If Flash of Genius isn't as harrowing as the Bob Crane biopic Auto-Focus, Kinn! ear digs just as deep to play a man possessed, in this case taking on Bob Kearns, a Detroit physics professor who invented the intermittent windshield wiper. Supported by his wife (Lauren Graham) and best friend (Dermot Mulroney, making the most of an underwritten part), Kearns aims to align himself with a Motor City auto maker to manufacture his device. Ford expresses interest, so Kearns secures a warehouse, but it all falls apart when they abruptly pull the plug. Then he finds out that they've added automatic wipers to their latest line. Though he patented his invention, the company denies they're using his blueprint, so Kearns takes them to court, a process that drags on for three decades. Meanwhile, his support system starts to collapse as Kearns loses interest in everything except the credit he feels he deserves. If the film succumbs to some of the pitfalls of the genre, i.e. the win-lose-win structure, producer-turned-director Marc Abraham never paint Kearns as too mu! ch of a hero. Through the inventor's brilliance, the world's s! treets a re safer, but his tenacity also drove away some of those he held most dear. Hence, Flash of Genius serves as an inspirational story, a cautionary tale, and the perfect opportunity for Kinnear to make a potentially off-putting character sympathetic. --Kathleen C. Fennessy

Stills from Flash of Genius (Click for larger image)

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Torque (Widescreen Edition)

• High-Speed Action Adventure. Biker Cary Ford (Martin Henderson) returns to his hometown to reunite with his girlfriend (Monet Mazur). Once home, Ford is framed for a murder he didn't commit, targeted for revenge by the victim's brother (Ice Cube) and pursued by the FBI as he tries to clear his name and outrace his enemies.Running Time: 84 min. Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE

Fast and furious actioner focuses on undefeated extreme motorcyclist Laurence Fishburne as he prepares to defend his title in an illegal street race. Now, Fishburne must contend with ornery biker Kid Rock and a secret that connects him with his greatest opponent--racing prodigy Derek Luke. Orlando Jones, Lisa Bonet, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Djimon Hounsou, and Larenz Tate co-star. 111 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital stereo, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subti! tles: French, Spanish; biographies; deleted scenes; featurette; production notes; theatrical trailer.When it's revved up to maximum rpm's, Biker Boyz qualifies as an adequate knockoff of The Fast and the Furious. Both films were inspired by magazine articles about speed-freak outlaws on the streets of California, only this time the nitrous-enhanced "rice rockets" are of the two-wheeled variety, and Smoke (Laurence Fishburne) is the reigning "King of Cali," leading a predominantly African American subculture that schedules illegal motorcycle races with high stakes and potentially lethal outcomes. Kid (Derek Luke, the promising newcomer from Antwone Fisher) is the latest challenger, facing off against Dogg (Kid Rock) and others before coming to terms with his own familial destiny. Following his incisive HBO debut, Dancing in September, director Reggie Rock Bythewood approached Biker Boyz as a modern Western, but it's really just a strutter's! ball with polished chrome and tailpipes. Meagan Good, Lisa Bo! net, and Vanessa Bell Calloway provide sexy feminine wisdom, badly needed in a movie that's all flash and precious little substance. --Jeff Shannon Studio: Paramount Home Video Release Date: 02/14/2006 Run time: 111 minutes Rating: RWhen it's revved up to maximum rpm's, Biker Boyz qualifies as an adequate knockoff of The Fast and the Furious. Both films were inspired by magazine articles about speed-freak outlaws on the streets of California, only this time the nitrous-enhanced "rice rockets" are of the two-wheeled variety, and Smoke (Laurence Fishburne) is the reigning "King of Cali," leading a predominantly African American subculture that schedules illegal motorcycle races with high stakes and potentially lethal outcomes. Kid (Derek Luke, the promising newcomer from Antwone Fisher) is the latest challenger, facing off against Dogg (Kid Rock) and others before coming to terms with his own familial destiny. Following his incisive HBO debut, Dancing! in September, director Reggie Rock Bythewood approached Biker Boyz as a modern Western, but it's really just a strutter's ball with polished chrome and tailpipes. Meagan Good, Lisa Bonet, and Vanessa Bell Calloway provide sexy feminine wisdom, badly needed in a movie that's all flash and precious little substance. --Jeff Shannon When it's revved up to maximum rpm's, Biker Boyz qualifies as an adequate knockoff of The Fast and the Furious. Both films were inspired by magazine articles about speed-freak outlaws on the streets of California, only this time the nitrous-enhanced "rice rockets" are of the two-wheeled variety, and Smoke (Laurence Fishburne) is the reigning "King of Cali," leading a predominantly African American subculture that schedules illegal motorcycle races with high stakes and potentially lethal outcomes. Kid (Derek Luke, the promising newcomer from Antwone Fisher) is the latest challenger, facing off against Dogg (Kid! Rock) and others before coming to terms with his own familial! destiny . Following his incisive HBO debut, Dancing in September, director Reggie Rock Bythewood approached Biker Boyz as a modern Western, but it's really just a strutter's ball with polished chrome and tailpipes. Meagan Good, Lisa Bonet, and Vanessa Bell Calloway provide sexy feminine wisdom, badly needed in a movie that's all flash and precious little substance. --Jeff Shannon High-Speed Action Adventure. Biker Cary Ford (Martin Henderson) returns to his hometown to reunite with his girlfriend (Monet Mazur). Once home, Ford is framed for a murder he didn't commit, targeted for revenge by the victim's brother (Ice Cube) and pursued by the FBI as he tries to clear his name and outrace his enemies.A lot has changed in the biker-movie genre since Hell's Angels on Wheels, and Torque may be the new benchmark of feverish chopper action. Martin Henderson plays Cary, a speed king and relatively civilized outlaw with a knack for annoying everyone, includi! ng drug smugglers, the FBI, an ex-girlfriend, and, worst of all, biker gang leader Trey (Ice Cube), who thinks Cary killed his brother. On the run from everyone, Cary survives by playing all sides against one another. But the story is less important than the frantic, over-the-top, tongue-in-cheek action surrounding it. The Fast and the Furious producer Neal H. Moritz is responsible for this crazy, violent, yet appealingly sardonic cowboys-on-wheels piece. --Tom Keogh

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