Movies Under the Microscope | "Real Genius" (1985) Screening at the Natural History Museum

Schedule

Thu Oct 22 2026 at 07:30 pm to 10:00 pm

UTC-07:00
Location

900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States, California 90007 | Los Angeles, CA

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Tickets, additional screenings, and full event details: https://go.nhm.org/mutm-real-genius
Step back into the 80s, a decade where sci-fi blockbusters and quirky cult classics tackled real scientific marvels, Cold War fears, and predictions for the future. Join us for a special film screening featuring expert-led discussions, lively pre-screening receptions, and a fun look at what 80s sci-fi got both right and hilariously wrong.
Real Genius (1985) | October 22
Featuring guests Dr. David Saltzberg, Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UCLA and science consultant on The Big Bang Theory and Oppenheimer, Cody Ziglar, comic and writer for Futurama and Rick and Morty, and Jason Patrick Galit, Lead Consultant for InterMyth and Pop Culture Educator, and Beth Werling, Senior Collections Manager of History (Material Culture) at NHM, moderated by Joel Quizon, NHM.
Science whiz kid Mitch Taylor (Gabe Jarret) arrives at Pacific Tech as a freshman and pairs up with genius senior Chris Knight (Val Kilmer) to work on a laser project. Mitch initially doesn't care for Knight's slacker attitude, but is eventually won over, and their friendship allows them to make new progress on the laser project only to learn that the project has a more sinister purpose. Directed by Martha Coolidge (Valley Girl, Rambling Rose).
More about "Movies Under the Microscope": https://go.nhm.org/movies
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Where is it happening?

900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States, California 90007

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Host or PublisherNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County

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