Vibes

Plot synopsis:
Lauper plays Sylvia Pickel (pronounced with an emphasis on the "kel", as she points out), a trance-medium who has contact with a wisecracking spirit guide named Louise. She first began communicating with Louise after falling from a ladder at the age of twelve and remaining comatose for two weeks. Subsequently, Louise taught her astral projection while Sylvia was placed in special homes for being "different." At a study of physics, she meets fellow psychic Nick Deezy (Goldblum), a psychometrist who can determine the history of events surrounding an object by touching it. Sylvia has a history of bad luck with men, and her overly flirtatious behavior turns off Nick right away.
Sylvia comes home to her apartment one night to find Harry Buscafusco (Falk) lounging in her kitchen. He claims to want to hire her for $50,000 if she'll accompany him to Ecuador where his son has allegedly gone missing. Sylvia recruits Nick who is reluctant but also eager to leave his job as a museum curator where his special talents are abused like a circus act.
Once the two get there, they initially set out to where Harry's son was last seen, only to have Nick's powers tell them that Harry is up to something. Harry confesses that what he is actually looking for is a lost city of gold up in the mountains and that his last partner, who discovered it, went insane. Nick angrily retreats back to the hotel followed by Sylvia who feels embarrassed over being fooled by yet another man.
At the hotel Nick is attacked by a woman who tries to drug and then stab him, saying "You think you can just come here and take it away from us?" Convinced that there is something important, if dangerous, at work he agrees to trek back into the mountains to search for this lost city. The group makes a detour to visit Harry's former partner, who is in a vegetative state in the hospital. When Nick lays hands on him he receives a jolt of tremendous psychic energy; the former partner immediately dies.
Unexpectedly, the three are set upon by Ingo Swedlin (Googy Gress), another psychic from their test group. He holds them at gunpoint and threatens to kill them, but Sylvia uses Louise to get in touch with his long lost mother and the group escapes. They begin their journey anew only to once again be confronted by Ingo and by Doctor Harrison Steele (Sands). Ingo throws a knife into Harry's back and kills him, and the other two are taken hostage. They are forced to lead the way to this alleged city of gold.
Upon arriving, the group discovers an ancient pyramid shaped structure with mystical carvings. Sylvia translates them and they appear to reveal that the location was built by an ancient alien race who has embedded all of the psychic energy of the world into this pyramid. Using the translation Sylvia provided, Ingo attempts to decipher the secret to harnessing the energy, but before he can, Sylvia lays hands on the pyramid and allows the dangerous forces to flow through her. She kills their captors and is nearly killed herself, but survives. However, she permanently loses contact with her spirit guide Louise, who sacrifices her connection to Sylvia in order to save her and Nick, in the process.
The two return to their hotel, battered and bruised but thankful that they played a part in releasing a dangerous force. Later that night they reconvene in Sylvia's room and bring to fruition a romantic flirtation that has permeated the film. Before they can make love, however, Sylvia hits her head on the headboard and reveals that a spirit guide has re-entered her life. It is not Louise, however, but the ghost of Harry.

Tags: paranormal, cult, murder

Review:
I like Jeff Goldblum in just about every movie he does, including this one, though here as Nick he seems a bit more distracted than usual.
If I always wanted an intricate intellectual acting masterpiece with minimal music and scenery, I'd watch 12 Angry Men (1957) another dozen times, but Vibes is just the thing for light, fun fare..
I've seen this movie about 30 times and it always makes me feel good..
Theres something in the atmosphere in the film that makes me feel good and the environment where the movie is made is just beautiful.
the 'real' film critics are saying that you can't rate a movie just on behalf of the spectacular scenery but FU, I say).
Rent this movie and let your brain rest for awhile, just enjoy the the scenery, the acting, the story and the eighties !!
This is a lovely story of two psychics (Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum) being hired by Harry (Peter Falk) to look for his missing son, but later realize that he actually wants them to help him find a rumored "room of gold" in the deep mountains.
Lauper's performance is surprisingly stunning and funny, the scenery and the soundtrack are both beautiful, the movie is wonderfully shot in Ecuador and full of witty remarks.
This is one of my favorite movies from the 80's, I know it's cheesy but thats what I loved about it and Peter Falk is hilarious.
The way the three main characters play off each other is brilliant and who knew Cindi Lauper could act???This movie was never going to win any awards and they all knew that before they started filming, Jeff Goldblum has always shown up in oddball movies ranging from Comedy to Drama To Sci-fi to Horror showing his range in acting.OK, no matter your opinion on this film the big Question is....
Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper are a quirky romantic match.
Cheerful, underrated comedy about psychics served as a showcase for pop singer Cyndi Lauper (in her acting debut).
She's a comic natural playing Sylvia Pickel, an unlucky-in-love single gal whose "psychic guide" leads her into the arms of fellow clairvoyant Jeff Goldblum (in possibly his smoothest comic performance to date).
Both have been duped by con-man Peter Falk into finding a lost city of gold in Ecuador, and for the most part "Vibes" is a funny, knockabout journey with witty vignettes scattered about.
My nephew was particularly amused by Cyndi Lauper's acting - he thought she was great.
Sylvia (Cyndi Lauper) and Nick (Jeff Goldblum) meet at an institute studying those individuals who have psychic abilities.
Can Sylvia and Nick begin to like each other among the Inca ruins?This is, truly, a funny movie.
This is a light hearted film featuring a knock out comedy performance by Cindi Lauper.
Jeff Goldblum is charming, bemused and droll and Peter Falk is so funny.
They all wind up in South America seeking "a room of gold", and dancing a lovely tango.The scenery is beautiful, the music lush.I consider this movie a friend..
If one simply ignores the naughty entendre of some her songs like Girls Wanna Have Fun, you can feel that she exudes the aura and exuberance of the teenybop, bubblegum crowd which formed the base of her fans at the zenith of her popularity in the '80s despite the fact that she belongs to another age group altogether.Cyndi is funny and can definitely act.
However, we can look to the past and take solace in the fact that actresses like Fanny Brice, Myrna Loy, Barbra Streisand and Goldie Hawn all enjoy sizeable cult followers.Full of witty and hilarious repartees, Vibes is worth viewing over and over.
I have seen this film at least five times and each time I find it hilarious.Not only are the jokes funny, the performers superb, but unlike many comedies the jokes fit tightly with the action and the plot line is solid and engaging.
The best mother-in-law joke is not as funny to someone who has never had a mother-in-law, and not funny at all to someone who doesn't even know what one is.The cast, as you can see, includes Falk and Goldblum, two extremely funny guys who give superb performances.
But Lauper also gives, in her first screen appearance, an extremely funny performance; she is a gifted comedienne, and it is a shame her film career never took off.
Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper were very cute together and Peter Falk was very delightful to watch.
The special effects were very good and you couldn't help but like the characters (mostly Cyndi Lauper).
Good Clean Fun. Whatever the quality of the acting, the scenery, the locations etc., this movie is just good clean fun - so much so that you can see the actors themselves grinning during certain scenes.There are some great one-liners, some unique actions - find the "handshake" at the racetrack for a good example.The opening music is dramatic (low end's are cool) and Cyndi's closing number is a classic.Yes, this film is not as sophisticated as many others but who want's sophistication all the time?
"Vibes" is a totally fun, light, cotton-candy puff of a movie and a bit more.
The plot is stupid but still hilarious, and Cyndi Lauper turns in a surprisingly (or not surprisingly) wonderful debut performance as an ultra-quirky psychic.
Of course, watching 'Vibes' does not make you a better or more intellectual person, but it has absolutely brilliant one-lines throughout the conversations between Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum, which are hard to beat, such as 'I like breathing  I'm good at it' or 'do you number everything?'.
And if you are looking for two people, who do not take themselves seriously at all, Lauper and Goldblum are the perfect couple.As long as you like 'weird' movies, 'Vibes' will not disappoint you.
Vibes was Cyndi Laupers' first movie project and I can't for the life of me understand why most reviews I've read are poor.The film is beautifully shot on location in Equador and has an enjoyable and atmospheric soundtrack.
It co-stars three very successful actors and manages well to mix comedy with drama.I can only imagine that reviewers have not given the film enough credit because they might expect it to be bad.This is one of my most favorite films and although, yes, I am a fan of Cyndis' I admit her other films are not as good.Watch it and enjoy ********.
Glad to read it is supposed to come out on DVD early in '09.Jeff Goldblum is always interesting, Peter Faulk is always likable and hilarious.The biggest surprise is Cyndi Lauper.
A must watch movie filmed in Cojitambo (Cañar, Ecuador)!!!.
I know its a cheesy movie, but overall it was entertaining and fun.
This movie brings good memories for me, since I can see some known people from my village and my elementary school.daria84 says "they showed an awesome footage of Ambato (a City located in the highlands) in the end of the movie when Sylvia is out in the balcony", let me tell you that's not Ambato, but that's Cojitambo's Hill shot from Azogues.
The cast includes comic masters Falk and Goldblum, and Lauper does a great job in one of her first roles; these are little gems of comic performances.
Sands and Gress are great as well.The plot moves along briskly and the action/adventure/travel side of the film works on its own as well as framing the humor.
It has the same uplifting effect as another under-rated comedy masterpiece, _Into The Night_, also featuring Jeff Goldblum.Films like _The Matrix_ and _Star Wars_ are sometimes praised for communicating a philosophical and spiritual message.
On the other hand, _Vibes_ and _Into the Night_ are both low-key, pessimistic, even cynical films that paradoxically seem to be driven by an inner engine of warmth and insight that can give viewers a real lift instead of hollow thrills.If you like _Vibes_ try another way-out-there under-rated comedy, _Simon_ (1980) with Alan Arkin..
I thought both Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper were good in their roles, though I do believe Cyndi's character was not to much of a stretch.
I also enjoyed Peter Falk who played the man who wanted their assistance.
a fun filled adventure with Cyndi Lauper, Jeff Goldblum and Peter Falk ,.
We have seen this movie quite a few times and would love to do so again.
Cyndi Lauper does a fantastic job of acting the part of Sylvia who is psychic and Jeff Goldblum has a ball in his part as another psychic , both of whom are conned into traveling to South America to help Harry(Peter Falk) find his "son".
The comedy is really good and it is such a fun movie that our kids love it too.
I would recommend this movie, especially for Cyndi Lauper fans.
Geeez, you're only from the country, it's not like you helped finance the damn thing!Anyway, I found Lauper and Goldblum to be extremely charming and so on time with their witty banter.
Cyndi Lauper is almost as talented an actress as she is a musician, and this movie reveals that fact again and again.
I would recommend seeing this movie to anyone, it will make you run to the video store to search for more titles starring Cyndi Lauper..
I found the combination of Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper on screen to be captivating.
In this comedy, the underhanded Harry Buscafusco (Peter Falk) tricks two naive psychics, Sylvia Pickel (Cyndi Lauper) and Nick Deezy (Jeff Goldblum), into helping him locate a hidden treasure in Ecuador.This film is terrible.
Vibes is one of my favorite movies of all time and I watch it at least 5 times (sometimes more) a year.
It raises my mood and just generally makes my day so much better after watching it...I can't really explain it there, but others say the same thing that love this underrated movie.
An endearingly quirky late 80s adventure comedy with a bit of romance on the side, sees Jeff Goldblum and Cindy Lauper as psychics hired on to head to Ecuador to find a treasure of a lost Aztec civilisation.
The support cast is remotely good with the likes of Julian Sands, Peter Falk, Michael Lerner and a very minor part for a pre-stardom Steve Buscemi.
The indistinct plot is quite slow going, often silly and never does it feel all that complete with little going on, but it's the snappy script with its one-liners and performances (especially Falk's comical turn) that makes it quite agreeable along with the exotic South American locations.
It's faults (weak special effects, and underdeveloped script) are swamped by the enthusiastic performances of Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum.
Although VIBES is by no means a great film, I found it quite entertaining.
Cyndi Lauper plays her role adequately, and somehow the not-quite-serious tone of it all makes it a fun movie.
I suppose it's the quirky interplay of Lauper and Goldblum that I find enjoyable, along with the overtones of mysticism, and the South American locations are lovely to look at.It's what I would call a "bubble-gum" movie - - not a lot of substance, but not a bad way to while away a couple of hours.Your taste may vary.
When it was released in 1988, most reviews were poor and the film was entirely dismissed as a credible notation on Cyndi Lauper's career.
Beautifully filmed on location in Ecuador, "Vibes" is the story of two psychics (Lauper and Jeff Goldblum) who are hired by a man (Peter Falk) who is looking for his missing son.
What they do not know is that he just hired them to help him find a mythical "Room of Gold." The chemistry between Lauper and Goldblum is there.
This is a relatively predicable, light-weight adventure thriller that has its moments and humor as post-Big Chill (1983), post-The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984), post-The Fly (1986) and pre-Jurassic Park (1993) Jeff Goldblum character goes about his quirky self and known more for her singing than acting Cyndi Lauper.
Jeff Goldblum does his usual excellent job as a comic performer, but a real surprise is his costar Cyndi Lauper of pop music fame.
I wonder why she didn't sky rocket with a comic film career as well as her already excellent music career.Peter Falk plays the swindler in search of riches, who then manipulates those around him to get what he wants.
And it was released in the '80s when there were a lot of movies about psychics making their run through the circuits...but this one was combined it with classic adventure.Movies like this were awesome...huge from the Golden Age of the Silver Screen into the '90s when they started to peter out until, well, until they vanished leaving us with nothing but Super Hero films to fill the void......I have nothing against Super Hero films, but I love adventure films too.I can see where folks would not like it, especially the people that take themselves too seriously.
Throw in a semi-bumbling sidekick and you have what I like to call "High Adventure." "Vibes" follows that outline and if you are the kind of individual that is still young enough at heart to love adventure films...you will inevitably like this movie.If you are the kind of man or woman that takes everything extremely seriously and refuses to play at all, not matter what it is.
Vibes is a film that, like Dark Star, should really be appreciated by anyone who loves film and appreciates smart-but-silly humor.
It has higher quality production values and much better acting than Dark Star, but is lighter and less dark.Others have talked about the great comedic timing and lots else to enjoy in this film, so I'll skip all that, and just give a word of advice....
Jeff Goldblum, Cindy Lauper, and Peter Falk star in "Vibes," a 1988 comedy.Goldblum and Lauper play psychics Nicky Deezy and Sylvia Pickel (pronounced pick-EL) who are at an institute where their abilities are being tested.
What makes it a cut above a fluffy comedy is the casting of Cindy Lauper, a unique personality, the talented, quirky Jeff Goldblum, and the always wonderful Peter Falk.
I think my favorite scene is the one where Goldblum confronts him, and Falk quickly makes up another story to support his lies.Fun movie..
It's very silly, but it's reasonably funny and the Indiana-Jones-style adventure aspects are pretty well done.The big surprise of the movie when it came out was Cyndi Lauper as a wacky psychic who dresses like a very colorful hooker.
This is one of my trashy loves.A very unique story line about psychics looking for the lost city of gold.
Let go of your brain and enjoy the quirkiness of it all.I loved Cyndi Lauper in this flick.
I agree with Rick (I'm glad someone else feels the same way), I really loved this film, and I've watched it more than once.
So, if you just want a funny movie, maybe you can find better.
But if you want to see one of Cyndi Lauper's few movies, one of Goldblum's most-likely-not-to-be-listed-among-movie-credits (except for possibly Earth Girls are Easy) movies, then sit back and enjoy.
"Vibes" is another loser from the 1980s as Peter Falk hires psychics Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum to find his lost son.
Ever wanted to be in an exotic jungle hotel with Cyndi Lauper or Jeff Goldblum?
Nice portrayals by Julian Sands and Peter Falk are also featured here.Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper portray psychics hired by a man of questionable motivations to find his son who disappeared while looking for an ancient Incan city.
This is one of those movies.Lauper is Sylvia and Goldblum is Nick, they are both psychics.
I don't give away the ending, but some of the funny scenes.Psychics Cyndi Lauper and Jeff Goldblum are hilarious.
Jeff Goldblum as a psychometrist and Cyndi Lauper as a (sort of) trance medium are good; Peter Falk as a conniver is nearly perfect.
So when the Goldblum character discovers his girlfriend's infidelities, it's especially, and amusingly, believable.To his last line in the film, Peter Falk plays somebody who's always trying to find an edge that will bring him some extra benefit.
His character was a good addition, to leaven some of the more serious stuff.This is not a film everybody will enjoy, but I found it very entertaining..
Jeff Goldblum and Cyndi Lauper are a comedic smash together.
Peter Faulk plays a con man who entices Goldblum and Lauper to travel with him to Equador and use their psychic gifts to find his missing son.
Cyndi Lauper, Jeff Goldblum, Peter Falk and Julian Sands star in this 1988 comedy.
I grew up watching this film and always liked it.
If it focused more on the characters psychic powers, rather than turning into a pseudo Indiana Jones wannabe halfway through the film, it could have been something.The actors are not to blame, the writing is terrible, and Goldblum does his best bumbling fool act he mastered in the eighties before he became Mister Frost.Lauper has screen presence, but my gosh, her voice is so grating, I was desperately seeking Susan toward the end.It's a real shame, because the first twenty minutes is really entertaining and quite funny when we meet the psychics and their own brand of kooky powers.But then the film tries too hard to be clever, and it loses any momentum that it had to begin with.If your an eighties aficionado, it's firmly stuck in the eighties, with the music and clothing, but that's all there is to recommend..
Good God that was the longest and most boring hour and a half of my life!Ok, so I have always been a big fan of Cindy Lauper as a singer, and Jeff Goldblum, but gosh they are so awful in this movie that it's not even funny!