Tag: Raphael Sbarge

VISION QUEST (1984)

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Directed By: Harold Becker

Written By: Darryl Ponicsan

Based on the novel by: Terry Davis 

Cinematography: Owen Roizman

Editor: Maury Winetrobe 

Cast: Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino, Michael Schoeffling, Charles Hallahan, Ronny Cox, Forest Whitaker, Raphael Sbarge, Harold Sylvester, J.C. Quinn, Daphne Zuniga, Roberts Blossom, James Gammon, Madonna 

A high school wrestler in Spokane, Washington has trouble focusing on his training regimen when a beautiful young drifter takes up temporary residence at his home.

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This film is kind of like Apple pie or a home-cooked meal. It’s a coming of age story that’s recognizable and down-home simply enough. It’s not very sensationalistic, which makes it all the more believable. 

Taking place in a small town dealing with first love, especially not only an older woman but a stranger in the 1980s which were more relaxed in times and subjects, even though it might be a little bit by today’s standards still a film that has a lot of heart 

Dealing with regret, the future being wide open, learn your obsession as a teenager, which is your world as you grow up how small it seems compared with everything else going on around you, and how it loses its importance 

I’ll be honest this is a film. I’ve always heard about it but never seen it even though I had plenty of opportunities in video stores and on not only regular television but tables and I remember being interested in trying to see it because it was one of Linda Fiorentino’s first big roles and I remember it coming on HBO but it was coming on late at night and trying to stay up me trying to stay up and then falling asleep right before the movie Started and then waking up during the weigh in scene, and then trying to stay up to see if any glimpses of were left in the film and then falling asleep just to see the credits.

This is a film that has been alluded to over the years for me. I think I would’ve enjoyed it when I was younger, but I think it held a special place for me and my heart now having seen it for its cast it’s all of which I think I appreciate on a deeper level now which I think most watching this film for the first time Will also be able to hone in on

It’s a coming-of-age film that doesn’t go for Schmalz nor does it talk down to its characters or its audience. They face real problems, real responsibilities real consequences, and we see the characters who help form their beliefs in life who’ve gone before, these characters aren’t made into icons or legends they’re shown in all their glory, but also their faults and failures.

It also gives him arrival or enemy to strive against who’s not necessarily all that evil, but something to focus his energy in trying to defeat challenge and get over

So Harold Becker deserves credit for putting this all on screen, visualizing it, and making it so believable it helps that the source material was a novel that has plenty for characterizations and setting scenes but still all involved should be proud of themselves 

Watching Matthew Modine as an actor over the years, you can get a sense of the wild spirit energy, and all American image that he possesses in this performance and why he kept working so much in the 1980s and ’90s throughout his career cause you can see that spark, just like his character in nell, maybe he was type even though he played a lot of rules, but this will be the one that he’ll be remembered for, and you’ll always go to straight in your head

This ended up being better than I expected and can see why it’s so well remembered and still talked about truly living up to its title and its themes.

One can admit this is actually way better than expected and can see why not only the movie but it’s memory has lasted with audiences for so long.

Now, I will say, Linda Fiorentino does it once again where as it seems like most of her acting roles, no matter hero or villain by the end one always has a crush on her for whatever reason, even though she usually does play icy emotional. here she plays tough, but slowly reveals her vulnerability as an outsider and newcomer to this town and looking to get out and how she has an obvious connection with the lead, but how she manages to affect other characters also.

Not to mention the film and it soundtrack featured an up-and-coming singer, songwriter named Madonna, who actually appears in the film performing in a bar scene so you can add that to the nostalgia of the 80s in the up and coming cast, as well as just raw talent used to the best of their abilities

Grade: B+

FRIENDSHIP (2025)

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Written & Directed By: Andrew DeYoung

Cinematography: Andy Rydzewski

Editor: Sophie Corra 

Cast: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Patti Harrison Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer, Raphael Sbarge, Whitmer Thomas, Ivy Wolk, Josh Segarra, Jon Glaser, Connor O’Malley

A suburban dad falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor.

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Yes, the review isn’t gonna be any different than probably many of the other ones you might’ve read or heard, or seen about this film, as the film stars comedian Tim Robinson, the film does feel like an extended skit from his popular show. I think you should leave, which showcases skits that are awkward, bizarre the top surreal. Though based in a familiar reality that can be identifiable.

So that this film does feel like an extended skit as it gets more absurd as the film goes along, the film with the same character, so that it feels more like we’re going through a crisis

Inntunnel, vision than anything else. As the film at times can be bizarre.

The film does explore male loneliness and could be seen as a midlife crisis movie of a married man.  who doesn’t have any friends, and his family seems not to be interested in him or have really much use for him, who starts an adult friendship and a little bit of worship with his new neighbor.

That does get his hopes up, but then clearly coola down because of his awkwardness, and trying too hard, but also lacking social

Skills , which then alienates him. 

Truly showcasing his vulnerability, which is not an attractive trait, as well as leading to an obsession and stalking, if that’s not enough, also his problems at home, which he has been repressing his anger or disillusionment about, only help him boil over. As we all need a tribe a group to feel a part of and here he can’t seem to fit into one might be better one on one, but also no matter where he goes. He seems to be the butt of jokes of whichever group.

What about the film? Is that while the lead character goes above and beyond what is necessary, and is truly a scary character piece? It also shows that the other characters are flawed, though they seem to know how to handle situations in life much better and sooner 

This could be more of a character study. We learned more about the character and could see a little bit more why his actions are the way that they are, but that film isn’t built for this nor is it its aim. The film builds up sympathy form, but doesn’t let him off the hook as showing that he’s not perfect and most things seem to be his fault and just let them grow and get to him and his reactions or what truly make him unhinged.

That has the humor of Tim Robinson, other than as an actor, he doesn’t seem to have any input or basis on the film, as he didn’t write it, nor did he direct it. He doesn’t even produce it. Paul Rudd, his co-star, actually produces it. Writer/Director Andrew DeYoung has gotten Robinson’s charms and humor perfectly, which helps sell the film. as it is supposedly based upon deYoung’s experience after getting iced out of it, a group of friends.

As I have been describing this film, I have not said how hilarious the film is. You laugh throughout the film, even if it’s just out of being uncomfortable. I wouldn’t say it’s near perfect, but. It’s not insubstantial. It has a message, maybe not an important one, and goes way over the top by the end, though you do kind of appreciate it for where it goes, and not the ending clearly could’ve had, but it wouldn’t be true to itself if it did. 

this isn’t some gag, filled comedy

Nor slapstick with one liners hunch lines, and too much physical comedy. It’s a bit random This is more what some might call cringeworthy comedy. Which makes it appeal to a certain Taste or audience so keep this in mind as I review this film as I am part of that audience as I am a fan of Tim Robinson, his show that type of comedy so I might be vice plus the film is partly identifiable for me and I will not explain in which way, but those who know me will recognize it

The film also explores some of the social rules of groups of friends, and try to infiltrate that group, how cruel and unforgiving it could be, no matter how all might seem 

Everything seems a bit twisted other than the lead character, though I can’t recommend this film more. I think I’m liked it a bit more than some other. 

Grade: B

BREAST MEN (1997)

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Directed By: Lawrence O’Neil

Written By: John Stockwell

Cinematography: Robert Stevens

Editor: Michael Jablow

Cast: David Schwimmer, Chris Cooper, Emily Procter, Matt Frewer, Kathleen Wilhoite, John Stockwell, Louise Fletcher, Terry O’Quinn, Lisa Marie, Amanda Foreman, Lyle Lovett, Julie McCullough, Rena Riffel, Raphael Sbarge 

Two doctors create breast implants. However, when success and money come their way, they separate and follow different paths.

An HBO original tv-movie made for cable when it came out. Using the formula of two popular actors not quite strong enough for a box office release. As the subject which you would think fills seats isn’t quite ready for the big screen. 

The film has a good handle on the subject by presenting us a story of characters who seem to have our attention and sympathies at first but then get affected by greed and sort of switch places but in the end are characters we despise.

Don’t know how exactly fact-based the film is but it stays sleazy as the characters and subject matter does. While keeping your interest. It is loosely based on fact obviously to keep it more dramatic and interesting and offer a more moralistic tale. 

As there is plenty of nudity on display which is understandable considering the subject, but obviously more under the male gaze most of the time. As well as having unnecessary sex scenes. 

As we have scenes where women offer their stories and confessions. Where we never see their face, only their breasts, as they talk.

So that it becomes more exploitive than maybe it was initially conceived or maybe that was the plan the whole time to mix the exploitive with the dramatic and offer some kind of poignancy.

As David Schwimmer’s Character goes from being a brilliant surgeon to more on the shy side and having an obsession with breasts and an idea on how to revolutionize plastic surgery on them. To begin, change by success and general greed. To where he seems to have lost his soul. When the consequences of these surgeries present themselves later and he finds no guilt within himself even when his mother is one of the people he performed the procedure on.

Chris cooper’s character at least shows having the most soul. At first not have faith in Schwimmer’s character then goes into business with him but goes their separate ways when Schwimmer feels he deserves more credit and copper’s character is more conservative and performs more for the elite. Whereas Schwimmer seems to perform for whoever as long as they can pay and alter the ethics. As They both reach cruel yet poetic justice ends.

One of the obvious problems of the film is the title says it all. How to tell this story delicately or at least tastefully and there isn’t.

As it is an interesting subject but unfortunately this story of discovery isn’t populated with worthwhile Decent characters. They are filled with characters who seem to want to do the right thing but money and success go to their heads.

In the end, it feels like a film that wants to be moralistic and a dark comedy with dramatic overtones. That unfortunately isn’t that funny and comes off as awkward and dirty.

Grade: C+