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Tapeheads

Play trailer Poster for Tapeheads R 1988 1h 37m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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60% Tomatometer 15 Reviews 46% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Unemployed pals Ivan (John Cusack) and Josh (Tim Robbins) decide to start Video Aces, a company that produces music videos. Their initial clients include Billy and Lester Diamond, members of the music group The Swanky Modes, whose careers have slowed since their heyday during the '70s. As the Video Aces crew attempts to revive The Swanky Modes' careers by staging and broadcasting a concert, they also have to deal with the unwanted attention of a conservative politician (Clu Gulager).

Critics Reviews

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Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader 11/06/2009
A painful attempt to satirize the making of rock videos that runs aground with a puerile plot and bombastic, self-infatuated delivery. Go to Full Review
Time Out 02/09/2006
It's all good fun: likeable performances, unpretentious, larky direction, and a haphazard story. Go to Full Review
Janet Maslin New York Times 05/20/2003
3/5
The amiable screenplay by Mr. Fishman and Peter McCarthy is often funny, and never worse than silly. Go to Full Review
Film4 11/06/2009
Ignored both at the cinema and on tape, this is a gem that is as happy sending up the music video world as it is poking fun at politics. Go to Full Review
TV Guide 11/06/2009
3/4
A wacky, high-energy satire of the music business. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 09/22/2009
C+
It's the kind of harmless breezy film that's easy to take on late night cable TV when you don't feel like using your noodle. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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thiago s @Thiagostone Jul 21 Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom See more Jimmy F Dec 31 Quirky, Weird, and a Cult Classic with a Great Soundtrack Tapeheads is a bizarre and offbeat comedy that fully embraces its eccentricities, delivering a quirky tale of two friends trying to make it big in the world of music video production. Directed by Bill Fishman, the film thrives on its weirdness, energetic pace, and a soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates its off-kilter charm. John Cusack and Tim Robbins star as Ivan and Josh, a pair of misfits who dive headfirst into the chaotic world of music videos, often with hilarious and absurd results. Their chemistry carries the film, with Cusack's fast-talking confidence and Robbins' awkward charm creating a dynamic that's hard not to root for. The film's plot is as loose and unpredictable as its protagonists, jumping from one odd scenario to another. From producing outrageous videos to getting caught up in political conspiracies, Tapeheads gleefully embraces its chaotic narrative style. What truly sets this film apart is its killer soundtrack. Packed with eclectic tunes that span multiple genres, the music not only complements the film's quirky vibe but also adds a layer of authenticity to the world of low-budget video production. While its humor and style might not be for everyone, Tapeheads has earned its status as a cult classic. It's a celebration of DIY creativity and the 1980s music scene, complete with wacky characters, absurd situations, and just enough heart to make it memorable. Final Thoughts: Tapeheads isn't a polished masterpiece, but it doesn't try to be. It's a quirky, weird comedy that leans into its eccentricities with gusto. For fans of offbeat humor and great music, this is a hidden gem worth checking out. A cult classic with a great soundtrack and plenty of weird charm to keep you entertained. See more Flick F 08/25/2023 This is a sleeper cult movie. I really enjoy this movie and I love to revisit it from time to time. A young John Cusack and Tim Robbins. It screams 80's and that's part of what I love about this movie. If you haven't seen it, take a chance. See more Naz H 01/04/2023 I laughed so much. It's a really smart and funny movie that stands the rest of time. See more 06/06/2019 An 80s hipster movie, it both reveres and satirizes the music video-fueled pop culture of the 1980s with humour and smarts.. It was too smart for its time. It's the "High Fidelity" of the 80s (featuring two of High Fidelity's actors). See more 05/01/2018 A seriously funny gem from the late 80s See more Read all reviews
Tapeheads

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Movie Info

Synopsis Unemployed pals Ivan (John Cusack) and Josh (Tim Robbins) decide to start Video Aces, a company that produces music videos. Their initial clients include Billy and Lester Diamond, members of the music group The Swanky Modes, whose careers have slowed since their heyday during the '70s. As the Video Aces crew attempts to revive The Swanky Modes' careers by staging and broadcasting a concert, they also have to deal with the unwanted attention of a conservative politician (Clu Gulager).
Director
Bill Fishman
Producer
Peter McCarthy
Production Co
Pacific Arts, De Laurentiis
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$129.0K
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Surround