Product Details

• Actors: John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Mary Crosby, Clu Gulager, Katy Boyer
• Directors: Bill Fishman
• Writers: Bill Fishman, Jim Herzfeld, Peter McCarthy, Ryan Rowe
• Producers: Andrew Z. Davis, Eric Barrett, Michael Nesmith
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, NTSC
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Starz / Anchor Bay
• VHS Release Date: March 13, 2001
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6305973245
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #249,500 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This underground comedy pairs two well-known actors with unique comic timing between them in a story of pursuing dreams amidst harsh realities. Two luckless life-long friends and suddenly unemployed security guards (Tim Robbins and John Cusack) seek to fulfill a lifelong dream try their hand at music-video production. Along the way they encounter the worst the music and television business has to offer, falling victim to a few scams and all the while clinging to their unbeatable optimism. Finally they hit upon an idea to resurrect a long-dead 1960s group, with predictably disastrous results. Blues legends Junior Walker and Sam Moore make appearances, and the soundtrack is a treat, featuring the likes of Bo Diddley and Devo. As a satire of the video age, it's hit and miss, but enough comic moments exist between the two leads to make Tapeheads an interesting diversion. --Robert Lane

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Waffles and chicken, August 30, 2000

By 

S. Walton "bibliophile42" (Janesville, WI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tapeheads [VHS] (VHS Tape)

See this movie for the Roscoe's Waffles and Chicken restaurant video, if for no other reason. Roscoe was played by King Cotton, a portly, snowy-haired, senior citizen, white guy rapper who appeared (very) briefly in the 80's. You have to see it to believe it. I bought the soundtrack because of this song.

What there is of a storyline doesn't make much sense, but that's half the fun. Josh (Tim Robbins) is an aspiring moviemaker who has talent, but no ambition. His friend, Ivan (John Cusack) has PLENTY of ambition. After they lose their jobs as security guards, they decide to go into business for themselves. Unfortunately, their paying gigs are for funerals, and the only creative work they can find is "on spec."

Josh and Ivan idolize an old, out of work R&B duo, the Swanky Modes. When Josh and Ivan meet the Swanky Modes in a bar, they realize it's their golden opportunity. They just have to get the Swanky Modes back on stage...

One of my favorite scenes is in the bar, when they ask for another drink. The bartender intends to cut them off, and tells them they can't have another unless they can recite the alphabet backwards, with one eye covered, and in sign language. They get their drinks.

Throw in some Menudo jokes (if you don't remember Menudo, think five fourteen-year-old Ricky Martins), a Bruce Lee type catfight, and some truly hilarious videos, and you've got Tapeheads.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant, feel-good comedy with an outstanding soundtrack, September 10, 2000

By 

C. E. Ivy (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tapeheads (DVD)

The chemistry between Cusack and Robbins is readily apparent in this off-beat comedy. The film is full of clever, yet not-so-obvious sight-gags including the casting of Zander Schloss as both a heavy-metal fan and an R&B concert-goer.

Sam Moore and Junior Walker pair up as the fictitious band "The Swanky Modes" adding a number of very soulful tunes to the soundtrack. To quote Josh & Ivan in the movie "We love the Swanky Modes."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A parody for the ages, November 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Tapeheads [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This movie showcases the talents of Michael Nesmith mirroring the same quirky humor that made the "Monkees" television show so hilarious. The central focus of this movie is the growing music video industry during the eighties. This movie is a parody of the what the industry was like and how to two guys could make it big. John Cusak and Tim Robbins play two buddies that have dreams of making it big in the video business. They each contribute their own brand of humor. John is the slick entrepenuer and Tim is the naive but talented producer. After getting fired they decide to go into the video business. They find the business to be challenging but never allow themselves to give up. They are motivated by their love for the "Swanky Modes" (Sam Moore and Junior Walker). Nesmith uses so many funny little quirks throughout this movie that you will need to watch it at least two more times to catch everything. Each time you watch it, it gets funnier and funnier. The film is strengthened by a cast of cameos by artists such as Ted Nugent and Don Cornelius as "Moe Fuzz, President of Fuzzball Records". The film also boasts a great soundtrack. This movie is a must for anyone's collection if you are a fun of quirky humor like "Airplane" and even the "Marx Brothers".