IMDb RATING
5.7/10
4.4K
YOUR RATING
A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.A couple of creative losers accidently become big shots in the video music industry.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe band Ranchbone in this movie is portrayed by the real life ska-punk band Fishbone. Both John Cusack and Tim Robbins are big fans of the band in real life. Robbins can even be seen wearing a Fishbone t-shirt in a scene in the movie Bull Durham (1988) released earlier that same year.
- Quotes
Josh Tager: Look, Ivan... I hope you're not putting too much faith in me. I don't even know if I...
Ivan Alexeev: "IF"? Instant Failure! "FEAR" - False Evidence Appearing Real! We've talked about this!
- Crazy creditsAfter the final credits, there is one minute of video static with the following superimposed text: Oh ... and by the way, the next time you're passing through Santa Monica, CA., stop in at Renee's Courtyard Cafe.
- Alternate versionsThe 1990 UK video was cut by 48 secs by the BBFC to remove all footage of nunchakus and butterfly knives. The 2002 release is uncut.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Say Anything (1989)
- SoundtracksBetcher Bottom Dollar
Performed by The Swanky Modes
Written by Brian Adler
Produced and Arranged by Bob Rose
Featured review
Tapeheads- A bizarre unique and twisted comedy- Who could ask for more
Tapeheads is not a subtle film. It is not brilliant film. What it is is one of the most unique and funny American comedies in a long time. What allows this movie to rise above the stupidity in which it revels in is two-fold. Its quirky sense of humor is so unique and refreshing, that you're not only willing but looking forward to the plot which can politely described as asinine. Secondly, it has the Swankey Modes, who are actually soul legends Sam Moore and Junior Walker. They bring a delightful energy and great music to the movie.
It would be pointless to bring up specific scenes, except to say that this movie has approximately ten or fifteen of the funniest vignettes of the year. There are also plenty of misses, but the joy in seeing them make the effort allows you to forgive all the misses.
John Cusack and Tim Robbins, both exceptional actors capable of great subtlety, exhibit none of it here. What they replace it with is a great comic energy and a willingness to do almost anything for a joke. Cusack is especially endearing as a total sleazeball who will do anything for a buck. Michael Nesmith (yes, That one!) produces this farce and demonstrates what we already knew- He was really the talented one, and the funniest one.
I imagine that there will be people who hate this movie. People who hate its lack of subtlety, who hate the implausible plot, and who just don't get a humor that most can most aptly described as off kilter. What they don't understand is that the humor in this movie is a complete original, and the lengths this movie takes to see it through are admirable and at times breathtaking. And it is for those reasons that Tapeheads is one of the great American comedies of the 1980's, and one of the most underrated movies ever made.
It would be pointless to bring up specific scenes, except to say that this movie has approximately ten or fifteen of the funniest vignettes of the year. There are also plenty of misses, but the joy in seeing them make the effort allows you to forgive all the misses.
John Cusack and Tim Robbins, both exceptional actors capable of great subtlety, exhibit none of it here. What they replace it with is a great comic energy and a willingness to do almost anything for a joke. Cusack is especially endearing as a total sleazeball who will do anything for a buck. Michael Nesmith (yes, That one!) produces this farce and demonstrates what we already knew- He was really the talented one, and the funniest one.
I imagine that there will be people who hate this movie. People who hate its lack of subtlety, who hate the implausible plot, and who just don't get a humor that most can most aptly described as off kilter. What they don't understand is that the humor in this movie is a complete original, and the lengths this movie takes to see it through are admirable and at times breathtaking. And it is for those reasons that Tapeheads is one of the great American comedies of the 1980's, and one of the most underrated movies ever made.
helpful•2510
- GregRG
- Apr 20, 1999
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Tapeheads - Verrückt auf Video
- Filming locations
- Los Angeles County, California, USA(Location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $343,786
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $133,330
- Oct 23, 1988
- Gross worldwide
- $343,786
- Runtime1 hour 33 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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