Tapeheads (1988)
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60% of critics liked it
(15 reviews) -
43% of users liked it
(4,366 ratings)
In this high-energy satire of the music biz, Ivan Alexov (John Cusack) and Josh Tager (Tim Robbins) lose their jobs as security guards, and they decide to start their own video production company. Their first gigs are less than inspiring, including a rappin' commercial for a chicken-and-waffle… More In this high-energy satire of the music biz, Ivan Alexov (John Cusack) and Josh Tager (Tim Robbins) lose their jobs as security guards, and they decide to start their own video production company. Their first gigs are less than inspiring, including a rappin' commercial for a chicken-and-waffle place, a living will, and a right-wing Presidential-hopeful's (Clu Gulager) gala dinner. Eventually, they get to direct a heavy-metal music video which becomes a huge surprise success. But now the politician needs to get back a private videotape from the boys, and the Secret Service is put on their trail. This chaotic romp has cameos from more music celebs than you can shake a tape reel at, as well as a hopping little soundtrack by Fishbone. This is also the film that introduced a conservative folksinger/politician character who later got his own movie, Bob Roberts. ~ John Voorhees, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bill Fishman
- Written By
- Bill Fishman, Peter McCarthy, Jim Herzfeld
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Oct 1, 1988 Wide
- Studio
- Anchor Bay Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
A painful attempt to satirize the making of rock videos that runs aground with a puerile plot and bombastic, self-infatuated delivery.
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, Time Out
It's all good fun: likeable performances, unpretentious, larky direction, and a haphazard story.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The amiable screenplay by Mr. Fishman and Peter McCarthy is often funny, and never worse than silly.
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Richard Harrington, Washington Post
The irony is that nothing Fishman and his cohorts have come up with is really as funny as a two-hour slice of MTV itself.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
All of these elements have been lifted off the shelf of exhausted cliches, given a quick dusting, and plugged directly into the movie.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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John Cusack
as Ivan Alexeev
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Tim Robbins
as Josh Tager
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Doug McClure
as Sidney Tager
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Connie Stevens
as June Tager
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Clu Gulager
as Norman Mart
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Mary Crosby
as Samantha Gregory
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Katy Boyer
as Belinda Mart
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Lyle Alzado
as Thor Alexeev
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King Cotton
as Roscoe
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Don Cornelius
as Mo Fuzz
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Jessica Walter
as Kay Mart
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Sam Moore
as Billy Diamond
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Junior Walker
as Lester Diamond
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Susan Tyrrell
as Nikki Morton
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Jo Harvey Allen
as Madame Olga
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Lee Arenberg
as Norton
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Jennifer Balgobin
as Calypso Dancer
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Stiv Bators
as Dick Slammer
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Xander Berkeley
as Ricky Fell
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Jello Biafra
as FBI Man #1
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Jeannine Bisignano
as Foxy Extra
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John Durbin
as Hitman #3
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Daniel Epper
as Pimply Guard
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Tyra Ferrell
as Flygirl
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John Fleck
as Critic #1
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Rocky Giordani
as Hitman #1
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Brie Howard
as Flygirl
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J.J.
as Hitman #2
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Slavitza Jovan
as Tish
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Tiiu Leek
as News Anchor
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Ted Nugent
as Rock Star
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Ed Pansullo
as Video Protector
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Martha Quinn
as Music Video Hostess
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Sy Richardson
as Bartender
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Debbie Lynn Ross
as Foxy Extra
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Milton Selzer
as Merlin Hinkle
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Ebbe Roe Smith
as Mr. G
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Jim Ward
as Dutch Reagan
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Weird Al Yankovic
as 'Weird Al'
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Eric Barrett
as Civic Security Guard
- Bojan Bazelli
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Keith Joe Dick
as Mr. B
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Billy Ferrick
as Cube Squared
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Bobcat Goldthwait
as Prosperty Through Exploitation Author
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Peter McCarthy
as Menudo Fan
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Coati Mundi
as Bald Executive
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Michael Nesmith
as Water Man
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Zander Schloss
as Heavy Metal Fan
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Brian James
as The Blender Children
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John Mitchell
as Swanky Modes Band
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Eric Dressen
as Skateboarder
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Michael Franco
as T-Shirt Vendor
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John Lykes
as Body Buddy
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Patrick O'Neill
as Student Journalist
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Bob McLean
as FBI Man #2
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Bob Rose
as Swanky Modes Band
- Courtney Love
