Tapeheads (1988)

60% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
44% of users liked it
(4,299 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

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Bill Fishman
Written By: Bill Fishman, Peter McCarthy, Jim Herzfeld
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1988 Wide
On DVD: Mar 13, 2001
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

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.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
The amiable screenplay by Mr. Fishman and Peter McCarthy is often funny, and never worse than silly.
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.
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.
, Film4
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.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A wacky, high-energy satire of the music business.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
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.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Silly fun.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Tapeheads plays with the same kind of off-kilter energy that Repo Man has, but lacks the complete abandon of the former.
, Time Out
It's all good fun: likeable performances, unpretentious, larky direction, and a haphazard story.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

I love this movie, and it's virtually unheard of! It has two big stars: Tim Robbins and John Cusack, as two unemployed friends who start a music video production company, and the craziness that occurs along the way. It's really fun and entertaining, and very funny.… More
I love this movie, and it's virtually unheard of! It has two big stars: Tim Robbins and John Cusack, as two unemployed friends who start a music video production company, and the craziness that occurs along the way. It's really fun and entertaining, and very funny. It's one of my favourite movies from 88.
Conner R

John Cusak's stash is the funniest thing I've seen on a human being. This movie is another buddy 80's movie and if you don't enjoy those then you probably won't like this. It does have a lot of heart and Mike Myers pretty much stole this idea for Wayne's… More
John Cusak's stash is the funniest thing I've seen on a human being. This movie is another buddy 80's movie and if you don't enjoy those then you probably won't like this. It does have a lot of heart and Mike Myers pretty much stole this idea for Wayne's World and gets ZERO credit.
Jason S

Good flick.
Lafe F

Great comedy film about 80's music video production. Another good one is "The Big Picture".
Curt C

The movie itself is all over the place, but still enjoyable; mostly due to the great chemistry between Cusack and Robbins in 'before they made it big' roles.

Cast

            John Cusack as Ivan Alexeev

            Tim Robbins as Josh Tager

            Doug McClure as Sidney Tager

            Connie Stevens as June Tager

            Clu Gulager as Norman Mart

            Mary Crosby as Samantha Gregory

            Katy Boyer as Belinda Mart

            Lyle Alzado as Thor Alexeev

            King Cotton as Roscoe

            Don Cornelius as Mo Fuzz

            Jessica Walter as Kay Mart

            Sam Moore as Billy Diamond

            Junior Walker as Lester Diamond

            Susan Tyrrell as Nikki Morton

            Jo Harvey Allen as Madame Olga

            Lee Arenberg as Norton

            Jennifer Balgobin as Calypso Dancer

            Stiv Bators as Dick Slammer

            Xander Berkeley as Ricky Fell

            Jello Biafra as FBI Man #1

            Jeannine Bisignano as Foxy Extra

            John Durbin as Hitman #3

            Daniel Epper as Pimply Guard

            Tyra Ferrell as Flygirl

            John Fleck as Critic #1

            Rocky Giordani as Hitman #1

            Brie Howard as Flygirl

            J.J. as Hitman #2

            Slavitza Jovan as Tish

            Tiiu Leek as News Anchor

            Ted Nugent as Rock Star

            Ed Pansullo as Video Protector

            Martha Quinn as Music Video Hostess

            Sy Richardson as Bartender

            Debbie Lynn Ross as Foxy Extra

            Milton Selzer as Merlin Hinkle

            Ebbe Roe Smith as Mr. G

            Jim Ward as Dutch Reagan

            Weird Al Yankovic as 'Weird Al'

            Eric Barrett as Civic Security Guard

            Bojan Bazelli
            
            Keith Joe Dick as Mr. B

            Billy Ferrick as Cube Squared

            Bobcat Goldthwait as Prosperty Through Exploitation Author

            Peter McCarthy as Menudo Fan

            Coati Mundi as Bald Executive

            Michael Nesmith as Water Man

            Zander Schloss as Heavy Metal Fan

            Brian James as The Blender Children

            John Mitchell as Swanky Modes Band

            Eric Dressen as Skateboarder

            Michael Franco as T-Shirt Vendor

            John Lykes as Body Buddy

            Patrick O'Neill as Student Journalist

            Bob McLean as FBI Man #2

            Bob Rose as Swanky Modes Band

            Courtney Love
            
See full cast