Search - Tapeheads on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Mild Violence, Brief Nudity, Adult Situations, Strong Sexual Content, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity Movie Release: 1988 DVD Release: 03/13/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Number of Discs: 2 Run Time: 1 hrs 33 mins Studio: Anchor Bay Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Comedy, Farce, Media Satire

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, All Movie Guide

John Cusack - Ivan Alexeev
Tim Robbins - Josh Tager
Doug McClure - Sidney Tager
Connie Stevens - June Tager
Clu Gulager - Norman Mart
Katy Boyer - Belinda Mart

Anchor Bay's digital transfer of Tapeheads is extraordinary for a 1988 film. The colors are bright and tight, with nary a glitch, and the Dolby 5.1 respects the music of the Swanky Modes (Junior Walker and Sam Moore) as much as Ivan and Josh do. In fact, the entire soundtrack, produced by Fishbone, rocks the rafters; Devo, The Circle Jerks, Dead Kennedys, Stiv Bator, and especially the King Cotton commercial for Roscoe's Chicken 'n' Waffles restaurants sound great coming out of five speakers. The Swanky Modes' single "Ordinary Man" is included with the disc, which is a nice bonus, but there are no trailers, TV spots, still gallery, production photos, or cast and crew bios, which is odd. There is an essay and several color photos included in the chapter list booklet. The candid running commentary by executive producer Michael Nesmith, director Bill Fishman, and production designer Catherine Hardwicke reveals aspects of the film that were either forgotten or never known, and it's a treat to share this guilty pleasure in their company. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide