Head: The Monkees
"A Hard Days Night on acid" best describes this outrageous movie within a movie starring recording superstars The Monkees. The first in a long line of films for collaborators Jack Nicholoson and the director Bob Rafelson - Five Easy Pieces, The Postman Always Rings Twice - Head's unconventional, dreamlike style showcases The Monkees' musical and comedic talents honed on their popular television series. A stream-of-consciousness script lands our fab four in a WWII foxhole dodging an excitable football player, then later they are caught in a giant vacuum cleaner after being sucked out of Victor Matures hair as flecks of dandruff, and on and on from one wild situation to another. Head is unpredictable, filled with great music, and undeniably hilarious!
Member Reviews
Monkees flinging poo. - CanAmerican
Well, thanks for ruining all my childhood memories of The Monkees. Not only did this show stink on ice but it was so irritating that I took the time to write this review even though it's been over a decade since I sat through this piece of crap. Apparently all the band members were facing tax issues or just trying to break a contract because it's hard to believe anyone would make a movie this bad on purpose.
I didn't bother with any details about the plot or anything because they didn't bother with one. All I can say is this movie makes Pink Floyd's "The Wall" look like Gone with the Wind.
This film deserves a new rating: I call it "Would rather suck broken glass through a straw than watch this movie".I really wanted to like this movie, but mostly I didn't - Superdave
I grew up watching the Monkees on TV, and when I was old enough to own my own stereo, I got both of their Greatest Hits albums. On vinyl. To say that I eagerly awaited the VHS release of their single long lost feature, HEAD, back in the mid-80s is an understatement. I was pestering video clerks for a solid year until it appeared on the shelves. And when I finally watched it... I found myself confused, disappointed and bored. The music was different from the more familiar pop-friendly tunes on the show - darker lyrically and musically - but that was okay. Musical groups evolve and change. The movie lacks a coherent plot and often makes no sense whatsoever, but then part of the appeal of their show was its scatter-shot approach to anarchic comedy. The individual vignettes which often spoof classic Hollywood warhorses and which make up most of the movie's length are silly and don't really go anywhere, but then the show was not exactly a story-driven affair either. Ultimately, what made the show irresistible was the individual appeal of the four Monkees themselves and their chemistry as a group, and the movie simply doesn't give us any of that, substituting instead a bizarre parade of unrelated images and events that lacks for any coherent or unifying viewpoint. It's much ado about nothing and when it's over, the viewer finds himself wondering, Is that it? Was that the best they could come up with, given Bob Rafelson as director, Jack Nicholson as screenwriter and two months of studio time? Ultimately, HEAD's a harmless trifle, but it's one of those late 60s movies like CHE or HIERONYMUS MERKIN that just leave you wondering when the clowns took over the circus. These movies came out while the Hollywood old guard who were still in charge of the studios were green-lighting stuff that they hoped would appeal to a youth audience that was beyond their understanding. The movie might appeal to Monkee fans or maybe not, but keep your expectations low.A Pop Culture Junkies Dream - Benetti
This movie defies explanation. The fact that they even let a manufactured group like the Monkees make this meandering trip out extravaganza is a testament to how you could get away with almost anything in the sixties. Davy dances with a very young Toni Basil, Jack Nicholson directs it, Annette Funicello bats her saucer eyes, Frank Zappa leads around a talking cow-what more do you want? The whole movie gives you the impression that the Monkees weren't happy with their phoney roles as TV Musicians. This is their revenge on Hollywood and it's brilliant. The music is better than the stuff on the TV show. Their actual talent shows through. This movie has no plot. It doesn't need one. Their tight pants and velour blouses juxtaposed with their heavy anti war statements are enough. This movie is truly in a class of it's own and can be compared to nothing. Mike Nesmith, I will always love you.
Member Reviews
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Monkees flinging poo. - CanAmerican
Well, thanks for ruining all my childhood memories of The Monkees. Not only did this show stink on ice but it was so irritating that I took the time to write this review even though it's been over a decade since I sat through this piece of crap. Apparently ...I really wanted to like this movie, but mostly I didn't - Superdave
I grew up watching the Monkees on TV, and when I was old enough to own my own stereo, I got both of their Greatest Hits albums. On vinyl. To say that I eagerly awaited the VHS release of their single long lost feature, HEAD, back in the mid-80s is an understatement. ...A Pop Culture Junkies Dream - Benetti
This movie defies explanation. The fact that they even let a manufactured group like the Monkees make this meandering trip out extravaganza is a testament to how you could get away with almost anything in the sixties. Davy dances with a very young Toni Basil, ...