Must see for any Monkees fan. Great songs and a typically mixed up non-sensical plot from the boys.

In 1991 or thereabouts I did some work experience in the office of the "Ilkeston Advertiser": an esteemed news journal that reached out to the good folk of South East Derbyshire and touched them with news. Being short of tombolas or hate crimes to wr... (read more) In 1991 or thereabouts I did some work experience in the office of the "Ilkeston Advertiser": an esteemed news journal that reached out to the good folk of South East Derbyshire and touched them with news. Being short of tombolas or hate crimes to write about that week, I was allowed to write a review of "Head", a film which had just been released on video. It is the only time my ill-considered ramblings have been published. Back then I thought "Head" was just about the best film I had ever seen. Watching it many years later, and without the aid of psychoactive stimulants (unless you count Yorkshire Tea) I was struck by how amazing it still looks - it was one of the first films to use the solarization technique, during the opening sequence where the Monkees jump off a bridge and swim with mermaids. It features some of the best songs the Monkees ever did and sets them to some arresting and quite awesome visuals - we see footage of them playing "Circle Sky" (intercut with film of war atrocities such as the execution of Nguyen Van Lem) to a set of crazed fans who take to the stage and literally tear them apart at the end, finding that they've turned into mannequins. Mickey Dolenz commandeers an Italian army tank and blows up an empty Coke machine he has found in the middle of the desert. Satirical scenes and comments about the nature of commercialism, spirituality and celebrity abound. And Mike Nesmith is the epitome of cool. What's not to like? The Monkees were clearly hellbent on deconstructing their carefully-manufactured image by making such a film - "Head" was their statement that were finally taking artistic control over what they did. Unfortunately the critics and the public of the time rejected it out of hand, and they split not long after. In the words of Frank Zappa's cow: "Monkees is the craziest people", and I feel that "Head" is their finest and most enduring legacy.

The end of The Monkees as a band. Head was not a film well recieved at the time of its release in '68 it lasted less than 2 weeks before it was seen again in the late 80's. The film is what I would call a psychedelic mind blower. One can look at thi... (read more) The end of The Monkees as a band. Head was not a film well recieved at the time of its release in '68 it lasted less than 2 weeks before it was seen again in the late 80's. The film is what I would call a psychedelic mind blower. One can look at this film as genius or meaningless sixties drugged out trash. I actually think it is very clever for its time. Bob Rafelson and than unknown Jack Nicholson produced and wrote the film. Rafelson went on to direct Nicholson in Five Easy Peices (73). Head is a time capsule that every once in a while needs to be explored.

Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson wrote and produced this hilarious film starring The Monkees. Here is all that can really be said about this film: there is no story whatsoever. This film is just a random conglomeration of various scenarios and musical... (read more) Jack Nicholson and Bob Rafelson wrote and produced this hilarious film starring The Monkees. Here is all that can really be said about this film: there is no story whatsoever. This film is just a random conglomeration of various scenarios and musical numbers thrown in in any way, shape, and form. In other words, this is just good clean fun. So, let yourself go, kick back, relax, and let this film enter into, completely possess, and maybe even mess with your "head".

trippy and hilarious.

Sometimes it succeeds.