classicsoncall What timing! I always assign an element of cosmic serendipity to odd coincidences that occur rather regularly in my life. Last night as I write this, I attended a Monkees 50th Anniversary Tour Concert fronted by Mickey Dolenz and Peter Tork, while back at home, my DVR was recording this movie which I had been thinking about because of a renewed interest in the band. I guess I'm what you might call a closet Monkees fan because let's face it, they were created on the pretext of establishing an American Beatles band, while cashing in on the merchandising spin off from stuff related to the TV show. At one point though, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork actually did manage to take control of the Monkees' music after the release of their first few albums, determined to rise above the media stir that arose over their original formation.So if you were around for The Monkees TV series, or manage to catch them today in those ubiquitous reruns on TV Land or Antenna TV, this film is a lot like the show, only three times as long. There's really no story to speak of here, what you get are random segments featuring the boys both individually and together doing the slap-dash, manic schtick that made them big time teenybopper heroes of the late Sixties. Personally, I caught a couple of the shows as a teenager, but got bored rather quickly with the silliness of it all. Cool guest stars at times though, they show up here as well, folks like Rosemarie and my favorite Catwoman, Julie Newmar.What really caught my attention though, was how the boys allowed themselves to be parodied relative to the group's origin. In that soda shop scene, the counter girl mocks the Monkees while making this picture, "...why don't you have them write you some talent". This right after calling them out as God's gift to eight year olds. You had to know that the four of them were in on the joke so to speak, while offering their fans a reason to tune in. I know one thing, any teenage girl watching this in the theater at the time had to absolutely cuss out Lady Pleasure (Mireill Machu) for getting to kiss all four Monkees in succession. How many do you think fainted at that sight? Obviously, this film won't be appealing to everyone's taste. I didn't get much out of the picture other than now I can say I've been there and done that. And it only took half a century to see it, as I had no interest at the time to check it out during it's initial run. On the flip side, I do enjoy the body of work put out by The Monkees, and it's kind of rewarding to see that their popularity has held up over the years. As for last night's concert (Englewood, New Jersey - 11/20/2016), the band sounded great and both Dolenz and Tork were high energy all the way. You had to get a kick out of Mickey Dolenz' remark to younger fans in the audience prior to their encore, the Monkees did "I'm a Believer" way before Shrek.

dungeonstudio On viewing this movie again in the Criterion BBS Story, I've gained a new appreciation for it. I'd say it's a flawless commentary on the assembly, execution (in many literal senses) and the desires and integrity (if any?) of some or all of The Monkees in the 'system'. Highly surreal at times, but yet making perfect sense to anyone having strong opinions on 'pop stardom', 'television diffusion', and 'political/moral diversion tactics'. It's all brilliantly and subtlety interwoven in this film. It does more to justify what The Monkees were, and The Beatles weren't. Yet, if given the chance at the time - I think both bands would gladly switch their jackets for mere poops and giggles. Both bands could claim being 'groomed and doomed'. But is so interesting that one endured the 'caverns' for their status, while the other endured the 'casting offices'. And in a way, I think the later created more of a desperate bonding than the former for the two bands. The Monkees were definitely split on 'earning their bread' and 'getting their butter'. And had opinions and awareness of the world outside of their 'bubble' that they wanted to empathize and alert their fans of as well. But were caught in such a mechanism that could jeopardize their career, yet at the same time earn them credibility and expand their fan base. I think 'Head' straddles that hurdle amazingly, not only for The Monkees, but Raffleson, Nicholson, and all others involved. How to stay in a system they're trying to escape from? Take the food from the hand, and say the bite it was given was out of love? Really miraculous considering the shackles, context, period, and all the talent that was involved, and their own personal ideas and beliefs. Art for information sake? Or information with a chrome gallery frame around it? Either way, it stands as both - then and now.

Professor Klickberg For once, the qualifier "____ on acid" works here. This truly is "Hard Day's Night etc. etc.", with not only psychadelica and "grooviness" all the way, but true philosophic discourse and existential wonderment that will make you think as much as it will make you laugh.Imagine tripping to an episode of the Brady Bunch while pondering the nature of reality vs. illusion. It's all here in Head, but you must be warned: it is a trip, and as such, comes with as many lows as highs. There are certainly moments of nightmarish quality, but overall, it's worth the ride. It's just surprising that a group like the Monkees would be involved in such an undertaking, and probably a large reason this movie has never been taken more seriously or acknowledged as something truly special.Best not to learn too much about it before you see it except to know that it stars the Monkees, is co-written by Jack Nicholson (back in the day), and directed by Bob "Five Easy Pieces" Rafelson. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you rethink your entire perspective of media and the 60's, and might even scare you a few times with a sense of "the Fear" that is mixed wonderfully with beatific music that will also make you rethink the music of the Monkees (and whether or not they actually play or not is moot; it's truly great stuff). If Oliver Stone (in the 90's) and Quentin Tarantino were to get together and produce their own series of Monty Python episodes, it would end up something like this... as long as it were shot like and used the musical ques of sitcoms from the mid-60's. Enjoy... But be careful... You will be surprised.

mk_doogs What can I say about this movie that has not been said by all the other comments here, they pretty much sum up everything, the people who love it cherish it, the people who hate it... well, they loathe it. This is the movie equivalent of Marmite.I personally have committed every second of it to memory, it is cyclical, claustrophobic, introspective, magical and stands as being one of the most unique films ever made. Despite what many have stated, I believe this truly is a cult movie, it is a diamond in the rough just waiting to be discovered, once unearthed it's fantastical psychedelic visuals and incredible soundtrack will be unforgettable, which is an achievement in itself. One of my friends who watched it likened it more to a musical, and in many respects to those who do not fully appreciate the context in which this film is made, would probably get more out of it to view Head as such.I was always fond of the Monkees, especially the T.V. show back when it was repeated during the 80's. My mum had recorded Head for me when it was shown on T.V. late night, as she knew I liked them, I watched it a day later and it lodged in my memory until I was able to find a copy on DVD about 2 decades later, what I would love now is a special edition, it would be fascinating to get a greater insight into the making of this masterpiece. We can only hope.