Favorite Film #41, 1968: Head. Directed by Bob Rafelson

A psychedelic comedy nightmare starring the Monkees. Head is the greatest band film ever made, and one of the definitive statements on the 1960’s. Yes, the Beatles also made an important psychedelic film in the same year. But while Yellow Submarine is a fantastic film that was a huge leap forward for animation as an art form, the only thing the film was really interested in was being a work of psychedelia. Meanwhile, the stars and creators of the Monkees band and TV show plus Jack Nicholson (yes, really) used Head to completely destroy the pre-made fabricated image of their brand, American capitalism, and hippie idealism. While also being stoned out of their minds. This just might be the most spite filled film ever created. The Monkees and show co-creator/director Bob Rafelson were so sick of the boxes they were stuck in, and so appalled at the state of the then modern world, that they not only gleefully tore their image to shreds on screen, they went as far to suggest that they were just another cog in the manufactured hyper-capitalist Hell of modern America. Only a band this “artificial” could see right into the rotting heart of the country. One of the bravest, rawest, funniest, and most heartbreaking films ever made. The soundtrack is equally just as good, and the Monkees best album. Porpoise Song and As we Go Along are some of the all time greatest songs of the entire 1960’s. But The Monkees were always an amazing band. For people who only know them for I’m a Believer, and the TV show you need to check out their work from the late 60's! They really are one of the greatest pop bands of all time!