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{{short description|1993 film directed by Paul Shapiro}}
{{short description|1993 film directed by Paul Shapiro}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
| image =
| image =
| caption =
| caption =
| genre = Comedy<br>Crime
| genre = Comedy<br>Crime
| director = [[Paul Shapiro (director)|Paul Shapiro]]
| director = [[Paul Shapiro (director)|Paul Shapiro]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
| producer = {{plainlist|
* Jonathan Goodwill
* Jonathan Goodwill
* Derek Mazur
* Derek Mazur
}}
}}
| executive_producer = {{plainlist|
| executive_producer = {{plainlist|
* Peter Sussman
* Peter Sussman
* Martin Tudor
* Martin Tudor
* Bill Gray
* Bill Gray
}}
}}
| writer = {{plainlist|
| writer = {{plainlist|
* [[Adam Brooks (filmmaker)|Adam Brooks]]
* [[Adam Brooks (filmmaker)|Adam Brooks]]
* Jay Stapleton
* Jay Stapleton
}}
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Jon Cryer]]
* [[Jon Cryer]]
* [[Edward Asner]]
* [[Edward Asner]]
Line 24: Line 24:
* [[Roddy McDowall]]
* [[Roddy McDowall]]
}}
}}
| location =
| location =
| music = Jonathan Goldsmith
| music = Jonathan Goldsmith
| cinematography = [[Alar Kivilo]]
| cinematography = [[Alar Kivilo]]
| editor = [[Patrick Lussier]]
| editor = [[Patrick Lussier]]
| company = Credo Group Limited<br/>[[Atlantis Films]]
| company = Credo Group Limited<br/>[[Atlantis Films]]
| network = [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
| network = [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]]
| picture_format = Color
| released = {{Start date|1994|01|29}}
| audio_format =
| runtime = 90 minutes
| released = {{film date|1994|01|29|TV=y}}
| country = Canada<br />United States
| runtime = 90 minutes
| language = English
| country = Canada<br />United States
| language = English
}}
}}
'''''Heads''''' is an American-Canadian [[black comedy]] directed by [[Paul Shapiro (director)|Paul Shapiro]] that originally aired as a [[TV film]] on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] on January 29, 1994. It stars [[Jon Cryer]], [[Ed Asner|Edward Asner]], [[Jennifer Tilly]], and [[Roddy McDowall]]. Filming took place in [[Manitoba]], Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 14, 1994 |title=Word on the Street |url=https://playbackonline.ca/1994/02/14/3253-19940214/ |access-date=May 19, 2023 |website=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]}}</ref>
'''''Heads''''' is an American-Canadian [[black comedy]] directed by [[Paul Shapiro (director)|Paul Shapiro]] that originally aired as a [[TV film]] on [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] on January 29, 1994. It stars [[Jon Cryer]], [[Ed Asner|Edward Asner]], [[Jennifer Tilly]], and [[Roddy McDowall]]. Filming took place in [[Manitoba]], Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 14, 1994 |title=Word on the Street |url=https://playbackonline.ca/1994/02/14/3253-19940214/ |access-date=May 19, 2023 |website=[[Playback (magazine)|Playback]]}}</ref>
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==Reception==
==Reception==
Tom Bierbaum of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film "entertainingly weird, gross and amusing".<ref name="variety">{{cite web |last=Bierbaum |first=Tom |date=January 27, 1994 |title=Review: 'Heads' |url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/reviews/heads-1200435113/ |accessdate=May 28, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Ray Loynd of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described it as a "charming oddity" that has "a brand of imagination you will never see on the commercial networks".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1994-01-29/entertainment/ca-16537_1_tv-reporter|title=TV REVIEW : 'Heads' Takes Look at Newsroom Lunacy|last=Loynd|first=Ray|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 29, 1994|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref> Scott Hettrick of the ''[[Sun Sentinel|Sun-Sentinel]]'' said, "After the somewhat entertaining over-the-top cartoonish humor of the first half, the movie inexplicably shifts to a semi-legitimate mystery thriller, all the while maintaining a colorful rural style."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=July 22, 1994 |title='Heads' Has Mystery, Cartoon Humor |work=[[Sun-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-07-22-9407200337-story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628210448/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-07-22-9407200337-story.html |archive-date=June 28, 2021}}</ref> ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' praised Asner, saying he "gets his best role, and gives his finest performance, in years", and Tilly "notches another career triumph as the mystery girl".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bianculli |first=David |date=January 29, 1994 |title=Heads |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-01-29-1994029106-story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=http://archive.today/2023.05.19-055802/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-01-29-1994029106-story.html |archive-date=May 19, 2023}}</ref> John Ferguson of the ''[[Radio Times]]'' complimented the ensemble cast and said Cryer "is as engaging as ever in this blackly comic mystery".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=John |title=Heads (1994) |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-om5g8g/heads/ |access-date=May 19, 2023 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en}}</ref>
Tom Bierbaum of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' called the film "entertainingly weird, gross and amusing".<ref name="variety">{{cite web |last=Bierbaum |first=Tom |date=January 27, 1994 |title=Review: 'Heads' |url=https://variety.com/1994/tv/reviews/heads-1200435113/ |accessdate=May 28, 2015 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Ray Loynd of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' described it as a "charming oddity" that has "a brand of imagination you will never see on the commercial networks".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-01-29-ca-16537-story.html|title=TV REVIEW : 'Heads' Takes Look at Newsroom Lunacy|last=Loynd|first=Ray|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=January 29, 1994|access-date=May 28, 2015}}</ref> Scott Hettrick of the ''[[Sun Sentinel|Sun-Sentinel]]'' said, "After the somewhat entertaining over-the-top cartoonish humor of the first half, the movie inexplicably shifts to a semi-legitimate mystery thriller, all the while maintaining a colorful rural style."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hettrick |first=Scott |date=July 22, 1994 |title='Heads' Has Mystery, Cartoon Humor |work=[[Sun-Sentinel]] |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-07-22-9407200337-story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628210448/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-1994-07-22-9407200337-story.html |archive-date=June 28, 2021}}</ref> ''[[The Baltimore Sun]]'' praised Asner, saying he "gets his best role, and gives his finest performance, in years", and Tilly "notches another career triumph as the mystery girl".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bianculli |first=David |date=January 29, 1994 |title=Heads |work=[[The Baltimore Sun]] |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-01-29-1994029106-story.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230519055802/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1994-01-29-1994029106-story.html |archive-date=May 19, 2023}}</ref> John Ferguson of the ''[[Radio Times]]'' complimented the ensemble cast and said Cryer "is as engaging as ever in this blackly comic mystery".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferguson |first=John |title=Heads (1994) |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-om5g8g/heads/ |access-date=May 19, 2023 |website=[[Radio Times]] |language=en}}</ref>


''[[TV Guide]]'' rated it 2/4 stars and wrote, "''Heads'' may leave viewers scratching theirs, but flaunts a cult-movie sensibility not normally associated with the small-screen fare", and appreciated that "graphic gore is mostly kept off-screen".<ref name=":0" /> The publication concluded the film "certainly has a look and attitude all its own".<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/heads/review/130071/|title=Heads|author=<!-- Staff -->|work=[[TV Guide]]|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref>
''[[TV Guide]]'' rated it 2/4 stars and wrote, "''Heads'' may leave viewers scratching theirs, but flaunts a cult-movie sensibility not normally associated with the small-screen fare", and appreciated that "graphic gore is mostly kept off-screen".<ref name=":0" /> The publication concluded the film "certainly has a look and attitude all its own".<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/movies/heads/review/130071/|title=Heads|author=<!-- Staff -->|work=[[TV Guide]]|accessdate=May 28, 2015}}</ref>
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[[Category:Canadian comedy mystery films]]
[[Category:Canadian comedy mystery films]]
[[Category:Canadian crime comedy films]]
[[Category:Canadian crime comedy films]]
[[Category:1994 comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s comedy mystery films]]
[[Category:1990s comedy mystery films]]
[[Category:1990s crime comedy films]]
[[Category:1990s crime comedy films]]
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[[Category:Films shot in Manitoba]]
[[Category:Films shot in Manitoba]]
[[Category:American mystery television films]]
[[Category:American mystery television films]]
[[Category:Canadian mystery television films]]
[[Category:English-language black comedy films]]

Latest revision as of 01:43, 1 September 2024

Heads
GenreComedy
Crime
Written by
Directed byPaul Shapiro
Starring
Music byJonathan Goldsmith
Country of originCanada
United States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
  • Peter Sussman
  • Martin Tudor
  • Bill Gray
Producers
  • Jonathan Goodwill
  • Derek Mazur
CinematographyAlar Kivilo
EditorPatrick Lussier
Running time90 minutes
Production companiesCredo Group Limited
Atlantis Films
Original release
NetworkShowtime
ReleaseJanuary 29, 1994 (1994-01-29)

Heads is an American-Canadian black comedy directed by Paul Shapiro that originally aired as a TV film on Showtime on January 29, 1994. It stars Jon Cryer, Edward Asner, Jennifer Tilly, and Roddy McDowall. Filming took place in Manitoba, Canada.[1]

Plot

[edit]

Guy Franklin, a bumbling proofreader at a small-town newspaper, gets promoted to reporter when the usual staffer fails to show for work. When the man Guy replaced turns up dead and decapitated, editor-in-chief Ab Abbot sees it as an opportunity for sensationalist news coverage such as the town has never seen before. Guy is appointed to investigate the murder. When evidence implicates Betty Jo, a waitress Guy is secretly in love with, he attempts to warn her; however, she is also found similarly murdered, along with Fibrus Drake, an eccentric tycoon who had contacted Guy with a tip about the killer's identity. In the meantime, Guy becomes romantically involved with Tina, Ab's hippie daughter. Guy soon becomes the prime suspect in the murders and is arrested. Realizing Tina may be the next victim, he breaks out of jail to get to her before the killer can.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Tom Bierbaum of Variety called the film "entertainingly weird, gross and amusing".[2] Ray Loynd of the Los Angeles Times described it as a "charming oddity" that has "a brand of imagination you will never see on the commercial networks".[3] Scott Hettrick of the Sun-Sentinel said, "After the somewhat entertaining over-the-top cartoonish humor of the first half, the movie inexplicably shifts to a semi-legitimate mystery thriller, all the while maintaining a colorful rural style."[4] The Baltimore Sun praised Asner, saying he "gets his best role, and gives his finest performance, in years", and Tilly "notches another career triumph as the mystery girl".[5] John Ferguson of the Radio Times complimented the ensemble cast and said Cryer "is as engaging as ever in this blackly comic mystery".[6]

TV Guide rated it 2/4 stars and wrote, "Heads may leave viewers scratching theirs, but flaunts a cult-movie sensibility not normally associated with the small-screen fare", and appreciated that "graphic gore is mostly kept off-screen".[7] The publication concluded the film "certainly has a look and attitude all its own".[7]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Word on the Street". Playback. February 14, 1994. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  2. ^ Bierbaum, Tom (January 27, 1994). "Review: 'Heads'". Variety. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  3. ^ Loynd, Ray (January 29, 1994). "TV REVIEW : 'Heads' Takes Look at Newsroom Lunacy". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
  4. ^ Hettrick, Scott (July 22, 1994). "'Heads' Has Mystery, Cartoon Humor". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on June 28, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  5. ^ Bianculli, David (January 29, 1994). "Heads". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on May 19, 2023. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  6. ^ Ferguson, John. "Heads (1994)". Radio Times. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  7. ^ a b "Heads". TV Guide. Retrieved May 28, 2015.
[edit]