Freaky Tales

This movie is basically what you would get if you asked an A. I. social media algorithm to make a movie about 1987.

Nothing makes sense. There's no plot, obviously no research was done into any of the content, character development is non existent, its initial vehicle seems to be racial rage bait disguised as some elementary form of political commentary that comes off like a teenager being interviewed at a pot rally.

But seriously though, how old were the people who came up with this nonsense? It's pretty apparent they were never around in 1987, never mind California.

This could have been a 20 second Tik Tok video.

As "Freaky Tales" (2024 release; 108 min.) opens, iy is "Oakland 1987" and we start the first of 4 chapters in the movie. After watching a movie in the local movie theater, punkers get into a tussle with Nazi skinheads, upending the punkers' DIY show. The punkers are tried of it and after much internal debate, the punkers decide to fight back... At this point we are 10 minutes into the movie.

Couple of comments: this is the latest from co-directors, co-writers and co-producers Annan Boden and Ryan Flick ("Captain Marvel"). The movie is based in part on Fick's growing up in Oakland in the late 80's but then the story becomes a reimagination how things COULD have gone, rather how things actually went. The 4 chapters are slightly interconnected, but they can just as well be viewed independently from each other. Chapters 1 and 2 are ok, but the movie really finds its groove in Chapter 3, starring Pedro Pascal in a masterful performance as a local enforcer who desperately wants to get out of his life-in-crime. Tom Hanks has an equally delightful scene as the video store clerk. The movie features a TON of music from the late 80's, and reminded me how poorly the music of that era has aged (but of course there are always exceptions). By the time it's all over, I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed the movie (even with the 80's music).

"Freaky Tales" was shot on location about 3 years ago, then premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival (almost 20 months ago), then got a very brief US theatrical release in April of this year. It's now streaming on HBO Max, where I watched it the other night. This is currently rated 74% Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, which sounds about right to me. If you are in the mood for an imaginary take on Oakland 1987 that nonetheless comprises elements of truth, I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

There is a ton of 80's nostalgia in horror and film overall these days, some might even say to a point of over-saturation. That's fair, I mean it is a trend and I'm chill about it because I enjoy the aesthetic a lot, but there's a difference between cheaply aping an 80's vibe just for likes and actually earning it through authenticity, innovation and genuine enthusiasm. Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck actually *earn* that 80's flavour with Freaky Tales, an absolute blast of deftly written anthology that carefully straddles the line between action with just a touch of horror. It's 1987 in Oakland, a time and place that obviously means a great deal to these filmmakers as they tell several initially disparate tales that, in true anthology fashion, inevitably weave together like a mosaic in the final vignette. A gaggle of punk music friends battle some nasty Neo-Nazi skinheads who keep crashing their parties, a mob enforcer (Pedro Pascal) learns some moral lessons the hard way and a scummy, corrupt vice detective (Ben Mendelsohnn) runs afoul of a vengeful NBA player (Jay Ellis). These stories are interwoven pretty ingeniously and supported by some raucous soundtrack choices, super gory violence, hectic stylistics and great performances, especially from the lovably diabolical Mendelsohnn, who is chewing scenery like Smaug the Dragon here. Oh! There's also a cameo from Tom Hanks, of all people, who is only in it for about five minutes playing the motor mouthed owner of a boutique video store, but his reference heavy, snappy dialogue is the best work he's done in like a decade, or at least since Cloud Atlas. Great film.

If the threads connecting their segments are strong & inter-woven enough, anthologies CAN work... like "Freaky Tales" whose four segments (based in 1987's Oakland, California) see: punks Ji-young Woo & Jack Champion fight Dan Marotte's nazis; rappers Dominique Thorne & Normani catch a break (in an unnecessary segment); reluctant tough guy Pedro Pascal reaching his end (crossing a delightful Tom Hanks cameo and corrupt cop Ben Mendelsohn (terrific)); and baskeball star Jay Ellis going "Kill Bill". With its deliberately dated, cartoonish style co-writers / co-directors Ryan Fleck & Anna Boden's fun tribute to popular '80s cinema is a treat. Props to them & it.

These are the tales of four strangers whose lives were unknowingly intertwined and changed on a freaky night in Oakland in 1987 when NBA history was made.

This movie is hard to describe or even summarize without spoiling it. The story is told through four chapters, each from the perspective of one of the four individuals. The movie has violence, drama, cameos, and a smidge of history. The story becomes clearer over the one-hour and forty-six-minute runtime, but it is a wild ride throughout. It is an interesting and unique watch, especially when going blind. Stream it when available, if you are intrigued.