Freaky Tales

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.

Only first heard about the film a day or two before it opened in Toronto. Didn't have very high expectations, but honestly of everything playing right now, this was the only film that interested me. I couldn't have been more surprised.

"Freaky Tales" is part "Pulp Fiction" (1994), part "Heavy Metal" (1981), and at times reminiscent of another 80s-inspired film, "Mandy" (2018). Four wacky (freaky) tales set in Oakland California, weaving together a diverse and fun cast of characters.

Aspect ratio's are changed between segments, animated characters burst onto screen, blood is spilt, punk music blares through the speakers - there's just a lot of fun being had on screen, and I felt it. I can only imagine feeling the response from a large audience during certain moments of the film; unfortunately there were less than 10 people at my screening.

Without giving anything else away, if you want to have a fun time at the theatre go support this movie. It's rare to see a movie like this get a theatrical release anymore, but it was the best theatrical experience I've had so far this year.

I can see why the reviews on this movie are mixed. It is a bit disjointed and has some gaps in the story. As an East Bay native who got into the punk scene around when the first chapter is set, I know this is based on real life events. The punk rockers running the nazi skinheads away from their club/community space, 100% happened. Creepy cops harassing young POC women, that happened (undoubtedly still does). I got a cassette tape of Too $hort's 'Freaky Tales' when I was 12 years old, and when my mom heard half a verse in that song she destroyed that cassette. This is a fictional version of Bay Area realness. Nothing but love for the Bay.

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.

It's probably one of those 'you're either gonna like/love it or hate it' situations. It's definitely not a movie to be taken seriously but i think that's pretty obvious before you're even ten minutes into it.

What I'M wondering is how they got some of the people in it to BE in it...i know one of them grew up in Piedmont(Oakland), but still...he's one of THE most popular actors from the last 45 or so years...i think he did it as a favor. A salute to, 'cool that you're doing a movie in Oakland'.

As far as story elements go, the movie is all over the place...but, overall, it was FUN. Of course, having lived in Berkeley for 20+ years helped me to enjoy it. And i liked seeing Angus Cloud again.