Freak Talks About Sex

I was hanging out at my friend Derek Slocum's house when a movie called "Blowin' Smoke" came on cable late one night. Derek was amazed by how much the movie touched his heart and tickled his funny bone; he fell in love with it (he was "blown away" - pun intended)! I, too, was amazed by the movie because I had actually seen it in another incarnation...When I was living in Seattle a couple years back (playing bass for the Make Nine Quartet), the movie was screened at the Seattle Film Festival under the name, "Freak Talks About Sex!" That movie touched me tremendously. The "Blowin' Smoke" version is a shorter, fun and still moving showcase of great young actors under the deft direction of a sensitive new director. However, I hope the inspired "Freak" version comes out on DVD one day, as my bandmate James Trescott and I were transfixed by the experience at the film festival. It was the most heartfelt look at post-adolescent ennui I have ever experienced, shining a spotlight on Gen-X without any self-conscious irony. (We also fell in love with director Todisco's short film, "Skanks." My buddy J.T.'s girlfriend Jody Altmyer SWEARS the movie was ripped from her real life) I can't wait to see "Freak" again, nor can J.T., who often quotes lines spoken in it by the

brilliant Steve Zahn. It's rather annoying. In the meantime, "Blowin' Smoke" will nicely suffice as a window into the work of an inspired director who seems to have the mind a philosopher, the soul of a painter, and the heart of a poet. By all means, buy "Blowin' Smoke," enjoy it; and wait for "Freak!"

"Freak Talks About Sex" is a misnamed dialogue-intensive journeyman flick about a couple of twenty-something middle class unmotivated males and their acquaintances, perspectives on life, etc. A sort of "slice..." flick which doesn't really go anywhere, "Freak..." is a mediocre C+ watch which may be of interest to 20 somethings, older teens looking forward to their 20's, and older people stuck in their 20's. Others will likely find the film shallow, sophomoric, and silly with a few poignant moments.

This little movie is pretty funny. As far as films in the slacker genre its way ahead of crap like Reality Bites. It makes a nice rental.

Nothing really new here, just another paint by the numbers 'we graduated from college and now were waiting for life to start' flick. The formula has been done better, several times by Zahn himself(Dancer Texas, SubUrbia, and the classic Reality Bites) and a lot of this film feels lifted from other projects, the bad job at the mall, the car that won't start, going to the dessert to write. But thats not to say it doesn't work. Josh Hamilton is earnest and engaging, Zahn is always worth watching, and newcomer Heather McComb holds her own. Worth watching if you like this type of movie, and I do.

This is an interesting view of two unlikely guys who are on a journey to find themselves. The humor is much more subtle and intelligent than Garth and Wayne but will probably appeal to the same audiences. There are many technical problems that expose the inexperience of the writers and directors of this film. The editing is bumpy in places and light changes from a drug induced red glow to bright white in a couple of places but the story line prevails and the main characters stay true to themselves. Watch this one more than once the humor is terrific. The stars and writers are sure to be bigger names in a few months and you will be able to chart their creative growth.