Freaky Tales

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.

Well this one pleasantly surprised much more than expected.

Each separate story is really entertaining, the writing is great and the cast are brilliant.

It's also great how each one intersects with the other.

What really solidifies the film is the soundtrack. It is absolutely sublime and perfectly helps set the scene throught the film.

So many amazing songs for multiple genres that couldn't have been selected any better.

I found myself genuinely disappointed came to an end, I wanted more.

If 80s retro, killer tunes and ultra violence tick your boxes then you'll not be disappointed.

Thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

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.

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.

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.