From the directors of “Captain Marvel,” this ensemble film features Pedro Pascal, Too $hort, Jay Ellis, and Ben Mendelsohn.
From writers-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck of the 2019 Marvel entry, “Captain Marvel,” comes “Freaky Tales,” a self-described “multi-track mix-tape of colorful characters” set in Oakland, Calif., in 1987. People in the film are seeing “The Lost Boys” and “Ishtar” in movie theaters (“Splash” and “Bachelor Party” are also mentioned, and you will see why later). Neighborhood white, male, neo-Nazis brutally attack young people who are more diverse, egalitarian and tolerant calling them “bitches” and “fa****s.” Hip-hop wannabes Entice (Normani) and Barbie (Dominique Thorne) get a booking at a local bar from a generous rapper named Lenny G (Jordan Gomes, TV’s “Blindspotting”). The Warriors, led by the charismatic captain Eric “Sleepy” Floyd (Jay Ellis, who should be a Marvel superhero), are in the playoffs. People consider signing up for a self-improvement program called “Psytopics.” Rumors fly regarding some “cosmic green shit” that we see in the form of emerald lightning. Is this another better superhero film than that sleep-inducing, Brie Larsen-led “Captain Marvel?”
Among the other characters we follow around are romantically-connected neighborhood kids Tina (Ji-young Yoo), who gives the finger (two, actually) to the neo-Nazis and tells them to “Go back to Fresno,” and Lucid (Jack Champion, TV’s “Expats”). Entice and Barbie, who get around town on buses, work at an ice cream shop, where they are racially and sexually harassed by a middle-aged policeman (Ben Mendelsohn, sporting a vestigial mustache), whose Black detective partner justifiably calls him “an asshole.” As it turns out, the cop is the father of Troy (Dan Marotte), the burly leader of the neo-Nazis (surprise). The action is narrated by Oakland-born hip-hop legend Too $hort aka Todd Anthony Shaw, who also appears in the film, which is divided into chapters with titles.
“Freaky Tales” is often reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’s L.A.-set “Pulp Fiction” (1994) in the way its chapters overlap, for example, and Richard Kelly’s 2006 flop “Southland Tales.” “Freaky Tales” also evokes the graphic novel-based “Sin City” films and David Cronenberg’s “Scanners” (1981).
In danger of over-exposure, Pedro Pascal shows up as an (unlikely) kindhearted gangland enforcer whose pregnant wife (Natalia Dominguez) is accidentally shot by someone gunning for him.
A big set piece involves armed thieves, including one played by the late Angus Cloud of HBO’s “Euphoria” (to whom the film is dedicated), breaking into Floyd’s home during a big game. After that, “Freaky Tales” turns into some mutant form of an insanely bloody Hong Kong action film.
Marred by some developments that make little sense, including a coat worn by a motorcyclist apparently yearning to be the next Isadora Duncan, “Freaky Tales” has its moments. Oakland movie palace, the Grand Lake Theater, opened in 1926 and makes a cameo appearance. Some scenes feature fun, line-drawn animation. The film’s Chapter 3 is titled “Born to Mack,” which is also the title of Too $hort’s 1987 breakthrough album. In addition to hip-hop, the soundtrack features shredding heavy metal music. In another tip to Tarantino, Tom Hanks appears as a video store manager named, um, Hank, who jokingly challenges the notably-denominated Clint to name the best “underdog movies.” Hank wisely offers “Rocky,” “Hoosiers,” “The Dirty Dozen” and “The Verdict.” The trouble with “Freaky Tales” is that it’s nowhere near as great as those films, and you want some of the characters in “Freaky Tales” to have films of their own and others to just go away.
‘Freaky Tales’
Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language throughout including slurs, sexual content, and drug use.
Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis, Ji-young Yoo
Directors/writers: Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden
Running time: 1 hour, 46 minutes
Where to Watch: AMC Boston Common, AMC South Bay, AMC Liberty Tree 20 and other suburban theaters
Grade: B+
Boston Movie News 