#SUNDANCE: “FREAKY TALES” REVIEW

By Amanda Gilmore

After their Sundance breakout debut with Half Nelson, Co-Writer and Co-Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck return to the Festival with Freaky Tales. It follows four interconnected tales that take place in 1987 Oakland. Teen punks defend their turf against Nazi skinheads, a rap duo battles for hip-hop immortality, a weary henchman gets a shot at redemption, and an NBA All-Star settles the score.

If you want to see some Nazis get brutally killed, you’ve come to the right place. This entertaining, bloody ride through the Bay area in ’87 is a thrill. Boden and Fleck have created an Anthology feature that pays homage to Grindhouse Cinema, the ’80s, and the Bay Area. The Filmmakers have created four stories that feel as though they stand alone but manage to connect in the end. A feat for any Anthology feature.

But just like all Anthologies, some stories hit more than others. Additionally, the stories feel too short. The audience would’ve loved to get more backstory on the characters and even stayed with them longer. Story 3 is the one with the most developed character. It follows a Hitman (Pedro Pascal), who has just recently lost everything. It’s the meatiest role out of the four and Pascal unsurprisingly hits a home run.

The entire Ensemble — kill — it. Jay Ellis, who plays Warriors player, Sleepy Floyd, will stick with audiences. His story is the final one and it includes a samurai sword and lots Nazis becoming instinct. This final story feels like a huge nod to Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill, Sleepy even dons a yellow floor-length jacket for a bit.

Freaky Tales is a fun time with some delightful Grindhouse gore.

Freaky Tales screens at Sundance ’24:

Jan 18 at 6:45 PM at Eccles Theatre

Jan 19 at 9:00 AM at Egyptian Theatre

Jan 20 at 2:30 PM at Magaplex Theatres at The Gateway – Theatre 1/2/3

Jan 23 at 7:00 PM at The Ray Theatre

Jan 25 at 3:00 PM at Redstone Cinemas – 2

Jan 28 at 8:00 PM at Library Center Theatre

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