Freaky Tales

The filmmaking team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Mississippi Grind; Captain Marvel) remain undefeated with Freaky Tales, a wildly entertaining anthology film that mirrors Pulp Fiction in structure but 8 Mile and the films of John Carpenter, David Cronenberg, and Walter Hill in content.

Set in Oakland in the summer of 1987, this breezy and thoroughly creative romp makes rightful heroes out of Nazi-fighting punks, a female rap duo, a repentant mob bruiser, Golden State Warriors legend Sleepy Floyd, and a video store owner named Hank (gloriously played by an Oakland native so famous that they will not be mentioned here).

About the only sin the filmmakers commit is giving Marshawn Lynch a mere two-second cameo. However, Freaky Tales has plenty of appealing personality without additional assistance from one of the Bay’s biggest personalities, so perhaps the exercise in caution is a wise move.

Grade: B-plus. Rated R. Available to rent via YouTube

(Photo: Lionsgate)