Freaky Tales: The Star-Studded Movie from Oakland Hits Theatres

Freaky Tales the most recent film from Captain Marvel directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, is based on the same-titled hip-hop song by Too Short from 1987 in Oakland. The film, which was shot in the Bay Area and starred Pedro Pascal, created so much excitement that Sundance organisers had to add an additional showing because of the overwhelming demand. Freaky Tales, starring Oakland icon Too Short as executive producer, has swiftly emerged as one of the Bay Area’s most eagerly awaited films.

Release Date:

The movie is almost ready for its April 4 full theatrical release, about a year and a half after its Sundance 2024 premiere. It is a heartfelt ode to Fleck’s hometown of Oakland.

Plot:

The movie tells four intertwining stories of the Bay Area, from rap battles to brawls at the popular Berkeley punk rock venue 924 Gilman Street to legends of a robbery at the home of Warriors great Eric “Sleepy” Floyd. Too Short not only provided the title but also made a brief appearance and served as an executive producer.

Star Pedro Pascal excitedly described a “crazy f—king night” of filming on location at an Oakland home as the film debuted at Sundance 2024 to a boisterous crowd and mixed reviews from reviewers (it currently has a 69% rating on the Tomatometer).

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Cast:

Pascal portrays Clint, a hired shooter who is persuaded to accept a final assignment, but he is by no means the only well-known person in the film. Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Tom Hanks, and Angus Cloud, the Oakland-born “Euphoria” star who passed away in 2023, are among the cast’s many talented members.

Written and Directed:

Freaky Tales, written and produced by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (who grew up in the East Bay), the team behind Captain Marvel, is set in Oakland in 1987 and appears to have a strong hold on the hustle culture of the ’80s Bay Area. Numerous local sights and references may be found in the caravan, such as the Mormon temple’s nighttime illumination. The New Parish is the current name of Sweet Jimmie’s nightclub. Outside punk club 924 Gilman (!!!), Warriors icon Sleepy Floyd (who notably scored a record-setting 29 points in a fourth quarter playoff upset against the Lakers) is seen sword-fighting (!) against Nazis (!!).

The Telegraph Avenue video store where a number of important scenes are set, Late Night Video, isn’t real, but it’s real because it’s next door to a hair salon named Jasmine African Hair Braiding.