Andy Burns, over the last twelve years, has sent me a wide selection of films to review. His trust in my ability to see the beauty in even the most disastrous film, is rewarding in that I can usually handle whatever he throws at me…except for the one with the flying dildos, but I digress. This week’s challenge was a film called Frankie Freako. What did this 77-year-old great granny think of this film?
Frankie Freako
Director Steven Kostanski has an impressive reputation for writing and directing horror films and for his work with prosthetic makeup effects, working with Doug Morrow, Paul Jones, Guillermo Del Toro, Astron-6, Jeremy Gillespie, and was entrusted by SyFy and Lionsgate with reigniting the iconic Leprechaun franchise with Leprechaun Returns and the first 4 episodes of the SyFy original series Day of the Dead, based on George Romero’s zombie 1985 zombie film. You can imagine that being a horror connoisseur, I was interested in watching Frankie Freako…a little hesitant after watching the trailer, but still interested.
Frankie Freako was written and directed by Kostanski. It stars Adam Brooks, Matthew Kennedy (voice of Frankie Freako), Conor Sweeney, Kristy Wordsworth, and Meredith Sweeney (voice of Dottie Dunko).
Conor (Conor Sweeney) lives a very uncomplicated life. He is obsessively OCD and thinks that he is doing a great job at his company and in his marriage. His wife, Kristina (Kristy Wordsworth), who is a famous sculptress, has the patience of a saint when it comes to any romance in the bedroom. Conor’s boss, Mr. Buechler (Adam Brooks) is trying to get Conor to break the law by destroying records that will send Buechler to prison. Now that the scene is set up, one day Conor realizes that he may be considered boring by his co-workers and his wife. This upsets his self-image and has Conor questioning all his decisions.
After watching a commercial promoting a 900 number that offers a solution to his dull life, Conor decides to call for help. This is where the magic of puppetry takes over as Frankie Freako and his two helpers not only invade Conor’s home but cause all kinds of trouble for Conor.
Conclusion
I think this film will be a hit with the young teens. Conor Sweeney is the film, and everything centers around his trying to be a cool person instead of a boring man. The film itself is a homage to the ’80’s (Gremlins, Ghoulies, and Critters). Having nine adult grandchildren, I’ve seen all these films. But the question is…did this great grandmother like Frankie Freako?
After a week of horrific news, war between Iran and Israel, Epstein Files, destructive hurricanes, global warming, the presidential race between a 34-count felon and the first black woman president, the East Coast Longshoremen Strike…Frankie Freako and two glasses of wine was just what this Granny needed to bring some joy to her life.
Would I go to a movie theatre to watch Frankie Freako? No, but if my great grandchildren were closer to age 14, then yes, I would. Now you need to remember that I review films, but it is up to the readers of Biff Bam Pop! to make up their own minds about a film. I try to see beauty and talent in every film that I review…except for that one with the dildos…that said…I would recommend Frankie Freako to all the souls out there that yearn for some good ole ’80’s creature feature.
Frankie Freako will is in theatres now.
