Program Note
Connor is a bland office worker who, hoping to make an impression to his boss, decides to throw an outrageous party hosted by 'Frankie Freako', a goblin-looking reature from the latenight tv promising a 'freaking' good time. Little does Connor know that the fiasco that follows as he releases Freako and his gang from inter-dimensional purgatory set by their evil overlords is about to unfold. The mayhem continues as he must save the universe with his newly found freakiness. Steven Kostanski's directorial debut is a throwback creature comedy to the 80s, with his skill as an award-winning VFX makeup artist entirely on display. These hilarious, rock-and-rolling manic creatures carry the film, just as in cases of lovable monsters from Gremlins and Ghoulies. Mr. Kostanski's knack for practical effects will determine whether this film is a success or a failure, and thankfully, genre fans will no doubt appreciate this campy yet irresistible creature feature. (Jongsuk Thomas NAM)