All posts by Tarek Fayoumi…The Paterson of his Craft!

I am someone who strives to become a professional critic. I watch and review many movies. I view the eyes of movies as something as an art form. I have followed many critics over the years, but once I was thirteen I knew writing film reviews was going to be my passion. I learned from watching multiple episodes of Ebert And Roeper in my teen years, and then in middle school I began writing film reviews for a newspaper club. I am also an avid fan of the arts of Chicago including Theatre, Comedy, and music. Films, however, are my primary focus.
Film reviews

The Young Woman and the Sea Review

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The art of swimming is an important life skill. It requires agility, muscle strength, and persistence. Daisy Ridley possesses all these skills in The Young Woman and the Sea. Directed by Joachim Ronning, the film is presented with the message of never backing down. The true story of Trudy Ederle, played by Ridley, has a compelling momentum. The era of the 1924 Olympics creates a galore of amazement. However, in some ways, the film is only slightly above average. Challenges with the depth of the story and associated obstacles cause it to drag at times.

I had to take swimming lessons as a child, and I forgot how much effort it takes to learn this life skill. Becoming a skilled swimmer who can handle deep water and currents has life-changing benefits. The film begins with Trudy and her sister Margaret Ederle, played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. They are the daughters of a German butcher, Henry Ederle, played by Kim Bodnia. Women as athletes in this era were frowned upon. Trudy sets a significant goal which is to swim across the English Channel. She believes this test of her endurance will give her life meaning.

The dynamics of the film make it a bit shaky. At times, it becomes more about the political issues and the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for dramatic effect. The acting is superb. The scenes where Trudy is dealing with what is given to her for her impossible task are particularly strong. Her first coach is Charlotte played by Sian Clifford, but she is not able to use her. The coach assigned to her is Jabez Wolffe,played by Christopher Eccleston. James Sullivan, played by Glenn Fleshler, oversees her contracts and sponsorship. Finally, there is Stephen Graham, played by Bill Burgess, the sailor who follows the progress of Trudy’s swimming. These characters and their issues result in mixed dynamics involving politics as well as how to handle an array of trials and errors.

The Young Woman and the Sea dives into surreal moments of peril. With water conditions and obstacles along the way, the story sometimes feels like a version of The Perfect Storm. The waves and the currents are too Hollywood-like. Overall, the film captures the imagination with the human element and persistent pursuit of a life accomplishments.

Even though I found the technical aspects lacking, this is Ridley’s most authentic role yet. She plays an icon whose story’s poke to the world. Her experience proves that it is not easy to achieve success the first time around. The inspiration of never quitting is where I found the film to be most invigorating. Ridley’s performance is an important reminder that being fearless is a key aspect of becoming a winner.

I left the movie with bodies of water on my mind due to the unpredictable obstacles Trudy was up against. The mist, the cold, and the currents added to her dangerous journey in The Young Woman and the Sea. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Garfield Movie Review

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This is an animation film of heart at the finest level of connectivity. It does have its silly moments back and forth; however, it is joyful and creative. It is also in the correct context of what to expect with a character like Garfield. The Garfield Movie is fun, friendly and definitely for family. Directed by Mark Dindal, this is one of the most creative animation films in the direction of Garfield. The cat and the connecting vibes flow freely in The Garfield Movie. The writing seems fragmented at times, yet it still accomplishes a lot of joyful feelings in the genre of memorable family movies.

Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield. In the film Garfield reconciles with his father Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson). The reconnection of Garfield and Vic is a moment of animated suspense as Garfield finds himself having to participate in a heist operation with Vic. Garfield’s other buddy Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillen). The heist is full of wicked voices including the evil cat Jinx (voiced by Hannah Waddingham) and the bull Otto (voiced by Ving Rhames). Otto is the guide to the heist for Garfield, Vic, and Odie. The heist takes place on a lactose farmwhich seems like a rather dim-witted plot, but it is intended for kids, so it works. It is silliness with a context of understanding.

I thought a lot about how the film is full of electric moments of surprises. Most of which are in the more adventurous moments. It is not too much, nor too little. It is just the right amount. Moments of Garfield and Vic in peril is where most of the convoluted situation comedy of animation is joyful. This is the heart of The Garfield Movie.

With Pratt and Jackson as the voices, this is seeing them take a break from superhero movies and just using their voices. Their words are quick and witty and quirky, yet with a friendly vibe. There must be a “friendliness vibe” with The Garfield Movie. An orange cat with a strange bipolar attitude and an intent to create a young fan base of positive laughter. Friendship, disconnect, and accomplishing a mission is a setup of a rhetorical conclusion…or is it?

With all the adventure, the setup, and the plot, the film creates an atmosphere where many ages will have a good time. First, thepredictability that once it goes in motion does not stop from the appropriate humor of all ages. Then it also modernizes in its animation. “Modernizes” with throwing in AI technology and slogans. The Garfield Movie is an animated feature that is looped into today’s everyday world with the addition of many fictional animals thrown into the mix. Fun for many ages. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

Protocol 7 Review

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This film is based on a true story. It is a lawsuit that is still going on. Directed by Andy Wakefield, this is Protocol 7. A realistic look at a crisis. A full scope of what an impacting conflict is. A chilling form of writing that made my heartbeat. One that gears on the real-life scenario of lies surrounding the mumps vaccine. A portrait painted of profit over people, corporate power, and vaccines impacting forms of autism. What does it come down to? Money? Laws? Confidentiality? Results? The scope of crisis reaches uncharted territory to the masses.

The film introduces itself with microscopes of organisms examined. These are studies in a lab. The film jumps to a vice president of a pharmaceutical company, Dr. Errani (played by Eric Roberts). Dr. Errani has been alerted that his company is about to be questioned for false results. His lab assistants are Kirk (played by Harrison Tipping) and Stone (played by Alec Rayne). They are the ones behind the negative impact of the results of their distribution of vaccines. With, their superior, Dr Errani, pressures them to hide it and mitigate the errors to achieve higher standards.

Protocol 7 creates the foundation of a detrimental dynamic. It is enticing as its audience becomes aware that something is not right. It is up to a mother and lawyer, Lexi Koprowski (played by Rachel G. Whittle) to take a stand. Lexi has an adopted son with autism traits. Her son has had many deficits with vaccines. This controversy is one where she finds inspiration to fight for the truth. With the help of Dr. Jay (played by Matthew Marsden) and Steve Schilling (played by Josh Murray), she finds there are deficits all over the place from the distribution of Dr. Errani’s operations. That is the numbers do not add up, procedures look inaccurate, and false results only lead them to keep taking the wrong steps.

It is gut-wrenching in all its revelations. It hurts its audience emotionally. It sheds light on a controversial topic that is still not resolved today. The lies and deceits create a spellbinding trail that I could not take my eyes off. It is a scientific journey where the results lead to shady outcomes.

The science side of Protocol 7 is almost perfect. It is more about facts than actual science. With the concept of the CDC and laws as an excuse, it leaves an even harder matter to find common ground. The lies and fraudulent studies are way ahead of the crisis.

With Roberts playing the egotistical vice president of distribution, he has that signature attitude where he can never feel wrong. With Whittle playing a mother of an adopted son with health disorders, she feels her case is what will make matters right. Their hierarchical thoughts are the boxing match of Protocol 7. With profit coming from an ineffective vaccine, more turmoil is bound to arise. The depths of knowledge, research, and ethics are all in competition with each other in Protocol 7.

With schooling facing dilemmas with special education, vaccines also impact a bigger population. The population of frustration is mentally drastic in the film.  Protocol 7 is a revolving door that holds no limits to finding the truth. Three out of four stars.