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

Tetris Review

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The backstory and the faithfulness to the world of video gaming and licensing is the epitome of an espionage tale that is a true story. Tetris is directed by Jon S. Baird. The conflicts that arise in this industry stir the plot of suspense in Tetris and make it thought-provoking and daring. Taron Egerton who we know from playing Elton John in Rocketman (2019) is Henk Rogers. Egerton takes on the role of the Businessman to bring the game of Tetris around the world which results in an inevitable ride.

Tetris is a biographical film full of suspense. The business side of making Tetris a bigger success had some dangerous and political loopholes. With the help of Tetris’ inventor Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Efremov), Rogers takes chances to make Tetris a global phenomenon. The problems arise due to media proprietor Robert Maxwell (played by Roger Allam) and his son Kevin Maxwell (played by Anthony Boyle). While Rogers is supposedly on their side, they are not faithful to the deals and contracts they have signed which is why the rights to Tetris keep hitting plateaus which backtrack to Rogers. When he is in Russia trying to get copyrights signed over to help Tetris get more attention around the world, he finds himself in danger. With the political tensions and different Russia laws, Rogers is already at risk, but cannot afford to lose what he could accomplish. With one of the loyal creators Robert Stein (played by Toby Jones), it becomes clear that the dangerous misunderstandings link to the errors of Robert and his son Kevin. However, that does not mean that Tetris can’t still be a success.

The entrepreneurial mindsets are classy. There are times when the Maxwells have egotistical moments and are dismissive of the problems they have created for Rogers. That does not impact Rogers because knowing there are errors pushes him to succeed with getting the legit copyrights for Tetris. The vibe is for its hero to take what he can get in Tetris. Rogers and Pajitnov do what they can to prove what went wrong with the copyrights, but also how they can make it right.

The history of gaming makes the true story of Tetris an espionage experience. The movie features a number of discussions on the early days of computers, consoles, and even the mention of Gameboys. Tetris will blow your mind with all the innovations and steps involved in turning a profit in gaming. The political affiliations are where the film really strikes a realistic chord.

The political complications create enemies among the partnerships in Tetris. Rogers shows up in Russia, and a lot is misconstrued. There are also limited resources to help him with the language barriers and restricted access to ELORG (the company he must speak to in terms of contracts). The obstacles that surround Tetris are overwhelming. At times, the audience starts to resent the Maxwell family, because it becomes obvious that the lack of communication is because of them only caring about their own success. Clearly, they do not want to share their profits with others, but rather keep what they have to themselves. Rogers is a brainiac and knows that he is dealing with shady players. Tetris proves that taking risks is sometimes necessary to make a situation go smoothly, especially when it involves global profits with many marginal benefits.

Tetris will make viewers feel a bit hysterical because of the licensing conflicts being so messed up. The writing of the film is in-depth and includes very stressful frustrations that surround Rogers and Pajitnov. Rogers remains the bigger target since he is not a native. He lies and says he is a tourist, which is against the law. Pajitnov lives in Russia, but always wants Rogers’ presence to be limited. Tetris puts everyone on the line, both the good and the bad. How far will Rogers have to go to truly make ends meet for an amazing innovation?

What makes Tetris an experience of instigation is due to its continuity. The film is displayed in a motion of events with graphics, so its viewers feel as if they are playing a video game like ones from an Atari or an SNES Classic console. I felt the leveling up of Tetris was in video game mode due to the patterns of frustration for Rogers. In the film it is said Tetris is, “The perfect game.” I did not expect so much espionage and betrayal in the story. Although the presentation might not have been perfect, it was astounding, vibrant, and bonkers. Three and a half stars for Tetris.

Film reviews

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves

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When I learned of the film Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, I first thought about fairytale storytelling. I reflected upon fantasy and how a video game, a TV series, or a movie is written. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is like a setup of the HBO series Game Thrones (which ran from 2011 to 2019). While the writing and continuity are along the same lines as Game Thrones there is a difference in that this movie gears on a medieval fairytale with comical storytelling. Upon reflection, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves could be described as Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) on acid. The ride is different, but also invigorating due to clever filmmaking.

In Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, the film focuses on a thief, Edgin, (played by Chris Pine). Edgin is a nice guy who is on a mission to retrieve a lost relic. The journey is anadventurous and joyful ride. However, Edgin is not alone, but has a group of others to join him on his adventure. There is Holga (played by Michelle Rodriguez), Xenk (played by Rege-Jean Page), Simon (played by Justice Smith), and Doric (played by Sophia Lillis). The antagonist would be Forge (played by Hugh Grant.) A fairytale journey involving a wild and smart bunch of adventurers, Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves stays on-point while also being humorous and not a bore.

The main reason why Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is close to a masterpiece is because its creativity is “euphoric.” It contains magical moments which are mixed withfanciful scenes galore. There are spells, there are twists, and there is misdirection. When there is a fairytale film with Pine, Grant, and Rodriguez, it is sure to be a joyride where the humor will drive the film’s awesomeness. The success is due to having a great cast in a film that is different from what we are used to seeing them in.

Humor and magic are quite enticing, but the key factor in this film is how each adventurer has their own backstory. That is the element that really pulls together the joyful magic throughout Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Each character having their own story gives the audience insights into how some of the missions or twists could turn out for everyone. I love how the movie is set up to feel so interactive. The hints regarding who has trials and errors helps to enhance the fairytale jam of the film.

The film also seems scientific because of how its magical realizations are portrayed. It is like an “algorithm”—mission, journey, magical backstories, new realizations, and more to explore. Moving through these algorithms is enthralling in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. There is a new gem hidden in many different corners of the film.

The magical moments are numerous within the film’s dynamic, its gems, and its backstories. Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves is different and enchanting. I was rather entertained by this adventure of a film since there truly is creativity in this medieval fairytale. Three and a half stars.

Film reviews

A Good Person Review

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Actor, producer, and director Zach Braff has a narrative eye for projects that portray genuine emotions. A focus on “connectivity” is a key component in his projects. Dating back to his 2004 masterpiece Garden State (which he also starred in), Braff dives into scenarios that relate well with his audience. Problems surrounding family dynamics are always a major factor in his projects including Garden State, Wish I Was Here (2014), and now in A Good Person. His current film explores a heavy tragedy impacting multiple parties and explores both connections and disconnections that lead to the film’s growing tensions.

A Good Person features Allison, played by Florence Pugh. Allison has a life that seems like it is headed in a successful direction. In the beginning, it seems like Allison has it all, but then her life is changed forever after a traumatic car accident. Allison survives the accident, but her passengers do not. As she wakes up, she can’t overcome an opioid addiction, and is plagued with grief. The extra hard part for Allison is that the people in the accident were related to her fiancé. In hard times, Allison’s mother Diane (played by Molly Shannon) tries to encourage her to get her act together by getting a job and being more productive. Allison, however, is too addicted to drugs and always uses pills to help overcome her pain.

As her grief takes over her mental capacity, some positive light is shed as she gets to know Daniel (played by Morgan Freeman). Daniel would have been her father-in-law. Daniel is also looking over his granddaughter, Ryan (played by Celeste O’Connor) because of her emotional state of mind. With Daniel’s old-school attitude, and laid-back, but firm sense of humor he tries to help both Allison and Ryan find ways in life to better themselves. His efforts are a touching representation of rebuilding oneself after losing what is special.

The fatal car accident is the doorway to resolution and forgiveness. The writing of A Good Person is strongly emotional and poetic. Braff himself wrote the film during Covid, so many of his frustrations came out in this screenplay. It is audacious and vivid in its portrayal of human feelings. The film’s emotions are so natural and demonstrate how filmmaking appreciates life. “Life” is what Daniel wants Allison and Ryan to “appreciate,” but both are allowing their emotions to take over their lives which Daniel will not let them do that.  Although he has his own anger due to who died in the car accident, his heart is forgiving based on the evidence and the fact that it was a mistake.  Daniel is able to be “forgiving” if there are efforts for change and resolution. The writing of A Good Person strikes a chord with the message of Allison and Ryan needing to be heard and found.

The dynamics of a full range of emotions caused my blood to boil during A Good Person. There is a car accident leading to a young woman’s depression, drug addiction, and disconnect. There is also a granddaughter who is lost and having temper issues due to grief. Both face challenging mental health problems and are impacted differently.  The film illustrates how one incident drives the need for Allison to change, but also how the same incident causes a major change for Ryan.  The impact of Allison’s accidental car crash on Ryan leaves lasting consequences.

The brilliance of A Good Person is monumental thanks to the dynamics being portrayed feeling so real. I love this movie for the message it tries to get across. Braff’s take on movies about life’s issues are wonderfully crafted and include unexpected sadness.  His exploration of “Connection” is the saddest, but best part of A Good Person.

Love may be lost in A Good Person. Faith, however, looks for restoration in the film. There is no easy way to define the experience of A Good Person. Audiences will have to watch for themselves and see how it makes them feel. I believe that movies are about feelings and allowing people to connect issues in movies to real-life scenarios. A Good Person does a lot of that, but leaves viewers with a strong reminder that resolution is almost always possible. Three and a half stars for A Good Person.