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 Baltimorons Review

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A gem where connections are found in unlikely places. A masterclass of comedy about finding meaning after loss. The Baltimorons is a Christmas miracle from the mind of Jay Duplass. Co-written by Michael Strassner who is also the lead In the film. The Baltimorons relies upon the formulaic approach involving someone trying to grieve and cope with disconnect on Christmas Eve. I have long admired Duplass. In this film, he showcases the ability to thrive in spite of what had been lost. The Baltimorons is a film I adore for its focus on someone trying to cope with his many frustrations while also trying to bring happiness to others.

This brilliant work-of-art takes place in Baltimore. The main character is Cliff who has a life filled with many struggles. He is dealing with sobriety, past issues with depression, while also trying to deal with the fact that his career in sketch comedy writing fell apart. Cliff is on the way to spend Christmas Eve with his fiancé Brittany (Olivia Luccardi), and her family. However, a dental emergency brings Cliff to the dentist. He meets Didi (Liz Larsen). Cliff overhears that Didi is having issues of her own, and after the dentist’s appointment, he talks her into going on many Christmas Eve adventures. During their time together they engage in conversations about life which lead to an interesting journey and mutual feelings of connection. The chemistry between Strassner and Larsen makes the film a success. Both characters are dealing with a loss of touch and wanting to feel warmth again.

Didi is a single, unhappy mom and Cliff is a depressed, frustrated soul. Duplass is amazing at creating this dynamic duo in an unlikely place at an unlikely time. He brings cinematic wonders exploring humanistic values to The Baltimorons. The conversations between the two are spot-on. The frustrations they encounter on their many adventures are witty and goofy. Duplass is so skilled at pulling off scenes of a mischievous nature. His talents allow him to transform the disconnect many people experience during the holidays into holiday cheer in The Baltimorons.

Throughout the unexpected trips which occur in The Baltimorons, the brilliant scenes warmed my heart and made me feel sentimental. The movie makes you think about how good it feels to have someone looking out for you…even if it is for just a few moments. The Baltimorons is by far one of the most cheerful, creative, and positive films I have seen this year. Although there are some elements which are for mature audiences, the theme of self-acceptance and working through problems shines deeply in The Baltimorons.

Duplass does not disappoint and neither does Strassner who steals the film. His persistence playing someone who is jumping over various hurdles makes viewers cheer for him as if he were working his way up to the finish line. The ultimate “win” would be for him to take advantage of the positivity that his new friend has shared with him and hope for it to turn into something fanciful. Four out of four stars for The Baltimorons.

Film reviews

Ella McCay Review

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Writer and director James L. Brooks returns to directing a movie with a good heart. There are many positive, down-to-earth traits in Ella McCay, a story where family, politics, and life areblended with turmoil. The narration keeps the film alive and afloat. At the same time, this gem of a movie is not only funny but poetic. The film is focused on someone trying to fulfill happiness while grappling with various challenges and plateaus in life.

Emma Mackey plays Ella McCay. She is dealing with conflicts with her father Eddie McCay, played by Woody Harrelson. In the story, she also has back and forth issues with her motherHelen McCay, played by Jamie Lee Curtis. Emma is into politics and is working to run for governor. She has a mixed relationship with the current governor named Bill, played by Albert Brooks. There are many moving components where life is up and down for Ella. At the same time, the main character’s go-getter persona makes Ella McCay delightful.

The film captures Ella trying to be this lady of wonders. What makes this movie extra special is seeing Ella thriving through the role of the narrator, Estelle. She is also Ella’s Secretary, played by Julie Kavner. What could be more entertaining than hearing the voice of Marge Simpson explain details throughout a wondrous portrait of reality? Many times, Estelle steps out of her role to narrate which made me love Ella McCay even more. There are many scenes in the film where there is a layer of reassurance. Brooks knows how to adjust the dynamics so that even during down moments the audience can find the light of joy.

I adore the role of Mackey, because she plays an individual who displays an unstoppable force of tenderness. No matter how devastating matters in her life are, her character is created to fall and get back up. She does this frequently and courageously in Ella McCay. To elaborate on this, she has a brother named Casey, played by Spike Fearn. Casey has some learning struggles and spends most of his time in introvert mode. Yet, he has the audacity to try to get back with his ex-girlfriend named Susan, played by Ayo Edebiri. This talented actress has a unique way of bringing neutral emotions to the table. Moving forward, Casey wants to try again with Susan, and Ella inspires him. The theme of siblings helping each other out is thought-provoking and endearing in Ella McCay. When all may feel lost, there is still a chance of reconciliation and improvement.

Even though many of the characters are in the film only briefly, and the film’s writing may be a bit all over the place, the concept of positivity is one-of-a-kind in Ella McCay. Brooks has created a masterpiece in which the puzzling components of life and human errors are featured. There may be numerous hurdles facing Ella McCay, but Brooks creates a portrait that makes audiences think deeply about what makes us human and resilient. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Ella McCay.

Film reviews

Marty Supreme Review

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One-of-a-kind and authentic. Marty Supreme is one of Timothee Chalamet’s most mesmerizing performances. The film is like a ping pong match that you can’t take your eyes off. Writer and director Josh Safdie creates a film that is a few notches down from the stress of Uncut Gems and not aimed as much at gambling. This time the story is focused on earning money through competition and building a reputation.

The film gears on Marty Mauser (Chalamet), a young New Yorker taking on all kinds of jobs and doing what he can to make his way to high-end tournaments and ping-pong championships. He works at a shoe store, but also continuously hustles at various jobs to make money. However, his ego is what is always in front of him. He has the mindset that he can never lose which leads to turmoil for him that builds as many other problems crop up. He gets a girl named Rachel Mizler (Odessa A’zion) pregnant and falls in love with a stage actress Kay Stone (Gwyneth Paltrow). The problems continue to accumulate. For Marty, playing ping-pong is all that matters to him, so his hustling leads to consequences. Marty Supreme makes the audience feel that ping-pong balls are flying in their direction. Sometimes they fall like rain and at other times they dazzle.

There is an aspect of Marty that is successful, but once he achieves fame his entire focus is on himself. Once he has a failed tournament, he goes on a journey hustling to make ends meet to compete in the next tournament. The movie is like Uncut Gems meets the world of ping-pong. The writing about sportsmanship is top-notch. My mind became blurred as Chalamet burned up the screen with stress as he continues to put all things on the line in his role as Marty. There is no stopping the film’s beat which leaves audiences breathless, Marty Supreme is full of ping-pong tournaments which feel like wars for fame that Marty created for himself.

The dynamics between Chalamet and Paltrow are unique. In addition to their age difference, one is working his way to fame, and the other already has experienced it. Their twisted sense of love is written in a mode of desperation. Safdie has a way of creating stressful scenarios with his characters. This happens frequently in Marty Supreme and adds a form of humanistic value. The main character is putting everything on the line and so many things go wrong along the way. Trust, family and friends are lost, but ultimately the one he connects with has his heart. That is the strange but the surreal dynamic plays out in the performances of Chalamet and Paltrow in Marty Supreme.

Chalamet’s performance is ferocious. Even when he is told not to do something, he persists. He is a machine of an unstoppable force. No matter the debts, the trouble, the ping-pong championship is all that matters to him. The amount of sacrifice put forth makes this movie a winning cinematic portrait of non-stop efforts. Four out of four stars.