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

Spoiler Alert Review

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It’s hard to see Jim Parsons in a role without thinking of him as Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory. Parsons is quiet with a nerdy sense of humor. His personality and characterizations always have positivity. In Spoiler Alert, he is a caring character in this one-of-a-kind dark comedy. Spoiler Alert is a film where Parsons’ character comes out of his shell for someone he loves.

In Spoiler Alert, Parsons plays Michael. He is a man of a few words, an introvert. He finds himself in a relationship with Kit, played by Ben Aldridge. They have a special connection. They have their moments of frustrations and disagreements, moments where they feel their relationship is in trouble. But all of that is set aside when Kit is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Kit’s parents, Marilyn and Bob, (played by Sally Field and Bob Irwin), are empathetic and love Kit as much as Michael loves him.

Spoiler Alert is narrated in fragments by Parsons. It’s a film that displays love and acceptance in the good and bad times. Despite the sadness and questions that spiral through the film, the chemistry between Michael and Kit is strong and devoted. Spoiler Alert’s title speaks for itself, as the premise enters uncharted discoveries with Kit. The deep empathy of Spoiler Alert, the connection and acceptance, is what drew me in.

The sadness of Kit’s parents and Michael brings a deep melancholy to Spoiler Alert. But the melancholy keeps reminding its audience that Kit and Michael are in love. Michael is Kit’s top fan and his devoted partner. The cancer though, hits both Michael and Kit hard. It challenges their emotions and the past and the present moments of their relationship. Can Michael help Kit fight the cancer? Is Kit stronger than he sees himself? Spoiler Alert is engrossing and its empathetic moments will enthrall its audiences.

Spoiler Alert may seem at first glance to be a depressing film, but Parsons is revolutionary and Aldridge is brilliant as well. Both actors deliver charming and deep performances. Field is also amazing in her role. And regardless of the sadness, Spoiler Alert is mesmerizing, touching, and endearing. One of those feel-good holiday films to remind people to stay connected. Three stars.

Film reviews

The Whale Review

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Brendan Fraser delivers one of his best performances in years in The Whale. His performance displays human emotions to the core. Director Darren Aronofsky has an eye for directing brilliant films based on honest feelings. The Whale is Aronofsky’s most humanistic film, and it will touch his audiences.  The message of how time is of the essence in our one precious life truly resonates.

The challenges of obesity and health problems play a major role in The Whale. Some moments in the film may seem repulsive regarding this difficult subject matter. With Fraser as the lead character who struggles with weight problems, he plays the role of suffering and feeling alone brilliantly. The Whale is a race for the one who is obese to find light in his life. The light may not have the best anticipated outcomes, but it serves to benefit others in the film.

In The Whale, Fraser plays Charlie, a remote English teacher in Idaho. Charlie chooses to work from home because of his morbid obesity. His caretaker is his friend Liz (played by Hong Chau). She helps Charlie with his meals and other essential tasks. Charlie cannot do a lot by himself because he is dangerously overweight. He also continues to eat unhealthy foods and has been in a bad mental state of mind for some time. There is one thing Charlie cares about which is his daughter Ellie (played by Sadie Sink). Aronofsky’s directing is superb in displaying the disconnect between father and daughter. Ellie resents Charlie because he abandoned her, and Charlie resents himself. The Whale is a landscape of Charlie’s errors, and his obesity is the epitome of his struggles. Aronofsky is not afraid to direct films with deep emotions.

Charlie’s suffering in his home is filled with difficult feelings. The audience can see each fragment of his unhealthy life. They also see his struggles with Ellie and Liz. Will Charlie ever find a way to get his act together? Will he ever try to lose weight and adopt a healthy lifestyle?  Many of these questions are hard ones and the film covers many hard health-related situations caused by poor life choices. As someone who has had issues with my own weight and mental health, The Whale hit close to home for me. Yet, I felt quite moved by the film.

In the end, I thought The Whale was deep in human emotions. Fraser’s performance was spellbinding, and the directing was filled with raw feelings. The Whale is a triumph, a ride of brilliance and love. Three and a half stars.

Film reviews

Emancipation Review

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Director Antoine Fuqua delivers a historic and realistic adventure that moves quickly. Emancipation is a film that consists of power, freedom, liberty, and perseverance. Will Smith is a machine for survival and Ben Foster is a monster of cruelty. Emancipation tests the limits of fate to the fullest. It has been a while since there has been a thriller set in the Civil War era. Fuqua portrays the power of authority among slaves and commanders in Emancipation.

My fascination with Emancipation is its surreal perspective. The film begins with many slavery settings and scenarios. There are also conversations between slaves regarding escaping, the politics of escaping, and where the slaves stand. Emancipation lays out the foundation in a realistic setting. The film creates a thorough understanding of how cruel slave owners are and why slaves want to escape. I am a fan of Abraham Lincoln, and Lincoln’s destinations are where the slaves try to escape to. In the film it is stated, “Lincoln freed the slaves.” If the slaves can make it to freedom, they have a chance to live new lives.

In Emancipation, the main slave is Peter (Smith), a man who has been a slave for most of his life and is anxious to find freedom. He wants to make it back to his wife Dodienne (played by Charmaine Bingwa). Peter takes the chance of surviving an attempted escape that is treacherous due to many dangerous factors. Despite the severities of the danger, there are benefits for him. As he escapes through the swamps of Louisiana, there are alligators, snakes, and all kinds of creatures. On top of that, the commander, Jim Fassel (played by Ben Foster) is onto him. The running goes on for days, and Peter must reach Lincoln’s territory. Emancipation is one epic and gruesome trail to where freedom awaits.

As the fate of survival is tested in this movie, I realized that Emancipation depicts nature’s uncharted territory. A swamp always has dangers. As Peter progresses through risking his life for freedom, there is always a chance of injury, death, or capture. Fuqua’s directing includes cinematography in black and white in many scenes and alternatively color in moments of action. The black and white is use when covering moments in time and color comes along in moments when there is an event.

I found these contrasts helpful because when the cinematography would light up in color, my mind would be alerted to a new event. When the film was in black and white, my mind would be alerted that this was a normal time frame. Fuqua is faithful in his artistic direction mixed with history, violence, and slavery. He is an auteur at adding layers of heightening factors in his films. Emancipation goes off the charts with vivid layers of suspenseful cinematography.

Emancipation is just pure adrenaline. The limits of survival are tested as is political power. Fuqua incorporates the harsh mindsets of those who are slave owners in the film. He also incorporates the fierceness of Peter. Smith’s performance is astonishing as viewers know he will not give up. A journey spent fighting the violent territory and terrors of a swamp is what makes Emancipation a dramatic yet invigorating ride.

I love Civil War history and especially love a film set in Lincoln’s era. Above all, I loved this film because it portrays slaves fighting for liberty during Lincoln’s presidency. Emancipation is empowering, surreal, and deep. Smith and Foster deliver thought-provoking performances. Fuqua’s directing goes to a whole different level of excitement with Emancipation. Three and a half stars.