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

One Battle After Another Review

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This is by far one of the most creative, prolific, yet comedic films I have seen by the well-known director Paul Thomas Anderson. So many moving parts come together at once and still manage to maintain a humor-filled vibe along with plenty of political espionage. One Battle After Another is a sensational ride of madness and fun. It is daring, and lethally action-packed. Mayhem is around every corner, and the misdirection is attention-grabbing. There are many unexpected punches to the face that keep audiences wanting for more.

The film is about ex-revolutionaries. There is a plot full of twists in One Battle After Another because the characters resurface after sixteen years. The story begins with Bob (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his wife Perifidia (Teyana Taylor). They are a couple who are involved with all sorts of tasks completed by groups running tactics for a revolution. Some of the tasks include invading private lands and other tricky assignments. The focus of much of their work is their enemy Steven Lockjaw (Sean Penn). Many years later, Bob has a daughter Charlene (Chase Infiniti), and he does not turn out to be the best father. Going forward, issues from the past resurface quickly. The ex-revolutionaries end up in a situation where mayhem evolves, and the target is Charlene.

The film is cat-and-mouse chaos from start to finish.  Political tides of frustration in this story are clever and genius. There is always an additional angle of conflict in One Battle After Another. The question, however, is, “Who will win?” The difficult part that Bob keeps coming back to is the harsh trail to save his daughter. With the help of a Sensei Sergio (Benicio Del Toro), there may be a chance for Bob to save his daughter and regain much of the power he once lost in another life. But the many moving issues related to politics and connections are all tangled together. The lines are blurred between laughter and suspense which continue to just burn up the screen. This is truly one of the best films Anderson has directed because he pusheshis original form of dynamics to the limits.

Hiding is not easy in One Battle After Another, but running is since there is always a tunnel or building to run into. As might be expected, there are also the wrong people to run into, and they seem to be the ones that keep coming around again in all the assorted conflicts. Anderson has such a unique way to stage setups to get out of suspenseful and dangerous episodes of madness. I found the film simply captivating. DiCaprio and Penn are the captains of their ships; they inhabit their roles and dominate the scenes they’re in even though the storyline means there is no easy way to win. Fortunately, there are lots of messes to clean up with added cleverness that makes the movie go from comical in one moment to serious the next. Anderson knows how to change the mood for maximum effect in One Battle After Another. Four out of four stars.

Concert Movies, Film reviews, Live Events

Whiplash in Concert Review: A Sensational Gem

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The Auditorium Theatre getting ready for the performance of Whiplash in concert

As an avid fan of Damien Chazelle’s 2014 masterpiece Whiplash. I had the opportunity to see this work-of-art live at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago. With dazzling lights and jazzy tunes, an extra layer was added to this wonderful film that made it feel much more sensational. As someone who admires Whiplash, I felt the inspiration was taken to a whole new level. This classic film had colorful dynamics and enhanced power with the live musicians playing behind it.

What made the event extra special was that the composer Justin Hurwitz conducted the orchestra. He moved around the stage with intensity and determination, which was in tune with the dazzling ambience of the drummer. The musical numbers were filled with memorable moments that highlighted the best scenes in Whiplash. It all just dazzled me as well as the hundreds of others in this historic venue with me. The evening was a musical sensation with lights, drums, and smooth transitions where there was an incredible energy of positivity and courage that was surreal.

Because the film is well known for its unique dynamics, the audience already knew what they were getting into. As the lights faded to red, this meant darkness. As the lights shined brighter, this meant classical jazz moments. When lights went into strobe mode, this meant a rainbow of powerful music highlighting competition and tension. Hurwitz moved around the stage with such dramatic effect that it gave each portion of the concert added layers of meaning.

The realism in this live musical edition was due to two talented sources Again, Hurwitz’s talent as a director was a major factor which was complimented by the Chicago Philharmonic. The theme of Whiplash is about turning feelings of rejection into encouragement. Seeing the score performed live topped the charts in my book. While I’m not a musician, my artistic heart was pumping wildly during Whiplash in Concert. The acoustics of The Auditorium are outstanding. The sounds elevated theartistry throughout this historic building.

The way in which this film was presented with a live orchestra playing at The Auditorium Theatre resulted in a deeper feeling of connection with the characters in the movie. For example, in the moments when Andrew (played by Miles Teller) was isolating himself to learn his drums and becoming more self-absorbed, I felt there was energy throughout the building that made audiences gasp in awe. In addition, there were electric ripples when Fletcher (played by JK Simmons) displayed anger and wrath as he belittled his mentees.

The enticing element of tension while the battle for success progressed felt like a never-ending rollercoaster ride with Whiplash in Concert. This event was a one-of-a-kind musical adventure where cinematics is taken to a championship level. I kept hoping for additional rounds because the experience was so engrossing. Seeing one of my favorite films in concert blew my mind because of the mesmerizing way it was presented. This was definitely a four out of four-star theatrical adventure for me.

Film reviews

Rabbit Trap Review

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Solitude comes in heavy forms. Especially when it has a forest around it with wind mending with sounds and branches. There is always that tone where global warming is taking an effect. Especially for the humans roaming around their environment. From writer and director Bryn Chainey, Rabbit Trap is one that is experimental and daring but also subtle. A lot of it has to do with thinking mentally while also toying with curiosity. Capturing sound effects to create a project does not come easy. But even the cinematography or the setting does not do much justice. However, the tones of direction and subtle atmosphere weaved my brain back and forth that left me with intrigue. Boredom in one moment but then spellbinding mesmerizing modes throughout the rest. Rabbit Trap is formulaic with gradual inclines.

The film’s main characters are Darcy and Daphne Davenport, and they are played by Dev Patel and Rosy McEwan. The year is 1976. They are a couple from the United Kingdom living in a cottage around the area of Wales to capture sound effects for their next project. Much of their days are them capturing audio and putting together pieces of sounds to create realistic effects to create something aesthetic. However, there are weird forms of behavior and patterns. The sounds they record bring in some unexpected moments where their own behaviors do not seem to match up. A lot of tension blurs the lines. And when a boy comes around, things get strange. The Child is played by Jade Croot.

It is like a character study of experimentation. What do Darcy and Daphne do bring benefits to their life? Is there a language out there telling them otherwise? Is the Child a burden? The setting of the island and the outdoors begin to create detrimental tones of illusions. So much is artistic and wondrous. At the same time, there are moments of flatness that finds its binds to climb.

There is a line of confusion that travels vaguely back and forth. As Darcy and Daphne have their moments as a couple their challenges come around after moments of working on their pieces for their project. The sound effects begin to elevate their anger. The lingering spell of sensation is within the depths of the technicality of 1970s technology. Way before the days of technology or high-end recording devices that are used presently. Also, a time where limitations are more crucial.

The conflict is two-sided. Audio causing conflict, and The Child being in the center between Darcy and Daphne. The film still maintains its writing to be a halting blur. All around it though, its artistic vibe flows smoothly. The executing side though, just keeps missing its slam dunks moments to be surreal. Overall, I felt this was one of those films that had inspiration from the forestry settings. Deep down though, very flawed, and a dragging conflict that was only too blurry to comprehend, it is still artistic with a creative sense and one that is worth visiting. But it is not amazing. Two out of four stars for Rabbit Trap.