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

Hamnet Review

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This is a powerful, transformative movie about the world of Shakespeare. Political themes play out in a medieval era filled with dynamics of power, love, and loss all performed on a stage. This is Hamnet, a thought-provoking portrait of challenges and turmoil in situations that should be black and white. The conflict between good and evil leads to connections and brilliance on a stage. As one who loves theatricals, my mind was blown away by two things during this film. First, the chemistry between the main characters. Second, the effective portrayal of powerful emotions. Hamnet is well-written and demonstrates the humanistic value of sadness and grief.

The film’s love story takes place in the 16th century. The lovers names are Agnes and Will who are played by Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal. In a time in which villages have restrictions, love is what matters in the eyes of the main characters. This film is a tale about the journey they are on as parents. It explores the moments they have with their living children as well as the ones they have lost. This portion of the film involves an emotional narrative and is spot-on with the way it utilizes the Shakespearean context to effectively fan the fire. My heart was pounding intensely as the various conflicts played themselves out. 

Agnes is the character telling the story so much of the focus tends to be on her. However, Will has many significant points as well during an era in which he is trying to create a play based on his life and what he has loved and lost. At the same time, he wants to bring his creation to fruition for audiences. The world is hoping for magic to happen on the stage in Hamnet. Many of the disagreements in the film end up being rewarding scenes. Will has been raised in a household where he is frowned upon, and Agnes has been raised without a mother. The hardship in Hamnet is shown through the power of love and sacrifice. Writer and director Chloe Zhao paints this picture quite thoroughly and extremely well.

As the persistence of family and love contain diverse challenges for Agnes and Will, the times they’re living in also present several additional issues. Will’s dynamics continue to impact him, and all he knows how to do is utilize his hardship in his craft as a playwright. The difficult losses Agnes and Will face add meaning to their story. In their life, they are meant to experience happy moments even when things go awry. At the same time, they can pick each other up. Their persistence dazzles in a mesmerizing pattern. Buckley and Mescal burn up the screen. Their performances tell a story that unfolds with many revelations. The film is like a play that has transitions that allow audiences to take a moment and step back. When those moments occur, the deep feelings of acceptance and love shine through. Four out of four stars for Hamnet.

 

Film reviews

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

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Writer and director Rian Johnson is back with another Knives Out and this one may be the best of them all. The clues, the people, the egos, and the matters all make these mystery thrillers so fanciful and wonderful. Especially with Daniel Craig reprising his role as Benoit Blanc bringing out the laid-back detective mannerisms. At the same time, he also projects the personality focused on solving the case and putting the pieces together one-by-one. The whole film is an exciting ride of questions filled with humor and fun set in a church this time around. The wrongdoings have a lot to do with faith and fate—but also involvement of the community comes into the question as well. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery involves a pattern of realizations created to blindside audiences with clever writing. Johnson is a genius.

Benoit Blanc meets Rev. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), a promising young priest. There is also Martha Dealcroix (Glenn Close), a lady employed by the church. The main head of the church is Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), who is at the top of the congregation. The film highlights a church family seen from various strange angles. Then a murder occurs and Blanc steps in. The others involved are Dr. Nat Sharp (Jeremy Renner), Vera Draven (a lawyer played by Kerry Washington), Lee Ross (a book author played by Andrew Scott), as well as Simone Vivane (a disabled former client played by Cailee Spaeny). Jud is trying to keep the peace while getting the case solved but not point fingers. At the same time, his words of wisdom are at stake.

The curious moving parts explore faith and other theories in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. The puzzling concept is that it all comes down to who has the most loyalty or jealousy. At the same time hierarchy plays a role and Jud wants to maintain his place in the hierarchy. Benoit must help him find the missing pieces to determine who, why, where, and what has caused a death involving the church. There are loads of curiosities and crazy dynamics. The puzzling factors in this popular franchise make audiences spin with joy while also being surprised by the many unexpected treasures in the stories. Johnson knows how to fill his mysteries with syrupy entertainment while also ensuring time passes quickly while audiences enjoy them. 

Since this film takes place in a religious setting, it opens many theories which have to do with commitment to a church. These theories give the roles of Brolin and Close purpose as they hold seniority in the church but also have fishy elements in their characterizations. Johnson keeps audiences wondering who is responsible for the harsh crime in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

The levels of ego exhibited by those characters who feel entitled grabbed my attention during this film. In addition to the pastor who is trying to remain truthful to his faith, there is the detective trying to solve the crime. It takes two to tango while dealing with the ugly elements of surprise in this story. This movie is amasterpiece in which the game keeps spinning as the characterskeep playing the blame game. Be prepared for heads to roll. Four out of four stars for Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.

Film reviews

Eternity Review

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There is a unique approach to life after death in Eternity. In this film, permanence exists in all forms and the world after one life is lost finds a place of purpose. The idea of happiness forever is where the debacle in this film’s narrative becomes exhilarating. The title carries meaning as the story explores themes of empathy, acceptance and reconciliation. It is just a matter of how people choose to move on. Written and directed by David Freyne, who co-wrote the film with writer and producer Patrick Cunnane. Together they bring the world a one-of-a-kind portrait of individuals who are looking for life in the universe after their passing. 

The main characters are Larry, Joan, and Luke. Larry is played by Miles Teller, Joan is played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Luke is played by Callum Turner. The setting is an afterlife setup where humans that have passed are given seven days to figure out where to spend their “eternity.” Joan is in the middle between Larry and Luke, because she was in love with Luke at one point and then Larry afterwards. One died before she fell in love with the other. Now that they are all in the place of life after death, all three are faced with tough decisions.

The film is vibrant with creativity. David Freyne creates a world that looks like a heavenly setting with resources and transportation. There are timetables with arrivals of new souls and lounge areas. A portrait is created of the happiness experienced after humans pass away. Eternity elicits empathy that is spellbinding. Considering the typical world where scenarios cannot be reversed, finding love in a new universe is mesmerizing.

As the film moves forward, there are scenes involving places in which Joan, Larry and Luke revisit the moments of their lives. This leads to some sadness when looking back causes meaningful revelations. Eternity paints a portrait of how to have a loving heart with those we feel connected to. Even when there are various resentments, there are still moments to forever cherish. The story has a carefully woven narrative that demonstrates the power of courage.

There is a realization in the storyline regarding the value of moderation. To provide context, the world of the afterlife has a setting where people can walk through and revisit past frames of their life. It is set up like an exhibit. The usher in the ticket booth reminds them that it may not be healthy to frequently revisit the exhibit because it may be triggering. Despite the sad setup, there minder to revisit the past in moderation holds value in Eternity. It combines with messages of well-being and healthy communication between all parties involved. Once people are there forever, they are not going back.

Eternity is compelling. The film’s writing has a form of clarity which prompts sympathy and understanding. I experienced deepappreciation while watching this wonderful and inspiring movie. The message is powerful …love is cherished forever. Four out of four stars for Eternity.