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 Roses Review

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This is a film in which the subject of change finds common ground. Storylines that focus on relationships tend to have an appeal that leads to a deeper narrative. The narrative in The Roses results in an expanded portrait. Directed by Jay Roach, this film has a form of transformative humor that is special. The Roses presents a negative dynamic that gradually gets worse, but at the same time it thrives with humoristic value within the depths of its dark comedy. With Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman playing a husband and wife, and Andy Samberg and Kate McKinnon playing spouses as witnesses—the challenges are explored through a clever style of writing. The dramatic downfall results in the epitome of wonderful creativity in The Roses.

The film features Theo and Ivy Rose (Cumberbatch and Colman), and a couple that are facing several hurdles. They present a positive attitude about life, but then jealousy rears its ugly head. Theo was once a successful entrepreneur, but then later encounters some flaws. This causes Ivy to be the bigger breadwinner in the family. As Theo spends more time at home, he gets their kids to be more actively sporty and involved with life. Their friends Barry and Amy (Samberg and McKinnon) sense a form of injustice. At the same time, the success Theo and Ivy are experiencing is presented in a way that leads to unexpected, envious results.

To elaborate, I found this film to be classy. The subject matter made me think about what families disagree about and what parents might feel they are doing in terms of their parenting skills. The format of the writing seems to be in “keep the peace” mode, but gradually there is a mental ring of fire that boils the pot silently and ferociously. Lots of the intensity comes from Ivy, and because her kids are thriving based on what their dad has taught them. The competitive issues faced by the Rose family lead to a variety of interesting scenarios in The Roses.

To transition my train of thought a bit, the bright side of life also sparks glimmers of hope and optimism in The Roses. The challenges caused by failures end up opening new approaches to life which have better outcomes. There are moments of conflict, quirks, and giggles, but many scenes are presented with exaggerated and drastic measures. My point, however, is that the story presents how hard it can be to accept how things in life sometimes turn out. The pursuit of success not always being what it is cracked up to be is uncovered in The Roses.

Overall, the movie is a lovely portrait of a couple discovering more about what their guts are telling them. The family values portrayed through the performances of Cumberbatch and Colman are priceless and should not be missed. These actors are true gems which results in a film that is just shy of outstanding. The writing is classical. The Roses is filled with hidden envy, but reminds audiences to love and accept family. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Relay Review

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This is one of those unique thrillers of a hidden masterpiece. Directed by David Mackenzie, espionage and payback have quiet writing to remain intriguing and captivating. Relay has traits what tasks entail to have justice be served. I was sold on this captivating spy-thriller. Much of that was because of how it kept me in tune with what was going on. Much of the film contained continuity and a foundation around moving blocks for leverage. It is a film with a time length of just over an hour-and-a-half of stellar and attention-grabbing moments. When one operation falls into the wrong hands, it only takes one to work and do the steps to make it right.

The plot of the film focuses on Ash (Riz Ahmed). He is someone that does communications whistleblowing operations. He uses a two-way form of communication. He utilizes technology for the hard-of-hearing to help send over his messages for tasks he chooses to assist with. He is one of solitude and knows the moving parts to what is lethal of espionage. A girl named Sarah (Lily James) finds herself in deficits. Her previous job has let her go and she has obtained documents to try and get out her message that she may have done wrong. At the same time though, others are out to get her for revenge. A team led by a man named Dawson (Sam Worthington). The telecommunication system and messages of correspondence between Ash and Sarah is the key to serving justice and finding the path to redeem what was once lost.

Time is of the essence in Relay. Truly in each form of instruction the thrilling moments are precise. “Precise” with purpose. Every minute of every step counts vividly in Relay. When there is a moment to go wrong all the operations go wrong. What makes the film enticing is how every time there are talks (between Sarah and Ash), she must keep following the orders of Ash via his telecommunications system. The bizarre setup makes it stressful for her. More because audiences can tell it takes up a lot on her mind.

The film’s solo and in-depth approach was one I appreciated. It kept me thinking about stressors among technology and who to trust. “Who to trust” as in if the accuracies are truly where they stand or if it can fall in the wrong hands. A stellar foundation of obstacles that are working to find resolution and justice. Deep-down though both the operations go among the norms of the law. From the heartfelt perspective of Ash, he does not have it in him to give up. In his head it is his civic duty to help Sara.

Relay takes its approach with grains of salts and has moments to twist the thoughts for its audiences. Overall, it succeeds moderately well. The uniqueness of the suspense in the film’s writing is what made my head wonder poetically. Relay is a form of creative success. A stylized thriller of purpose. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for Relay.

Film reviews

Lurker Review

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Making connections in the music industry is explored in a deeply immersive way in Lurker. This film comes from the mind of director writer, producer, and director Alex Russell (producer of The Bear and Beef). A film where obsession hits a deadly path that is hard to follow but just keeps going. An odyssey of fame and popularity that seeks growth within the depths of the film’s writing and characterizations. The story is a a stunning portrait of favoritism that is mind-boggling with competition. The music industry creates an environment in Lurker where the competition and envy feel surreal. 

The plot of the film focuses on a boy named Matthew, played by Theodore Pellerin. Matthew is a regular retail store employee in California who has a solitary life yet fancies his creative side when he is able. His life changes instantly when he becomes part of a crew for an artist that is on his way to fame. That artist is Oliver, played by Archie Madekwe. Matthew finds himself in the mix while helping to shoot footage and hanging out withOliver’s cool gang. However, plateaus are encountered because fame becomes everything for both Matthew and Oliver. At the same time, the popularity Matthew seeks is what he utilizes to his advantage. This leads to turmoil that becomes life-threatening.

Russell’s directing features layers of competition that keep the portrait of trial-and-error in focus during Lurker. I thought a lot about how the series The Bear showcases competitive moments in the kitchen with culinary stuff. The difference is the industry. Every small measure seems to be taken extra seriously in the music industry. Russell’s artistic eye creates a silent obsession for Matthew that grows dangerously in Lurker.

The film feels mentally disturbing. It is not very violent, but it captures the stressors through its characterizations of disconnect. When Matthew starts feeling unwanted within the team, thingsspiral. Russell’s cinematography fuels the emotion sparked byan outsider wanting more of the credit success in the music industry. The common ground in this film are the conflicts andthe dynamics required to keep fame and popularity on the rise.

What audiences will feel is the frustration between Matthew and Oliver. Matthew wants to feel cool and connected. Oliver wants to keep his fame on the horizon. Deep down the mental struggles and stressors of human values are at the core. Fame and agreements are the central flaws, but Matthew’s loneliness fuels the fire. The high life that Matthew never anticipated to have a mess with his choices. Matthew mixed feelings about his reputation because in his mind the generosity coming towards him feels fake.

With music, friends, and connections, desperation is at the center of Lurker. Matthew’s choices of Matthew appear to be irreparable, but at the same time his creative value is at the core of his choices. The film has a vivid and compelling vibe. Lurker is an intriguing portrait of how reality can be seen through the eyes of an artist. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.