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

Avatar: Fire and Ash review

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Director James Cameron does not stop in his creative tracks to keep the mesmerizing world of the Avatar franchise flowing. With Avatar: Fire and Ash, the heat is in the moment as the world of Pandora hits territory with new revelations. At the same time, bad allies form—at the intersection of science, planet and people. It all comes down to whose side everyone is fighting for. Cameron keeps the momentum going in every fragment and in every detail. This fascinating film dazzles and shines boldly because the graphics of the vast areas of forests, skies, and seas are spectacular. The magical cinematics are uniquely blended which results in dynamics that keep this franchise getting better with each film. James Cameron knows what he is doing.

It has been three years since the events of Avatar: The Way of Water. This time, the uncharted territories on the lands of Pandora are the setting. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) are still trying to protect their children from the many events of the previous film. However, the dangers caused by the corruption of Recom Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) are not over. Now, Pandora has more advanced scientific experiments, yet the war is not over. Political aspects abound as civilizations take their stance in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The creatures and the people stand together. As the saying goes, “This family is our fortress,” which describes the defense that weaves togethers both emotionally and technologically in Avatar: Fire and Ash.

In this film, mayhem is working more effectively since the battles have been fought since the first film. The key focus is the conflict between Sully and Quaritch. Quaritch wants to maintain control and utilize Pandora for other purposes once he has the chance to demolish it. For Sully though, it is his home. He will not give up the fight for his family and homebase, especially with a native who wants to be one of them. The boy Spider (Jack Champion) is connected to Jake’s family. However, no human can breathe on Pandora without a mask. What if he has the chance to become one of them? Science is what matters, but mayhem reinforces the main point of the film.

There is a continued, formulaic approach that broadens even more in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Cameron utilizes technological components to keep the film’s various conflicts moving to points of breach. The film is captivating in portraying the fight between good vs. evil. Jake is with his family and has joined the forces on Pandora, but many of those he started with still want to navigate the sciences to abuse and torment. The subjects of civilization and democracy are what Cameron so effectively tackles both cinematically and technologically.

Additional characters add much emphasis to the film includeRonal (Kate Winslet), Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), General Frances Ardmore (Edie Falco), and Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi). Ronal and Dr. Grace Augustine are on the same side as Jake and Neytiri, but General Frances and Parker Still remain on the opposing side. General Frances wants to bring the military back for execution, while Parker is focused on science for business. War, in this film, goes up several notches with a new creature Varang (Oona Chaplin) in the mix. She brings threats to Jake and his family, but also to the rest of the Na’vi. There are double the enemies, added chaos, and incredible cinematography which makes this Cameron film brilliant.

Looking back to the beginning, there is a pattern and tone to the writing which continues to become more immersive as these films continue. Scientific advancements in the world combine with conflicts between the humans and the Na’vi. Jake is in the middle and has become one of the Na’vi. Beginning as someone who cannot use his legs, the world of Pandora is where he stands. The people he began with are allies of both good and bad. Fortunately, there is much more to the planet that can be utilized for good. For Cameron, the journey towards acceptance and perseverance does not end without a rollercoaster ride. I was blown away by watching this movie in Dolby Digital. The flying and action scenes were enthralling. The things Cameron is known best for are all back again. As always, he takes this installment to new heights. Four out of four stars for Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Film reviews

Dead Man’s Wire Review

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This film is based on a true story with the setting being a normal day in the 1970s. It is February 1977, and director Gus Van Sant takes us into the world of Dead Man’s Wire. It’s a true account where there are invigorating moving parts where one tries to prove a wrong doing, but will not do so until he feels his needs for vindictiveness are met. It comes around with humor and class—all of which has a dark comedy narrative. Vindictiveness gets ugly in Dead Man’s Wire, and as a fan of the previous works of Sant, he paints the portrait of how two wrongs do not make a right, and that on the other side consequences await.

The film’s main character is Tony Kiritsis, and he is played by Bill Skarsgard. He takes the risk of kidnapping Richard Hall, played by Dacre Montgomery. Richard is the president of the Meridian Mortgage Company. Tony feels his needs were not met and that the family who runs Meridian has done wrong him. This leads him to take a sawed-off shotgun and wire it to Richard. He then takes the hostage scenario to the next level. Soon Richard’s father M.L. Hall (Al Pacino) becomes involved, a detective named Michael Grable (Cary Elwes) and a radio host named Fred Temple (Colman Domingo) are involved as well. The clock ticks in the city of Indianapolis and the control of power is in the hands of Tony. Dead Man’s Wire is a true story combining politics with many moving emotions that come into figuring out a plan, and of course someone must pay.

The dynamic between Tony and Richard is where the film starts to boil in the pot.  As the media comes around the story, the question of who is going down the hardest keeps coming and going. Of course, Tony is the instigator, opening the door to how the Mortgage Company could have wronged others as well as himself.  In return, there is that writing convincing the audience that coming up with an agreement may save everyone. However, in the 1970’s the middle and upper classes do not always see eye-to-eye, especially with Pacino’s character on vacation as the hostage scenario is going on. Sant knows how to label the characters successes while also navigating the ones who are jealous of those above them in Dead Man’s Wire.

As the film has the moments of putting lives on the line, it also all comes down to curiosity and faith. How much will Tony gain? How much will Tony lose? Will there be ramifications? Where is the benefit for the authorities? The heightened news story of the hostage scenario creates a tornado of wonders for the city of Indianapolis in a very suspenseful setting. Sant brings gain with fame amongst images of criminality and the true story context making it feel like a revolver hitting the pavement hard. There is no easy way to explain the experience of the film. It is well-acted, but the motives in the writing seem to have moments of confusion that fall out of context more than they should.

The film is vibrant with its true story mode, however, the amount of repeated boredom with the hostage scenario is where the characterizations lose their amazement. But the continuity and the plot do have structure, especially with the cinematography. Overall, it is a steady thriller where the true story side works to remain faithful. Three out of four stars for Dead Man’s Wire.

 

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.