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

Heads of State Review

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A thriller based on a global threat starring Idris Elba, John Cena, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas is overrated for serious thought and more geared on laughs. In Heads of State, there are only two characters that are of major importance, Elba and Jonas. Because the UK has a central focus in the story, they fit the bill more effectively. Cena is literally the tag along who is tangential and relies upon his over-inflated ego to fuel the film’s comical mischief. This film’s writing seems initially to flow with promising value. Espionage and conspiracy are what sells the audience, but the outcomes of what is trying to be accomplished keep falling off track, In the end, the audience is left to think, “Where do the lines correlate?”

The setup is two political figures in mayhem. There is the US President Will Derringer (Cena) and the UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Elba). The undercover agent is Noel Bisset (Jonas). Will and Sam are two high-end individuals with big egos. Their personalities successfully fuel the joyful silliness that audienceswill cherish in Heads of State. Will used his fame to make his way to becoming President from acting gigs in major motion pictures. Sam earned his merit as the UK Prime minister by working his way up in the old school manner. Both struggle with some arrested development in different ways. At the same time, they must learn to survive together without killing each other.

Heads of State fuels the international vibe by having the film shift to various interesting locations including Italy, France, and Poland. Political and European espionage is spotlighted through the writing which is sometimes slapstick in nature and at the same time two-sided. The film has moments of stupidity but then comes back with funny punchlines. Many of the punchlines are based on the egos tangling between Will and Sam. Soon, however, they learn to work with each other to save their own lives as well as the ones that matter to them most. Despite the characters’ individual merits, the film is captivating because it is built upon a foundation of dark comedy mixed with a political flavor.

In all honesty, it is one-of-a-kind. The world may view Cena as a pro wrestler continuing to climb his way to bigger roles due to his celebrity. It may also view Elba as the British actor who many assume is the closest to the becoming the new 007. The film has some overrated moments, but they work together well at delivering a comedic boxing match. Overall, I found myself being sold on Heads of State especially given the fact that it has British culture woven throughout. The references to Fish and Chips play well in the celebratory scenes.

Do these two men escape? Are politics stronger than anticipated? These are pieces of a puzzle which grow deeper and fuel the fire for something more invigorating. A dazzling, albeit slightly mediocre circus of fun. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for Heads of State.

Film reviews

Sorry, Baby Review

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This is a portrait that I was mesmerized by. It is a film that leads to curiosity as it explores human nature. Sorry, Baby leaves a trail of questions. Why do things happen? Why do people do what they do? Ultimately, how does the person who has been impacted keep a calm demeanor? Eva Victor is the writer, the director and the lead in Sorry, Baby. She gives everything to this performance. Her mental awareness and her ability to portray disconnect are impressive. Sorry, Baby shines in displaying matters of stress and relief. It is built upon a foundation of the steps it takes to go forward. The result is a landscape of trial and error that paints a clear picture of what it means to go with a gut-feeling.

Victor plays Agnes. She is working through the steps of completing her thesis to become an advisor. She shares a house with her close friend Lydia (Naomi Ackie), who is pregnant. Agnes and Lydia bond over their shared appreciation for hard work. For Agnes, however, her life takes a turn due to her thesisadvisor Preston (Louis Canceimi). Agnes is thriving the best she can her and then her world rotates once she meets Preston. While the audience does not see the tragic events, she has a harsh encounter with Preston involving assault.

Once the assault happens, the mood of Sorry, Baby understandably changes. Victor’s writing reflects the introverted mode caused by embarrassment and shame. Going forward, it begins to create a positive form of movement because Agnes keeps her head high and works through her emotions. She focuses on her thesis and leans on her friends, including Lydia. Then she finds herself at ease hanging around with her neighbor Gavin (Lucas Hedges). Sorry, Baby displays Oscar-worthy characterizations that soar with encouragement from the creative mind of someone who shows how growth from a harsh reality is possible.

The real-world scenario of Sorry, Baby leaves audiences with an influential reminder. Specifically, there is often something helpful to be learned from even a horrible encounter. At the same time though, it also shows how difficult it can be to talk about it. Victor’s writing showcases the sensitive layer of vulnerability that has the audiences hoping for better outcomes for Agnes. Her skills at writing, directing, and acting have led to a masterpiece.

With the harsh encounters creating anxiety in the film, the way Agnes deals with the post-event is thought-provoking. Does it scare her? Yes. Does it impact her? Yes. Does she open up about it? Not entirely. Her introverted personality and lighthearted attitude display that it is not about ruining one’s life, but about how one can move forward positively. Lydia’s pregnancy is one of the distractions for Agnes, and so is a cat she adopts. Slowly, the sweeter aspects of life fill the landscape in Sorry, Baby and light the way for an inspirational path.

There is turmoil, there is sadness, and Sorry, Baby turns despair into hope. Victor’s performance in all three roles (writer, director, actor) is one for the ages. The disconnect from reality is just the beginning and the steps to redemption are one-of-a-kind. Four out of four stars for Sorry, Baby.

Film reviews

Jurassic World: Rebirth Review

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Dawn of the dinosaurs may be upon this respected franchise, but this time around it is lacking a storyline. Throughout the years, I have loved the Jurassic Park films by Steven Spielberg. However, the many different directions taken by the Jurassic World franchise continue to struggle to attain a memorable achievement. Jurassic World: Rebirth is a film in which some scenes are surreal, but then the conclusion seems to always bethe predictable running away from dinosaurs.

In some parts of the movie, there was a level of clarity especially in the captivating scenery that surrounds Jurassic World: Rebirth. The background serves a bigger purpose than the storyline. With Gareth Edwards as the director, he tests the limits of CGI with futuristic approaches. Disappointingly, his skills do not hit all the right spots in Jurassic World: Rebirth. While Edwards creates a modern environment that starts strong, the suspense comes marching in slowly via the dinosaurs and island adventures as the film progresses.  

The premise of the film focuses on DNA samples which are the primary mission. The main characters are Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali). This group teams up in their adventures. Dr. Henry Loomis is a genius facing hardships at the museum where he works. However, the scientific background is what Zora and Martin come to the table with. They present the idea of new and evolving discoveries. In order to find their new extinct dinosaurs, the team must go on a brave expedition into uncharted territory. The territory, though, proves to be exactly what viewers will expect.

As the film progressed, my mind kept shifting to the question, “How much more?”  I kept feeling that I was seeing the exact same outcome with every continuation in Jurassic World. Spielberg’s Jurassic Park was original. In comparison, the dinosaurs in this new film are just combined components which are rushed in the hopes of more success. On some level, it is still entertaining, but in the end, it all comes down to experiencing the chases.

In some parts, the directing goes on a deeper path when capturing the underwater creatures and interesting parts of the island. I liked it when the film explored an era that seemedmodern but with an out-of-focus timeline. Overall, the age of extinction does not mix well with the velocity or depth in Jurassic World: Rebirth. This film flew below my radar. Although it tried to go in a new direction, it didn’t succeed. 

The foundation attempts to build off WHOA DINOSAURS! Other than that, this film is the most overrated Jurassic World film yet. It just falls down the slippery slope by relying on CGI tactics for amazement. This is a tactic which has been overused at this point. Yet, there are some solid moments and a few captivating surprises. In the end, looking at the entire picture, the result is a catastrophic mess. Two out of four stars for Jurassic World: Rebirth.