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 Legend of Ochi Review

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This is one of those films where I felt a sense of connection that was mesmerizing. More by the fact that struggles with family in a fantasy setting loops in desperation and urgency—senses of feeling united throttle The Legend of Ochi. Written and directed by Isaiah Saxton, his focus brings his audience to a universe where one finds a cause to care for a particular creature. The setting has filming in Romania—a setting where mountains and villagers have a sense of brutality and norms. Saxton’s era is magnificent—because it is an adventure and fantasy that challenges a new approach to the sense of taking objectives that are right and sincere.

In the film, its main character is Yuri (played by Helena Zengel), and she is one who lives in the village of Carpathia. A destitute island with a vibe of mixed moving parts. It is written like politics are associated, but deep-down Yuri is the one who is alone. With a stubborn father Maxim (played by Willem Dafoe), and a questioning mother Dasha (played by Emily Watson). Yuri’s life revolves around scenarios that are not normal. Her life changes though when she comes across an “Ochi.” It is an animal where the village has been trained to despise, but Yuri feels that this creature is one that is in her hands to protect it. She decides to escape and make this creature her new opportunity. It is a newborn. She runs and Maxim hunts to bring her home, and so does her brother Petro (played by Finn Wolfhard).

The magnificent aspect is the lines of wanting to do good. There is also that nurturing personality of writing that thrives to make The Legend of Ochi feel like E.T. Overall. It is just in an era that is almost in the same period as E.T., but this one has more moving parts hidden beneath the surface. A lot of questions to why an “Ochi” is a creature of despise. Deep-down though, the bond is strong and heavy, and my hope for that true connection that thrives vigorously was when I kept praying for in The Legend of Ochi.

What kept coming to my mind is the pattern of the attitude with the performance of Zengel, Dafoe, and Watson—because throughout the setting of the film, they have that display of disconnect that throttles the sense of desperation. Of course, though, the village setting is in the protective zone, and that is what fuels the film’s loneliness side of the journey to save a creature. However, there is also a sense of good deeds invigorating the core. The Legend of Ochi tends to bring in beliefs to add layers of curiosity but also layers for optimism to keep burgeoning.

The setting of resources and times in complicated places is the valuable aspect in The Legend of Ochi. The writing of hardship and family patterns to maintain is where I found a light of hope that was insightful. The Legend of Ochi is a tail that invigorates a good deed for a cause of inspiration. “Inspiration” of what some will do to feel the lack of love—they will do the empathetic deed. Yuri is the one on the mission to fulfill that destiny. The task is not easy, but along the way, it spirals with magnificence.

Where depth and happiness throttle, it is in a moment when Yuri communicates with the “Ochi.” It is almost like speaking gibberish or Klingon (the language from Star Trek). In that key moment my gut for love felt nourished. That is because that makes the film revive a lonesome moment. It also leaves the door open for change to come around. Fantasy, the forests, and Yuri are the foundation to The Legend of Ochi. Truly magnificent, touching, wonderful, and a grandeur of wackiness with classiness on a level that goes dark to create a bigger meaning of empathy in a fictional tone. Four out of four stars for The Legend of Ochi.

Capsule Reviews, Ebertfest 2025, Film reviews

The Searchers (Ebertfest 2025)

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A magnificent film on an unforgettable print. This film one presents surreal empathy in a Western classic that will be remembered for ages. The festival opened with The Searcherson a 70 MM projection print. From the visionary mind of John Ford, The Searchers helped me appreciate how captivating realism is when displayed cinematically. With John Wayne (as Ethan Edwards), Jeffrey Hunter (as Martin Pawley) Vera Miles (as Laurie Jorgensen), and too many others to name, The Searchers is a boiling ride of tension and choices that I forgot existed. The print format and the array of confrontational moments in the western setting made me feel like I was in a time machine. There is nothing like viewing an essential film in the correct format. The Searchers on 70 MM print was truly one of the most spellbinding portraits of moving images I have ever experienced at Ebertfest.

Film reviews

The Accountant 2 Review

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This is a sequel that I was quite surprised by. The Accountant 2 keeps the level of suspense on par with The Accountant. The difference is that this version highlights bonding and there is a lot more breaking of the ice between the film’s two main characters. Ben Affleck is back as Christian and Jon Bernthal returns as Braxton—two brothers living the high-life based on their talents as criminal masterminds. The result is a solid sequel for The Accountant 2.

As someone on the spectrum, my appreciation for this film grew due to the focus on neurodiversity which was highlighted in Affleck s performance. The first one created a foundation, but this time the film has those on the spectrum taking part in technological operations. The subject of sensory struggles finds a light and is shown to help in some circumstances. Despite some of the risky issues involved, the film fuels anarchy for a cause. The challenges and benefits of neurodiversity take on a larger presence with greater meaning in The Accountant 2.

The film begins with Treasury Agent, Marybeth Medina (played by Cynthia Addai-Robinson). She finds herself trying to solve a mystery surrounding the killer of her former boss which Christian and Braxton are linked to. Christian continues his solitary routine and his patterns with diverse activities. He also continues to thrive on numbers and accurate systems. Christian still has a brilliant mind but gets ugly if he must. Braxton, on the other hand, is still lethally violent, but is also lonely and obsessed over getting a dog. 

The Accountant 2 is well written, especially when it comes to living a life of solitude with a low profile. I appreciate that many who are neurodiverse tend to establish a small presence. As the brothers team up to hunt down the killer, Christian’s fixations come into play. He is straight-forward with numbers, facts, laws, and knowing which moving parts are wrong. His methods are all by the book. With Braxton, however, mayhem tends to kick in too easily. The bond of brotherhood becomes stronger while chasing down bad guys in The Accountant 2.

The love/hate relationship combined with espionage is where The Accountant 2 succeeds as an acceptable sequel. Most of the time sequels are not mesmerizing. This one was because of the sibling connection. Affleck’s character uses his sensory overload to his benefit and success, and Bernthal’s character capitalizes on the chaos. Together they are dynamite duo.

During their mission, there are many questionable moments.They go from state to state and country to country which adds intriguing layers which compliment the movie’s theme. At the same time, some of the places in the film are fascinating while others are not. For example, the setting of Boise, Idaho is the right place for solitude after the events of the previous film. When the setting switches to Virginia and an institution of neurodiverse workers, that also fits this sequel well. However, the international setting of Berlin, Germany didn’t fit as well. Although, perhaps adding different countries provided another layer of exciting tactics to the film.

The Accountant 2 is vivid and joyful. The humor is spot-on as is the suspense which combine for an unforgettable continuation. A few moments were flawed, but the film stays on track to keep the fascination alive. Three-and-a-half out of four stars for The Accountant 2.