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

Shadow Force Review

Leave a comment

It is a thriller that lacks qualities. It has spies and political factors, and it moves too quickly. Shadow Force is an enticing title, but the outcome is flawed. Directed by Joe Carnahan, who also wrote the film. Leon Chills was a co-writer of Shadow Force. There is a 007 feel to Shadow Force. Lots of it feels like a TV series. One that felt like it was still in development. It is just all over the place. It did not hold my attention, but it did when there was a safety area of a car for a child. Shadow Force has a creativity with gadgets and a poor foundation.

The plot of the film is set on a separated couple. They are Kyrah Owens (Kerry Washington) and Issac Sarr (Omar Sy). They have their son, Ky (Jahleel Kamara). Their old employer is on a hunt for them. Their old boss is Jack Cinder (Mark Strong). Jack is a ruthless man of wealth, greed, and always succeeding. However, the costs of livelihood are at stake.

The approach to the film is slow with pacing. Its speed to brutality is rapid, and it happens without context. It brings in a team of spies behind the scenes. Ones that relate to Kyrah and Issac, and their character names are Auntie (Da’Vine Joy Randolph), Unc (Method Man), Cysgod (Marvin Jones III), and Anino (Jenel Stevens). They are all spies behind the shadows. The hunt is hot, but Shadow Force does not boil well to sell.

The spy plot is just one that continues down the path to mingle. Some moments had me sold, and some had me in boredom. Much of the “boredom” was the instant direction to rampage violence. I understand mayhem sells in action movies, but layers of why and what is happening should have a brighter presence. There were not many “layers” of clarification for justification with Shadow Force.

The dynamic of two-faced spies and mistakes is where I feel Shadow Force had a chance. One to bring a loop of more turmoil to the story and fulfillment of what is causing karma. The hidden operations and truths do not deny lies. The context of invigoration is where Shadow Force is a blur. It is a massive smoke screen.

I will say that the cleverness of characterizations was dazzling with Shadow Force. They were just the wrong characters in the wrong spy movie. It is one where it is a bucket that is just a paint of confusion. What were the missions of the characters? How serious are politics and spy issues? Where are the layers of a puzzle? The film starts with a bam, and moving along, it begins redundancy.

To give any form of positivity, the diversity is one-of-a-kind. Sy’s character brings in the French language with a young boy. I felt there would be a correlation between bringing more international politics for a point-of-action mode on this factor. It did not suffice, only more dragging and unexpected action. They had no means of support to better Shadow Force. Two out of four stars.

Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025, Film reviews

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight (Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025)

Leave a comment

This film paints a portrait of what reality is like for a younger individual to be faced with poverty. On some level this truthful portrait hurts, but at the same time, it is eerie. Written and directed by Embeth Davidtz, she is legendary as she also plays one of the leads. The pacing of the film in an austere setting is done artfully. The harsh environment spirals to reveal honesty.

The film is based on a memoir focused on a young girl named Bobo (played by Lexi Venter) who tells the story. Bobo is an eight-year-old living with her family on a Rhodesian (now Zimbwawe) farm. At a very young age, she is exposed to extreme poverty. Her mother is Mrs. Fuller (Davidtz). The film highlights hardship and politics in an era before technological advancements.

What came to mind while watching this film was the theme of working hard for a purpose. Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight portrays inequality in a realistic way that creates empathy. The story demonstrates resilience. It is by far one of the best features presenting the effects of poverty during childhood. The film’s subject is a great discussion starter, because the audience gets to see the world through the eyes of an eight-year-old surroundedby drugs, harsh language, and parents who provoke objectionable behavior in a country where harsh conditions are the norm. When seeing this film at The Chicago Critics Film Festival, it moved me to think more politically and empathetically.

Capsule Reviews, Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025, Film reviews

Brother Verses Brother (Chicago Critics Film Festival 2025)

Leave a comment

This is one of those rare masterpieces where humanistic value hits the championship level due to an intertwining connection. Brother Verses Brother, written and directed by Ari and Ethan Gold, is an enthralling narrative in which musical tones and beats find meaning in unexpected corners. Much of this engrossing film is improvised which knocks it out of the ballpark. The vibing ride of music ebbing and flowing and the dynamics fading in and out spark feelings poetically.

The film’s inspiration is based upon family tales to the Gold brothers. It is also inspired by Francis Ford Coppola’s narrative of live cinema. The pacing of Brother Verses Brother is under the control of Ari and Ethan while finding their paths in San Francisco. Family emotions and all kinds of memories make the movie tremble. When scenarios run deep, the music abounds. While this film is much like Once, Brother Verses Brother has more continuity that requires audiences to change gears repeatedly. The deep writing does not stop throughout all the mesmerizing ups and downs of the Gold brothers in Brother Verses Brother.

The film’s music is a combination of pieces from Ari and Ethan along with tracks from Brian Bell and Lara Louise. It is a journey of musical people connecting to two brothers finding themselves and experiencing tons of growth along the way. The changes the brothers go through in Brother Verses Brother makes the movie hum. Their creativity gives them a sense of power and curiosity to expand to even more positive influences. By far, one of the best narratives of the year. This is a film that is for all artists around the world. The musical component and sharing of artistic crafts are just spectacular. Four out of four stars for Brother Verses Brother.