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

Wicked Review

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The film’s introduction is enchanting and succeeds in preparing viewers for a musical adventure making its way to The Emerald City. By utilizing an opening logo like The Wizard of Oz and then topping it off with flying monkeys, Wicked gets off to a positive start. However, the foundation is not strong enough to sustain the entire film. Wicked is a Broadway musical adaptation that needs improvement. While the presentation of musical numbers abounds, there are not as many as audiences anticipate. The backstory is tolerable as is the scenery and settings that are visually stunning. The continuity is where Wicked tends to fall flat.

The story is about two witches, Elphaba (played by Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (played by Ariana Grande). Elphaba is green and that makes her a turn-off to the world. Glinda on the other hand is pink, cute, and glamorous. They are assigned to be roommates, and soon their friendship blossoms as they find connection in their fantasy environment at Shiz University. The witches’ experiences involving miracles, munchkins, and musical fun is where Wicked attempts to build upon the fundamentals of the storyline more than it does on finding musical connections.

The most interesting part of the story is the opportunity to meet the Wizard (played by Jeff Goldblum). This is definitely the most monumental segment of the film. The green train making its way to the Emerald City dazzles with amazement. The songs are joyful, but do not have frequent transitions the way they do in the musical version. This is why the chance to visit the Wizard offers audiences more to look forward to.

Because I have seen the Broadway musical, I felt the film fell off track more than it should have.  Some of the interconnectedness in the movie version simply does not make sense. Overall, the performances of Erivo and Grande are magnificent, but the pacing of the movie is lacking.  There is going to be a Part Two, so perhaps there will be several improvements made to this grand introduction before continuingwith the story. Despite all the frustration and shortcomings I’ve noted, the film still a gem-like quality which lead to feel-good moments for people of all ages, in particular, fans of the musical.  

My appreciation for Wicked remains tied to the theme of friendship. The performances of Erivo and Grande showcase their magical touch at displaying joyfulness in Wicked. With Erivo playing the witch who is trying to overcome her ugly side, and Grande thriving on her good looks, Wicked is like a duo between beauties trying to compare their best elements. The era before Dorothy still has a positive connection before all the events in The Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, the backstory of Wicked struggles to portray these positive connections. Given that there is a second film in the making, I still have faith in thechance for a continuation with some much-neededimprovements. Despite the film’s shortcomings, Wicked has that touch which is sure to enlighten many. Two-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

Small Things Like These Review

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From director Tim Mielants and based on the book written by Claire Keegan, Small Things Like These is an adaptation with heart about a situation involving layers of uncertainty. The story is woven in a way that is thought-provoking. It weighs the choices a man must make when faced with secrets. The film is set in areas around County Wexford and County Wicklow in Ireland. The season of the film gives off a chilly feeling and thecinematography feels cold as well. There is a sense given the subject matter that there are complicated moving parts when it comes to choices that have serious consequences.

The film’s main character is Bill Furlong (played by Cillian Murphy). He is a father to many daughters with his wife, Eileen Furlong (played by Eileen Walsh). He works hard daily to feed his family. With a job as a coal merchant, Bill prioritizes his family. Even though he is presented as a family man, the dark era of his early days being raised by a single mother come back to him.

When part of holiday celebration doesn’t go as planned, and other eerie moments occur, Bill still behaves with a heart. He meets Sarah Redmond (played by Zara Devlin), a teenager whois pregnant. He finds her in a shed in drastic and cold temperatures, suffering in a way that Bill cannot accept. The place where this takes place happens to be a convent, run by Sister Mary (played by Emily Watson). This presents a portrait of what seems very inappropriate in the operations of the convent where the nuns belittle Sarah.

Small Things Like These creates a representation of a small town with very few places to hide. The writing and pacing are focused primarily on the intentions of Bill as he struggles with the harsh secrets and realizations regarding the convent. Small Things Like These transitions to scenes in Bill’s past, and then jumps back to the present. It shows him living life with his family and delves into his thought process about what he should be doing to help Keep Sarah safe. The artistic aspects of Small Things Like These illustrate the risks of doing a good deed, i.e., aiding Sarah in finding safety. Murphy’s performance is impressive as a character who demonstrates loyalty and respect in his efforts to break down barriers.

This film is a poetic force of a drama that is both dark and often unnerving. The drastic way lighting is used to illuminate specific moments of confusion and frustration experienced by lead character, Bill, is what especially dazzles during Small Things Like These. The past may not be able to be undone given the difficult reminders of prior hardship. Going forward, however,Bill’s dedication to being a father motivates him to do what is right. Using the small-town setting to help deliver a deeply emotional vibe, the film’s power lies in creating a nervous mentality that swerves vigorously. Three out of four stars for Small Things Like These.

Film reviews

Red One Review

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The holiday cheer of adventure has action. Red One is full of joy, laughter, and cheerfulness. The director is Jake Kasdan. He delivers a unique Christmas flick. It is one of the many essential components of Christmas: Santa Claus, a naughty/nice list, elves, and the North Pole. It brings in much anticipation around its holiday spirit. Despite its efforts, it is an average Christmas ride.

Santa Claus (played by JK Simmons) is an important character. He is on a mission to do his duties for his duties on Christmas Eve. His assistant is Callum Drift (played by Dwayne Johnson). Their world of the North Pole is like a virtual world video game of Christmas grandeur. The tradition of Christmas hits a plateau. There has been a kidnapping of Santa. Callum tracks down a bounty hunter to help him get Santa back. That man is Jack O’Malley (played by Chris Evans). He is a deadbeat dad with many technological skills. With two butting knuckleheads (Johnson and Evans), they must learn to work together to get Santa back before time runs out.

Red One is interactive through the many fictionalized settings of Christmas. The film brings in wonders of the Christmas extravaganza. The film consists of reindeer games, sleigh riding, and lots of quirks. The performances of Johnson and Evans make Red One feel like a mediocre and lighter version of Die-Hard movie. That is because its setup feels like Die-Hard. Its addition is the many Christmas miracles sprinkled on the top. There are also Christmas creatures, magic tricks, and lots of imagination.

Red One is fun for the mindsets of a Christmas in peril expectation. The fact that Santa is missing delivers the expectation that presents may not be under the tree (for its younger audience). Its twist is the presents may come to life. The directing consists of moments of toy transformations to assist in the battles of saving Santa. The definition of context of a “lighter version of Die Hard.” An approach with the festive and pleasant jeopardy of Christmas continues down the rabbit hole of mediocrity.

Johnson and Evans are the main forces of redemption for a miracle. Simmons has a moment of that (later in the film). With Johnson and Evans being labeled as the heroes, it is like watching Johnson on a break from the world of wrestling. Evans is taking a break from playing Captain America. Instead, they are putting forth the effort to get Santa back so Christmas can go on.

I found my experience with Red One captivating because of its moments of suspense in motion. I saw this in 4DX. My seat vibrated vigorously. Water would spray into the audience. I felt I had the rollercoaster ride of Red One for a North Pole movie feeling. That added lots of excitement and vibrations throughout my mind. The film itself was still cheesy. Red One is swell if audiences go in without expecting to take Red One seriously. Red One is average to find its hero tracks for a saved Christmas—two out of four stars for Red One.