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 Outrun review

1 Comment

This is by far one of the most influential and authentic portraits of overcoming past conflicts. Saoirse Ronan is the narrator, main character, and one of the producers. Her performance in The Outrun is audacious and artistic. Written and directed by Nora Fingscheidt, the film features the reality of hitting plateaus and then finding a light of redemption. The path of recovery is compared to nature. The outdoor scenes in The Outrun amplify the film’s emotional beauty through the vast lands of its oceanographic scenery. As the battle with alcoholism and mental health continues to plateau, nature is the backdrop which fuels empathy and hope.

Ronan plays Ron who is out of rehab but struggling with many behavioral issues. She is twenty-nine years old, has a master’s degree in biology, and is unemployed. With a previous life in London that has fallen apart, Rona is back at her home in Scotland’s Orkney Islands. Rona is stuck staying with her mom and helping her father with his land to earn some income. Andrew (played by Stephen Dillane) Rona’s father. Annie (played by Saskia Reeves) is Rona’s mother. They do what they can to help her. However, Rona feels that so much of her life has been thrown away, including a previous romantic relationship with Daynin (played by Paapa Essiedu). Rona is stuck in a pattern of repeatedly relapsing, while trying to find a path to save her own life, and regain what she has lost. 

The focus of frustration feels real in The Outrun due to the island setting where the narration comes from Rona’s clear and dramatic voice. The essence of mental darkness is detailed in a world of truth. As Rona looks out over the islands, the humanistic approach is connective in its enthralling side of healing. Alcoholism is explored in-depth, and the writing explores thoughts of faith. It all boils down to Rona’s choices. Even though there are moments where she is likely to relapse, deep down there is still a chance of recovery.

The Outrun is unique in how it finds potential possibilities of restoration for Rona. The Orkney Islands is the place where she feels a sense of security and safety. As much as there are lots of negative thoughts in Rona’s head, her resilience is an unstoppable force. The elements of plateauing loops make for a slippery slope and the moving parts of various life events are where the conflicts are questioned.  Deep down Rona’s personality shines with kindness and an openness to change how she navigates her life after many prior errors.

The concept of a clean slate is complex in The Outrun, but it is well-written. The subject of addiction is addressed in a brutally honest way. There are good days, bad days, and love every day in The Outrun. Nature serves as the core driving Ronan’s faithful performance as Rona. The relapse scenes may be hard to handle, but they serve a purpose. The Outrun is a ride with bipolar force as Rona manages to find a path to rise above major challenges. Her fascination with science is part of her restorative process. Ronan’s performance burns the screen with emotions that lead to a transformative positive change. Four out of four stars for The Outrun. 

Film reviews

A Different Man Review

Leave a comment

There is the thought of solitude. It weaves heavily in the introduction of A Different Man. Written and directed by Aaron Schimberg, A Different Man keeps its dramatic depths shallow. The writing is structured to make the audience feel sorry for the main character. It does well with this because of its frequent tunes of lighting of question throughout its continuity of dramatics. The writing of a man hoping for a change, and then it all goes down the opposite direction. The path of faith is set toward someone else and not in the path of its predecessor. There is lots of resentment and tension that boils inevitably and explicitly.

The film gears on Edward (played by Sebastian Stan). Edward is a struggling actor. His face has uninviting traits. The looks of it look like a retired Frankenstein on acid.  His neighbor Ingrid (played by Renate Reinsve) comes around. She is neighborly with Edward (despite his appearance). From the looks of the interiors, it is a clever portrait. Edward is depressed (due to his uninviting facial traits).

There is a sense that change can make a difference. In Edward’s situation, it is not so life changing. Edward goes through procedures to have a regular (human) face. When this starts, all bets of joy (for Edward) are off. Schimberg’s writing is a continuous rejection. What Edward has hoped for all goes wrong. There is a man named Oswald (played by Adam Pearson). Oswald is playing a role in a play, and it is based on Edward’s sad life. Edward finds himself in a mental state of agitation.

There is jealousy and curiosity in A Different Man. The play is in the direction of Ingrid. What does Ingrid see in Oswald over Edward? Why is Edward losing it? Who is more of an asset to the dramatics of the film itself? The dynamics of jealousy, love, disconnect, and the theatricals boil high in A Different Man.

It is like misery is made to be taken advantage of (through the eyes of Stan’s performance as Edward). Edward sees his procedure as a light to a new beginning. The “new beginning” just fell into the eyes and attention of somebody else. A Different Man is an envious journey that is gradual of a dark and comedic track. The situation (in the film) is not happy. A Different Man does maintain a steady mode of characterizations, however.

Edward assumes he will get attention (by getting surgery on his face). Edward continues the process. He feels this gives him the chance to get closer to Ingrid. This tactic (kind of) does, but that is until Oswald comes in. Oswald has taken the image of Edward’s life. Instead of Edward finding fame, he finds misery. Is there a new path for Edward to not feel a strong sense of rejection?

The focus of one dreading loneliness finds unique misdirection. A Different Man plays out the jealousy vibe well. With clarification, A Different Man is not accomplished realistically. It is the clever direction (of the film) which is inviting. Two-and-a-half out of four stars for A Different Man.

Film reviews

Saturday Night Review

Leave a comment

There is always organized chaos surrounding any production whether it’s a play, a musical, a sketch show or a movie set, but the show must go on. Writer and director Jason Reitman shines the light on the creative process in Saturday Night which is a satirical gem of historic value. It is a true story filled with many moving parts. As a fan of Saturday Night Live, all the history came back to me during Saturday Night even though some of it happened before my time. This movie took me to back to memories of old skits involving George Carlin, Chevy Chase, and others. The story highlights how since the early days of the show the essential direction of Saturday Night was fueled by the pressure for laughs.

The film takes place in October of 1975. Many writers and comedians are together to put on a live performance a half-an-hour before midnight. The man running the show is Lorne Michaels (played by Gabriel LaBelle), and his co-workers are Dick Ebersol (played by Cooper Hoffman) and Neil Levy (played by Andrew Barth Feldman). The studio is in chaos. The show has loads of potential with many running skit ideas. The ultimate question is, “Will it work?” The budget and structure are still all over the place, and time is of the essence. 

As the chaos behind the scenes move swiftly, a unique array of writers and comedians come into the mix. From Jim Henson (played by Nicholas Braun), Gilda Radner (played by Ella Hunt), Chevy Chase (played by Cory Michael Smith), Dan Aykroyd (played by Dylan O’Brien), John Belushi (played by Matt Wood), Garrett Morris (played by Lamorne Morris), and so many more. An image is painted of where many of these artists were standing before they took the stage on Saturday Night Live. The picture that emerges makes it clear that this show was not easy, but the energy and the political atmosphere made Saturday Night a masterpiece.

As these characters evolve, the show does a stellar job managing egos and personalities. This is particularly true with big characterizations of Belushi, Aykroyd, and Chase. They give off a vibe that they feel the show they are about to do has the potential of being below them. Show business is a tough business today and Saturday Night showcases how it was much more complicated back then.

At times, Lorne is practically losing his mind. He keeps thinking about everything that could go wrong and what will be said. There are many layers of real and potential complications. Saturday Night is bonkers! The quirkiness of the actors adds to the craziness. Braun as Henson brings creativity to the character as well as a dose of well-written absurdity. The recurring question is, “Which sketches fit best for the upcoming show?”The big dogs of the business are Dave Tebet (played by Willem Dafoe) and Milton Berle (played by J.K. Simmons). They know the business and how ugly it gets. Their desire for success is portrayed vividly in Saturday Night. It’s a mad world of trying to “nail it” from the beginning.

Reitman’s direction makes the audience feel the sense of urgency in Saturday Night. The lighting is perfect for the nostalgia of the era and the studio in Radio City Music Hall shines with 70s jams that are mesmerizing. The night is young, but can Lorne and Dick pull this off as they hit plateaus with writers, business people, and comedians? The writing offers athought-provoking look back at the early days of Saturday Night Live that is not to be missed. Four out of four stars.