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Film reviews, Top Ten Lists

Tarek’s Top Ten Films of 2024

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Tarek Fayoumi visits the British Film Institute IMAX in The United Kingdom. It is the biggest IMAX screen in Europe.

In 2024 movies left me with a range of realistic feelings—annoyance, sadness, and connectedness. The best word to describe movies in 2024 is uniqueness, because many films left me reflecting on aspects of my own life. While experiencing an array of personal challenges over the course of the year, various films even played a significant role in making a positive impact on me. They encouraged me to keep my head up and keep pouring my love for cinema into being a critic. These are my top ten films of 2024.

The first film is A Real Pain. This is a sensational feel-good movie filled with emotional challenges presented in a complex yet connected manner. Starring Jesse Eisenberg (who also directed the film) and Kieran Culkin, it is a mammoth achievement. The truth hurts and A Real Pain’s compelling subject matter and serious tone are powerful. Eisenberg’s writing creates a pattern in which his own character must learn to step out of his shell to deal with his cousin when they are both thousands of miles away from home. Culkin is the master of unpredictable behavior in his role as Benji. He knocks his performance out of the ballpark. The revolving door showcasing the family bond and personality clash between Eisenberg and Culkin sends a message to love, accept, and even help when it is possible. Family may be a pain, but life can be a real pain. Eisenberg’s directing dazzles in a way that sets the film apart.

 

The second film is The Brutalist. Writer and director Brady Corbet is the champion of his craft. This film gives ajolt to cinematic ambience that is mind-boggling and daring. The story is set up chronologically with an overture, separate acts and an epilogue to vividly compel its audiences to want more. At a running time of three hours and thirty-five minutes, there is a fifteen-minute intermission to allow audiences a chance to refuel their bodies and brains. Adrien Brody plays Lazlo Toth, a Holocaust survivor and immigrant.  Post-War America is presented in an audacious fashion and as seen through the eyes of Brody’s character. The Brutalist handlescinematography and scoring perfectly to maintain the emotions of its audience through dark and light moments. Brody’s performance is a monster of grandeur, brutality, and brilliance. 

The third film is Anora. Written and directed by Sean Baker, Anora is his best film yet and is unconventional in the way it combines comedy, drama, and romantic genres. The writing is vivid, and the story leaves audiences breathless.Baker’s Anora brings audiences into a strip club setting where they are introduced to Ani (played by Mikey Madison), a young escort in Brooklyn working many shifts and doing extra deeds to make ends meet. She has a kind-hearted attitude and presents a playful face that draws the attention of men. Out of the blue, a young stud named Ivan comes into her club (played by Mark Eidelstein). Ivan falls in love with Ani at first sight. He has many sessions with her and pays her well. He brings her into his castle-like home. They have so much fun together and are inseparable. Love makes for a dazzling portrait, and it is painted with many layers in Anora. The life of two star-crossed lovers finding each other unconventionally creates an unforgettable landscape where happiness thrives audaciously in early parts of the film. When the dynamics of the family come into play, the emotions make the audience repeatedly jump out of their seats.

The fourth film is Conclave. When it comes to stories of the Vatican and popes, this movie was a profound, deep, and compelling thrill ride. Directed by Edward Berger, the dynamics of political theories combined with religion and faith collide poetically in this film. It is a powerful examination of the moving parts in the quest to find a new pope, with an ensemble cast that includes Ralph Fiennes (as Lawrence), Stanley Tucci (as Bellini), John Lithgow (as Tremblay), and Isabelle Rossellini (as Sister Agnes). The interactions of the cast are relentless and invigorating. Conclave creates a curiosity about where the lines are drawn when selecting one who can lead the Catholic Church. The story reaches a point where established hierarchy and degree of faith challenge this important process.

The fifth film is Nickel Boys. Directed by RaMell Ross, this is a spellbinding literary adaptation that will be remembered for ages. Nickel Boys is based on the Pulitzer winning novel written by Colson Whitehead and is an authentic revelation due to the way it weaves its audience into the journey of its main characters. Revolving around rough times in the 1960s, it is in an in-depth exploration that is remarkable. Ross wrote the screenplay with producer and writer Joslyn Barnes. Together, they incorporate cultural tides fighting to find light in a troubled world.

The sixth film is Nosferatu. This is a frightening and compelling film directed by Robert Eggers which has more terror than audiences might expect. Nosferatu is a dazzling sensation where horror meets its maker. The direction combining a story of both fantasy and horror delivers in Nosferatu. The tones of evil and respect centered around a plague remove typical boundaries. While political factors play a role, there is a layer of frustration where the volume of suspense increases. Eggers develop a characterization of loyalty that may have deadly consequences.

The seventh film is All We Imagine as Light. This is an international film in which love is hard to find, and morals are put to the test. Set in Mumbai, the many emotions caused by difficult choices spiral. All We Imagine as Light is centered on finding the moments in life that count. Written and directed by Payal Kapadia, the writing and continuity display a sense of realism that is unforgettable. The emotional and cultural backgrounds in this film are cohesive and prompt audiences to ponder the ultimate question, “What does the heart want?”

 

The eight film is My Old Ass. A group of teenagers curious about what life will be like when they grow up is featured in My Old Ass. Written and directed by Megan Park, this unique film begins with a scene in which the teens are doing drugs all night long. Their partying, however, results in revelations due to the side effects of the drugs which bring dramatic elements and unexpected meaning. My Old Ass is one of the quirkiest, yet joyful and artistic adventures of 2024. 

The ninth film is The Substance. After walking out of this screening, I thought to myself that the experience was like a volcanic eruption that does not stop erupting. The eagerness to pursue beauty and fame hit deep in The Substance. Written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, the reality of a dream finding its path to a nightmare is daring. With Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley as the two lead characters, their personalities dwell on the concept of addiction to popularity. Surrounding the film are messages about extreme efforts made to achieve and maintain a Hollywood lifestyle and not be forgotten. This is accomplished through a drug. When the procedure is done incorrectly, however, many unforgettable and treacherous results play out.  

 The tenth film is His Three Daughters. This film spotlights three sisters working to come together during a time of pain and grief. It is about their spiraling emotions of regret, shame, jealousy, and confusion which involve agreements, disagreements, and connections. His Three Daughters takes all these concepts and combines them into one life-changing and complex scenario. It does so with impressive writing that is faithful to human feelings. His Three Daughters’ narrative keeps its focus and keeps the three sisters authentically working together despite their differences.

Tarek Fayoumi representing his love for A Real Pain at British Film Institute Southbank

Fortunately, 2024 was a year where many films made me feel a sense of connection. The selection of these films was not easy, but I chose them because of the way they all leave audiences with the gift of cinematic art waiting to beunwrapped. Overall, 2024 was one of the most artistic years of cinema and I look forward to seeing what 2025 has to offer.

 

Film reviews, Top Ten Lists

Tarek’s Top Ten Films of 2023

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2023 has been one wild ride of diverse movie experiences. I have seen countless movies, attended festivals, and expanded my horizons. While the biggest movie weekend of the summer was titled Barbenheimer (because of Barbie and Oppenheimeropening), 2023 was filled with many films that gave viewers moments to remember. The wide array of interesting movies required me to think quite hard before compiling my annual list. By analyzing the options from my role as a critic, those that made my list combined realism and unforgettable messages.

Film number one is Oppenheimer. Directed by Christopher Nolan, Oppenheimer is one of the most influential and stunning experiences of 2023. Nolan’s technological and cinematic abilities are on full display in Oppenheimer. The performance of Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer is superb. Nolan’s use of 70 MM projection in Oppenheimer is invigorating and astonishing. The audience is made to feel like they are in Oppenheimer’s mind facing the many frustrations in his world. Oppenheimer is invigorating and it goes deep. The film’s pace is in tune with its cinematography which leads to a dramatic and spellbinding effect. The creation of the atomic bomb and the other struggles of Oppenheimer left me breathless.

Film number two is Past Lives. Directed by Celine Song, Past Lives is a humanistic experience of disconnection and finding connection again. Past Lives is one of the best films on friendship I have seen. It shows how keeping the friends we have known for a long time reminds us of what to be grateful for in life. It is a monumental achievement. The film is strong in portraying connections and memories, but also demonstrates how the past can play a positive part in the present. The story is riveting, the goal is moving, and the film itself is a revelation.

Film number three is BlackBerry. Directed by Matt Johnson, the evolution of phone technology is the focus of this true story about business and success. The development of the BlackBerry provides a riveting and stressful rollercoaster ride. The turmoil caused by marketing and sales is where the film has anxiety-provoking moments. Since the leaders cared most about profit and margins, they didn’t think enough about the risks. Therevelations in this in-depth story are intriguing.

Film number four is Anatomy of a Fall. Directed by Justine Triet, this film’s many moving parts requires audiences to think. Anatomy of a Fall is an emotionally realistic experience with an enticing vibe of disconnect. The story includes family dynamics and conflicts. These two elements create an experience of sadness, empathy, and hope while investigating a death case.The film paints a portrait of how far people go to help the ones who are most important to them.

Film number five is Maestro. Bradley Cooper is the star and the director of the film, and his performance shines with brilliance. The film will take viewers deep into thought as the film captures many captivating moments in the life of conductor-composer Leonard Bernstein (played by Bradley Cooper) and his relationship with his wife Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein (played by Carey Mulligan). Bernstein had a lot to live for, buthis life came with many struggles. Maestro is simply majestic in its stellar experience of grandeur and music galore.

Film number six is Saltburn. Directed by Emerald Fennell, Saltburn is one of the most unexpected visual experiences I have had in ages. The performance by Barry Keoghan is haunting and exhilarating. The story goes down a dark rabbit hole in a sinister direction which leads to many surprises. The director of Promising Young Woman, Emerald Fennell, strikes again with a thriller filled with shocks and awes. Saltburn is one of the most thought-provoking and daring films of the year.

Film number seven is Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie. Directed byDavis Guggenheim, this is one of the most touching and inspiring documentaries I have ever seen. The story of Michael J. Fox and his challenges with Parkinson’s disease come to life in a touching narrative. An unforgettable journey that dives into the joys of Michael’s life before and during the many years of struggling with Parkinson’s. The message in the film reminds viewers to never give up. As an advocate for those with disabilities, I found the film mesmerizing thanks to the beautiful direction of this well-known actor. It is a riveting real-life story that speaks to many and will stand the test of time.

Film number eight is Killers of the Flower Moon. Directed by Martin Scorsese, he is back with a masterpiece starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro. The film is unique and authentic after many years in the making. The murder-thriller brought mixed feelings and a load of suspense. The chemistry that DiCaprio has with De Niro is almost like the chemistry DiCaprio had with Jack Nicholson in Scorsese’s The Departed. This movie has a similar vibe, but the intensity is more mentally invigorating than the extreme violence in The Departed. Killers of the Flower Moon is relentless, thought-provoking, and truly dazzling on a psychological level.

Film number nine is The Holdovers. Directed by Alexander Payne, it is a comedy where a teacher must deal with helping students cope with turmoil at a boarding school. Paul Giamatti is the lead, and he delivers an impressive performance as the instructor. The movie is funny, touching, and clever. It is true toPayne’s style with meaning and empathy coming from some of the best narrative and most hysterical writing this year. The Holdovers has many scenes which will make audiences laugh,but the meaning of unexpected connections will leave a lasting impression.

Film number ten is Priscilla. Directed by Sofia Coppola, Priscilla is a true story based on the 1985 novel Elvis and Mewritten by Priscilla Beaulieu Presley. The film takes its audience through a vast landscape of happiness, sadness, and confusion through the eyes of Priscilla as she endures her relationship with Elvis Presley. Cailee Spaeny plays Priscilla, Jacob Elordi plays Elvis, and both of their performances are superb portrayals of the heights of young love and the lows of dealing with the insanity that becomes their life. The movie is a dramatic ride at the finest level.

2023 was a strong year for movies with meaning. There weremany unforgettable moments and extremely emotional experiences based on a inspiring line-up of films. Finally, the quality and quantity of movies jumped up many levels after theaftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was definitely a year that made it worth going back to see movies in the cinema. I look forward to seeing what 2024 has to offer!

Film reviews, Top Ten Lists

Tarek’s Top Ten Films of 2022

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2022 was a year of movies with a broad variety of cinematic entertainment. After the uncharted territory of the Covid-19 pandemic impacting movies in 2020 and 2021, this past year managed to be one with a full throttle of movie magic. I covered many press screenings in 2022, and I attended the Chicago Critics Film Festival in May and the Chicago International Film Festival in October. The films I reviewed this year included many great films, and a number with connecting elements. These are my top ten films of 2022.

The film at the top of my list for 2022 is Tar, a film about owning one’s craft. Director Todd Field brings us an immersive and compelling vision of a prestigious person, Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tar, a musical philanthropist who stops at nothing to pursue her passion, including being deceitful if needed. Tar is daring and spellbinding, and the film made me realize how far people will go to advance what they are passionate about.

My second film is Guillermo del Toro’s Pinnochio. Del Toro has a creative mind that exudes positive imagination and love. The animation and storyline of Guillermo del Toro’s Pinnochio is touching, and audiences feel the love and connection of Pinocchio and Geppetto through the astonishing animation and the music. Pinnochio is voiced by Gregory Mann, Geppetto is voiced by David Bradley, and Ewan McGregor brings lots of fun and humor as the voice of Cricket. This is del Toro’s most captivating story and the animation is epic.

Third on my list is The Banshees of Inisherin. If there is any director who can depict relationships falling apart with meaning and seriousness, it is Martin McDonagh. The Banshees of Inisherin is a film about hatred, connection, cultural beliefs, and friendship gone awry. Colin Farrell plays Padraic, and Brendan Gleeson plays Colm, two people on harsh terms. The film takes place in Ireland, and is a fascinating look at Irish cultural perspectives and irreparable consequences. The chemistry between Farrell and Gleeson makes The Banshees of Inisherin a surreal masterpiece.

The fourth film on my list is Avatar: The Way of Water. The world has waited thirteen years for this film. The wait is over, and James Cameron, the mad man of extreme directing, brings us a wild technological ride. Avatar: The Way of Water blows its audience away with its 3D magic. The underwater sequences are extraordinary and mesmerizing. Avatar: The Way of Water is an unforgettable ride.

My fifth film, Empire of Light, from Director Sam Mendes, is about finding love and connection in a cinema. I’ve worked in movie theaters for many years, so this was a film that I related to very much and it touched my heart deeply. Cinema nostalgia and empathy are on full display in Empire of Light, and Olivia Colman gives probably one of her best performances.

My sixth film is Hustle. I grew up loving basketball. In my younger days I was captivated by Michael Jordan and other basketball icons. Hustle is a film displaying the personal and political complications of organized basketball. Adam Sandler is at his best in Hustle, playing a man who recruits a future professional played by Juancho Hernangomez. Both Sandler and Hernangomez deliver performances that soar and shine with persistence and passion in Hustle.

My seventh film is Cha Cha Real Smooth. This film was a very meaningful experience for me, since I am on the autism spectrum and I am always trying to advocate and encourage others on the spectrum. Cooper Raiff is the director, writer, and lead of the film, and he is wonderful. He plays a deadbeat with a negative attitude, but he forms a friendship with a mother, played by Dakota Johnson, and her autistic daughter. Cha Cha Real Smooth reminded me that I can inspire others who are on the spectrum, and also people who are not on the spectrum, to be their own selves and have a good attitude.

My eighth film is Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. The fun of Knives out from 2019 is back. Glass Onion: A Knives out Mystery takes the detective entertainment to a whole different level of creativity, suspense, and laughs. The mystery takes place in the Covid era, which added to the fun of the film. Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is an enthralling, funny, and lethally charged mystery. Daniel Craig is back as the detective the world loves in his role as Benoit Blanc. With many stars ranging from Edward Norton and Kate Hudson, to Kathryn Hahn and more, there are great surprises to be discovered in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

My ninth film is Top Gun: Maverick. Thirty-six years later, the Top Gun franchise still lives with Top Gun: Maverick. Tom Cruise is back as Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ and the film brings back the fighter jet nostalgia the world has waited for. With the brilliant characterizations and lots of “Need for Speed,” Top Gun: Maverick is a ride for the ages. The legacy is strong and compelling and Top Gun: Maverick is a ride of flying and cinematic thrills to remember, especially with Miles Teller as Lt. ‘Rooster’ Bradshaw, and Val Kilmer back as Adm. Tom ‘Iceman’ Kazansky. Top Gun: Maverick is a nostalgic masterpiece.


The tenth and final film is Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths. Director Alejandro G. Inarritu knows character development. Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths takes one man’s life and turns it into a rollercoaster of reality. Daniel Gimenez Cacho plays an accomplished journalist and documentary filmmaker, and his performance blows viewers out of the water. The film tests the limits and frustrations of one man’s life. Inarritu knows the depths of both serious and funny. Bardo: False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths has its viewers excited, curious and intrigued.

Despite the interferences with Covid-19, 2022 was one of my best years of film experiences and reviews. It was also a year where movies were great in both the cinemas and virtually, but I prefer the big screen experience any opportunity I get. The darkness of being a screenings room, the projectors running, the smell of popcorn, and the movie playing in front of me is what I love most.

I want to thank all my critic friends, my family, and anyone around the Chicagoland who has helped the cinema be an amazing year. Also, thanks to all my readers, followers, and mentors. I cannot wait to see what 2023 has to offer.


I am Tarek Fayoumi of Movieswithtarek.com, Medium.com, columnist with Positively Naperville, approved critic of Bananameter, and member of Chicago Indie Critics.