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Sheraz Farooqi
Tomatometer-approved critic
Sheraz Farooqi is a New York-based journalist, editor and film critic. His writing has been published by CNN, Forbes, Newsweek, The Hollywood Reporter. Alongside The Farooqi Brothers, Sheraz leads Cinema Debate, a diverse platform with 400K subscribers. He is a member of the Critics Choice Association.
https://sherazfarooqi.com/
Movies reviews only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
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Blue Beetle (2023) |
BlueBeetle is enjoyable! A focus on family and Latin culture keeps the film grounded in heart. Xolo Maridueña is fantastic.
It can feel like Power Rangers at times but the third act is strong. It’s a mix between the first Shazam! and Ms. Marvel. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 23, 2023
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Haunted Mansion (2023) |
Haunted Mansion was just okay. The cast was good and commentary on grief was solid but it’s held back by an unpolished script & hit-or-miss humor.
Overall, the best way to experience the Haunted Mansion would still be at Disney World. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 14, 2023
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They Cloned Tyrone (2023) |
They Cloned Tyrone was quite good!
With homages to Truman Show and Groundhog Day, the film is great mix of sci-fi, dystopian comedy, and dark satire. A unique lens on exploitation.
Strong performances by John Boyega Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 14, 2023
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023) |
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is full of character and heart, creating the perfect reboot for the modern age. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 14, 2023
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Oppenheimer (2023) |
Oppenheimer is a dense and horrifyingly brilliant character study, with Cillian Murphy and Robert Downey JR delivering career-defining performances. It’s gut-wrenching and masterfully shot. Christopher Nolan cements himself as an all-time great director. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jul 19, 2023
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Barbie (2023) |
Barbie is a deconstruction and love letter to the icon, with great set pieces, choreography, and style. Greta Gerwig continues to show why she’s one of the best directors working today, while Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling shine as always. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jul 19, 2023
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Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part One (2023) |
Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One has all the bells and whistles as McQuarrie and Cruise deliver on another great film.
Incredible sound and production throughout, strong stunts, a compelling story and an amazing score are all present. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jul 17, 2023
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Asteroid City (2023) |
Astroid City is Wes Anderson’s most meta-narrative film without losing the director’s unique signature style and gorgeous set-design.
It’s layered, poignant, and has a healthy dash of narrative mania. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 26, 2023
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Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) |
A nostalgic crowdpleaser and Harrison Ford is as charismatic as ever. The film can feel bloated and too safe at times, while overly-reliant on fan service
Ultimately, it’s a fun adventure for longtime fans. Don’t expect Logan-style character study though - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 26, 2023
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Elemental (2023) |
Elemental is your standard Disney/Pixar experience. Crisp animation, punchy writing and poignant moments are all present here.
Still, Pixar is getting predictable in recent years, and Elemental can feel like an amalgamation of what came before. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 26, 2023
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The Flash (2023) |
The Flash is solid. Ezra Miller and Sasha Calle shine brightest in the film, highlighted by a strong second act.
Some plot threads and choices are befuddling, and VFX leaves a lot to be desired. Overall, The Flash is entertaining but can be mixed bag. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 06, 2023
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) |
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE can be described with one word—masterpiece.
From the first beautifully animated frame, it’s a masterclass on believable characters and worlds. The gap between this and other superhero films is wide. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted May 31, 2023
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The Little Mermaid (2023) |
The Little Mermaid is solid. It’s carried by Halle Bailey incredible vocal performance, which represented the best of the film.
Still, like all Disney Remakes, you see diminished returns of the superior animated original. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted May 31, 2023
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Suzume (2022) |
Suzume is a beautifully animated, wonderfully voice-acted and incredibly directed film by Makoto Shinkai. One of the best animated movies of the year. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted May 02, 2023
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Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) |
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a heartfelt and earnest conclusion to the trilogy. While some of James Gunn’s writing can be hit-or-miss, Vol.3 delivers on an emotionally high-stakes story that keeps you invested and entertained throughout. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Apr 28, 2023
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Beau Is Afraid (2023) |
Beau is Afraid is haunting, downright painful to watch, and will have you questioning your sanity. Despite that, the film is epic in scope, masterfully directed by Ari Aster and impossible to look away from. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Apr 26, 2023
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The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) |
Crisp animation, mostly strong voice acting and fun for the entire family. No doubt Mario is a juggernaut franchise for Illumination and Universal. But overall, The Super Mario Bros. Movie is nothing groundbreaking and can be very generic thematically. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Apr 14, 2023
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John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) |
John Wick 4 is a masterclass in action movies. Chad Stahelski brings his absolute best game to this film, with action sequences that leave you in awe.
With incredible stunts, sets and cinematography, it’s one of the best films of the year thus far. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Apr 14, 2023
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Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) |
Shazam: Fury of the Gods is wholesome family fun but flat and very safe. Thematic arcs felt familiar, villains weren’t captivating & VFX was shoddy
With superhero films now, if you aren’t fresh, you’re forgettable. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Apr 14, 2023
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Swordsmith Village- (2023) |
Demon Slayer -To the Swordsmith Village boasts incredible animation and strong voice acting. What is holding the film back is a lack of cohesion between episodes and little to no editing to create a smooth flow from arc-to-arc. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Mar 05, 2023
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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) |
ANT-MAN & THE WASP: Quantumania feels more like a Disney+ special than a film.
It’s messy, overindulgent on weak CGI, and humor falls flat. Jonathan Majors is great as Kang but Marvel seemed more focused on creating a 2-hour trailer for something better. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Feb 27, 2023
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The Woman King (2022) |
The Woman King is a powerful film with Viola Davis playing and incredible lead.
The dedication and craft put into this film is evident with strong performances and thoughtful moments. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jan 03, 2023
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Tár (2022) |
Poignant and at-times even horrifying, Tár is an exemplary look at self-destruction. Cate Blanchett gives one of her best and most challenging performances. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jan 03, 2023
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The Menu (2022) |
The Menu is an interesting look at class structure, a cultish devotion to art and a deconstruction of pretentiousness in today's society.
Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy do an incredible job. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jan 03, 2023
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The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) |
The Banshees Of Inisherin is dark, tragic, and somehow humorous in an overall somber undertone that gives audiences multiple layers to dissect.
Colin Farrell’s range as an actor is incredible. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jan 03, 2023
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Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) |
#AvatarTheWayOfWater is epic, grand, and simply a masterpiece from both a filmmaking and technological viewpoint.
James Cameron creates a cinematic experience with a level of craft that seldom exists in the blockbuster space. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jan 03, 2023
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Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio (2022) |
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is a beautiful, layered, stop-motion masterpiece. The film is filled with incredible performances and imbued with the director’s signature style in a retelling that is both poignant and heartwarming. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Dec 09, 2022
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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) |
GlassOnion is a brilliantly written sequel with strong performances and hilarious moments.
Rian Johnson ‘s passion for the murder mystery genre is evident throughout and Daniel Craig is clearly having the time of his life as Benoit Blanc. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Dec 05, 2022
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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) |
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a masterclass in superhero storytelling. Emotionally rich and technically brilliant, Chadwick Boseman’s legacy is honored in a film that takes audiences and characters alike on a journey about grief, loss, and recovery. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Nov 08, 2022
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Black Adam (2022) |
Black Adam is an action-packed crowd pleaser, featuring Dwayne Johnson at the top of his game. The film however is held back by a predictable plot, and a confusing franchise timeline. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Oct 18, 2022
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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) |
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is one of the strongest MCU entry. Sam Raimi’s patented imprint was felt across the film. Elizabeth Olsen stole the show and will continue to be a fan-favorite.
- CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 22, 2022
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Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero (2022) |
Dragon Ball continues to prove its worldwide dominance and relevance with Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero. The animation is crisp and the CGI animation felt fresh.
From a story perspective however, reused tropes and plotlines hold the film back a bit. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 22, 2022
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Nope (2022) |
Nope absolutely brilliant. A subversive look at the horror genre, masterfully weaving in social commentary and packed with strong allegories among characters and themes.
Jordan Peele continues to flex his filmmaking skills as one of the best directors.
- CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 22, 2022
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Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) |
Few films feature a character as wholesome as Marcel. What makes this film truly special, is it came at the perfect time. When society is collective feeling low admits a pandemic, Marcel The Shell with Shoes On leaves you feeling happier about life. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 22, 2022
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Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022) |
Everything Everywhere All at Once is simply one of the best films of the year. Cinematically brilliant, full of nuanced performances and with incredible themes throughout.
A24 continues to showcase why it stands as one of the best film studios. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Aug 22, 2022
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Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) |
Despite some strong performances and few heartfelt moments, Thor: Love and Thunder ultimately buckles under a slew of tiresome humor and paper-thin character arcs. A sizable dip from the balance achieved in Thor: Ragnarok. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jul 05, 2022
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Elvis (2022) |
Elvis is fantastic. Austin Butler melted into the Elvis role and by the end, the line between film and reality blurred. Expect Butler to be the frontrunner this upcoming awards season for Best Actor. Brilliantly directed by Baz Luhrmann. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jul 04, 2022
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The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021) |
The Tragedy of Macbeth is great. The film has stunning cinematography, immersive production design, and strong performances from both Washington and McDormand.
Coen delivered on a visually unique adaption of Shakespeare’s work. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 21, 2022
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Lightyear (2022) |
Lightyear is full of stunning animation and strong voice acting, both staples of Pixar's quality. From the story perspective however, the film felt somewhat hallow compared to the bursting emotions of the Toy Story franchise. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 21, 2022
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Jurassic World Dominion (2022) |
JURASSIC PARK was a gift to cinema and truly pushed filmmaking forward. Unfortunately, every sequel experienced the law of diminishing returns. Jurassic World Dominion was no different. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 21, 2022
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Top Gun: Maverick (2022) |
Top Gun Maverick is cinematic in every way. It’s a gift to traditional filmmaking and meant for the biggest screen possible. One of Tom Cruise's strongest films. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Jun 21, 2022
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Morbius (2022) |
Morbius ultimately feels less than the sum of its parts. While there might have been a good movie somewhere pre-reshoots, the film never finds its footing. That said, it's not nearly as bad as others pre-decided it would be. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Apr 04, 2022
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Jujutsu Kaisen 0: The Movie (2021) |
Overall, JUJUTSU KAISEN 0 boasts incredible animation, beautiful fight sequences, and an engaging story to be one of the boldest anime films of the last few years. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Mar 14, 2022
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The Batman (2022) |
The Batman is bold, brutal and oozes in gothic aesthetic. In a superhero movie climate where cameos and CGI-heavy sequences are commonplace, Matt Reeves answers back with cinema. Simply one of the best DC films of all time. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Feb 28, 2022
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The Matrix Resurrections (2021) |
Resurrections is a strong, meta-driven return to the franchise. Engaging, innovative and self-aware, it will be divisive among audiences. Perhaps that's exactly what Wachowski is aiming for. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Dec 21, 2021
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Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) |
No Way Home is a love letter to Spider-Man. The writing is richer, the themes are darker, the stakes are higher, and Tom Holland delivers his best work. Simply put, it's the best film in the MCU. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Dec 14, 2021
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Eternals (2021) |
Marvel's Eternals boasts a keen directing eye, with beautiful shots throughout, but an inconsistent tone and one-dimensional themes prevent it from being among Marvel's best. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Oct 26, 2021
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Dune (2021) |
With mythology and world-building on par with The Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, Dune is cinematic and momentous. Denis Villeneuve delivers with a rich, dense, and layered adaption-executed with incredible performances throughout. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Oct 13, 2021
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No Time to Die (2021) |
No Time to Die is cinematic in every sense of the word. With a brilliant final performance from Daniel Craig, incredible action sequences and an emotional core, No Time to Die is a worthy conclusion to the franchise. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Oct 10, 2021
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Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021) |
Venom Let There Be Carnageis bombastic, funny, action-packed, silly, and jarring- creating a fun, yet uneven, experience. A popcorn movie in every sense of the word. - CinemaDebate
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| Posted Sep 30, 2021
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