Farouk
@faroukk.bsky.social
Sharing things I think matter. Writer and Cultural Critic with words in various places (currently @ Endless Mode). Game Dev at Play Underground Games working on a secret unannounced project.
Pinned
Farouk
@faroukk.bsky.social
· Apr 9
2025 Grant Recipients — Chicago Film Critics Association
The Chicago Film Critics Association & Rotten Tomatoes Emerging Critics Scholarship supports up-and-coming voices in film and media criticism in the Chicagoland area.
chicagofilmcritics.org
Excited to share that I've received special recognition as a "Writer to Watch" as part of the @chicagocritics.bsky.social / @rottentomatoes.com Emerging Critics Program. Congrats to all the writers recognized this year, and looking forward to the festival! chicagofilmcritics.org/grantrecipie...
Reposted by Farouk
I played Kirby, I liked Kirby, I reviewed Kirby. Read my review for the best Switch 2 game so far!
Move over, Mario: Nintendo has released another racing game for the Switch 2, and it's better than Mario Kart World. Our review of Kirby Air Riders: www.avclub.com/kirby-air-ri...
Kirby Air Riders inhales the checkered flag
Move over, Mario: Nintendo has released another racing game for the Switch 2, and it's better than Mario Kart World. Read our review of Kirby Air Riders.
www.avclub.com
December 9, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I played Kirby, I liked Kirby, I reviewed Kirby. Read my review for the best Switch 2 game so far!
Reposted by Farouk
Our gorgeous #WakeUpDeadMan end credit portraits, painted from life by Isabella Watling. We’re still in theaters, see my pinned post for a theater finder!
December 6, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Our gorgeous #WakeUpDeadMan end credit portraits, painted from life by Isabella Watling. We’re still in theaters, see my pinned post for a theater finder!
Reposted by Farouk
The studios no longer make movies primarily to attract and please moviegoers; they make movies in such a way as to get as much as possible from the prearranged and anticipated deals. (1980)
December 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
The studios no longer make movies primarily to attract and please moviegoers; they make movies in such a way as to get as much as possible from the prearranged and anticipated deals. (1980)
It's Josh O'Connor's world and we're all living in it.
My ★★★★ review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025): boxd.it/bYvezp
My ★★★★ review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025): boxd.it/bYvezp
A ★★★★ review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025)
Can basically be summed up with the line "young, dumb, and full of Christ" (complimentary). A film not without its flaws. I could see many being far more understandably cynical at the gestures of #lib...
boxd.it
December 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
It's Josh O'Connor's world and we're all living in it.
My ★★★★ review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025): boxd.it/bYvezp
My ★★★★ review of Wake Up Dead Man (2025): boxd.it/bYvezp
These final lines from Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s poem Running Orders break my heart and send a chill down my spine every time
December 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
These final lines from Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s poem Running Orders break my heart and send a chill down my spine every time
Do writers ever repeat metaphors or phrases across different books/essays the way one would repeat an outfit
December 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Do writers ever repeat metaphors or phrases across different books/essays the way one would repeat an outfit
dear hamburger, I love you
December 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
dear hamburger, I love you
why did no one tell me there was a new Yazz Ahmed record out this year
December 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM
why did no one tell me there was a new Yazz Ahmed record out this year
I am currently assembling an Avengers-style team to stop Netflix from purchasing Warner Bros.
December 7, 2025 at 1:54 AM
I am currently assembling an Avengers-style team to stop Netflix from purchasing Warner Bros.
Brief glimpses of the last few months:
December 6, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Brief glimpses of the last few months:
Reposted by Farouk
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
personally, I think video games are good when they're good, and not very good when they're bad
December 5, 2025 at 10:54 PM
personally, I think video games are good when they're good, and not very good when they're bad
Reposted by Farouk
I hate the part of writing where I know it's over for the day but maybe if I click between the dozens of tabs I have open for 30 minutes straight it will come back
December 5, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I hate the part of writing where I know it's over for the day but maybe if I click between the dozens of tabs I have open for 30 minutes straight it will come back
Honestly what this list reveals more than anything is how much the broader international scene really defined this year’s best films.
Also: how is Hamnet an American production??
Also: how is Hamnet an American production??
The American Film Institute has chosen their Top 10 Films of 2025:
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Jay Kelly
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Train Dreams
Wicked: For Good
Special Award: It Was Just An Accident
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Bugonia
Frankenstein
Hamnet
Jay Kelly
Marty Supreme
One Battle After Another
Sinners
Train Dreams
Wicked: For Good
Special Award: It Was Just An Accident
December 5, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Honestly what this list reveals more than anything is how much the broader international scene really defined this year’s best films.
Also: how is Hamnet an American production??
Also: how is Hamnet an American production??
Reposted by Farouk
On Dec. 4, 1969, Chicago Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were assassinated by Chicago Police and the FBI
December 4, 2025 at 1:31 PM
On Dec. 4, 1969, Chicago Black Panthers Fred Hampton and Mark Clark were assassinated by Chicago Police and the FBI
why is it always just "likes" on websites? We should be smashing that love button
December 4, 2025 at 5:19 AM
why is it always just "likes" on websites? We should be smashing that love button
guys my music listening app just told me I listened to music this year! This is huge news for me as someone who listens to music
December 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
guys my music listening app just told me I listened to music this year! This is huge news for me as someone who listens to music
Reposted by Farouk
Another December marks another @npr.org best games of the year list. Indies ruled 2025. Our list is the most eclectic you will find on the internet. 🧵
www.npr.org/2025/12/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/03/n...
The best games of 2025, picked by NPR's staff
From indies like Blue Prince to big console exclusives like Donkey Kong Bananza, NPR staff members and contributors round up their favorite games of 2025.
www.npr.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Another December marks another @npr.org best games of the year list. Indies ruled 2025. Our list is the most eclectic you will find on the internet. 🧵
www.npr.org/2025/12/03/n...
www.npr.org/2025/12/03/n...
Reposted by Farouk
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time Western audiences recognize that. www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
With anime more popular than ever, it's time to go beyond shonen
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time overseas viewers recognize that.
www.avclub.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time Western audiences recognize that. www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
My latest essay! You can go read me begging everyone to try new things that are not primarily aimed at children
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time Western audiences recognize that.
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
With anime more popular than ever, it's time to go beyond shonen
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time overseas viewers recognize that.
www.avclub.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:02 PM
My latest essay! You can go read me begging everyone to try new things that are not primarily aimed at children
Reposted by Farouk
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time Western audiences recognize that.
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
With anime more popular than ever, it's time to go beyond shonen
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time overseas viewers recognize that.
www.avclub.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time Western audiences recognize that.
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
Reposted by Farouk
@faroukk.bsky.social's saying what we're all thinking: branch out a little!
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time Western audiences recognize that.
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
www.avclub.com/time-to-go-b...
With anime more popular than ever, it's time to go beyond shonen
Anime features a wide variety of genres aimed at many audiences, and it's time overseas viewers recognize that.
www.avclub.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:11 PM
@faroukk.bsky.social's saying what we're all thinking: branch out a little!
Reposted by Farouk
I got to contribute to this list of the best shows on Blippo+ 🤠 you can read me on Clone Trois and Rubber Report. Boing boing blippers! ❤️
We can't stop thinking about Blippo+, a "game" that simulates channel surfing cable TV in the '80s and '90s. www.avclub.com/best-blippo-...
TV from around The Bend: The best "shows" of Blippo+
We can't stop thinking about Blippo+, a "game" that simulates channel surfing cable TV in the '80s and '90s.
www.avclub.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
I got to contribute to this list of the best shows on Blippo+ 🤠 you can read me on Clone Trois and Rubber Report. Boing boing blippers! ❤️
Reposted by Farouk
My latest essay for @endlessmode.bsky.social: I wrote about the games technology of the past that incentivized being in community with one another, and how those tools could prove useful in our current political moment.
www.endlessmode.com/article/i-mi...
www.endlessmode.com/article/i-mi...
I Miss Nintendo 3DS StreetPass, and Games as Physical Community
With the loneliness epidemic on the rise, the Nintendo 3DS StreetPass and its sense of in-person community is sorely missed.
www.endlessmode.com
November 7, 2025 at 7:29 PM
My latest essay for @endlessmode.bsky.social: I wrote about the games technology of the past that incentivized being in community with one another, and how those tools could prove useful in our current political moment.
www.endlessmode.com/article/i-mi...
www.endlessmode.com/article/i-mi...