Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Trailer Talk: Oz the Great and Powerful

Well it has been a long time since I have done a trailer talk here, and when I woke up this morning I watched a trailer to "Oz the Great and Powerful." I got so excited about this trailer that I just HAD to talk about it. You can find the trailer below.



Well now I am here to talk about the actual trailer itself. For starters I guess I can say that I am actually really intrigued by the idea driving this movie. I loved the musical "Wizard of Oz." One of my four sisters always loved that movie, and so we watched it quite a bit and surprisingly I love it. I can also remember reading the book in fifth grade. So yes a movie about how the Wizard arrived in Oz and got the fame he got it going to of course be on "The Movie List."

What did you think about the trailer though? Are you excited to see it? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below.

The Motion Picture Buff

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Skyfall REVIEW


The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to FINALLY present his review of 007's "Skyfall." First thing though I would like to aplogize for the lateness of this review, in the process of moving, school, and working two jobs. Give me time to get situated and I promise it will all be back to normal. Anyways in this film, Bond's loyalty to M is tested when her murky past comes back to haunt her.

Well well well what can I say about this film that I hated?!?!?!? Um nothing all I have is good things really, and most importantly that this is the Bond film that we deserve after a four-year wait for one. Daniel Craig excels as James Bond again, and seriously in my opinion he is the best Bond there is or ever was. Judi Dench returns as M and again you just love her. Judi and Daniel have just the greatest chemistry and it really starts to show in this film. Then the villain in this film is played by Javier Bardem, and lets just say that he does a superb job. He just plays the creepy and insane character so well. I loved him in this film. Moving onward though . . . I loved, loved, LOVED the screenplay within this film. Just a perfect Bond story after the years of waiting. Why? Well the address the fact that James/ Daniel are both getting a little old. They play with it perfectly. Plus there was also amazing twists within the film that I enjoyed. Never thought it would end the way it did. I do want to mention how they had a bunch of older Bond film references too. I thought it was neat and creative in a way. Director Sam Mendes was at the helm of this film and lets just say, he does a great job with James Bond. The camera angles are just amazing. What I mean by this is that they just capture the feel of the movie great and they capture the amazing scenery that they shot this film in. The action is amazing and extremely engaging, you will never be bored with it I can promise you that.

So all-in-all is this Bond movie the best James Bond film yet? Does it live up to the hype? Yes indeed it does. I can say that for sure this is the best James Bond film I have ever seen. I loved it so much and I really do not have any grips. This film is a little more involved but that is not a negative, actually I would consider that a HUGE positive.

Now for the ratings I am going to give "Skyfall" a must-see film rating because it really is worth it. I want to see it again here soon. Maybe in IMAX? I will also give it a Blu-ray buy worthy rating for it too. I will give it this new rating of BADASS! It literally is just full of awesome action, awesome dialogue. "Skyfall" will also get a popcorn flick rating. As for the rating out of five, "Skyfall" will get a 5/5 rating for sure.

Well thanks for reading this post, and thanks for staying loyal to the blog. I apologize for the lateness of this review. I promise once I get situated in my new house I will be back on track with reviews. Thanks again and stay tuned for more . . . coming soon.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Quantum of Solace REVIEW


The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to present another review of another Bond film, 2008's "Quantum of Solace." In this film MI6 agent James Bond is seeking revenge for the death of a loved one and the attempted murder of another. During his pursuit he sets out to stop an environmentalist who plans to steal a countries most valuable resource.

Shall we start with the positives from this Bond film? Well I guess first things first is that Daniel Craig pursues to be the best James Bond yet. He really plays the part well. He just has that look and attitude about him that makes him excel as his character. I could think of no one better to play the part. Olga Kurylenko does a great job with her character as well. Some of her scenes were just amazing to me. I thought she did a really good job. The rest of the cast too did a good job. The Bond films always seem to do a good job when it comes to casting. Moving on I would have to say that the revenge James's seeking makes sense, and the film does a decent job with it. The story behind the film, what is driving the film, is good but more on that later.  The score I am going to have to say I love. The other thing I wanted to mention were the action sequences which were extremely engaging and had me on the edge of my seat. So I will say that Marc Foster did a decent job with this film. I guess it is kind of hard to do a really good job when the screenplay sucks.

Now I want to move onto the negatives. The screenplay is just a mess for this film. Everyone knows this. It just jumps around. I can remember the first couple times watching this I never really understood the main point of this film. Watching it this time though I think I finally caught on with it. I was just so confused the first couple of times. I also am still left with the question of what is Quantum? Do they ever really tell us what it is in this film? I was just so confused with it. Moving on though . . . the dialogue of this film is not the greatest. It seems a bit unnatural and forced.

So all-in-all an action-packed Bond film where James is just pissed. The screenplay driving the film though is a mess and be prepared to get a little lost in the story line. For the ratings I will give it a rent worthy rating along with popcorn flick rating. No way is it going to get a must-see rating. As for the rating out of five, "Quantum of Solace" will get a 3/5 rating sadly.

Well thanks for tuning in to read this review. I am hoping that you enjoyed it. To see other James Bond film reviews click their title HERE: "Dr. No, Die Another Day," and "Casino Royale." Tomorrow night I have tickets for "Skyfall." As soon as I get home I will review it, so stay tuned for more . . . coming soon.

The Motion Picture Buff

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me REVIEW


"I am back baby!" Here is the "Motion Picture Buff's" second review of the "Austin Powers" series, "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me." In this film Dr. Evil has made another legendary return, but this time he has a "Mini Me" as an accomplice. Dr. Evil's new plan is to steal Austin Powers mojo, which drives him and makes his "shaggless."

So negatives to start off again. Well I think again the only thing to say here is that the film has complete and utterly stupid humor.

Other than that though this film is just again hilarious. Austin Powers gets us again with a comedy that we will all enjoy. Their is dumb comedy and then their is "Austin Powers." Mike Myers and Micheal McCullers wrote the screenplay for this film and the story is just as funny and just as engaging. Like the first Austin Powers film, you are laughing from beginning to end. The jokes are relatable and funny. The dialogue between the characters makes you laugh, and most of all the action is just hilarious. Good job at creating yet another hilarious movie. Mike Myers of course returns as Austin Powers and Dr. Evil, but their is a new character introduced in this film, Fat Bastard. He impresses you with all the characters he does become, because sometimes it is hard to tell that he plays all three of them. Heather Graham is the next Power's girl, and she really is a great Power's girl. I found her funny and the chemistry between her and Mike was really good. Robert Wagner, Seth Green, Verne Troyer, Rob Lowe, and more are in this film. They all help create a funny cast that have amazing chemistry together to make a great comedic film. Verne is great as Mini Me. Jay Roach returns yet again as director for the "Austin Powers" film, and he does just as great as before. This is a comedy you won't soon forget.

So all-in-all a great comedy that again goes down as one of my favorite comedies. For the ratings I will give it again a DVD buy worthy rating. It gets the popcorn rating again, along with family night flick as long as kids are at least older than 12. It will get a must-see rating again. As for the rating because of the stupid humor I will have to "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" a 3.5/5 rating.

Well thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this review. Make sure you "like" the "Motion Picture Buff" on Facebook HERE! It really helps me out, along with spreading the word about the reviews. Thanks again and stay tuned for more . . . coming REALLY soon.

The Motion Picture Buff

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery REVIEW


Here comes the "Motion Picture Buff's" first review in the "Austin Powers" series, "Austin Powers International Man of Mystery." In this film a 1960's hippie super spy is frozen to be there when Dr. Evil returns. When Dr. Evil returns Austin Powers is awoken and he must adjust to the new lifestyle, try and defeat Dr. Evil, along with getting the girl.

Well negatives shall we start with? Well yes this movie is hilarious but its that stupid kind of funny. I mean more on this later, but the only negative is that it is just the dumb funny.

In this film though the dumb funny works too. So the positives right? Yes the dumb funny can be annoying but in all reality the dumb funny is also HILARIOUS. In this film it just works. I like how they make fun of what movies always do too. Just helps add to the humor. Mike Myers wrote this film and I have to say that he does a good job at making all of us laugh. He jokes you get, they are humorous, and they will have you laughing all the way till the end. It has pointless humor, but Mike does it in a good way. Mike Myers also stars as Austin Powers and Dr. Evil. I believe that helps with the humor, and he plays both roles perfectly as well. Elizabeth Hurley, Seth Green, Robert Wagner, and others are in this movie. Everyone helps make the film even more funny. I just loved it. Whenever I am in a bad mood, these films always cheer me up. Jay Roach is director of this film and he has a way with this film that just helps add to the humor. The score and theme of Austin Powers is phenomenal and if you have seen this film you will remember it forever. Just has that crazy Austin groove to it. I want to say props to the costume and make-up department too because you really are put into the 1960's at point and they did it so well.

So all-in-all a freaking hilarious film that will keep you laughing. I will give it a DVD buy worthy rating. No need to go get it on Blu-ray. I will give it the popcorn flick rating along with family night film, just make sure your kids are at least 12 years or older. It is a classic to me because I grew up with these movies so yes a must-see film rating "Austin Powers" is going to get. As for the rating I can only give "Austin Powers International Man of Mystery" a 3.5/5 rating. This does not stop it from being one of the funniest comedies out there.

Thanks for tuning in for the review. I hope you have enjoyed it. Sorry about lack of reviews, I have been busy moving. I got some time today so I thought I would do some. So stay tuned for more . . . coming REALLY soon.

The Motion Picture Buff

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade REVIEW


The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to present his third installment in the reviews of the "Indiana Jones" franchise. In this film Dr. Henry Jones Sr. goes missing while on a pursuit for the Holy Grail. Indiana Jones or "Junior" must find his father and beat the Nazi's to the grail.

So are their negatives to this film? Unfortunately I am going to have to point out a few. First of all Alison Doody plays Dr. Elsa Schneider. I didn't find her character or performance the greatest. She bugged me and in a nutshell she didn't sell her performance very well. The other thing I really want to mention is that the plot is a bit predictable the whole way through. Something happens, but you know what the outcome will be.

Other than that this film is great! In my opinion this is the greatest "Indiana Jones" film out their. Harrison Ford returns as Indiana and again no one could have played this character better. He just has that great quality for Indiana Jones. Sean Connery comes in to play Indiana's father in this film, and he is amazing as Indiana's father. Sean and Harrison have amazing chemistry together, and it is hard to believe that he actually isn't his father in real life. I would not have been surprised otherwise. The rest of the cast does a great job at creating an enjoyable movie. Steven Spielberg returns as director for this film and lets say he does a decent job with this film, nothing spectacular but good. John Williams is at the helm of the score of the film again, and I loved his composition for this film. Defiantly deserved that Oscar nomination he got. Lets say it is a must-buy, I know I am going to. Is it weird to talk about the sound effects in a movie, but I just loved them in this movie. Like everything sounded perfect and just right. The cinematography too looks amazing. I have always enjoyed the cinematography in the "Indiana Jones" films though. They always have this look and feel to them that gives them that western look, but in reality its not a western. Oh one last thing to mention is I like the beginning of the movie and how they divulge into Indiana's past. I found that enjoyable, and I thought they did a good job with casting the right young Indiana Jones, River Phoenix, may he rest in peace.

So all-in-all a great addition to the "Indiana Jones" franchise, and in my opinion the most enjoyable one. Its got that action and classic feel to it that made you fall in love with the first one. For the ratings, I am going to give it a must-see rating along with a Blu-ray buy worthy. It most likely looks way better on Blu-ray! I will give it a popcorn flick rating, but it can pass as a good family night film. As for the rating out of five, "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" deserves a 4.5/5 rating.

Well thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this review. To view the reviews of the other "Indiana Jones" films click the name of them here: "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Temple of Doom." Thanks again and stay tuned for more . . . coming soon.

The Motion Picture Buff