Die Another Day REVIEW

The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to present his second review of his reviews of the James Bond franchise. Here he reviews 2002's "Die Another Day." In this Bond film, James is sent to find out about the connection between a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul who is funding the development of a international space weapon.

Well lets begin with the negatives for this movie shall we? First things first, I am going to have to say that in this Bond film there were a lot of pointless explosions that really made no sense at all. Car would hit a house . . . BOOM bursts into flames. Next thing is next that this Bond film just doesn't feel like a Bond film at all. It doesn't really have that spy feel to it. Maybe it is the fact that I don't think Pierce Brosnan is really a good choice for James Bond, or maybe the studio lost the feel of what Bond really was about.

Other than that I really enjoyed this 007 movie! Why do I really enjoy this one? Well the plot behind it is actually very interesting and it seems to make sense. Everything just clicks and it creates a good story that keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more. Neal Purvis and Robert Wade were the screenwriters for this film, and I think they did a good job with this Bond. Director Lee Tamahori was at the helm of this film and I think he did a good job with it. The action sequences are engaging and exciting. You will enjoy them for sure. The score is good and fits along with the action, and of course the James Bond theme is just as good as ever. Now for the acting well I may not like Pierce as James bond, but he is does a decent job with this film. He keeps the action cool and enjoyable. Halle Berry is awesome in this film, she could be a spy in real life and you would never even know it. Toby Stephens plays one of the bad guys in this film and let me just say his performance in this film I enjoyed the most. He really played a bad guy extremely well. He had that look in his face throughout the film that just helped his performance I thought. There were of course other actors/actresses in this film and I think everyone did a good job and helped create a enjoyable addition to the James Bond franchise.

So all-in-all a good addition to the Bond franchise that just has good action and a good point to it. For the ratings I will give it a popcorn flick for sure. Good film to kick back with some buddies and watch. It will get a Blu-ray buy worthy rating, but still don't think this bond is even worthy of a must-see rating. Just not that good yet. As for the rating out of five, "Die Another Day" will get a 3.5/5 rating.

Well thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this review. To see my first review of the first James Bond film CLICK HERE. I also want to mention that you can follow the "Motion Picture Buff" on Twitter HERE. So thanks again and make sure you stay tuned for more . . . coming soon.

The Motion Picture Buff

The Departed REVIEW

Well the "Motion Picture Buff" would like to finally present the review for his favorite film EVER (so far at least. I would like to present the review for Martin Scorsese's "The Departed." In this film there are two people leading undercover lives. One is from the mob and is undercover in with the cops, and the other is a cop undercover in the mob. In this film we get violence and war between the two sides when both people are trying to find their enemies.

Well as this film is my number one film, all I have to say about it is positive things. This movie I am going to have to say is just perfect in every single way. Shall we start with the acting from this film? I knew Leonardo DiCaprio was an amazing actor from the film "Titanic" but I never thought he was this awesome. He pulls of the performance of a lifetime in this film. When his character is scared in the film you feel him being scared. When he is sad you feel him being sad. Leonardo just pulls of this character with precision. What really bugs me was that he never even got nominated for his performance. Then there is Matt Damon who does the same thing Leo does. Just gives an all-star performance. Then we have Jack Nicholson in this film as well, and let me just say he was born to play his role in this film. He could 100% be a mob boss after this film. In this film we also have Mark Wahlberg, Martin Sheen, Ray Winstone, Vera Farmiga, Anthony Anderson, and much more. Every single actor in this film does a GREAT job with their performance. I loved them all so much. For that you also have to give the director Martin Scorsese some credit too. He was the one who had to bring out all the talent in this amazing cast. On top of that he also had to create an amazing movie which he did. The action and intense scenes were all just fantastic, GREAT job Martin. You really know how to direct a film. The screenplay of this film was done by Alan Mak, Felix Chong, and William Monahan. GREAT JOB with it guys. I love it, you had a great premise and a great story and you created my favorite film with it.   You had amazing and EXTREMELY unpredictable twists within the film. Some of them might have angered me but they were unpredictable and that is what I really love. The look and feel of the film was great and just kept you there on the edge of your seat wanting more and more. I remember watching this film for the first time and I just fell in love with it. The score I also wanted to mention. I thought it was extremely well done and it really added elements to certain scenes. So good job Howard Shore.

So why is this my NUMBER ONE favorite movie of all time? Well because it has an amazing cast that does a fantastic job with their parts. The story is just intriguing as all hell and it is full of surprises. All I can say is expect the unexpected when it comes to this film. Oh and be prepared to watch it more than once.

So all-in-all this film is FANTASTIC and is the number one film on my TOP TEN list. I am giving it a FOR SURE Blu-ray buy worthy and a great popcorn flick with friends. It is of course a must-see film. As for the rating out of five, I am actually going to do something different here and give "The Departed" a 6/5 rating. It is just that good. 

Well thanks for reading and I really hope you enjoyed this review. I exceptionally hope that if you haven't seen this movie that you go buy it now and enjoy it over and over again. Thanks again and stay tuned for more . . . coming soon.

The Motion Picture Buff

Taken 2 REVIEW

The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to present his review for the feature film, "Taken 2." This film takes place in Istanbul, Turkey. Retired CIA operative Brian Mills and his family are on vacation when the father of a kidnapper Brian killed when saving his daughter seeks revenge. 

Well lets begin with the positives shall we? Well I am going to have to say again that the acting that Liam Neeson gives us in this film is great. He pulls off the role of Brian Mills again with a superb performance. Maggie Grace still does wonderful as his daughter, Kim. They still have that amazing chemistry they shared in the first film. Famke Janssen plays the mother of Kim. She did in the first film. You never really saw much of her in "Taken" but in this film she really excels, well done. Rade Serbedzija is the villain in this film and he can play one pretty well.  Now I really did enjoy the action scenes in this film, they kept you on the edge of your seat once again. They were again bad-ass as in the first film. 

So the negatives from this film. Well let me just say that the first film is WAY better than the second. The direction and the camera angles of this film were that shaky camera type, and I found them okay in some spots. Sometimes I found them extremely distracting and annoying. How come they never brought back the original director for this film?  Then there was the plot again . . . REALLY? What really happened in this film? What I mean by this is that the movie was over just as it began really. It was really slow in the beginning of the film, dedicating a lot of time to build up. Then they built up to something that was quick and never really lasted long. You just felt like the movie was over as soon as it began. Way to fast-paced of a film. Then there was the fact that a girl with NO training at all, did what she did. That is just ridiculous, there is no way that is possible. Then the premise of this film also had bothered me. Revenge on the guy who killed your son because your son kidnapped your daughter? No I found the premise of this film to be ill thought of a dumb. Then there is the music. In the first film it was good, this film it . . . SUCKED! I felt like it intruded on the scenes and I found it to be extremely annoying. 

So all-in-all what did I think of "Taken 2?" Well it was a good mindless action flick. If you like action just to see action you will enjoy this. Otherwise this film does not have much going for it. I will give it the rating of popcorn flick along with rent worthy. As for the rating out of five, "Taken 2" will get a 2/5 rating. 

Well thanks for reading . . . so to answer the question of seeing this film or not this weekend, well that is up to you really. If you like mindless action then yes. If your looking for a really good movie to see . . . pick something else like "Looper" if you haven't seen that yet. Well now make sure you stay tuned for more reviews of motion pictures . . . coming soon.

The Motion Picture Buff 

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King REVIEW

The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to present the final installment in the reviews of "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy." In "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," Aragorn leads the World of Men against Sauron's army to draw back the dark lord's gaze from Frodo and Sam who are on the doorsteps of Mount Doom with the One Ring.

Well we might as well get the few negatives out of the way shall we? First thing that had bothered me I guess with this film is that it seemed a bit more jumpy with all its different stories at one point. In the pervious film, it did it really well but I noticed in this film it was not as good. Then there is the how it seemed to end like three times. I was watching this movie with a friend (he had already seen it) so I was  like its done already, oh wait never mind. Then again I was like, is it nearing the end, oh WAIT nope there is more. Then the ending for me at least seemed SOOOOOO slow. Which had also bothered me. Then again the same thing as in the previous two reviews, the character Sam still annoyed me. Plus Elijah Wood in this film I still hated.

That is it though, I have nothing but good things from here on out to say about this film. I thought I hated these movies, but I stand corrected . . . I just don't really like the first film all that much. This film was just great. The action in this film was bloody epic. Visual effects again did a really good job, but I mean for the time it was in. That one part had me freaked out and I usually don't freak out for those things at all. I wonder what my friend would do watching this film. Gollum was just better than ever, which made me LOVE the beginning of this film because it gave us a deeper look at him. Plus he was also just creepier, especially nearer the end! I was just like WHAT!?! The acting in this film was just good as usual. I thought everyone did a fantastic job. They just made me believe they were there character which is a very good thing. The music again like the first film, I just loved! I am for sure going to have to pick these soundtracks by, Howard Shore, on iTunes as soon as I can. Peter Jackson still continued to amaze me with these films. I went into these thinking I hated them because last time I remember watching them I was extremely bored. I was with the first a little bit, but the last two kept me on the edge of my seat which I love. So great job for Peter Jackson, for making yet another great film. It is no wonder that this film won 11 Academy Awards. All I can say is that they definitely deserve each one, because I really did like this movie.

So all-in-all this movie is a movie you might want to see, but in order to do so you must see the first two. So I can't say it is a must-see film because that would mean I would have to rate the other two films that also, but I did not feel that way about them. I can say that I would recommend purchasing this film though. You might want to enjoy it for a popcorn flick one night. On the scale out of five what would I give it? Well I am going to have to give it a four out of five rating.

Well thanks for reading the reviews of "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy." I have enjoyed watching them and reviewing them. I didn't plan for this to be a movie marathon day, but it turned out to be one because they were that good. I would have to say about each one though that they are worth watching once. So make sure if you get the chance to watch them. You should enjoy them, pretty much anyone I know loves them. Again though thanks for reading and make sure you stay tuned . . . for more.

The Motion Picture Buff

P.S. Rest in Peace Tony Scott :'( 

Trailer Talk: "The Words"

I would like to introduce a new section of blogs that I will be doing here on the blog. So far I do movie reviews and movie information, but now I am going to introduce "Trailer Talk." This is going to be for me to pick out a trailer (every once in a while) for us to talk about. It will be though a trailer for an upcoming film. I did something like this for the "Taken 2" trailer, but this might be a little different. So shall we do this?

Well the trailer today I would like to talk about is the trailer for the feature film released by CBS Films, and it stars Bradley Cooper. It is called, "The Words." This motion picture is about a writer who must realize the price for stealing another mans work. I currently have the trailer on my "Trailers for Upcoming Films" page, or you can view it below:

Now lets talk about is now that you have seen the actual trailer. I want to say that this film really connects to me in a way because I am an aspiring writer to be. I will NEVER copy someone else's work though. I have millions of ideas that I need to write anyway. What I think about this film though is that it looks like it could be a very good film. It has a beautiful cast in it. Jeremy Irons, I LOVE his voice as always. I like the idea behind this film too. We will have to see though won't we? What do you think? Will you see it? What do you think of the trailer?

"The Words" will hit theaters on September 7th, 2012.

The Motion Picture Buff

The Dark Knight Rises REVIEW

The "Motion Picture Buff' is happy to present a review for the film that we all have been waiting for four years, "The Dark Knight Rises." I have just gotten back from the midnight showing in my home town. Now "The Dark Knight Rises" is about how Batman has been out of the game for eight years, and then a new threat, Bane, shows up and threatens the city of Gotham. Batman is ultimately questioned wether he should return or not and can he?

Well lets just say he does it in a way that is JAW-DROPPING!!!!! Holy freaking shit (excuse my language). If you want a movie to just lose your mind to? Well then look no further. In "The Dark Knight Rises," Christopher Nolan reveals his greatest master piece EVER! This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat from literally the very beginning, all the way until the end credits. We defiantly see a great ending to a wonderful trilogy. Sure there are parts that will piss you off entirely, but in the end you feel like that is the right way of things. A beautifully directed movie Christopher Nolan, props to you. Now the plot of this film took you in places you never thought it would, which was brilliant and what I absolutely love in a GREAT movie. It also keeps some twists in there (about like I said earlier) that keeps you on the edge of your seat, cheering for the good guys, crying, and yelling at what has happened. It is just a beautiful plot and very well written. The acting in this movie was just absolutely spectacular! Christian Bale defiantly outperformed his Batman/Bruce Wayne in this film. Morgan Freeman and Micheal Caine are still absolutely brilliant. Tom Hardy as Bane. Hmmmm how to describe that? Well basically he was MADE to play the character Bane. Oh my god his performance was just incredible. Like they say in that sneak peak, he does things with his eyes that are just amazing. As I have said with Heath Ledger as the Joker in my "The Dark Knight" review, no one could play him better at all. So well done Tom Hardy. Now Joseph Gordon Levitt as John Blake, was just brilliant. Again he did a really good job with his character. It's like Christopher Nolan brings the best out of everyone. Marion Cotillard did a great job as  Miranda Tate in this movie as well. The acting in this film was just beautiful, not one person did I hate. Which includes Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle or know as Catwoman. I didn't think I was going to like it at all, but surprisingly I loved it 100%. She just kicked butt. Now how about the score for this film? Well again it was taken over by Hans Zimmer, and let me just say, "GREAT JOB!" I have already bought it, and plan to listen to it as soon as possible. The look and this film was just great, there literally wasn't any major things at all to complain about this movie. This film ended "The Dark Knight Triology" perfectly. You couldn't be any happier with the end of this franchise. It does it loyally and there could be no other way. A plus too is that every single one of these films are freaking amazing. You could say that "Batman Begins" is your favorite and no one would care. Personally thought I am going to have to say that "The Dark Knight Rises" is my favorite. Comment below on what your favorite is (after seeing "The Dark Knight Rises" of course).

Now unfortunately I have one really minor thing to say, which is that sometime you really can't understand Bane's voice. Only thing though.

So now what is this film going to get? Well 100% MUST-SEE FILM! You know what? Just go see the film right now. What are your still doing here reading this? Go see it. Already seen it? Go again its so worth it. So yeah though, its getting a 5/5 rating even though I had that tiny thing. Go see this film right now, you are going to enjoy every aspect of it. It is a film that you will enjoy because it is a near perfect movie (I believe nothing is perfect, only near-perfect).

My all-in-all though, is that it is a great film! Literally raking up there with my favorite films (list actually of those coming soonish). You will enjoy this movie if you like twists in a movie, and a movie that will take you in a direction you never expected. You will be lost for about three hours in a world not of yours. Go enjoy the film, there is really nothing to hate about it. Enjoy!

Heading to the theater? Good! Well thanks for reading. I am not going to add much here now because I  know your busy getting ready to see this movie, but just want to say please spread the word about the blog here. It really helps me out, and now make sure you stay tuned for more soon . . .

Stop sitting on your phone, tablet, or computer and get to the theater now, and enjoy "The Dark Knight Rises ;)

The Motion Picture Buff

The Dark Knight REVIEW

The "Motion Picture Buff" would like to preset a review for Christopher Nolan's second installment in the Batman Trilogy, "The Dark Knight." In this film, Batman meets a villain he doesn't fully understand, the Joker.

Well lets get the minor negatives out of the way shall we because most likely you guessed that I freaking love this movie. So major thing I want to mention is that most of the action in this film does seem a bit to choreographed again, worse than "Batman Begins." It just kind of bothers me a bit. Now a minor thing is that there is this one scene on a rooftop that the dialogue seems a bit to unnatural. It just they are on one topic then jut to the next and then jut again to another. Bothers me a little. Now one more thing really was that the girl that had to replace Katie Holmes I do not like as much. I know they had no chance, but I really did not like Maggie Gyllenhaal in this film. She just did not perform as well as everyone else was in this film. So there were probably the only negatives, yes even an EPICLY GREAT movie like "The Dark Knight" has to have some negatives I am afraid.

Now for the many positives though because like I said, this film is freaking INCREDIBLE! Going to say this right now, this is defiantly a movie that is on your must-see film list (if you are one of the few who have not seen it). I am going to start off with Heath Ledger's performance in this film. Three words, "OH MY GOD!" He does an incredible job as the joker, seriously him as the joker has to be the best acting I have ever seen within a film. He 1000% deserved the Oscar he got in 2009. I would like to say it was a performance of a generation. I still think to this day that he has done the greatest job in a film. Now for the other acting parts. Well its basically the same people from "Batman Begins" and they do a great job just like before, if not better. The only added main person was Aron Eckhart as Harvey Dent/Two-Face, and I thought he did a suburb job as well. Christopher Nolan must bring out the best acting in actors/actresses. He literally did an amazing job with this film. Camera angles, writing the film (except that one part above), and just making a film we all enjoy. The plot of the whole movie just made sense it connected logically and perfectly. Oh and I LOVE how he started this film. A very intense beginning for a film people were anxiously waiting for after the first installment. Again I want to say that Hans Zimmer did an incredible job with the score for "The Dark Knight" as he did with "Batman Begins." So a huge thanks to everyone involved in this film for creating a movie that I thoroughly will enjoy over and over again. It still keeps me on the end of my seat every time I watch it.

Well as I said above this film is 100% a must-see film that you have to 100% buy on Blu-Ray (if you own one). A huge popcorn flick one night, and make sure you watch this before you see "The Dark Knight Rises" this coming weekend! Now for the rating that it deserves. Well I can only give it a 4/5, but being a GREAT film it is a good rating for it. I still say WATCH IT NOW! So make sure you check it out.

Now remember (for Batman fans waiting for my "The Dark Knight Rises" review) I will be going at midnight to see it, and when I get home that night I will review it for you to read and see how EPIC it really is. I do want to say thanks for reading, please spread the word about "The Motion Picture Buff" blog. It really does help me, and it will keep me doing more reviews for all of you to read. Make sure you see what movies I might review next HERE. Now make sure you stay tuned for more motion picture things . . .

The Motion Picture Buff

In memory of Heath Ledger, thank you for an amazing performance . . . rest in peace. 

NEWS FLASH: Famous Producer Richard D. Zanuck Dies at 77

I am sad to report that famous producer, Richard D. Zanuck, has passed away at the age of 77. He helped create critically acclaimed movies like, "Big Fish" and "Jaws." The cause of his death is reported to be a heart attack.

He helped now famous director, Steven Spielberg, come to the fame he has today. I would like to say thanks to Mr. Richard D. Zanuck for helping bring great movies to the big screen for us to enjoy. Richard D. Zanuck has produced many films which include: "Big Fish, Yes Man, Road to Perdition, Jaws, Dark Shadows (2012), Driving Miss Daisy, and many more films.

I just want to say rest in peace Richard D. Zanuck. Again thank you for your wondrous contribution the the motion picture world. I will be looking forward to watching some of your films soon.

The Motion Picture Buff