THE MOVIE BUFF - TOUGH ON MOVIES, NOT ON FILMS

So there I was, trawling the internet, when suddenly -- BUFF! -- I ran smack-dab right into a great movie review website that was one part movie, and one part buff. Now obviously very intrigued with what I saw, I then did what I usually do best. Speak to the owner, and check out what he has to say about his wares. Here, when you have the time, please have a read of what my mate, Mark Ziobro, had to say only the other day, whilst trawling for a crawling and a brawling.





1) What are your own origins, Mark? Plus what path did you take in life to get to where you are today?   I'm from Whitesboro, NY, a small town located in Central New York. I've always liked writing from a young age, but didn't really get into it to the degree that I have now until I was 20. I took a roundabout path, working a few jobs before going back to school when I was 26 before deciding to pursue a master's degree and a career in Social Work.

2) What inspired you to create ‘The Movie Buff’ website?   I used to work for a monthly independent newspaper, and once a month I would write a movie review for the paper. I quickly realized that everything about the movie reviews -- from writing them, to finding the movie photos, to doing the layout -- fascinated me, and it was one of my favorite parts of my job. I started a free blogger site to write movie reviews, but always wanted an actual website with an actual address.

I started "The Movie Buff" as a way to write reviews and stay connected to the movies, having only myself and another writer to submit content. Plus, I loved the play on words between 'movie buffs' and the bodybuilder who became the site's mascot.

3) If ‘MB’ was a piece of music, what would it be and why?   If The 'Movie Buff' were a piece of music, I would have to say it be a Rock Opera, because, honestly, the mood of our site fluctuates up and down. One minute we can be reviewing the latest release, and the next a film from 1950 or an independent film few have heard of.

4) If you could get any celebrity – either living or dead – to promote your site, who would you get, and why would you want to choose this particular person?   If I could have one celebrity to promote my site, I would have to pick Steve Buscemi. The reason for this, besides being an awesome actor, is that I feel Buscemi's sheer breadth of film -- 127 titles on IMDB -- would garner some real attention from folks. Plus, he's just a hysterical guy and I feel like people would listen to him.


5) Has your site had any recognition in the media or the press?   No. My site has not had any recognition in the media or press, but I have become affiliated with several other movie review blogs and podcasts. The two that have been the most helpful to date, is Extra Features Podcast and Movie-blogger.


6) What smell would you say best represent your site, and why would this be the case?   The smell that would most accompany 'The Movie Buff', would have to be popcorn and concession stand goodies. Yet a close second would have to be the smell of a mailbox -- our critics watch so many Netflix releases, we should have our own membership.

7) Off the top of your head, can you name your top five favourite movies of all time?   Oh! This is a hard one. But I'll give it a try. In no particular order: "The Shawshank Redemption," "Rushmore," "Stand by Me," "GATTACA," and "Halloween."

8) Same question as above, but your top five worst movies of all time.   "Roommates," "The Cold Light of Day," "Doom," "The Box," and "B.T.K. Killer."

9) If your site had a motto, what would it be?   "Tough on movies...not on films."

Ha! I love it, Mark. What you had to say was right on the money for yours truly, and that is why I would encourage my dear readers to check The Movie Buff today, plus follow you on Twitter and Facebook too. So go head. What are you waiting for? Click-Click. Trawl-Trawl. And Read-Read.