Riders was one of the better independent films I have seen in the recent past and brings forth some great talent in young star Alex Orban and young director Doug Sadler. Sadler will go far if he stays on this track, the help of veteran actor Don Harvey really only adds to the quality of the film, and the slick DV presentation done by Rodney Taylor is unbeatable, this is a film I highly recommend if you enjoy the independent scene. I hope this gets picked up and distributed so I personally can get a copy of the film.
14 Reviews
Very good debut film
ltalbrecht23 January 2005
I thought the film was quite good, especially since we are talking about a first-time director and a low-budget production. The film does a good job of creating a disturbing feeling about the sexual abuse by the mother's boyfriend without actually showing anything. The guy gave me a very creepy feeling. I thought the photography was very good and higher quality than the budget would imply. The pacing and development of both the main character's personal growth as well as the growth in the relationship between with her younger sister was very realistic and heartfelt. Considering the bombs you see in the multiplex from more accomplished directors with bigger budgets, a simple story, well-told and paced well, was nice to experience. It will be interesting to see what the director could do with a larger budget and one film under his belt.
Why All Movie Lovers Need Film Festivals
eebyo21 February 2004
This is a well-crafted, strongly acted, searing movie that is not enough "like" any other movie I've seen to inspire a comparison. Its inability to get general theatrical release is strong evidence that the industry is too busy chasing rainbows that end at 9-digit pots of gold to bother with anything else. I had the good fortune to see it at the Rehoboth (DE) Film festival, where I believe it won the Viewers' Choice vote. The young actors who play the sisters are astonishingly, understatedly good; the director tells a story magnificently without putting speeches in any character's mouth. See it on (I forget which) Flix or Sundance if you can, or rent it; I think it'd pay almost as well on the small screen as it does in a movie house, which is where it belongs!
This film moved me. The characters were touching and smart.
wakplatz30 November 2001
The acting is excellent, and the movie touched me with its sensitive, complex treatment of the sisters. I like that it does not provide the viewer with a "program", but draws the viewer into the story in a way that engages our creativity and imagination, and allows us to respond in our own fashion to the issues raised.
Let's get real....hmmm?
=G=10 March 2003
At this writing, "Riders" has 8 user comments and all but one have commented only on this film, the one exception only commented on only 3 films, and all had very positive comments. Well, the fact is "Riders" SUCKS! It is a typically ordinary one-man-band indie with all of the usual deficits and in the grand scheme of film not one you would want to spend time with unless you, like me, were out of videos and had seen everything else on cable at the time.
The story takes off with a divorcee's boyfriend acting like a perv with her daughters. So, the eldest sib takes off with the young one in tow. At this point the film turns into a road trip flick with the ditzy teenage heroine doing such stupid things as leaving her 10 year old sis in a motel over night by herself and then, if that wasn't stupid enough, just plain leaving her while Mr. Pervert is one his way to pick her up. Jeez! Think this airhead ever heard of the "POLICE"? Anyway, the teenage wanders around looking for her dad...blaa, blaa, yadayadayada. Finally the film gets back on track and once again becomes a serious drama.
Someone once said: There are no bad actors, only bad directors. This flick had potential but lost it to some lame auteursmanship. Not recommendable. (D)
The story takes off with a divorcee's boyfriend acting like a perv with her daughters. So, the eldest sib takes off with the young one in tow. At this point the film turns into a road trip flick with the ditzy teenage heroine doing such stupid things as leaving her 10 year old sis in a motel over night by herself and then, if that wasn't stupid enough, just plain leaving her while Mr. Pervert is one his way to pick her up. Jeez! Think this airhead ever heard of the "POLICE"? Anyway, the teenage wanders around looking for her dad...blaa, blaa, yadayadayada. Finally the film gets back on track and once again becomes a serious drama.
Someone once said: There are no bad actors, only bad directors. This flick had potential but lost it to some lame auteursmanship. Not recommendable. (D)
Riders
thedarkersideofsears13 March 2003
Having Only Caught this film the first time in the middle I was already sold on it being an excellent film. It is rare that I can find a film that has the ability to instill intense Emotion, allot of films today lack realisim and emotion. This one how ever had both.
The film is about a teenage girl who runs from home to find her father after her mothers boy friend makes a less than flattering pass at her. Along the way we witness her struggles and learn that this Independent girl with an attitude is as human, confused and unprepared as the rest of us. The end was deffinately a shock.
Ultimately, Id have to say this was an Excellent film, for two reasons. It was Real, the characters were real, the story was real. Not that it was necessarily true, but there were no unrealistic aspects behind the story. Allot of films these days lack the realisim that I think our culture is looking for these days.
Two is the fact that it had emotion and displayed it naturally. The Cast, Crew, Writerer/Director and everyone else involved deserves a Standing Ovation for a well put together, well thought, well written and performed film. I recommend it to everyone, a film that Bumped its way to my top three. ( No small feat ) Go, Watch, Enjoy!
Charles Douglas
The film is about a teenage girl who runs from home to find her father after her mothers boy friend makes a less than flattering pass at her. Along the way we witness her struggles and learn that this Independent girl with an attitude is as human, confused and unprepared as the rest of us. The end was deffinately a shock.
Ultimately, Id have to say this was an Excellent film, for two reasons. It was Real, the characters were real, the story was real. Not that it was necessarily true, but there were no unrealistic aspects behind the story. Allot of films these days lack the realisim that I think our culture is looking for these days.
Two is the fact that it had emotion and displayed it naturally. The Cast, Crew, Writerer/Director and everyone else involved deserves a Standing Ovation for a well put together, well thought, well written and performed film. I recommend it to everyone, a film that Bumped its way to my top three. ( No small feat ) Go, Watch, Enjoy!
Charles Douglas
I thought Riders was a hard, realistic, well crafted film
drrob33320 November 2001
Riders offered a brutally honest picture of the human condition. The characters and dialogue were believable. There were several creative cinematic techniques that helped to enhance to story. This movie stayed with me well after I saw it. I was moved.
Another crappy indie
lngjon25 April 2004
Some indie movies are great. This one isn't one of those. Sometimes it seems like the indie studios will green light anything that comes along, and you wonder how quickly anyone in a real studio would get canned for approving this two hour pretentiousness-fest, with completely unlikable and unrealistic characters. You can tell it's bad when you're disappointed that the boyfriend didn't kill the lead character when he smashes her into the table... The artsy-wannabe camera shots when she makes her tea (and, for that matter, all through the rest of the movie), only serve to make it obvious that they're trying too hard. Awful.
A promising debut feature
NeelyO3 April 2003
As low-budget, calling-card movies go, this one is fairly heartfelt and well-produced. Sadler shows a real flair for exploring the psyche of his female teen protagonist, and he's clearly gotten the most production value possible out of a small budget. It's scruffy around the edges, perhaps, but it's a movie that makes me curious to see what the director will do next. RIDERS is certainly leaps and bounds beyond many first films whose makers have been crowned the Second Coming after one successful Sundance screening.
Intense, real, emotional and so BELIEVABLE. Acting was incredible.
jamiles17 November 2001
The actors that were chosen for this movie portrayed the characters so well. I went through many emotions while watching the movie - anger, frustration, etc. I wanted to slap and shake the mother, shoot the boyfriend, save the sisters. The locations seemed perfect for the story - the "family" house appeared to be in an isolated area which made the situation seem harder for the older sister as she had no real neighbors to call on.
I think Doug Sadler picked a very human situation and managed to show the weakness and strength in ordinary people.
Can't wait to see his next movie whenever it appears.
I think Doug Sadler picked a very human situation and managed to show the weakness and strength in ordinary people.
Can't wait to see his next movie whenever it appears.
Engaging, authentic story of family challenges
jrmorse19 November 2001
Loved this film . . . a very real story about single mom parenting and daughters' relationships with mom's boyfriends. The characters are very authentic and compelling. Plus the locales are very real and intriguing. Very well done independent film. A must-see for film buffs.
It took my breath away...
jjjaffe19 November 2001
I saw this film at the LA Film Festival. It is an intense and complex story. The photography is fantastic. The main characters are portrayed by two young actresses who do a great job. As in real life, the "bad guy" has more facets to him than at first apparent. The ending leaves the viewer with lots to speculate about. It would make for a good conversation with teens as well as adults. I highly recommend this film.
Powerfully evocative film. See it.
homer-2619 November 2001
A wonderful debut for this director, and many of the actors. I was drawn into the plot as it unfolded, and the characters surprised me with their deep honesty. "Riders" is a powerfully evocative film that affected me deeply. See it!
Very professional and sensitive treatment of a difficult topic. Great acting and cinematography.
csadler-117 November 2001
I think that this film is an incredible debut for a first time screenwriter/director. The script was very tight. The actors and the acting was top rate by any standard. The cinematography was exceptional. I really liked the feel and pace of the film. Real Talents ALL!!!
The intensity of tension throughout was magnificent. Loved the ambiguity. A really masterful film. See it if you can.
The intensity of tension throughout was magnificent. Loved the ambiguity. A really masterful film. See it if you can.
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