Riders

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.