Riders

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.

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!

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.

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

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.