Johnny Rider's Biased Reviews

yeah i tried to correct one of my posts, but it was useless...
it bored the hell out of me, and made no sense no matter how i wrote it.

so its been destroyed.

as for the rest of my errors...
they will stay for your enjoyment

-johnny rider

Slither (2006)

Pure fun! That's what you get when watching Slither for the first time. It's got all the elements of a zombie movie, horror flick, and has just enough gross moments to keep you interested.

So this meteor comes from outer space, hits earth, leaves a gooey sack, and worms come out searching for humans. Cheesy story line, but that's what makes it so fun. I'm a big fan of zombie movies, so this one hit the spot. Maybe it isn't a traditional zombie film, but hey, with people walking about moaning and looking disgusting, it works for me!

In my biased opinion, this would be the perfect popcorn horror flick, if I didn't have such a weak stomach.

4 Stars

-Johnny Rider

The Departed (2006)

Scorsese delivers yet again with this instant classic! In my biased opinion of course. Great cast, good amount of blood on screen too. It must be difficult to cork such great talents as Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Wahlberg & Martin Sheen, but Scorsese does it without fluff.

The plot is a great one. Good cop, crooked cop, smoke out the rat, that sort of thing. While Nicholson's character doesn't stray too far from his other characters, the way he handles it is just amazing.

Your never too interested in what Nicholson & his crew are trying to trade, but that just doesn't matter in this film.

A must see for any Scorsese fan. If you are a fan of Goodfellas, then check this film out!

4.75 Stars

-Johnny Rider

The DaVinci Code (2006)

So maybe this film had some pretty nasty reviews. Maybe it wasn't adapted the way it could have been. Still, I enjoyed watching things I read about on screen. The only thing they do, is they pretty much expect that you've read the book before you've seen this film.

Of course anyone can watch it, and understand it, but it moves so fast, that it abbreviates some really great things about the book. For instance, I was amazed at how fast they figured out all the impossible clues Jacque Saunier left behind in the museum. Seriously, things just fell right in their laps, literally.

Still, worth a view, but please read the book before attempting to press play.

3 Stars

-Johnny Rider

Field Music: Tones of the Town (2007)

I got my hands on an advance copy of Tones of the Town. This is where I get a little complicated. After being in love with their last album, I guess I went into this album expecting a little too much. This band has been compared to The Beatles in some ways. Now, when I think of The Beatles, I think:

A band that Evolved.

Field Music's previous album was brilliant. 5 Stars for sure. It was like, that guitar tone I was searching for, and finally found it. Now with this album, all I hear is the same guitar tone. Nothing that reinvents itself. If I had never heard Field Music in the first place, this would be the 5 Star album. That of course is if the previous album never existed. Unfair, I know. Still, this album has some amazing songs.

If I just tell myself, that this is an extension of their last album, everything makes more sense.

Highlight Tracks:
Working To Work
A Gap Has Appeared

4 Stars

-Johnny Rider

Listen HERE

The Queen (2007)

Tony Blair. Someone I've read about, and watched many times on television, but never really knew what type of person he was. Or is. If things weren't written for him, he would couldn't be where he was. There is major conflict between The Queen and Tony Blair. Blair, trying to modernize the country. The Queen believing in traditional things like being put in her place through God.

Things really start to go rotten when Dye is killed in the car accident we've all come to know. I really love the actress who plays The Queen. Her feelings toward Dye make this film very enjoyable.

If this film is accurate, then Blair really does care. Not just trying to get the support of the people.

The British people really make a big deal out of things that I could care less about. So what if they didn't put a flag up at half mast. They take that pretty personal. Then again we hold all over our television channels, you see Ana Nicole Smith's death.

The Queens power is easily swayed by the people, and Blair. Worth seeing how it's done.

Superb acting. Cinematography was colorful. Dialogue was very enjoyable.

The only thing I have to say is, that I never liked Blair's face at all, and the actor who plays him, is even more annoying looking. Not to mention he looks nothing like him. Neither does Charles.

Thats all though.

4.5 Stars

-Johnny Rider

They Mean Us (2007) - Cajah (2006)

I've known these guys for a while. One of the members at one time being related to me. Still I will give my honest opinion of the music they have on their page.

What they consider their worst song, is probably their best. That would be because its not trying too hard. It's simply catchy. 'Waves'. Written very well. I have yet to hear any of their songs with their newest members, so I can't even imagine how much better it can be. I'd like to hear more stuff like this.

'Pickle Seals'. Worth listening to, but probably my least favorite here. Maybe I missed the moment when it happened. The train wrecked right in front of me, and my eyes were closed. One thing I must add, is that these songs are very different than what you will hear live. From what I've been told, their live stuff has so much more added.

The last song, 'El Corrido De RC' sounds like it could be pretty explosive live.
Some good effects in it as well. For a band that instrumental but claims not to be, this stuff is pretty damn good. At no point do you think, "hey where are the vocals?" What they are doing seems to be working on its own. Still, there is always room for experimentation, and they do that very well.

When listening to They Mean Us, I can't help but listen to Cajah's music. One of the members of the band. 'This Should Help' is one of those songs that just makes the listening experience enjoyable. 'This Should Be' one of They Mean Us' songs.

'New Storms' really is a moving song. Cajah could easily be the voice of They Mean Us, but I'm sure he chooses not to be. What I like about Cajah's music is that it needs just one listen to be into it.

They Mean Us 4 Stars
Cajah 4.5 Stars

-Johnny Rider

Listen HERE

LOST Season 3: 16 Episodes Back to Back Premier (2007)

The show kicked off with more questions for us to ask. The good thing is, it actually answered a good number of them. That was a great way to bring the show back. With sixteen new episodes back to back, we needed some questions answered. Especially after the last six we saw last year.

*Spoilers*
Apparently Alex is Ben's daughter, who if you don't know by now is an Other. We should see a lot more of Alex since she helps Kate & Sawyer escape. The emotional moment between Carl & Alex was pretty lame. You really don't feel that bad for two people you hardly know.

The episode was overall very satisfying. Made me miss LOST. I will most definitely stay tuned each week.

4 Stars

-Johnny Rider

Paradise Now - 2005

Said & Khaled, childhood friends are recruited for suicide attacks in Tel Aviv. The characters were well played out in this film. Even though these two men have been recruited for terrorist acts, you can't help but feel the emotion that their characters display. Anytime you get a look into Said's eyes, you know what he's feeling.

Said could be a Palastinian Sufjan Stevens when unshaven. I think that's what made his character enjoyable to watch onscreen. The cinematography was very well done. There will be times, when a camera angle will give you the feeling as though an explosive is about to discharge. Or the color schemes give everything a 70's feel.

It really is pleasant on the eyes. With well written dialogue, great actors, and a great director, this is one of the better foreign films I have seen in a while. If you're in the mood for something different, controversial even, then I recommend this film.

4.5 Stars

-Jonny Rider

Bringing Out The Dead - 1999

A film that I feel has been overlooked by many is this one. If you've seen it before but just didn't get it, I recommend watching this film again. I've never been a big Nicolas Cage fan, but the way he handles this role is superb. You can actually see him losing it. His hair seems to get thinner throughout the film as well.
Not sure if that was intentional or not. This has to be one of Scorcese's finer films.
Now, that may get some negative reaction, but trying to compare this film to a film like Taxi Driver will get that.
You get this very strange feeling when watching this film. Kind of like that feeling when you are visiting someone at a hospital. Like you don't really want to be there. With how beautiful this was adapted to screen, I can't help but ignore that feeling.
Cage rides along with John Goodman, as well as a few other EMS co workers who, should I say are just fun to watch.
The humor you'll find in this is of a dark sort, but don't let that stop you from watching this gorgeous film.

5 Stars

-Jonny Rider