DAMIEN RILEY, world musician and performer

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  • Swingers (1996)

    A must see for anyone dating, especially single male losers (as I was in the 90’s) who call women things like “beautiful babies.” This is a laugh a minute that may not help you hook up but have you laughing at all the shit you do or did when you’re single and dating.

    Swingers (1996)
    R | 1h 36min | Comedy, Drama | 11 April 1997 (Brazil)

    Wannabe actors become regulars in the stylish neo-lounge scene; Trent teaches his friend Mike the unwritten rules of the scene.
    Director: Doug Liman
    Writer: Jon Favreau
    Stars: Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau

    Occasionally through the annals of movie history, a perfect film comes about with a visionary director and gifted cast. It would seem this is one of those. Doug Liman leads this group of handsome and beautiful soon-to-be mega stars, including Vince Vaughn, Heather Graham, Jon Favreau. If you haven’t heard of Doug Liman, let me list a few of his directorial achievements for you:
    2016 Edge of Tomorrow
    2008 Jumper
    2005 Mr. & Mrs. Smith
    2002 The Bourne Identity
    1999 Go
    He’s also a well known and sought after producer. With Jon Favreau writing the script, it’ no wonder the impact this film has had both at the box office and as a cult status comedy.

    I think great comedy has to do with the things we have trouble facing. If that is true, dealing with dating makes some of the funniest stuff. Everyone hates doing it. We have an idealized idea of how it will end up and let’s face it, it usually doesn’t end up so rosy.

    The banter and dialog of these guys as they go on ventures to Vegas and beyond is flat out hilarious. They hug each other like little girls and view women as uncharted ocean but have no sense how to get there. Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau captivate from credits to credits. This is out and out a perfect comedy about the mishaps of dating in your 20’s. Spoiler in the blockquote:

    One of my favorite scenes is when Favreau’s character tries calling a date he got a number from. He calls back adding to the message probably 10 times. Finally, she calls back and says “Don’t EVER call me again.” I roared over that gag.

    For comedy fans or people who want to laugh about an uncomfortable subject, I highly recommend this.

    10/10

  • A Dark Song (2016)

    Horror movies have talked about love and loss before but not usually this deeply. The issues are so deep in fact, one might question whether they belong in a horror film. They exist just the same and while watching this film you don’t just see them on screen, you absorb them. The longing of the protagonist and her helper calling on the black arts becomes our own … “poor us,” as the ritual master says, in that sense.

    A Dark Song (2016)
    1h 40min | Drama, Horror | 28 April 2017 (USA)

    A determined young woman and a damaged occultist risk their lives and souls to perform a dangerous ritual that will grant them what they want.
    Director: Liam Gavin
    Writer: Liam Gavin
    Stars: Mark Huberman, Susan Loughnane, Steve Oram

    I can sum up this, Liam Gavin’s directorial debut, by saying it moves way too slow for the first 3/4 but the last act is the stuff you take home to your nightmares. We needed the visuals in the first 3/4, they were sadly absent. I hope when Liam gets his next project he remembers that. I really can’t recommend this film to all horror fans because I found it nearly impossible to sit through but I might say if you have fast forward abilities, go to the final act. You’ll see things there you’ve never seen.

    Back to non-spoiler territory: The protagonist has lost her son to occultists who ceremoniously murdered him. She pays another occultist to take her through rituals to enable her to talk to her guardian angel and her son to seek revenge. It’s gritty and you expect typical demonic stuff that only lightly comes. It is basically a hodgepodge character study of two dysfunctional people churning, tortured by desire and vegeance, seeking to call on the supernatural realm for relief … and failing. The end third is worth it. This is a movie to discuss, without a doubt. Watch for Liam Gavin’s future work as I will.

    8/10

  • Orphan Black – (TV Series 2013)

    Tatiana Maslany opens this series as a prolific, talented, and practiced actress. The pilot does what a pilot should do: it hooks you in! She plays multiple roles deftly. This is the place I bought in as a fan, and I think for good reason. It is streaming now on Amazon Prime.


    Orphan Black
    TV-MA | 44min | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi | TV Series (2013–2017)

    A streetwise hustler is pulled into a compelling conspiracy after witnessing the suicide of a girl who looks just like her.
    Creators: Kim Coghill, Andrew De Angelis, Jeff Detsky | 8 more credits »
    Stars: Tatiana Maslany, Dylan Bruce, Jordan Gavaris

    You have a story here crafted into a 5 season show. You don’t get that when the show is low rated. This is a great tv series. Besides that it won several prominent awards. MY point is that people have heralded this one as great from far and nearby, worldwide in fact. I enjoyed just about every episode. The Pilot is where the main character becomes aware she has clones in the world. WE find out later why they are there and what they can do when they band together. You see Maslany playing multiple roles in a single scene and it is pulled off like clockwork. I simplyoffer you this preview with my highest recommendation. Tatiana Maslany is one to watch!

    10/10

  • Movies I Tagged #Weird on my Site Pt. I

    I love weird films, I hope you do too! Here are 4 really good films that I tagged #Weird on my site. This is an audio feature crossposted from my podcast The DRP. Hey there!

    This is part of a series where I talk about films I found weird. Did I mention that is a bonus with me? I love weird. This episode is me talking about: Escape from Tomorrow Antibirth, The Double & Creep (my written reviews are linked)

    Please note the woman holding that head is Meg Tilly! That alone should make you want to see Antibirth.

    Follow all my shenanigans including discussions of weird films on Twitter at @rileyonfilm

  • Ozark (2017)

    Ozark
    TV-MA | 1h | Crime, Drama, Thriller | TV Series (2017– )

    A Chicago-based financial advisor secretly relocates his family to the Missouri Ozarks when his dealings with a drug cartel go awry.
    Creators: Bill Dubuque, Mark Williams
    Stars: Jason Bateman, Laura Linney, Sofia Hublitz

    This is a show that is obviously trying to make a cash cow like Breaking Bad. As long as you’re ok with that, and I am, you can have a good time watching this film. It has the drug kingpin, the disenfranchised investment broker, the disinterested wife, and the expensive taste kids who mean no harm but are always extra weight in tow.

    It has the underbelly exposed of a vacation town where the broker is forced to clean money in order to save his life as well as his family’s. Jason Bateman is pretty good in this. I can’t say it has help my interest up until the end of season one. I have two more episodes to go. I heave read it is renewed for a second season in 2018. Will you be tuning in? I’ll probably be looking for older tv and film that qualifies for my “weird” tag. There isn’t anything weird about Ozark, it’s been done before. Still, it’s not bad for a bige watch background show if you’re working on your laptop.

    6/10

  • Escape from Tomorrow (2013)

    Escape from Tomorrow (2013)
    Not Rated | 1h 30min | Drama, Fantasy, Horror | 19 July 2014 (Japan)

    In a world of fake castles and anthropomorphic rodents, an epic battle begins when an unemployed father’s sanity is challenged by a chance encounter with two underage girls on holiday.
    Director: Randy Moore
    Writer: Randy Moore
    Stars: Roy Abramsohn, Elena Schuber, Katelynn Rodriguez

    I watched this weird film last night. I must admit I didn’t stay up late enough to finish it. Maybe I felt like I’d seen enough by 10:30p. It’s shot in black and white and the director is very new. He hasn’t done a whole lot other than this. Most the scenes seem forced, the acting is not too convincing. I really really liked the concept though and would recommend that horror and sci fans watch it.

    It’s about a family staying at Florida’s Disney World, visiting the park, riding the rides. All the while, the father keeps being drawn to watching a couple of adolescent French girls who are constantly hugging and giddily riding rides like Dumbo and Space Mountain. Among all this, the father “sees” things differently. For example, a sign with Mickey smiling will suddenly melt into a frown. I really was curious about why but seriously, the movie is SLOW and I gave up. It does get the weird tag from me so that’s a plus. If I wasn’t so tired, I might have finished it.

    I read a few reviews on IMDB which were very entertaining and I also read the ending on Wikipedia. If you aren’t going to see this movie but are slightly curious I recommend doing the same, I’ve linked those pages below. Like I said, it’s a cool horror/sci fi concept. The problem is the apparent lack of skill in delivery. HAVING SAID THAT, it is kind of cool as an independent film if you can leave your critical expectations at the door.

    6/10

    Wikipedia summary of this film.

    IMBD user reviews of this film.