LONE RIDER (2026)

June 26, 2026

Dances With Films LA – closing night film

Greetings again from the darkness. We discover a certain guilty pleasure in following a lost soul millennial as he searches for meaning, connection, or some reason to exist. The film from writer-director Adam Jumba and co-writer Christian Flowers is one of the closing night films for this year’s Dances With Films LA festival, and it’s likely to generate plenty of thought and consideration for viewers.

Jack Alcott never really clicked in “Dexter: New Blood”, but this role as chain-smoking Tyler fits him like a glove. He seems frustrated by everything and nothing, all at the same time. Is he a slacker or a dreamer? Initially, we can’t tell; however, it doesn’t take long to get a better feel for him and what he’s thinking. He’s bored with his job at the marina, yet he’s not ambitious enough to prove himself or pursue something better. Two young new hires make him realize time is passing quickly. He stops by a boarded-up ice cream shop where a flashback shows he once hung out with friends, and even had a silent crush on Alice (Rose Reid).

These last two events convince Tyler to head back home to rural Pennsylvania. His perceptive sister Erica (Izabela Vidovic) is happy to see him, while his dad (Michael Gaston) offers no warmth, while holding strong to his demands for full payment on Tyler’s beloved 1989 Mustang that holds most of his fond memories. A younger brother is the true definition of a do-nothing teenager … the kind whose video games can’t even be interrupted for greeting a returning older brother.

Tyler “steals’ the car under the cloak of darkness, and it sets him off on a personal journey with no specific destination in mind. Without admission (or even acknowledgment) Tyler is in the midst of self-discovery, and with that comes some emotional pain. Director Jumba utilizes a scrambled timeline to help us better understand Tyler and the path he took to get to this point. Tyler tries to re-live past fun with a friend, but finds out ‘Ring and Stare’ (a form of ding dong ditch) doesn’t translate well to adulthood. And a reunion with Alice merely clears the air without being life-changing. We are a bit relieved (and hopeful) when Tyler gives a lift to some tourists looking for the beach. All of this comes after a really cool opening where Tyler absorbs nighttime radio … a DJ who is both soothing and insightful. Wearing loneliness on one’s sleeve guarantees neither a life of misery, nor an ability to dig out of one. 

WATCH THE TRAILER

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Posted by David Ferguson

WONDER (2017)

November 15, 2017

 Greetings again from the darkness. What a pleasant surprise and crowd-pleasing treat from director Stephen Chbosky! Ordinarily, if you tell me a Julia Roberts – Owen Wilson movie is opening, I would experience nightmares of Malcolm McDowell in A CLOCKWORK ORANGE with his eyelids forced open by metal prongs attached to a head immobilizer (Don’t expect any other reviews of this film to reference the Kubrick classic). It’s based on the New York Times bestseller and it’s a throwback to the days of sweet message films that don’t require explanations before recommending.

“I can’t wait for Halloween!” exclaims Auggie. While it’s not difficult to imagine any kid looking forward to this big day, very few would share Auggie’s reason. Through narration, he informs us that he’s “not an ordinary kid”. After a startling birth, he’s been through 27 surgeries. Auggie has genetic facial deformities, and it’s not the Halloween candy he anticipates; it’s the one day with a level-playing field for him, as other kids wear their costume masks and he can simply blend in. Feel the tug on the heartstrings yet? You will.

Jacob Tremblay (ROOM) plays Auggie, and Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson play his loving parents. Until now, he’s been home-schooled by Mom, but it’s 5th grade and time for “real” school. Auggie’s older sister Via is played beautifully by Izabela Vidovic. This is very much her story as well. She carries a burden that few understand, and even briefly finds peace in her fabricated time as an “only child”. Previously, she had described Auggie as the sun, and the rest of the family as orbiting planets. Not only is it a wonderful performance from Miss Vidovic, but kudos to the filmmakers for casting a 16 year old actress as a high schooler. Typically these roles go to actors in their mid-20’s (a pet peeve of mine).

The film kicks into gear, and we really begin to get to know Auggie, once school starts. Mandy Patinkin plays the principal Mr. Tushman (a name he embraces), and we get the expected nice kid Jack Will (Noah Jupe), the rich bully Julian (Bryce Gheisar), and the popular girl Charlotte (Elle McKinnon). Some of the characters have various segments of the film named after them, and though these are quite loosely told, they do provide some semblance of structure to the film and keep viewers focused on the diverse personalities. A Science Fair, field trip and school play (Our Town) each provide critical turning points, and of course, most of the film is based on Auggie’s impact on those whose path he crosses.

Although we are subjected to one of Julia Roberts’ patented cackles, it doesn’t ruin the sentiment or message that Auggie delivers. Daveed Diggs has a nice turn as a teacher, and the always wonderful Sonia Braga makes a much-too-brief appearance. Director Chbosky previously gave us the gem THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, and this time out he allows us to explore the fragility of friendship and family, and the importance of toughness in an individual. The ending is pure Hollywood, but we should accept the crowd-pleasing cheesiness and be thankful for a pleasant, entertaining family movie.

“We need a renaissance of wonder. We need to renew, in our hearts and in our souls, the deathless dream, the eternal poetry, the perennial sense that life is miracle and magic.”

– E. Merrill Root (1895 – 1973)

American Writer

watch the trailer:

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Posted by David Ferguson