Ranking Riddick's Chronicles

And now Riddick meets the wonderful end of the road series ranking.  This is a series that I think is mainly just "ok".  Its not outright amazing or anything, but if you check out Pitch Black or Riddick, I think you'll enjoy the time you're spending.  It has one batshit crazy entry in Chronicles as well.  Will we get any more adventures?  Do we need them?  Well, I don't think we really do, but if they want to venture down the path of what works for the series, then I'm down. 

Movie Review: RIDDICK

Riddick
2013
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Matt Nable and Karl Urban
Rated: R

When the chains come off...you go...in the first 5 seconds.
                         ~Riddick

Riddick is a true sequel to Pitch Black.  We're back to simple, clear stakes storytelling surrounded by effects, action, suspense and monsters filling the runtime.  As a matter of fact, the only convoluted or complexity in the film comes when trying to tie it to the previous entry, funny enough.  However, that world looks a lot more appealing in its cheaper form, too.  Oh and we get a Karl Urban cameo, so it can be forgiven.  If Pitch Black was Alien, then Riddick is clearly Aliens.

Pitch Black Commentary!

 

Last week, podcasting stalwart Aaron Neuwirth rounded up the legendary Jim Dietz and myself to do another one of the famous Out Now With Aaron  & Abe film commentaries.  This time, in timely fashion it was for Pitch Black.  You know the drill.  I also want to credit this podcast with willing the big casting news of Kurt Russell in Fast & Furious 7 to happen.  We put the vibe out into the universe early in the week and it was acted upon by week's end!  You don't have to be watching the film to listen.  These are just as fun without the visual.  After the jump is a link where you can find where to listen.  Grab your headphones, entertainment follows!

Riddick Retrospective: DARK FURY

The Chronicles Of Riddick: Dark Fury
2004
Director: Peter Chung
Starring: Vin Diesel, Keith David, Rhianna Griffith, Nick Chinlund, Tress MacNeille, Roger L. Jackson
Not Rated

Careful, you may find what you're digging for.
                    ~Riddick

Around this time, it started to become cool to come up with some sort of DVD tie in to coincide with your upcoming sequel.  The most notable being the The Animatrix series that led up tot he release of The Matrix: Reloaded.  Some of these would do their best to bridge the gap between two films.  Dark Fury straight up follows the The Animatrix's lead and does a full on Anime short telling what happened directly following the events of Pitch Black.

Riddick Retrospective: PITCH BLACK

Pitch Black
2000
Director: David Twohy
Starring: Radha Mitchell, Vin Diesel, Cole Hauser, Keith David, Claudia Black
Rated: R

I was just watching Predator in my bedroom louder than this!
                                        ~James Brindel


Whenever I think of Pitch Black, the quote above always enters my brain like it was yesterday.  Quite possibly my worst theater going experience of all time came with seeing this film.  If not the worst, it easily ranks in the top 3.  Films that the reel breaks or have projection problems were better than this.  The time I went and saw The Empire Strikes Back for the 3rd time and it was playing at a 45 degree angle was better.