D.J. Rivera
Bio
Short stories, articles, and lists about movies, TV shows, video games and more! Make sure to check out WrittenByDJR.com and ProducedByDJR.com. Also check out my work on Amazon Prime, Vimeo, and make sure follow me on Twitter @WrittenByDJR.
Stories (66/0)
Netflix Assembled a Solid Crew of Reliable Wiseguys to Bring 'The Irishman' to Life
Goodfellas and Casino are arguably two of the best gangster films of all time. These two are classics most people have on their list of greatest of all time. They set the bar so high that one would assume the days of these caliber films releasing is probably at an end. On the contrary, Netflix, the streaming giant home to over 100 million subscribers, has set its sights on Oscar gold, and to accomplish their ambitious goal, they're bringing in the right Wiseguys for the job. That is right, director Martin Scorsese, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Robert De Niro are joining forces to bring audiences The Irishman this fall. This momentous occasion also marks the first collaboration between Scarface's Pacino and the Wolf of Wall Street Director. And it marks the return of Pesci who has been in retirement for some time. After years of resisting the infamous auteur's offers, he finally gave in for what one can only be described as destiny, given all the parties involved. All of these individuals have some serious street cred when it comes to these types of films, so odds are this one will most likely stick the landing. And from the looks of this latest glimpse into the dark corridors of organized crime and political corruption, all signs point to this master plan going off without a hitch.
By D.J. Rivera5 years ago in Criminal
Why the 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' TV Series Needs James Wan!
It was only a matter of time before the news would arise that a TV version of I Know What You Did Last Summer was in the works. I mean it had to happen—everything is getting a TV show or remake nowadays. And the fact that Scream has had a successful run on the small screen means it's only natural that the other popular 90’s stab flick would get one as well. These two films were very similar when they both released during the slasher revival. Scream came out in 1996 to an unprecedented amount of fanfare and acclaim. A year later, I Know What You Did Last Summer had a similar reception. Both spawned sequels with Scream going on to secure four titles total with big production budgets, top-level performers, and theatrical releases. Sadly, I Know What You Did Last Summer did not survive past the second iteration unless you count the straight to video release, which you really shouldn't. But alas, the powers that be have deemed that the Jennifer Love Hewitt starrer is ready to be resurrected into a new series for those that hold an Amazon Prime Membership. It's easy to complain and whine over this news, but when you find out who’s helming the affair, you’ll be screaming in the streets WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!?!?
By D.J. Rivera5 years ago in Horror
Everyone Needs to See Horror Festival Favorite 'Tigers Are Not Afraid'!
Every year the horror genre unveils simply terrifying tales that encourage all of us to sleep with the lights on. And recently the horror world has put out some seriously game-changing titles that have taken our darkest fears to a whole other level. Filmmakers aren’t afraid to push the medium passed its boundaries, and bravely explore its mysterious, uncharted territories. These brave endeavors are the stuff of legends, and one fantastic example of that is Tigers Are Not Afraid. This horror fantasy tale set against the backdrop of cartel violence is nothing short of spectacular, horrifying, and extraordinary. And now thanks to the generous folks over at Shudder, fans now know when they’ll get a chance to see this scary spectacle on the big screen before it ends up on the horror streaming platform. The trailer will spark your imagination, intrigue your curiosity, and put fear in your mind until you get the closure of seeing the actual film.
By D.J. Rivera5 years ago in Horror
Jennifer Lopez Will Be Building a Drug Empire in 'The Godmother'
For decades, Jennifer Lopez has been a force to be reckoned with in anything and everything she does. Whether it is on stage, in the recording booth, or as an elite entrepreneur, her status as one of the best the game has ever seen has been more than solidified several times over. But when it comes to acting, I’ve always thought she could be so much more. Films like The Wedding Planner, Maid in Manhattan, and Angel Eyes were good, but I felt they weren't showcasing her true potential. Whether it was the times or the fact that she wasn't getting the offers, I’d always thought that she could play a badass like a champion. In her videos, she makes bad look so good. If looks could kill, she would be considered a weapon of mass destruction armed with the attitude to back it all up. And now it seems she is about to take on a role, I feel at least, that she was born to play.
By D.J. Rivera5 years ago in Geeks
How Many Black Widows Are There in the 'Black Widow' Standalone MCU Film?
After several appearances in the MCU, the first lady of the Avengers, and arguably the foundation of the superhero team is finally getting her own solo film. This, some would debate, is long overdue and I am one to agree with them. Scarlett Johansson is one of the biggest stars on the planet and portrays a character with no powers that can not only run with the best, but can take them down if need be. The Black Widow character has been a force to be reckoned with in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing critical roles in taking down Loki, Ultron, and even the Mad Titan Thanos. And when her untimely demise came in efforts to obtain the Soul Stone from the Red Skull, it was a hard loss to take for most fans out there. But as we all watched her fall, in the back of our minds we knew or at least hoped that she would be getting one last ride in the form of some prequel endeavor. And now some more light has been shed on the top-secret origin story of one of Marvel’s most badass characters.
By D.J. Rivera5 years ago in Geeks
The Streaming War: All the Major Players
Everyone knows about the so-called streaming wars, but, like most would be gimmicks, have brushed the whole thing off as another cheap marketing ploy to gain subscribers. This war is something that seems amusing when trying to get people’s attention when something big happens at Netflix, or someone makes a move over to Hulu. But most of the time, viewers just scroll past those headlines because they do not know the sheer gravity of the situation.
By D.J. Rivera5 years ago in Geeks