“The Rider” (** out of four) was a curiously flat and unmoving drama about a former rodeo star (Brady Jandreau) who suffers a near-fatal accident resulting in head trauma and has to face the realities of leaving this life behind him and starting over and rebuilding his life as he tries to overcome poverty and numerous family problems. Widely praised by both critics and the Cannes Film Festival but film fails to connect emotionally, despite some affecting moments. Film also covers an awful lot of familiar territory that was previously ridden in “The Longest Ride” and “Urban Cowboy”. Joshua James Richards’ stark cinematography is an undeniable standout.