The Ricochet Reviewer: Books, Movies, and Comics

Author: Gerry Conway Artist: Ross Andru Inkers: F. Giacoia & D. Hunt Spider-Man has a lot on his mind: He is understandably distressed that he seems to have caught another glimpse of the recently departed Gwen Stacey. In addition, Jonah Jameson, whom Peter suspects of having sicced Mysterio on him, has mysteriously departed for overseas. A meeting with Robbie Robertson reveals that there may be trouble afoot. It’s a bad idea to raise the possibility that Gwen has somehow returned from the dead, but it’s a nice touch to juxtapose it with a deepening of his relationship with MJ. Later in France, Spider-Man trails Robbie until it becomes apparent that a hero is needed. Kind of an odd structure here as the reason for Robbie’s attack is told in flashback. Just in case you forgot we were in Paris, Robbie takes an evasive route past all the sightseeing highlights. Or maybe it wasn’t Robbie’s idea after all. Anyway, it’s better if he doesn’t see that Spider-Man also happens to be in Paris,...

Directors:  Andrew Stanton ,  Lee Unkrich Writers: Andrew Stanton & Bob Peterson & David Reynolds, story by Andrew Stanton Stars: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root When a clownfish named Nemo (Alexander Gould) is captured by scuba divers, his neurotic father (Albert Brooks), aided by a blue tang with memory problems (Ellen DeGeneres), must overcome his fears to find his son.  While Marlin and Dory follow his trail, Nemo becomes acquainted with the other fish in a dentist's office tank and learns that he is destined to become a gift for the dreaded "fish-killer" Darla, the dentist's niece.  Though ostensibly a children's film, there is plenty here to engage adults as well.  The early computer animation is magnificent; the colors and textures of the seascape and its inhabitants are gorgeous.  The story itself is rather touching and includes many jokes and re...

Director: Bing Liu Featuring: Kent Abernathy, Mengyue Bolen, Nina Bowgren, Kiere Johnson, Bing Liu, Zack Mulligan This profound documentary follows a group of skaters in Rockford, Illinois.  At first, it seems as if it will be a well-photographed but essentially slight movie about the skating lifestyle.  But as we get to know these young men better, the outer layers peel back organically and without fanfare until we realize that we are watching a film about intergenerational trauma.  Filmmaker Bing Liu, who is one of these skaters, interviews and sometimes confronts his friends with direct, penetrating questions that reveal the physical abuse, alcoholism, racism, economic insecurity, and anger that has shaped these lives and is perpetuated through them.  Liu always maintains sympathy for his subjects, even when they are making painful admissions about their own conduct, because we are given a portrait of the complete person.