The Ricochet Reviewer: Books, Movies, and Comics

Writer/Director: Lucas Moodysson Stars: Rebecka Liljeberg, Alexandra Dahlstrom, Erica Carlson, Mathias Rust, Stefan Horberg, Josefine Nyberg Agnes (Rebecka Liljeberg) loves Elin (Alexandra  Dahlstrom), and Elin finally notices her.  I've can't remember a film that more accurately and poignantly portrays the cruelties and humiliations teens can inflict on each other because they are so wrapped up in their own insecurities.  The ending rang a little false, but it made me happy.  The original Swedish title is so good, I don't understand why the US title is so fucking banal.

by Graham Greene Arthur Rowe, an inhabitant of wartime London during  the Blitz with a terrible secret, visits a fair one day on a lark, setting in motion a chain of events that will thrust him into a shadowy world where nobody, not even oneself, is quite what they seem.   Graham Greene is an extraordinary writer, painting fully developed characters with great economy of language.   Graham Greene He is also a master of atmosphere; I have rarely encountered an author who so skillfully develops an ambiance of fear, paranoia, and regret.  This black mood and a dearth of exciting action set pieces may be the reason some reviewers question this novel's status as a thriller, but I was enthralled by the quiet dread that makes our hero's fate so uncertain.   The brilliant conclusion infuses a superficially happy ending with a strong dose of tragedy. "The Ministry of Fear" (Spanish) "Ministry of Horror" (Romanian) "The Ministry of Fear" (Portuguese) "M...

Director: James Cameron Writers: James Cameron and Gale Ann Hurd, additional dialogue by William Wisher, inspired by/ripped off from a story by Harlan Ellison Stars: Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Michael Biehn, Linda Hamilton, Paul Winfield, Lance Henriksen, Rick Rossovich, Bess Motta A cyborg from the future (Arnold Schwarzeneggar)  and a human soldier (Michael Biehn) travel back in time to battle over the life of a woman (Linda Hamilton) whose son will one day lead the human rebellion.  This classic SF action picture put both Schwarzenegger and writer/director James Cameron on the map, and rightfully so.   The script is efficient and lean, moving effortlessly from thrill to thrill with not a wasted scene in between action set pieces.   This film was clearly made on a budget, but the effects hold up well, even today.

  Marvel Events and Crossovers Project Taking a broad historical overview of the Marvel Universe by reading through the major events and crossover events in order. (Thanks to The Marvel Event Timeline at https://comicbookreadingorders.com/marvel/event-timeline/ and Marvel Unlimited) Script: Mike Friedrich Plot & Art: Jim Starlin  Inks: Dave Cockrum  After the seeming betrayal of his girlfriend, Lou-Ann, Rick Jones and his symbiotic partner, Captain Marvel, become aware that Thanos and the Skrulls are utilizing mind control for some unknown purpose…   …little realizing how deep a game they are playing. Thanos’s objective is to gain access to a secret that will facilitate his plan to conquer the Universe, a secret that appears to be in the possession of Mar-Vell. Marvel is manipulated into battling Ben Grimm… … on the rather convoluted theory that if he believes The Thing is really a Skrull, he will kill the imposter…then be driven mad by his inherent sense of hon...