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Lickona's avatar

Matthew Lickona

Matthew Lickona is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.

Profile Activity Comments Votes

Knitting the middlebrow

Brave man: that's a helluva construction zone. I did like it, more than most, I think. I think "the limits of intelligence" is a pretty big theme: Messner's friend tells him he's too smart to wind up killed in the war, but we know from the outset that that's not true. Messner counts on his intelligence to save him; it's why he feels comfortable rejecting the community offered by the Jewish frat, and why he thinks he can win against the Dean. Then he sees that leg, and fate kicks into gear, because from then on out, it's a matter of character. I guess SPOILER ALERT: the woman in the nursing home is looking at that wallpaper pattern of roses in a vase for a reason.
— August 6, 2016 3:58 p.m.

Bourne Too Late?

UPDATE: Mr. Marks has delivered his verdict on *[Bad Moms][1]*! [1]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/bad-moms/
— July 29, 2016 3:01 p.m.

Four stories, one tail

Every Friday, we have a post linking to all of that week's reviews, which post includes nearly every new release, "regular" or otherwise. Alas, we did miss Free State of Jones last week, but we did review The Shallows and Independence Day: Resurgence, which were the other wide releases. Reviews can also be found by clicking on "Movies" and scrolling through the posters for films currently in theaters.
— June 30, 2016 1:02 p.m.

Independence Day — a resurgence?

Goldblum is great in Le Week-End.
— June 22, 2016 4:03 p.m.

Francofonia, Hockney, The Lobster, X-Men: Apocalypse

Seriously, I like Oscar Isaac so much that I'm willing to bet FIVE DOLLARS that one day we'll look back on his appearance in *[Star Wars: The Force Awakens][1]* and compare it to the way Alec Guinness classed up the joint in *A New Hope*. But he just didn't register in this *X-Men* installment. If you want to see the man play a compelling villain, check out last year's *[Ex Machina][2]*, for which Oscar should have won an Oscar. And I swear I'm not trolling when I praise *[Alice Through the Looking Glass][3]*. Deep down, it's a real movie. ALSO: Scott should have a review for *[Maggie's Plan][4]* by day's end. Cheers, all. [1]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/star-wars-th… [2]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/ex-machina/ [3]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/alice-throug… [4]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/maggies-plan/
— May 27, 2016 9:59 a.m.

So many movie openings

UPDATE: Mr. Marks, God bless him, actually went out and caught *[The Boss][1]* so you don't have to. [1]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/the-boss/
— April 8, 2016 4:22 p.m.

So many movie openings

And for heaven's sake, how could I forget *[Midnight Special][1]*, the latest from Jeff Nichols, director of my beloved *Mud*? I was bugged they didn't screen this one for critics, but believe me you, I'll get out to see it soon enough. [1]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/midnight-spe…
— April 8, 2016 1:24 p.m.

Orson Welles, restored

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i7ycxiog40
— April 4, 2016 1:39 p.m.

Orson Welles, restored

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhWM4_pIKVg
— April 4, 2016 1:37 p.m.

Movies opening this week

Good gravy, I forgot to mention *[God's Not Dead 2][1]* and *[Meet the Blacks][2]*. Maybe it's because they didn't screen 'em for critics. Make of that what you will. [1]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/gods-not-dea… [2]: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/movies/meet-the-bla…
— April 2, 2016 8:16 a.m.

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