Tony Hicks
Tony Hicks's reviews only count toward the Tomatometer when
published at the following Tomatometer-approved publication(s):
Contra Costa Times,
San Jose Mercury News
| Publications: | Contra Costa Times, San Jose Mercury News |
Movie Reviews Only
| Rating | T-Meter | Title | Year | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4 | 71% | Beauty and the Beast (2017) |
If you're looking for any great departure from or updating of the animated version, don't bother. This Beauty and the Beast doesn't have that. But it does have Emma Watson, and that's enough.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Mar 13, 2017
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| 3.5/4 | 91% | The Lego Batman Movie (2017) |
Will Arnett is the greatest Batman ever, and The LEGO Batman Movie may be the greatest Batman movie ever.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Feb 8, 2017
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| 3.5/4 | 85% | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) |
Rogue One is a more-than-worthy prequel. Which is a first in the Star Wars universe.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Dec 13, 2016
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| 3/4 | 76% | Miss Sloane (2016) |
Chastain's performance is brilliant... Had the movie around her lived up to that, she might very well be walking off with a gold statue in a couple of months.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Dec 8, 2016
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| 3.5/4 | 74% | Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016) |
The next four movies will likely only get better from here, and that might be the most fantastic thing of all.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Nov 16, 2016
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| 3.5/4 | 94% | Arrival (2016) |
Arrival arrives at a good time, as something of a salve for the ugly discourse going on and a reminder to us that thinking big is really worthwhile.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Nov 8, 2016
|
| 2.5/4 | 58% | The Light Between Oceans (2016) |
"The Light Between Oceans" is easily one of the year's most visually stunning films. Ironically, it's also one of the most difficult to watch.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Aug 31, 2016
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| 3/4 | 92% | Southside With You (2016) |
In the end, Tanne has given us a movie that is warm and watchable without overdoing it.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Aug 24, 2016
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| 2/4 | 60% | War Dogs (2016) |
I'd like to see someone make a documentary about Packouz and Diveroli, because there's a really interesting story here somewhere.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Aug 17, 2016
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| 2.5/4 | 26% | Suicide Squad (2016) |
It will be interesting to see where DC takes these characters after the semi-delightful mess that is "Suicide Squad." But, for now, just enjoy the sloppy and wild ride.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Aug 2, 2016
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| 2.5/4 | 56% | Jason Bourne (2016) |
Until its final act, "Jason Bourne" is just another Jason Bourne movie. Producers seemingly couldn't even think up another title.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jul 27, 2016
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| 2/4 | 74% | Ghostbusters (2016) |
If you're a real "Ghostbusters" fan, your time would be better spent watching the original. Because this reboot doesn't deserve its name.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jul 13, 2016
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| 3.5/4 | 94% | Finding Dory (2016) |
Of course, "Dory" has plot similarities to "Nemo," but there is enough love and care devoted to everything from the characters on down that it works beautifully, even without element of surprise.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jun 14, 2016
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| 2.5/4 | 57% | Me Before You (2016) |
Moyes and director Thea Sharrock kept the love story too shallow to be really intriguing. They seem to have forgotten that great romantic films don't have to be pretty, and have skimmed the story of any real human ugliness ...‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jun 1, 2016
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| 3/4 | 91% | Captain America: Civil War (2016) |
In the race with DC Comics, Marvel still comes out on top when it comes to fun.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted May 3, 2016
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| 2.5/4 | 73% | A Hologram for the King (2016) |
"A Hologram for the King" is disappointing mostly in that it could have been been better. But that doesn't make it bad.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Apr 19, 2016
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| 3/4 | 95% | The Jungle Book (2016) |
Disney did pretty much everything right here. Favreau and screenwriter Justin Marks created a winning foundation, and Disney certainly cast the right voice actors.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Apr 13, 2016
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| 3/4 | 27% | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) |
DC and Snyder jammed a lot into "Batman v Superman" to get back into the game. And it often works.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Mar 23, 2016
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| 3/4 | 98% | Zootopia (2016) |
"Zootopia" dishes its messages the best way possible: colorfully, cleverly, warmly and with humor, all packaged in a strong storyline. It's not among the animated greats, but close enough to certainly be worth a couple hours of a parent's time.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Mar 1, 2016
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| 3/4 | 53% | Triple 9 (2016) |
There are a lot of great actors here and surprisingly good action scenes and a tense ending, all of which make "Triple 9" one of the more enjoyable urban crime dramas in recent memory.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Feb 24, 2016
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| 3/4 | 61% | Race (2016) |
"Race" is the story of Owens in his finest moments, and it succeeds in telling it. Just don't expect more than that.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Feb 17, 2016
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| 2/4 | 23% | Zoolander 2 (2016) |
When Kiefer Sutherland is the funniest person in your movie, you have a problem.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Feb 11, 2016
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| 3.5/4 | 74% | The Hateful Eight (2015) |
Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight is a lot of things. Boring, of course, isn't one of them.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jan 4, 2016
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| 3.5/4 | 93% | Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) |
This is a movie you don't want to end, despite a final shot that is one of the greatest in the franchise's storied history. Abrams has righted the ship. The "Star Wars" saga is back, and we are gleefully in it for the long haul.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Dec 16, 2015
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| 3/4 | 43% | In the Heart of the Sea (2015) |
Howard does a great job of making his cetacean protagonist fluid, powerful and frightening. Almost as impressive, he avoids making it seem too villainous or, conversely, too sympathetic.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Dec 8, 2015
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| 2.5/4 | 77% | The Good Dinosaur (2015) |
The landscapes, beauty and character bonding of "The Good Dinosaur" make it a good bet for a family trip to a theater. But when it comes to leaping to the top of the Pixar heap, "The Good Dinosaur," like its asteroid, just misses.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Nov 24, 2015
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| 3/4 | 95% | Creed (2015) |
In "Creed," "Rocky" finally has a worthy successor. For many reasons.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Nov 23, 2015
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| 3/4 | 63% | Spectre (2015) |
Whether Craig has another Bond chapter in him, or producers are ready to move on with another actor, one thing is clear: The 007 franchise is in a much better place than when Craig first appeared as Bond in 2006.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Nov 4, 2015
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| 2.5/4 | 34% | Our Brand is Crisis (2015) |
The overriding message, which certainly isn't new, is that power corrupts and politics is a nasty game not meant for the little people. But in "Crisis," the point is not powerfully made.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Oct 27, 2015
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| 3.5/4 | 86% | Steve Jobs (2015) |
Is "Steve Jobs" the final say on Steve Jobs? That's hard to say. But like its subject, it should remain relevant for years to come.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Oct 14, 2015
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| 2/4 | 27% | Pan (2015) |
The end suggests there are plans for more chapters to the story. If so, someone needs to reassess the formula. This wasn't a movie that needed making.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Oct 7, 2015
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| 3/4 | 92% | The Martian (2015) |
Watney could be the perfect character for Damon, who easily slides into the persona of a man who's relentless, optimistic, intelligent, sarcastic, self-effacing, and inspirational.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Sep 30, 2015
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| 3.5/4 | 93% | Sicario (2015) |
Director Denis Villeneuve delivers screenwriter Taylor Sheridan's story layer by layer, never overwhelming the audience while still challenging it to pay attention.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Sep 23, 2015
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| 3/4 | 73% | Black Mass (2015) |
"Black Mass" is a riveting character study and might land Depp an Oscar nomination, even if the film itself is not very ambitious.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Sep 16, 2015
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| 3.5/4 | 87% | Straight Outta Compton (2015) |
The sheer force of Straight Outta Compton steamrolls its flaws. Director Gray, who is from Compton and made a name for himself directing some of hip-hop's best music videos, has given us a movie that feels honest and urgent. ‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Aug 12, 2015
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| 2.5/4 | 60% | Southpaw (2015) |
The intense, raw acting skills of Gyllenhaal, and strong performances from Forest Whitaker and young actress Oona Laurence, save "Southpaw" from getting lost in its cliches.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jul 22, 2015
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| 3/4 | 82% | Ant-Man (2015) |
Like all great heroes, Ant-Man arrives in the nick of time ... for an entire genre.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jul 14, 2015
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| 2.5/4 | 26% | Terminator Genisys (2015) |
"Terminator Genisys" is a fun ride, as long as fans accept that it's not up to the standards set by the original. But at least it's the franchise's best big-screen effort in more than two decades.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jun 30, 2015
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| 2.5/4 | 45% | Ted 2 (2015) |
I didn't want to laugh. I swear. But I did laugh at "Ted 2." A lot.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jun 24, 2015
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| 3/4 | 98% | Inside Out (2015) |
A great blend of thoughtfulness and understanding went into "Inside Out," and the outcome will likely, again, raise the bar for other studios trying to keep up.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jun 16, 2015
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| 66% | Pitch Perfect 2 (2015) |
"Pitch Perfect 2" actually is more enjoyable than the original. First-time director Elizabeth Banks manages to move the story forward and wrap it up nicely without killing the concept.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted May 13, 2015
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| 7% | Hot Pursuit (2015) |
"Hot Pursuit" isn't something you should pursue. Ever.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted May 6, 2015
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| 75% | Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) |
Lovable characters, just the right amount of humor and spectacular action make "Ultron" a worthy bridge to whatever happens next in The Avengers' universe.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Apr 28, 2015
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| 80% | Furious 7 (2015) |
It is, perhaps, the ultimate proof that a ridiculous movie and a good movie aren't mutually exclusive.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Apr 1, 2015
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| 29% | Get Hard (2015) |
"Get Hard" is worth a look for fans of Will Ferrell and Kevin Hart. And the two do work well together. But anyone with a low tolerance for politically incorrect stereotyping and lowbrow humor should sit this one out.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Mar 24, 2015
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| 2/4 | 17% | The Gunman (2015) |
It devolves into a mess of worn plot lines. If Morel wanted to give Penn's career new life as a world-weary action hero, he missed his target.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Mar 20, 2015
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| 26% | Jupiter Ascending (2015) |
"Jupiter Ascending" is the film equivalent of a baseball slugger unleashing a huge swing and missing.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Feb 3, 2015
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| 80% | Black Sea (2015) |
"Black Sea" is a good movie; Law turns in a great performance, and one walks away feeling that the characters and the scenery here are all convincing.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Jan 28, 2015
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| 2/4 | 49% | Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) |
Levy -- who directed all three movies -- just couldn't muster up enough freshness to make this installment stand out from others.‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Dec 17, 2014
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| 3/4 | 86% | Top Five (2014) |
You'll likely leave the theater smiling. And when's the last time you cold say that about a Chris Rock movie?‐ San Jose Mercury News
Read More | Posted Dec 10, 2014
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