Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019)

The massive scope of the worldwide adventure plot and the monster lot is great and it’s pretty cool rooting for Godzilla as the film’s superhero of sorts–a reclusive and proud personality taking on all the big bads even when he seems down and out. The human side of things is a harder to engage; props for effort but the family drama is a bit convoluted, the environmental discussion is one and done, and overall it bloats the film. Dr. Serizawa’s emotional monster moment was a nice touch though.

5

Den of Thieves (2018)

A gritty crime saga which follows the lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank. (IMDb)

A capable cops and robbers flick with grit, an exciting heist, and a good twist is soured substantially by its terribly chauvinist treatment of women–they’re only things to be controlled, even as it’s trying and failing to make its males sympathetic (see the pointless prom date bit; Nick cheating on the mom, losing his daughters, going back to the strip club). Lose these scenes and you won’t be breaking any ground in female representation but you sure will have a tighter and less gross script.

6.5/10 (Alright)