OCEAN’S 8 and TAG — I saw these back to back (yeah, I know — totally wasted evening). I feel they belong together here because the first is a totally lackluster caper film with an all-female cast and the other is a totally dumb bro film with an all-male cast. OCEAN’S 8 was the more engaging (marginally) of the two but suffers from the same problem as OCEAN’S 13: we simply don’t care. You can double down on Don’t Care re TAG. Don’t waste your time. FF=4 for each.

OCEAN’S 8 and TAG — I saw these back to back (yeah, I know — totally wasted evening). I feel they belong together here because the first is a totally lackluster caper film with an all-female cast and the other is a totally dumb bro film with an all-male cast. OCEAN’S 8 was the more engaging (marginally) of the two but suffers from the same problem as OCEAN’S 13: we simply don’t care. You can double down on Don’t Care re TAG. Don’t waste your time. FF=4 for each.

As you might expect, The Meg is dumb. But it’s fun dumb. It’s dumb in the way its characters always choose the option that will put them in the most jeopardy. This is not necessarily good for their lifespan, but it’s good for those of us watching from our cushy recliners. I, for one, appreciate the action set pieces sparked by their dumb choices. I think The Meg incorporates just about every big monster cliche, but so what? You’re treated to great sets and a great monster. A perfect summer movie. Feel free to turn up your nose. I had a great time. (No FF — seen in theater)

As expected, a truly dumb movie. But, as a kaiju fan, I had to see it. Though the effects are good, it possesses none of the mythic undercurrents of the Tojo films and suffers for it. The trio of giant monsters lack gravitas — they’re just dumb animals who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. George, the albino gorilla, has a “Mighty Joe Young” vibe, but that can’t save the film. Instead of hubris, the plot turns on humdrum avarice. The Rock gives his usual solid performance (sorry) but Jeffery Dean Morgan steals every scene he’s in. FF=2