Godzilla (2014)

Pretty dreadful except for a twenty-minute sequence towards the very end (from the soldiers parachuting in, to the soldier boy and Gojira both collapsing). Pretty much zero characterisation, a plot that boils down to "army makes really stupid decisions and plans, monsters react" for the most part, and, perhaps most importantly, managing to make Gojira's appearance hugely anti-climactic.

Rating: Bad

EDIT: on a second watch (2020-10-26), these criticisms still stand, but it does have a bunch of great visuals and atmosphere, and it's a clever idea to frame it as a disaster movie on the human level with gods duking it out in the background. It's just that the first full torso shot of Godzilla (at the airport) messes that up - it's an oddly-placed peak in the otherwise gradual build-up of reveal shots, and it even kills the brilliant troll of only showing the first big fight on a tiny telly tucked away to the side of an interior house shot.

Dead Man's Curve (1998)

A pretty standard set-up (murderers try to get away with their crime, fight amongst themselves), with nothing to make it stand out. The dialogue and performances are flat, and the direction shows a couple of flourishes but is generally pedestrian. The plot trundles along unconvincingly until a twist-filled finale that doesn't make much sense.
Rating: Bad

The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec (2010)

Some nice ideas and charm, but a complete mess. Feels like a mix of Amelie and the Tintin books. An excellently French attitude to on-screen nudity, though.
Rating: Fine

American Hustle (2013)

Great performances, lots of energy, but nothing particularly original or surprising and unravels/deflates in the last third.

Great cameo by De Niro and small role from Louis CK.
Rating: Good

12 Years a Slave (2013)

A harrowing film, full of great performances. The juxtaposition of beautiful natural images and ugly human nature is striking. The film has the usual "based closely on a true story" issues of not much thematic depth or re-watch value, but it is very powerful.
Rating: Very Good