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Here's a look at the films I saw this week.

Admission
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Wallace Shawn, Michael Sheen, and Lily Tomlin
Synopsis: The TV landscape became a much darker place in January when the lights went out at "30 Rock" for good. Of course, that doesn't mean its star and creator — Tina Fey — will be disappearing. No, she'll now, hopefully, be top lining adorable cinematic offerings. Option No. 1 is this feature co-starring Paul Rudd about an admissions officer at Princeton who's in need of a major life change. She just doesn't know it yet. Fey is great in these kind of roles, and she works well with Rudd, who is a similar comedy delight. Audiences haven't flocked to this film — perhaps because of the wealth of overly violent films in theaters right now — but that doesn't mean it wasn't a good one. There are plenty of strong comedic supporting roles too — including from Tomlin as Fey's mother, Sheen as her former boyfriend now trapped in a new domestic situation, and Travaris Spears, who plays Rudd's adopted son. There is plenty to like with this film and plenty of laughs to be had. It's also the rare film that leaves a little open-ended possibility at the end, which is nice. Fey shows all the qualities that make her an endearing leading lady in a film that has some winning moments. Based on the novel by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the screenplay from Karen Croner — who hasn't had a movie released since 1998's "One True Thing" — does a nice job hitting the right notes. Behind it all is director Paul Weitz ("About A Boy," "Being Flynn"), who has a knack for these sort of stories. This is an enjoyable and amusing film, one that more people should go out and see.
Rating: PG-13 for language and some sexual material
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Starring: Channing Tatum, The Rock, Adrianne Palicki, D.J. Cotrona, and Bruce Willis
Synopsis: In 1982, “Halloween III” was released to the public. Most probably went to the film expecting it to be about the titular villain, Michael Myers, as the previous two films had been. Though it is considered a sequel to those films and part of the “Halloween” series, “Halloween III” bears no resemblance to the other films. Instead, it is about druids who plan to wreak havoc on children using Halloween masks. In fact, the film is so far removed from the original series, characters in “Halloween III” are watching the original “Halloween” film on TV. Doubtless audiences that went to see the film were confused, thinking they were seeing a sequel and getting something else. I couldn’t help but think of that as I watched “G.I. Joe: Retaliation,” a sequel to the 2009 film “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.” The film was originally set to be released in June 2012 and was pushed to March 29 due to re-shoots. Whatever they did, it didn’t help. Though this film is considered a sequel, there are few original characters that are part of the action. The writer and director is different, and the tone of the film is different too. Those expecting to see a sequel to the first film will likely be a bit confused. Director Jon Chu is used to making action films, but action films of a different sort. He is best known for directing the second and third “Step Up” films, so this is something quite different. The screenwriters for “Retaliation” come to the world from a different place, too. Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick are best known for their work on the zombie comedy “Zombieland.” So it’s an interesting pairing with the world of “G.I. Joe.” The best part of “Retaliation” is the first 20 minutes, which feels like a buddy comedy that never really develops. There are occasional one-liners that lighten the mood, but this film is mostly about shootouts, car chases, explosions and special effects. There is also little time spent on character development to make the film more interesting and enjoyable. That being said, Willis and The Rock are always fun in action movies, even bad action movies. Palicki and Cotrona aren’t bad either, so it’s not like this film is impossible to sit through. I was one of the few people, apparently, that kind of enjoyed the original “G.I. Joe” film. I thought it stretched believability a bit, but it was enjoyable. This sequel feels unnecessary and like it’s a little light on plot. The filmmakers are in love with the martial arts aspects and the explosions, but have little interest in the rest. The fact this feels like a completely different film — from the central characters and plot to the actors used — shows that the makers of this film were more interested in making money with an action film than creating a cohesive and continuing story. This film was pushed from its original release date last summer — a move that seems to have helped its Box Office take — but that doesn’t mean it’s a better film. Those looking for a mindless action film will be at home here, but if you’re looking for anything else you’re out of luck with “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.”
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of combat violence and martial arts action throughout, and for brief sensuality and language.
Verdict: One star out of four.

Olympus Has Fallen
Starring: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Aaron Eckhart, Dylan McDermott, and Angela Bassett
Synopsis: Twelve years ago director Antione Fuqua was a hot commodity. He had just delivered "Training Day" and seemed to have a knack for telling gritty action stories. In the time since, he seems to have settled into high concept action films. Sometimes they've been good — "King Arthur," "The Shooter" — other times it hasn't worked — "Brooklyn's Finest." With "Olympus Has Fallen," the story of a terrorist cell attacking and taking the White House, he seems to have found his element. And it doesn't hurt that he's got some quality actors helping lead the way. This film feels part like "Air Force One" and part like "Die Hard," and somehow all of it works. This is the first of two films this year that will tackle a similar subject. "White House Down," starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx, will hit theaters in June. So, being first out of the gate, "Olympus" had the first chance to make a good impression. And it does. Butler is an interesting actor. Some of his comedies have been awful. Some of his dramas have been awful. Yet, in the right role, he can deliver a dynamic performance. I wasn't wild about "300," but Butler was the right man to carry that ultra-violent, CGI-heavy film to the masses. He seems to be the right choice to play Secret Service Agent, and former special forces solider, Mike Banning here, too. While some of the decorated actors — including Academy Award winners Freeman and Melissa Leo — carry the rest of the story, Butler provides the action and the comic relief. His time on the phone with the Pentagon feels very reminiscent of "Die Hard," as does his sort of every man, methodical way of taking out the terrorists and saving the day. It all adds up to a film that's engrossing from the beginning through to the end. And Fuqua knows his way around a big action set piece, too. While the terrorist forces are attacking the White House, the battle sequences are intense and lavish, helping to set the scope of the film. There's not a lot of depth to the script, but there doesn't need to be. This is a simple, straightforward story and Fuqua doesn't try to deliver anything else. There is plenty of action and good pacing, enough to set the bar decently high for Tatum, Foxx, and "White House Down."
Rating: R for strong violence and language throughout.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Phil Spector
Starring: Al Pacino, Helen Mirren, and Jeffrey Tambor
Synopsis: David Mamet is a great writer and decent director. I don't know why he was fascinated by Phil Spector, or what made him want to turn it into a movie, but he did, and HBO aired it. HBO has long been willing to put on unique cinematic projects — especially ones that feel intimate like a stage play. That is certainly a good way to describe "Phil Spector" — which doesn't so much focus on the case or the trials of Spector, but rather his relationship with his attorney, Linda Kenney Baden. Pacino and Mirren are great actors, both Academy Award winners, and both do a good job of carrying the plot of this film forward through long conversation pieces. This is a cerebral film, one that doesn't try to take a definitive position on what happened the night Spector was accused and convicted of killing Lana Clarkson. The film is more interested in exploring who these two people were and how they worked together. Pacino is great in a showy role, while Mirren displays the intensity that she's brought to so many great roles. This was a strange film, but a fascinating one. Though it's not one of HBO's best, it was certainly interesting to watch — particularly for the way two great actors deliver the dialogue crafted by a master writer.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, April 5 — "Evil Dead," "Jurassic Park 3D"
Friday, April 12 — "42," "The Place Beyond The Pines," "Scary Movie 5"
Friday, April 19 — "Oblivion"
Friday, April 26 — "Pain and Gain," "The Big Wedding"