Tyler Perry's Temptation - D+

Rated PG-13, 111 minutes

"Temptation" is a slow, awkward effort from Perry

Vanessa Williams and Kim Kardashian

There's a lot to say about "Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor" and not all of it is bad, but not all good, either. Though one of Perry's more compelling efforts (which may not be saying much compared to all the Madea movies he's done), it's still slow-moving, dramatically flat and awkwardly staged. Judith (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), a marriage counselor, is married to her childhood sweetheart and pharmacist Brice (Lance Gross) yet becomes bored and frustrated personally and professionally, beginning a torrid affair with a client (Robbie Jones) without fully realizing the consequences of her actions. "Temptation" is being advertised as something bold from Perry is a second-rate effort that plays more like a Lifetime movie of the week, which is unfortunate for such a gifted, attractive performer such as Smollett-Bell. Smollett-Bell, who has been acting since she was a child (most memorable in the excellent "Eve's Bayou") could've benefited from a better script and direction, and the film takes much too long for it's story to really develop. Perry is a gifted performer himself (he doesn't appear here though) but further casts doubt on his abilities by casting reality star Kim Kardashian as a drawing card, not to mention miscasting Vanessa Williams in a ridiculous role and wasting Brandy Norwood on one of Perry's trademark battered women subplots. Thankfully, Kardashian's best friend/co-worker role is minimal, but any part, even a small one, shows that Kardashian is little more than a reality personality with no acting skills. As with many Perry efforts, it becomes a tad preachy near the end as the main character pays for her actions, with a cause-and-effect simplicity that lacks the boldness or originality the trailers give it. "Temptation" (and Perry needs to realize it's not temptation if you actually go through with it) should no doubt please Perry's fan base, and while the film is peppered with a few PG-13-esque steamy moments, it's an otherwise pale effort who trades one buxom woman (Madea) for another (Kardashian) as its drawing card, both with dubious acting skills. Not worth your time, though I wish for better material in the future for Smollett-Bell.

Wes's Grade: D+

G.I. Joe: Retaliation - C-

The Rock

Rated PG-13, 94 minutes

Mindless, jelly donut fun in the energetic "G.I. Joe" sequel

"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is the sequel to the 2009 hit "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra" and no less energetic and ridiculous. The ubiquitous Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stars in this 3D action film that's as mindless and ludicrous as they come but still filled with the same likable, gooey energy of jelly donut and about as smart as one. In this installment, the bad guys have overtaken the U.S. government, with Zartan (Arnold Vosloo) impersonating the President (Jonathan Pryce) and working with Firefly (Ray Stevenson) and the Cobra Commander (Luke Bracey) to overtake the world. After nearly being destroyed, it's up to a remnant of the G.I. Joe's, Roadblock (The Rock), Flint (D.J. Cotrona), Lady Jaye (Adrianne Palicki) with special help from General Colton (Bruce Willis) and Storm Shadow (Lee Byung-hun) to save the day. Filled with an energetic silliness that will please fans of the original hit film and those clamoring for an action film this time of year, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is directed by Jon Chu, who directed a couple of the "Step Up" films and directs here with the same shallowness, lack of subtlety and flash of the music videos he's known for. Delayed from last summer to add 3D, which doesn't really help or hurt the film, I won't be a spoilsport about it, but Channing Tatum's role is very minimal (he disappears in a flash) and Willis' role comes very late in the film. As it is, the biggest star here is neither Willis, Tatum or The Rock, but lean and mean South Korean actor Byung-hun as Storm Shadow, who reprises his role from the first film and is by far the best fighter in the film. There's also truly one thrilling extended action scene midway through that essentially saves the film, involving Byung-hun and Snake Eyes (Ray Park), with much of the action taking place along the sides of snow-capped mountains and leaving you breathless for those few minutes. As for the rest of the film? Not so much. Much like the aforementioned jelly donut, "G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is strictly a fast-paced glob of silly entertainment fashioned for the masses. Go if you must, but leave your brain at the door.

Wes's Grade: C-

The Host - B-

Rated PG-13, 125 minutes

Myers' "The Host" a serviceable sci-fi flick

Saoirse Ronan

"The Host" is the new sci-fi film based on the novel of the same name from "Twilight's" Stephanie Meyer. Good news: "The Host" is not "Twilight" and is actually a serviceably entertaining, though slow-moving science-fiction film.  When an unseen alien enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan), now known as Wanderer/Wanda with her new alien body, will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about - Jared (Max Irons), Ian (Jake Abel), her brother Jamie (Chandler Canterbury) and her Uncle Jeb (William Hurt), proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world. "The Host," directed by "Gattaca's" Andrew Niccol, seems poised to be the next new franchise film in the vein of "Twilight," though it bears little resemblance to the vampire-werewolves plotting of that film. It helps that the film is well-grounded by Ronan, an Oscar-nominated young actress who navigates the movie's romantic scenes with humor and grace along with the handsome Irons (Jeremy Irons' son) and Abel. The film's romantic triangle will most appeal to the "Twilight" set, who may be otherwise bored by the slow-moving film which may be a little annoying at first (it's just difficult to adjust to Ronan talking to herself so much). "The Host" is a slick, handsomely-mounted production with high-production values, and Niccol is an inspired choice to handle the film given his background with such films as "Gattaca," "The Truman Show" and "S1m0ne" and his adaptation of the film should please fans of the book. Overall, "The Host" is a much better film than any of the "Twilight" films, and while that may not be saying much, it's a much more tolerable, accessible effort, even with its familiar romantic themes and somewhat sluggish pacing. The modestly entertaining "The Host" is worth a look for Meyer's fan base and for those who enjoy a decent, servicable science-fiction film.

Wes's Grade: B-

Admission - C

Rated PG-13, 107 minutes

"Admission" lacks passion, wit

Tina Fey and Paul Rudd

Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were stellar hosts of the Golden Globes earlier this year, bringing a sharp sense of humor and a real eye for comedy. Unfortunately, that same sense of humor isn't found in Fey's flimsy, strained new romantic comedy "Admission," though the real culprit may be it's unfocused script and direction. Fey is straitlaced Princeton University admissions officer Portia Nathan. She strives to live by the book until she's dumped by her long-term boyfriend and colleague (Michael Sheen) and reconnects with an old college acquaintance John Pressman (Rudd). John is head of a small prep school and trying to get in a brilliant student named Jeremiah (Nat Wolff) into Princeton. He by-the-book approach to life changes as she falls for John and learns she may be Jeremiah's birth mother. Given the pedigree of the talent and director, Paul Weitz of "About a Boy" and "In Good Company," "Admission" is a real disappointment. It could've been funnier, sharper and certainly handled more efficiently for what it is: a female mid-life crisis comedy. Based on the novel of the same name by Jean Hanff Korelitz, the story lacks focus, passion and a genuine wit; instead, it's a weak string of mildly amusing episodes that don't really amount to much. Fey and Rudd are a cute pairing, but they're given little to do, as is the always hilarious Lily Tomlin, relegated to just a few scenes. The climax of "Admission," what little there is of it, is a particular disappointment given how much time is devoted to it. Now that her TV show "30 Rock" has ended, I was hoping for a stronger, smarter and sharper comedy from such a genuinely funny comedienne such as Fey, but "Admission" is not it.

Wes's Grade: C

Olympus Has Fallen - C

Rated R, 108 minutes

Popcorn flick "Olympus Has Fallen" is mindless entertainment

Morgan Freeman

Terrorists take over the White House and it's up to Gerard Butler to save us all from destruction. That's the simplistic plot of the ridiculous but entertaining action film "Olympus Has Fallen," which is violent and rousing enough to round up the masses (most of whom probably didn't vote in the last election) at the box-office. Butler is Mike Banning, a disgraced ex-Secret Service agent who is sent to a desk job after a tragic accident involving the President (Aaron Eckhart). North Korean terrorists later take over the White House, threatening to kill the President and start some serious trouble. The Speaker of the House (Morgan Freeman) and the head of the Secret Service (Angela Bassett) and their team work with Banning, who is trapped inside the White House, to save the President and our country. Directed by Antoine Fuqua ("Training Day"), "Olympus Has Fallen" is an absurd but often fun attempt to resurrect the 1990s "Independence Day"-type destruction is fun type of mentality. Fuqua and Butler, neither of whom have ever been regarded as subtle artists, take everything they've got and throw it at the screen, peppering it with absurd fun. Admittedly, they have an impressive all-star ensemble cast, including Butler, Freeman, Eckhart and Bassett (whose spunk I always love), not to mention Robert Forster, Oscar-winner Melissa Leo, Dylan McDermott, Rick Yune, Cole Hauser, and in unfortunately small role, Ashley Judd as the First Lady. The simplistic good guys-versus-bad guys, testosterone filled antics recalls something Willis, Harrison Ford or Schwarzenegger would do back in their day. On that note, "Olympus Has Fallen" is pure escapist, mindless entertainment so don't expect fully developed characters, plotting or any revelatory acting, just lots of action, explosions and copious amounts of violence and blood. The highly exploitative climax is only designed to rouse some sort of patriotism, but it's laughably ironic given that in real life our hero Butler is actually Scottish. A big-budgeted, forgettable movie if there ever was one, "Olympus Has Fallen" should profitably please the masses, but that doesn't mean it's actually good.

Wes's Grade: C

The Croods - B

Rated PG, 98 minutes

Colorful "Croods" provides familiar prehistoric fun

The Croods

The animated film "The Croods" deals with what could be known as the first family road trip. Entertaining, if not unoriginal, it's an energetic, colorful adventure that will most please the young set. The story deals with a young girl named Eep (Emma Stone), whose part of a cave family (Nicolas Cage, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and the always peachy Cloris Leachman) whose main focus is survival by cave dwelling. When their home is destroyed, they set out to find a new home and encounter a young man aptly named Guy (Ryan Reynolds) whose fresh ideas keep them out of trouble. When their way of life is threatened, they must make a choice: stay put or try something new. Interestingly, "The Croods," while pleasantly entertaining, may seem too familiar in that it provides nothing original in terms of storytelling: think "The Flinstones" meets "National Lampoon's Vacation" with a splash of "Brave" for good measure. Admittedly, the crisp, bright animation of "Croods" is the best thing about the movie, even if the story doesn't provide a fresh palette; it's also nice that Cage in particular is doing something different than the ultra-cheesy action/horror films he's been earning paychecks with as of late. Stone and Reynolds are a nice pairing, though it's 80-something and "Raising Hope" star Cloris Leachman who manages to steal the best lines and giving the movie some kick. The film is peppered with enough swift action sequences (the opening scene is actually pretty fun) to cover the muddled plotting that gives little reasoning as to why this family hits the road. As it is, "The Croods," directed by the team who helped bring "How to Train Your Dragon" to life (this is also Dreamworks Animation), is above-average, serviceable family entertainment, something that the recent "Oz: The Great and Powerful" failed to do.

Wes's Grade: B

Ginger & Rosa - B

Rated PG-13, 90 minutes

"Ginger & Rosa" is a sensitive, affecting 1960s coming-of-age tale

Elle Fanning

"Ginger & Rosa" is a slow-moving but well-acted and perceptive coming-of-age story. Set in London in 1962, two teenage girls Ginger (Elle Fanning) and Rosa (Alice Englert) are inseparable. As they dream big, issues such as the sexual revolution and nuclear warfare threaten to tear the girls friendship apart. A British-Canadian production, "Ginger & Rosa" is a lovely, sensitive film with two believable breakout performances, Fanning ("Super 8") and Australian actress Englert, seen recently in the the sci-fi fantasy film "Beautiful Creatures." The film treads some familiar themes of friendship, love and making wise choices, and reminds of some aspects of Peter Jackson's 1995 film "Heavenly Creatures," which provided the debut of Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet. The low-key film is lovingly shot and directed by "Orlando's" Sally Potter, and she effectively takes you back to another time and another place, when ideas and morals were much different than they were today. Some of the mid-section drags a bit and its seems too familiar, but Fanning and Englert are both enchanting in the sensitive tale of "Ginger & Rosa."

Wes's Grade: B