Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010)

Documentary Rated R

A lot has been made of the opening shots of Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, which capture the cosmetically enhanced comedian having makeup applied to her bare face. The suggestion is that the documentary, from directors Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg, will be giving us the unvarnished truth. But notice that the sequence consists

Somewhere (2010)

Drama Rated R

“Coppola manages to capture the unique bond – the precious, platonic romance – that can exist between girls and their dads.

Social Network, The (2010)

Drama Rated PG-13

"Because it tackles a big topic and has been made by an important director, critics have positioned this as a defining film. It’s not."

American, The (2010)

Thriller Rated R

"…cleverly, disconcertingly hushed."

Machete (2010)

Action/Adventure Rated R

Danny Trejo has been in a lot of movies, but you don’t always get a good look at his face. He usually pops up only briefly in tough-guy bit parts. But in Machete he’s the star, and man does this guy have one gnarled, weather-beaten mug. It’s as if he had a staring contest with

Greenberg (2010)

Drama Rated R

You never quite believe the romance – if you can call it that – between Ben Stiller’s abusive, narcissistic New Yorker and Greta Gerwig’s dim, sweet, flake of a Los Angeles personal assistant in this feature from writer-director Noah Baumbach. Yet the movie still works. Baumbach has established himself as an accredited miseryologist (The Squid

Catfish (2010)

Documentary Rated PG-13

“…an enthralling documentary about loneliness, deception and that place where the two often meet: Facebook.

Never Let Me Go (2010)

Drama Rated R

"…a handsome, dutiful adaptation, yet like so many reverent movies based on acclaimed books, it’s lifeless."

Blue Valentine (2010)

Drama Rated R

“…alternately swells your heart and punctures it.

Secret in Their Eyes, The (2009)

Thriller Rated R

The Best Foreign Language Film winner at this year’s Oscars plays Wednesday at the Beverly Arts Center.