Act of God Jennifer Baichwal’s documentary looks at lightning and people who have been hit by it, either figuratively or literally. Often absorbing and visually spectacular, the film has a calm, detached style that can flirt with slackness. (75 min., unrated) (Mark Feeney)
Couples Retreat Painfully unfunny comedy about four couples at a Caribbean relationship-maintenance resort. Vince Vaughn, Jon Favreau, Jason Bateman, and Faizon Love play the husbands; Kristin Davis and Kristen Bell are among the wives. It’s dumbed-down entertainment aimed at a dumbed-down audience. (107 min., PG-13) (Ty Burr)
Earth Days The rare example of an ecological documentary that doesn’t nag us to run out of the movie theater and change the world. The movie shows a group of notable or iconic environmentalists back when they were treated like young Cassandras. Listening to these men and women recount what they’ve accomplished, or have yet to, you can hear both determination and disappointment, but never satisfaction. (100 min., PG) (Wesley Morris)
St. Trinian’s As shoddy as this comedy about an imperiled girls school is, most 13-year-olds won’t be able to help themselves. It’s kookier and cruder than what they’re watching at home. After 15 minutes, their parents might have an alternative verdict. (100 min., PG) (Wesley Morris)
A Serious Man The Coen brothers remake the Book of Job in 1967 suburban Minneapolis. It’s Jewish Bergman and one of their very best films - a pitch-black Old Testament farce in which God is either absent, absent-minded, or mad as hell. Love it or hate it, it’ll haunt you for a long time. (105 min., R) (Ty Burr)
