Movies opening in L.A. this week: ‘Advocate,’ ‘The Grudge’ and more

Dec. 31

Letter to the Editor
Documentary composed entirely of newspaper photographs from the print edition of the New York Times. Directed by Alan Berliner. (1:28) NR.

Lost in America
Documentary explores the crisis of youth homelessness in America. Featuring Rosario Dawson, Jewel, Tiffany Haddish, Miley Cyrus, Jon Bon Jovi, Halle Berry, Sanaa Lathan, Rebecca Gayheart-Dane, Sen. Patrick Leahy, former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Rep. Karen Bass, Rep. Jim McDermott, Rep. John Yarmuth, Rep. Jackie Speier. Written and directed by Rotimi Rainwater. (1:45) NR.

17 Blocks
Drawn from more than 20 years of footage, this documentary chronicles the lives of a Washington, D.C., family through tumultuous times. Directed by Davy Rothbart. (1:36) NR.

Jan. 3

Advocate
Documentary profiles Lea Tsemel, an Jewish-Israeli lawyer who has spent nearly five decades representing political prisoners. Directed by Rachel Leah Jones, Philippe Bellaiche. (1:48)

Ana
A man facing bankruptcy is befriended by a young girl. With Dafne Keen, Andy Garcia, Luna Lauren Velez, Ramon Franco. Written by Cris Cole. Directed by Charles McDougall. NR.

Dear Zachary
Filmmaker Kurt Kuenne collects remembrances of a murdered friend to someday share with the man’s young son in this 2008 documentary. (1:35) NR.

Don’t Be a Dick About It
Maryland siblings Peter and Matthew learn the trials and tribulations of brotherhood over the course of one summer in this documentary. Directed by Ben Mullinkosson. (1:09) NR.

The Grudge
Producer Sam Raimi delivers the latest incarnation of Takashi Shimizu’s 2002 horror staple about a vengeful ghost. With Andrea Riseborough, Demián Bichir, John Cho, Betty Gilpin, Lin Shaye, Jacki Weaver. Written and directed by Nicolas Pesce; story by Pesce and Jeff Buhler. (1:34) R.