Friday’s openings: Judy Blume, Big George

Above : Abby Ryder Fortson stars as the title character in “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” (Photo/Lionsgate)

If you’ve wondered why Judy Blume has been in the news of late, wonder no longer. Of course, a movie is being made from one of her books.

Specifically, her 1970 young-adult novel “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.” Featuring a 6th-grade girl’s growing up, the novel garnered a number of awards, including the New York Times’ Outstanding Book of the Year honor.

It’s fitting, too, that the novel – which deals with religion and with adolescent girl situations such as menstruation – would attract critics, too. In the 1990s, the American Library Association listed the novel as one of the most frequently challenged books.

Directed and co-written by Kelly Fremon Craig (with Blume), the movie stars Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret and Rachel McAdams and Benny Safdie as her parents.

“Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret” : Eleven-year-old Margaret has to deal not just with the rigors of adolescence, she has to do so in a new setting – in the suburbs.

Marya E. Gates of RogerEbert.com wrote, “This film belongs to McAdams, whose incandescent performance should be remembered not just as end-of-the-year lists start to roll in but also as perhaps her most accomplished performance yet.”

“Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Champion of the World ”: Khris Davis stars as the heavyweight puncher who rebounded from losing the championship title to becoming a pastor and a business success.

No advance reviews available. Seldom a good sign.

I’ll update as the week progresses.