Philomena is the new film from Stephen Frears, the director who brought us the great Prick Up Your Ears and The Grifters, and many other beloved films. As Stranger reviewer Alison Hallett writes about Frears' latest work:

Philomena is a quirky movie about an adorable old Irish lady—played by none other than Dame Judi Dench—and its release is timed to coincide with prime holiday family-movie-viewing season. You're right to be skeptical. All signs point to schlock. But Philomena is excellent, thanks to the brilliant odd-couple pairing of Judi Dench and Steve Coogan—and to a script that balances heart, humor, and a fierce sense of moral outrage.

The sap-friendly trailer (featured below) nevertheless made me laugh out loud twice. Judi Dench is so good at her job.

Also opening today: The Armstrong Lie, Alex Gibney's rewardingly hair-splitting documentary about the fall of Lance Armstrong (trailer here), and Frozen, the new animated Disney musical described by reviewer Denis C. Theriault as "the first [Disney film] in a long time that I can remember making me grin, laugh, and tear up, all while stunning my eyes with some of the most magical computer animation I've ever seen." (Trailer here.)

Full movie times here.