‘Wonder’ delivers a message of kindness, empathy
Almost totally free of easy sentiment, “Wonder” (2017, Lionsgate, PG, $25) is a lovely celebration of friendship and family.
The action begins as a facially deformed 10-yearold named Auggie (Jacob Tremblay) is preparing for his first day of middle school. There are predictable elements (bullying, lunchroom tensions) but this scrappy charmer is intent on restoring humanity to even the stock figures in the story, including Auggie’s neglected older sister (Izabela Vidovic).
Soulfully acted by Tremblay as well as Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson (as Auggie’s parents) and full of worthwhile messages about kindness and empathy, “Wonder” gives crowdpleasers a good name. Extras: featurettes.
Also New to DVD
In Her Name (2017, Icarus, unrated, $28): Based on a true story, this compelling drama follows a French businessman named Andre Bamberski (Daniel Auteuil) as he spends nearly 30 years of his life attempting to prove that his teenage daughter was murdered by her German stepfather (Sebastian Koch.) A botched autopsy report initially raises Andre’s suspicions but when Germany won’t extradite Koch, Andre is forced to take matters into his own hands. It’s a tribute to one man’s obsessive determination to bring his daughter’s slayer to justice. Extras: none. Victor Crowley (2017, MPI, unrated, $25): The latest sequel to “Hatchet” revives the Bayou Butcher (Kane Hodder) for another horror comedy set in the swamps of Louisiana. This time around, there’s a plane crash which strands a handful of folks (Parry Shen, Krystal Joy Brown, Laura Ortiz) within swinging distance of the deformed, ax-wielding maniac. Director Adam Green has fun skewering reporters covering Crowley’s ten-year anniversary while also serving up gore-dripping kills. This might be the best “Hatchet” yet. Extras: commentaries and featurettes.