PICK OF THE WEEK

THE WATER DIVINER WONDER

7MATE, Tonight, 7.30pm, M (2014)

NINE, Friday, 8.30pm, PG (2017)

Four years after the deadly battle at Gallipoli and wounds have not healed. In the Australian Outback, a father (Russell Crowe, pictured) searches the barren landscape for water. His wife (Jacqueline Mackenzie) begs him to search instead for their three sons, missing in action, presumed dead, in Turkey. So begins a quest across the seas for his boys, or their remains. This directorial debut from Crowe is heart-wrenching and confronting in equal measure.

Based on R.J. Palacio’s earnest, award-winning novel of the same name, Wonder tells the story of 10-year-old Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay, Room), who was born with facial differences and struggles for acceptance upon entering primary school for the first time. Director Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) lays on the sentimentality, but delivers the goods in the film’s touching moments. Julia Roberts (pictured) puts in an outstanding performance as Auggie’s mother. (Seven, Panic Room)consolidated his position as a master director and visual virtuoso. It’s a disturbing thriller starring Michael Douglas as millionaire investment banker Nicholas Van Orton – a man who has everything. His life is transformed when he is enrolled in a mysterious game. Editing, lighting, music and camera technique are used in a gripping fashion that accentuates Fincher’s theme of chaos overtaking order.