Punch Drunk DVDs: ‘Wonder’, ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq.’, ‘Hellraiser: Judgment’, And More!

NEW THIS WEEK

Based on the bestselling book of the same name, Wonder tells the inspiring story of August (Room’s Jacob Tremblay), a
boy with with a severe facial deformity, who won’t let his outward appearance get
in the way of his optimistic worldview. With the support of his loving parents
(Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson) August enters into public school for the first
time, and changes the lives of everyone he meets there. Nominated for the
Academy Award for best makeup, Wonder is the heartwarming,
feel-good movie of the year.

We Said: “Wonder is one of
the best family films of the year, and as we enter the season of charity and
giving it’s arriving at just the right time.” Rating: 3.5 out of 5




The new legal thriller Roman J. Israel, Esq. stars an Oscar
nominated Denzel Washington as the titular eccentric attorney, an idealistic
older civil rights lawyer thrust into the modern world when his mentor and
partner of many years dies. Roman finds himself working with a firm run by one
of the man’s other students, a yuppie cold-hearted younger man (Colin Farrell),
who’s values are nowhere near what Roman is used to. Desperate, he accepts a
morally gray proposition that leads him down a dark path, putting his true
values into question.

We Said: “The film never
comes together as it should, sad because [writer/director Dan] Gilroy is better
than this. But he seems to be pulling his punches everywhere, and the ones the
does throw simply don’t connect. Despite Denzel giving it his best shot, Roman
J. Israel, Esq. never passes the bar.” Rating:
2.5 out of 5


The tenth installment of the legendary horror franchise, Hellraiser:
Judgment
follows three city detectives who believe their on the case
of a grisly serial killer, when in reality they’re onto something much worse, the
devilish Pinhead’s trail to hell.