Movie Review: **** Wonder (2017)

Wonder is the story of a 10 year-old child going to school for the first time.  His mother has been teaching him at home because of facial deformities.  And as is often the case, the other children at school have a hard time accepting him.  The unexpected twist in this movie is that the story is told from the view point of several different people, Wonder, his friend, his sister and his sister's friend.  They could have included a bit more view point from the parents as well.  This is a feel good movie.  It is uplifting.  However it does cover the theme of accepting others.  Wonder (Auggie) played by Jacob Tremblay, starts wearing a space helmet to keep his face covered.  However by the end of the movie he no longer needs the helmet.  Julia Roberts portrays the mother and Owen Wilson plays the father.  His sister is portrayed by Izabela Vidovic and her friend by Danielle Rose Russell.  There are a couple other children who become friends with Wonder.  They are played by Noah Jupe and Millie Davis.  With all the movies at there this Christmas season, this on may be the best.  It is at least the most touching.  It moved me.

Movie Review: ***^The Reading Room (2005)

This is a great feel good movie.  William (James Earl Jones) when his wife dies, takes her challenge to establish a reading room where he grew up.  He became a successful businessman, and the obstacles to his reading room are many.  The community doesn't really want him, the pastor doesn't trust him, he is mugged, his car stolen, and the reading room burned down.  Everything goes against him.  Where will he find the character to stick to it.
This again is a movie about people changing.  Sometimes the people most changed are those who are the changers.