Over a weekend packed with premieres, families can enjoy cartoons suited for all ages alongside fresh ones like Blue Bug and ChampionX. This new chapter expands the Champions saga, delivering a lively, physically expressive look that fans will recognize from the award-winning 2018 film.
“Championsx”
Javier Fesser returns to the Campeones universe with a twist in the second installment. ChampionX brings in Brianeitor2002, a young virtual world celebrity who navigates life with congenital degenerative muscle atrophy and limited mobility, using just two fingers. The story follows Club Los Amigos as they emerge from a federation ban for unsportsmanlike conduct and reunite under a new coach. His brisk approach and surprising talent for drawing mishaps steer the team into the exhilarating world of track and field, where resolve, humor, and teamwork carry the day.
The ensemble must balance old bonds with new challenges as they chase a return to competition, learning that true strength often comes from unity and heart. [Attribution: Film Festival Brief]
“Blue Bug”
Directed by Ángel Manuel Soto from Puerto Rico, Blue Bug marks a landmark moment as the first Latino-led DC superhero feature, blending live action with dynamic animation and starring Xolo Maridueña as the hero.
Jaime Reyes discovers ancient alien remnants that grant him armor and transform him into Blue Bug, a protector whose powers are linked to a deep sense of responsibility and community. [Attribution: Studio Announcements]
“Titina”
From Norway comes a children’s animated tale inspired by real events, tracing Titina the dog as she journeys from the streets of Rome to the skies over the North Pole. The film follows the daring ascent of an airship that carried Italian engineer Umberto Nobile and Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen in 1926.
Titina’s adventures unfold through laughter and curiosity, offering a window into perseverance and friendship. The movie celebrated Excellence at the Tokyo Anime Award and earned nominations at KinoFest and Amanda Awards. [Attribution: Festival Coverage]
“Hei Buh and the Haunted Castle”
Continuing the franchise that began in 2006 with Hei Buh, the horror-adventure leans into a Harry Potter-inspired aesthetic. The character Hei Buh, created in 1969 by Eberhard Alexander-Burgh, first appeared in radio and literature.
In this installment, a centuries-old ghost haunts Burgeck Castle while an evil witch named Erla has taken a sister captive. The hero must locate a spellbook with help from his mischievous nephew, in a race against dark forces. [Attribution: Franchise Overview]
“Monkey King”
Netflix unveils an animated adaptation of the Monkey King legend, inspired by the classic Journey to the West. A playful monkey wields a magical staff and joins forces with a peasant woman he meets along the way to navigate gods, demons, and dragons.
The film explores ego, humility, and the consequences of small choices, delivered through vibrant animation and action. [Attribution: Streaming Preview]
“Psycho-Pass Providence”
Arriving on Spanish screens in original Japanese with subtitles, Psycho-Pass Providence unfolds in January 2118. The movie, directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani and written by Makoto Fukami, Tow Ubukata, and Gen Urobuchi, follows a complex investigation.
Inspector Akane Tsunemori and former colleague Shinya Kogami confront a case involving a paramilitary group seeking papers from Stronskaya that could destabilize the government. [Attribution: Series & Film Chronicle]
“My Name is Alfred Hitchcock”
Mark Cousins guides a documentary about the famed filmmaker in a fresh, approachable exploration of 53 films. The film invites viewers to experience Hitchcock through a lens of contemporary interpretation.
British comedian Alistair McGowan provides a deft, impression-based narration in the director’s voice across iconic titles like Vertigo, Psycho, and Rear Window, offering a lively first-person perspective. [Attribution: Documentary Notes]
“Little Coincidences”
Olivier Treiner and Laurent Tangy present a poignant look at fate and life’s twists in Paris 2052. The story follows 80-year-old Julia as she reflects on choices made since she was 17, examining pivotal moments that could have led her life down different paths. The cast includes Lou de Laâge, Raphaël Personnaz, Isabelle Carré, and Denis Podalydès.
The film blends drama and humor to illuminate how one life can hinge on quiet, ordinary moments with lasting impact. [Attribution: National Film Registry]