Important Family Lessons

BY BONNIE L. HARRIS

CREATURE, A WOUNDED boy, and a very eccentric grandfather come together in the new Netflix feature called Chupa. Short for chupacabra, this story takes its name from the recently contrived Mexican folklore legend about a night creature who steals the blood

CHUPA

26th Street Pictures

Rated: PG

Streaming on Netflix of goats. But that’s where the similarities end because director Jonas Cuaron takes the legend and spins a sweet tale about a 13-year-old boy’s first visit to a ranch in Mexico to meet his grandfather and two cousins. Young Alex lost his father the year before, but he hides his grief behind playing video games. When he meets his grandfather, he immediately senses that abuelo is hiding something too. But his younger cousin, Memo, can’t hide his enthusiasm for lucha libre, or professional wrestling, because their grandfather used to be famous in the wrestling ring. Lena, Alex’s older cousin, tries to teach him to take chances and appreciate his family. But it isn’t until Alex discovers a cub-sized chupacabra hiding in abuelo’s barn that he begins to put down the video games and pick up the memories of his lost father. Chupa has also lost his family and Alex promises to help while bringing Memo and Lena into the adventure. Of course, grandfather already knows about Chupa and dons his lucha libre costume one more time to defeat

CHAMPIONS

Focus Features, Rated: PG-13

Streaming on Amazon Prime

SIMILAR TO Bad New Bears, The Mighty Ducks, and McFarland USA, the new feature called Champions recycles the familiar sports story of a down-and-out coach who finds redemption by helping a group of misfit athletes achieve their dream of winning a title. Unfortunately, Champions could have been a heart-warming and charming film if it weren’t for the raunchy comedy that seriously pushes the PG-13 envelope. It gets a cheer, however, for utilizing under-appreciated actors with learning disabilities and for revealing the varied and rewarding lives they lead. And it gets a gold star for not sugar coating the prejudice that people and families living with special needs must endure. There are several memorably funny scenes when Coach Marcus bonds with his athletes on the basketball court, when he gets an especially aromatic player to finally take a shower, and when an outdoor pick-up game reveals the team’s a government scientist who’s determined to capture Chupa for experiments. The narrative is fairly predictable, but the mix of Spanish and English, myth and legend, lost families and found courage make Chupa an enjoyable film targeted at younger viewers. In the end, Chupa finds his way home, but not before an exciting rescue and a tremendous butt-whopping by a protective grandfather. Alex leaves Mexico much wiser and with a promise to be proud of his family heritage. ✦ true grit. Again, it could have been a wonderful film, but too many inappropriate sexual innuendos, too much foul language, and knee in the groin physical comedy makes Champions really cringe-worthy. The trailer is misleading, so be forewarned. The final game ends the film on an upbeat with a valuable, unexpected lesson for Coach Marcus. And the dance credits are cute!

BY MICHELLE FERGUSON