Great movies on television during the Lunar New Year of the Year of the Goat (2015)

"The Lego Movie," "Automata," and "Rio 2" are some of the notable titles on HBO, Star Movies, and Cinemax this week.

1. The Lego Movie (HBO)

Directors: Phil Lord and Chris Miller
Voice actors: Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Pratt
Genre: Animation, Comedy, Adventure
Screening time: 21:00 (February 14th)

One of the biggest omissions from the 2015 Oscars was the absence of The Lego Movie from the "Best Animated Film" nominations. Released in early 2014, this fun yet meaningful film grossed nearly $500 million worldwide. Set in the world of Lego bricks, the film centers around Emmet (voiced by Chris Pratt).

Emmet is just another Lego boy, with a monotonous and unremarkable life. However, he's mistaken for the "Master Builder"—the greatest Lego character and the only hope to save the world from the tyrannical rule of Business. From there, Emmet embarks on an exciting adventure to fight Business alongside friends like Batman, Gandalf, and Superman...

2. Tarzan (HBO)

Director: Reinhard Klooss
Voice actors: Kellan Lutz, Robert Capron, Spencer Locke
Genre: Animation, Adventure
Screening time: 21:00 (February 21st)

During an expedition to a mysterious African jungle, a couple perished in a helicopter crash. Only their son, JJ (Kellan Lutz), survived the horrific accident. He was taken in and raised by a troop of gorillas, growing up to become Tarzan – the king of the jungle. After more than a decade of navigating the jungle and learning survival skills, Tarzan knows every nook and cranny, every trap, in the vast forest.

Those experiences proved invaluable to him later on, especially after he met the beautiful Jane (Spencer Locke). Together, they defended the forest against an attack by a group of mercenaries sent by the greedy CEO who had stolen Tarzan's parents' company...

3. Showdown in Little Tokyo (Cinemax)

Director: Mark L. Lester
Cast: Dolph Lundgren, Brandon Lee
Genre: Action, Adventure
Screening time: 20:45 (February 20th)

Detective Chris Kenner (Dolph Lundgren) grew up in Japan, giving him the mind and spirit of a Samurai, alongside the muscular physique of a warrior. His mission in Los Angeles is to stop a growing Yakuza gang that deals in drugs but disguises itself as a criminal organization, making it difficult for the police to catch them red-handed.

To bring the Yakuza boss and his henchmen to justice, Chris needs to cooperate with another Japanese-American police officer, Johnny Murata (Brandon Lee), while also protecting a female witness whose life is being threatened...

4. Automata (Cinemax)

Director: Gabe Ibanez
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Dylan McDermott
Genre: Science Fiction
Screening time: 22:00 (February 20th)

The story of Automata is set 50 years in the future, where humans and robots coexist. Jacq Vaucan (Antonio Banderas) is an insurance agent tasked with investigating and concluding the case of rebellious androids. From there, he begins to delve into the secrets to uncover who is behind the powerful program known as Automata Pilgrim 700.

However, the more Vaucan investigated, the more he realized he was treading a path he should never have taken. The truth he was gradually uncovering was darker and more complex than anyone could have imagined...

5. Rio 2 (Star Movies)

Director: Carlos Saldanha
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Anne Hathaway, Jermaine Clement
Genre: Animation, Adventure
Screening time: 18:00 (February 21st)

Rio 2 continues the story from the first film, after Blue (Jesse Eisenberg) and Blu (Anne Hathaway) get married and live in Rio. By Rio 2, this harmonious couple has three children. One day, Jewel and Blu discover they are not the only blue macaws left on Earth. Furthermore, Jewel realizes that her three children must learn to become true macaws. The whole family decides to move to the Amazon rainforest to live and find other macaws.

Upon arriving in the Amazon, Blu and Jewel's family encounter Eduardo, the chieftain of the blue parrot world, with his many strict rules. Meanwhile, Blu's sworn enemy from the previous film, Nigel (Jermaine Clement), is still alive and seeking revenge on his family...

6. Muppets Most Wanted (Star Movies)

Director: James Bobin
Cast: Ricky Gervais, Tina Fey, Ty Burrell
Genre: Comedy
Screening time: 18:00 (February 22nd)

Starring comedians like Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey, Muppets Most Wanted continues the adventures of the Muppets puppet family. After saving the theater and regaining their popularity in the first film, the Muppets embark on a world tour. Upon arriving in Europe, they unexpectedly become the prime suspects in a jewel heist.

The perpetrator of the audacious robbery looks almost identical to Kermit the Frog, causing the Muppets to be chased by the police. Unwilling to accept this, the puppets try to clear their names...