In anticipation of Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe The Movie premiering this fall, fans can step onto the official Beach City stage and sing along to their favorite show tunes at this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego (July 18-21).
Join the iconic Crystal Gems during karaoke and musical performances at the magical Steven Universe booth (#3735), and discover more reasons than ever to believe in Steven. The booth will also feature special ticketed events throughout the weekend including an official Steven Universe costume contest, guest appearances, cast signings and more.
Don’t miss creator Rebecca Sugar and the Steven Universe family, Friday, July 19, for a can’t-miss moment when the official trailer for Steven Universe The Movie will be revealed worldwide at its panel. The highly anticipated new series Infinity Train will also arrive for its Comic-Con debut on Saturday, July 20 with creator Owen Dennis and cast members Ashley Johnson, Ernie Hudson and Jeremy Crutchley for a mind-bending exclusive experience including a special surprise offered to fans first at the Con.
But first, on Friday, July 19, go behind Cartoon Network Studios’ newest series with creators from Victor and Valentino, Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart, and the recently announced The Fungies to get exclusive sneak peeks and the inside studio scoop.
Below is a list of panels, events and signings. Additional Cartoon Network shows will also be featured including DC Super Hero Girls and Teen Titans Go!
FRIDAY, JULY 19
CARTOON NETWORK FIRST LOOK
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | 6A, Convention Center
Our first panel of SDCC 2019 is all about firsts! Be first in line to get the scoop on Cartoon Network Studios originals before anyone else. Conrad Montgomery, Senior Director Current Series, will be on hand to deliver updates and first-looks of everything you love about Cartoon Network. Joining him are Tiffany Ford from Craig of the Creek, Parker Simmons from Mao Mao, Heroes of Pure Heart, Diego Molano from Victor and Valentino, Niki Yang from Summer Camp Island and Stephen P. Neary from The Fungies. Why settle for second? Come get your first look at everything Cartoon Network Studios!
STEVEN UNIVERSE
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Ballroom 20, Convention Center
Steven thinks his time defending the Earth is over, but in Steven Universe The Movie he will face his biggest challenge yet. Moderated by self-proclaimed “ruler of the skies” Shelby Rabara (Peridot), join Estelle (Garnet), Michaela Dietz (Amethyst), Deedee Magno Hall (Pearl) and series creator Rebecca Sugar to learn why it’s more important than ever to believe in Steven. They’ll answer your burning questions about “The Battle of Heart and Mind” special, perform a few new songs and present the worldwide debut of the official trailer for Steven Universe The Movie.
SATURDAY, JULY 20
INFINITY TRAIN
10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m. | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton Bayfront Hotel
The long-awaited series from Cartoon Network makes its debut at Comic-Con this year. Discover the first clues to unlocking the train’s mind-bending mysteries, involving talking Corgis, dour robots, puzzle doors, and perilous secrets. Plus, you’ll get an exclusive look at things no other fan has ever seen before! Cast members Ashley Johnson (Tulip), Jeremy Crutchley (Glad-One), Ernie Hudson (Atticus), Madeline Queripel (supervising director) and Owen Dennis (series creator and voice of Sad-One) will guide you through your inaugural trip aboard this arcane train.
THURSDAY, JULY 18
THE HER UNIVERSE FASHION SHOW: CARTOON NETWORK JUNIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. | Harbor Ballroom, Manchester Grand Hyatt
The Her Universe Fashion Show is the epicenter of the geek fashion movement as designers compete with their original “geek couture” designs to win the ultimate prize – the opportunity to design a Her Universe fashion collection with Her Universe founder Ashley Eckstein for Hot Topic. The show will be held once again at the beautiful Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel’s Harbor Ballroom, opening night of SDCC, Thursday, July 18, at 6p.m. Admission is FREE. Cartoon Network Enterprises will return as the sponsor of the Junior Fashion Design Competition, presented during intermission of the Fashion Show. Junior designers between the ages of 6 to 17 were asked to submit up to three designs inspired by the Steven Universe series. The chosen winners will have the opportunity to work with Her Universe and Cartoon Network on a collection for Steven Universe and retailer BoxLunch.
FRIDAY, JULY 19
STEVEN UNIVERSE COSTUME CONTEST
3 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Steven Universe Booth (#3735), Convention Center
Steven Universe fans of all ages – does your cosplay have what it takes? Bring your best Steven Universe costume to the Beach City stage and show us what you’ve got! With special guest judges Michaela Dietz (Amethyst), Shelby Rabara (Peridot), and Deedee Magno Hall (Pearl), this is one costume contest you won’t want to miss!
Event tickets available at the booth Thursday and Friday at 9:00 a.m.
SUNDAY, JULY 21
STEVEN UNIVERSE PARTY & TRIVIA AT BOOTH
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Steven Universe Booth (#3735), Convention Center
Come party like you’re the last one out of Beach City! This kid-friendly fun-fest, hosted by Michaela Dietz (Amethyst), will feature Steven Universe trivia, musical games, prizes, and of course – a dance party! Event tickets available at the booth Sunday at 9:00 a.m.

Movie
Review of “Good Bad Ugly”

Director: Adhik Ravichandran
Starring: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Das, Trisha, Simran
Genre: Action / Crime Drama
Rating: 4.5/5
“Good Bad Ugly” centers on Red Dragon (Ajith Kumar), a notorious gangster who chooses to surrender himself in the hopes of turning over a new leaf and reuniting with his estranged son. However, when unforeseen threats emerge, Red Dragon is forced to step back into the dangerous underworld to protect the only family he has left.
“Good Bad Ugly” plays to the strengths of Ajith Kumar, delivering a fan-pleasing portrayal of both his vintage villainy and his matured emotional depth. Ajith’s powerful screen presence, coupled with his iconic voice, shines against Arjun Das’s brooding and intense new-age antagonist, creating an electric old-school versus new-school dynamic. The nostalgic return of Simran is a clever nod to longtime fans, bringing heart and familiarity. Trisha brings a strong, grounded performance as the moral compass in Red Dragon’s life, helping move the emotional threads of the story. The film smartly balances action, comedy, and sentimental fan-service moments.
While the film delivers on fan expectations, its narrative could have benefited from tighter pacing and deeper character development for its supporting cast. Some plot conveniences and an overreliance on nostalgia may limit broader audience appeal beyond the fanbase. Certain dramatic beats felt rushed, leaving little time for emotional resonance to fully land.
The ambition to blend high-octane action with heavy emotional stakes sometimes leads to tonal inconsistencies. At moments, the shift from gritty underworld drama to lighter fan moments feels abrupt. Additionally, though Ajith Kumar’s effort to showcase his dancing skills is commendable and welcomed by fans, it slightly disrupts the otherwise darker tone the film establishes.
“Good Bad Ugly” is a tribute to Ajith Kumar’s enduring legacy, offering vintage thrills while teasing new dimensions to his craft. It’s a solid entertainer that successfully taps into fan nostalgia while hinting at an exciting evolution for AK. While not without its flaws, the film’s heart, energy, and performances make it a must-watch for fans and a compelling action-drama for broader audiences.
Streaming
Presence: A Horror Movie For People That Don’t Like Horror Movies

In these uncertain times, you can’t beat a good old-fashioned horror movie. Unfortunately, Presence is not an old-fashioned horror movie. Yet, as I discovered, this is a good thing!
When I heard about the premise of this movie, I was intrigued. The stylishly subtle trailer was, appropriately, haunting. And was that Lucy Liu? A haunted house movie from the perspective of the ghost? As a seasoned horror movie buff, I was all in!
Like the majority of people I missed the films brief theatrical release. Luckily I was able to catch it on streaming. Visually the film is easy to enjoy from your own home, as it’s rather cosy looking. I never thought I’d be describing a horror movie as ‘cosy’ looking but it’s true! This is not a James Wan type creepy, dusty, decrepit house harbouring a haunting. No, this is a 100 year old jewel toned, oak finished colonial style home.
Despite this the story follows the beats we are all familiar with: troubled family of four move into a new house. The big deviation from the trope is we, the audience, are seeing events unfold from the POV of the ghost or presence.
Director Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Eleven) chose to film the entire piece using a small (14mm) hand-held digital camera. Soderbergh himself acted as the ‘presence’ following the actors around. From the audiences perspective it is like watching the family through a barrier or pane of glass. Cleverly, windows and mirrors are hugely prominent and integral throughout.
The presence mainly follows and tries to interact with the daughter of the family, Chloe (Callina Liang), who has recently suffered the trauma of her best friend dying suddenly. Through Soderbergh’s experimental filming, we feel the dysphoria and frustration the ‘ghost’ is feeling at trying to affect the world around it, particularly during the anxiety-inducing final scene!
However, in what could be yet another mismarketing of a film, the trailer promised to be the ‘scariest movie you will see this year’ and ‘terrifying’; instead, they delivered this subversive, character-driven, family drama. If you are expecting jump scares and dramatic music stings, this is not your movie. I could understand if someone was disappointed that the only seemingly scary thing is the mother’s and son’s relationship, right up until the gut-punch of the final scene.
Presence is definitely a slow burn, tension building until the final scene, and the unveiling of the ‘presence’ giving us a new understanding of the whole story. The ending is disturbing and stays with you as you re-analyse earlier scenes.
My one complaint is that the character Ryan (West Mulholland) with his Chesney Hawkes hair, perhaps needed more subtlety. The rest of the cast was completely solid and believable as a family with so many unspoken issues.
I wouldn’t recommend this film for everybody but maybe be as so bold to say it’s a horror movie for people that don’t like horror movies. It’s well-lit and cerebral with realistically flawed characters.
Presence is available to stream.
Three and a half stars.
Streaming
Anime Review: Fog Hill of the Five Elements (Wu Shan Wu Xing)

Genre: Action, Fantasy, Martial Arts, Historical
Runtime: Each episode runs approximately 20-30 minutes
Director: Lin Hun (also the Creator)
Studio: Samsara Animation Studio
Main Voice Actors (Chinese Cast):Liu Zhi Shi as Wen Ren Yu Xuan Zhou Qi as Shen Nong Fang Yuan as Xuan
Overview
Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a breathtaking Chinese anime (donghua) that merges traditional Chinese ink-painting aesthetics with high-intensity martial arts action. Created and directed by Lin Hun, this series delivers a spellbinding visual experience that rivals, and in many ways surpasses, mainstream Japanese anime. Produced by Samsara Animation Studio, the anime is a labor of love, known for its hand-drawn animation and meticulous detail.
Set in a mythological world where elemental beasts roam free, the series follows the Five Elemental Envoys tasked with protecting humanity. The story focuses on Wen Ren Yu Xuan, the Fire Envoy, whose actions set off a chain of events threatening the delicate balance between humans and beasts. The tale is steeped in Chinese folklore and myth, weaving a complex narrative of duty, power, and sacrifice.
Without question, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is one of the most visually stunning animated series in recent memory. The blend of traditional Chinese ink wash painting with modern dynamic action scenes is masterful. Every frame looks like a moving scroll painting, with fluid character movements and kinetic fight choreography that puts many mainstream series to shame.
The characters are deeply tied to traditional archetypes found in Chinese legends but are fleshed out with emotional depth and conflict. Voice acting by Liu Zhi Shi, Zhou Qi, and Fang Yuan brings authenticity and gravitas to their respective roles. The dialogue is steeped in poetic language, enhancing the mythic feel of the story.
The soundtrack complements the epic visuals with traditional Chinese instrumentation mixed with modern elements. The sound design heightens the impact of every battle and emotional moment.
Rating: 9/10
Fog Hill of the Five Elements earns a 9 out of 10 for its groundbreaking animation style, deep mythological storytelling, and heart-pounding action. The only downside is its limited number of episodes and slow release schedule, which leaves fans craving more.
Pros
- Unparalleled hand-drawn animation
- Unique art direction inspired by traditional Chinese painting
- Rich mythological lore
- Epic fight choreography
Cons
- Sparse episode release
- Story pacing can be uneven at times
Final Verdict 9/10
If you’re an anime enthusiast or a fan of animation artistry, Fog Hill of the Five Elements is a must-watch. Its fusion of stunning visuals, martial arts action, and mythological storytelling makes it one of the standout titles in modern animation. Whether you’re into Japanese anime or Chinese donghua, this series deserves a spot on your watchlist.