The latest addition to the DC Universe, Blue Beetle, was originally intended to go straight to streaming platform HBO Max. I'm really pleased it didn't, as I thoroughly enjoyed watched it on the huge IMAX screen (along with four other people!).

Cobra Kai's Xolo Mariduena is the first lead DC Latino superhero as Jamie, who opens a burger box given to him to keep safe, only to find a powerful Scarab (ancient alien relic type thing) which choose him as its host. What works really well in this film is the family dynamic, and characters you actually care about. A couple of moments made me shed a tear when a key character is killed off, and Susan Sarandon brings fiery panache to proceedings as the ice queen company boss determined to achieve world domination by any means.

The jokes are family friendly, it doesn't feel bloated in its duration like so many other superhero films of late, and it has something to say about the treatment of perceived 'outsiders' in society, albeit in a clever and not hectoring way. There were some great lines in the script too ('Batman's a fascist' ; 'We're invisible to people like that...it's like our superpower'). I loved the gun-toting grandma, the bus being cut in half, and the slight Inspector Gadget crossed with Iron Man vibe. A winner, and one to see on the big screen. Dare I say that I've preferred DC's offerings so far this year to Marvel's?

Meanwhile, Strays probably needs rounding up and sending straight to Blockbuster Video's bargain bin, to be honest. That's not to say I didn't titter a few times, as Will Ferrell never fails to make me chuckle, but it's a strange mess of a film. Mercifully short at 93 minutes, it boasts the most surreal magic mushroom scene since Jim and Doug ate them on Neighbours, and a lot of jokes involving bodily functions. As it's a 15 certificate, I suspect it might struggle to find a big enough audience at the cinema, but may work OK on a streaming service. Best enjoyed after several tipples, I suspect.

I think I laughed out loud once or twice (look out for the scene involving a gnome and an owl), but overall it was a bit of a dog's breakfast, as Ferrell's optimistic terrier Reggie slowly realises his owner Doug was thoroughly vile, and not the loving owner he thought he was. One more plus point is the effective use of Miley Cyrus's Wrecking Ball during a revenge scene towards the end, and it's a film with more heart than I expected. Don't get me wrong, it will raise a few smiles, but that's about the best I can find to say about it.

This week, I plan to catch Past Lives, The Dive and Talk To Me. I'll have reviews of those next week. If you've seen anything decent, on the big screen or on streaming, drop me an E-mail and let me know! It's alex.cann@questmedianetwork.co.uk.