CREDIT: DC, Screenshot/20th Century Studios, Screenshot

Blue Beetle:

Starring: Xolo Maridueña, Adriana Barraza, Damián Alcázar, Raoul Max Trujillo, Susan Sarandon, George Lopez, Elpidia Carrillo, Bruna Marquezine, Belissa Escobedo, Harvey Guillén, Becky G

Director: Ángel Manuel Soto

Running Time: 127 Minutes

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: August 18, 2023 (Theaters)

A Haunting in Venice

Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Ali Khan, Emma Laird, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Michelle Yeoh, Rowan Robinson

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Running Time: 103 Minutes

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: September 15, 2023 (Theaters)

Which is more haunted: Venice or Palmera City? Now, you may think the answer is obvious, since, after all, the name of one of the movies is “A Haunting in Venice.” Meanwhile, Blue Beetle doesn’t even bother to give its city a titular adjective. But perhaps you’ve sniffed out that I appreciate irony and therefore the correct answer must be the opposite of the obvious. Unfortunately, there’s one important piece of information you’ve yet to consider: I was tired while watching both of these movies and nodded off for significant portions of them.

Ultimately, though, the answer is in fact “Venice.” George Lopez’s goatee and ponytail were in fact quite wonderful to behold and not at all terrifying, whereas Hercule Poirot’s mustache has seen things.

Grades:
Blue Beetle: Don’t Cut the Kord
A Haunting in Venice: Just Wait Out the Night