Hairspray

The tale of Tracy Turnblat and dance as a weapon against segregation, set in 1960s America. Also John Travolta in drag reprising the part played by Divine in the original 1988 movie, a film I must have seen a couple of times but really do not recollect. Well, that might be just as well. This is not a political movie, despite the theme. It is a very 'feelgood' film though. It a good old fashioned musical (and provided you accept the ludicrous nature of these films you'll be fine). Every night the teenage population of Baltimore rush home to see the nightly dance based music show on the local television station. Tracy is obsessed with becoming a dancer on the show. Her reclusive overweight mother (played by Travolta) is not convinced that she can achieve her aim - but she does! Once a month there is a 'negro day' programme. Young Tracy can't accept that every night cannot be 'negro night'. Joining the black students at her school she becomes a part of a campaign to 'integrate' the programme and have mixed dancing on the show. Her mother supports her and the film ends with the achievement of integration and a young black dancer becoming 'Miss Hairspray'. My rating? 7/10

The Simpsons Movie

You really have to be a fan of the TV series to want to go to this film - but thankfully I am! This could have easily been several episodes strung together with no real common thread, but this movie is more than that - it does have a plot, and plenty of one liners, but also more developed comedy too.

Homer is the real hero of the film. Springfield is facing environmental meltdown. Lisa tries to rouse the residents and turn them from their anti- social ways - some hope! President Arnie decides to step in and act when Homer's newly acquired pet pig (Spider pig, the comic book hero pig) produces so much waste that a tipping point is reached on the pollution scales. A dome is lowered over the town to protect the rest of America from the appalling effects of their behaviour. But Homer saves the day - I won't explain how. At the same time he forms a new relationship with wife Marge and his three children. Most of the usual characters in the TV series have a part in the movie, and there are enough laughs, and enough of a plot to make this enjoyable for both adults and children. Rating: 7/10