Tangled (2010)
Director: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard
Starring: Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy

A modern Disney animation to rival all the magic and musical magnificence in the films of the studio’s early nineties period that boasted such hits as Aladdin, Beauty And The Beast and The Lion King. Disney return to their penchant for retelling traditional fairy tales with this quirky take on the legend of Rapunzel. Throw in a side kick chameleon, a strong and fierce central female protagonist and a wise cracking, more down to earth than usual ‘Prince Charming’ figure and you have another winning formula from the corporation that rarely ever get it wrong. 9/10.

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Holes (2003)
Director: Andrew Davis
Starring: Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight

A Disney made adaptation of the acclaimed 1998 young adult novel of the same name by Louis Sachar. LaBeouf and his fellow child actors give satisfactory performances as juvenile delinquents sent to a desert camp where they are made to dig a hole each, every day, at the suspicious request of the warden. Unfortunately, the film fails to capture the more serious tone of the book, choosing to underplay the deeper theme of racial tension which is much more prevalent in the source material. Nevertheless a clever and interesting tale. 5/10.

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Magic Mike (2012)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matthew McConaughey

A sweat and thrust filled portrayal of the lives of a group of male strippers in Tampa, Florida. Though the film is easy on the eye in terms of both the cinematography and actor eye candy on display, Magic Mike fails to succeed in its attempts to show the layers of character and personality within the narrative. Matthew McConaughey stands out as the creepy and intimidating club owner, but the rest of the cast fall somewhat flat, with Channing Tatum’s key romances being too rushed to allow the audience to become invested. 5.5/10.