The latest releases reviewed.

HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX ****

Directed by David Yates. Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Imelda Staunton, Michael Gambon, Gary Oldman, Ralph Fiennes, Brendan Gleeson, Helena Bonham Carter, Maggie Smith, Emma Thompson, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Rickman, Evanna Lynch, David Thewlis 12 cert

As the dramatic bridge between the first four movies and the two that will complete the saga, this is the most explicatory film of the series. The tone is darker, as Harry is threatened with expulsion and another confrontation with the evil Voldemort, although Harry does get to experience his first screen kiss. There are some dazzling set-pieces and a splendid new villain in a sinister Hogwarts professor, played with relish by Staunton, blending sweetness and fright. MD

HAIRSPRAY ****

Directed by Adam Shankman. Starring Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken PG cert

A spherical teenager auditions for a televised dance party in 1960s Baltimore. This belting version of the musical based on John Waters's 1988 film buzzes with camp energy and features fine performances from Blonsky in the lead and a dragged-up Travolta as her mom. The two-disc "Shake & Shimmy" edition offers a lyrics track and invites you to sing along. Who could possibly resist?

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: AT WORLD'S END **

Directed by Gore Verbinski. Starring Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightley, Bill Nighy, Stellan Skarsgård, Chow Yun-Fat 12 cert

Arrrr! Shiver me timbers! And so on. The most financially successful film of the year comes to you, lucky viewer, in a packed two-disc edition featuring more pointless features than you could shake a cutlass at. If the film is too incoherent and boring to endure again - and it is - then you could take a glance at The Pirate Maestro: The Music of Hans Zimmer. Or you could poke your own eyes out with a rusty screwdriver.