FILM CHOICE

THE MUSE (15)

Albert Brooks, probably best known in this country for being the untelegenic, pithy one in Broadcast News, is a well-loved comedian in America. As writer-director-star of The Muse he plays a Hollywood scriptwriter who has "lost his edge" spending strictly platonic time with Sarah (Sharon Stone) who claims to be a bona fide muse. The film has a dig at Hollywood absurdity; there are some great moments.

THE LIMEY (18)

Terence Stamp plays an ageing Cockney ex-con who travels to LA to find out precisely how his daughter died. He stalks her ex-boyfriend, a slick record producer played by Peter Fonda, and gets into all sorts of downbeat, witty, and melancholy trouble. The Limey is a delight. Who cares if Stamp still can't act - the pleasure to be had here is in simply watching him walk his young man's walk only to be suddenly reminded that he is in fact a pensioner. And Soderbergh is obsessed with Stamp's face. Much of the time he shoves his camera right up against it, amazed.

OPENING ON FRIDAY

MUPPETS FROM SPACE (U)

Heaven is Miss Piggy in silver lame. But what has happened to Kermit the frog? To infinity and beyond ("Hi-yaargh") ...

DOGMA (15)

The Catholic Church in America hated it, but audiences weren't sure. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon star in a religious parody from the director of the award-winning Clerks.

MYSTERY MEN (PG)

Uber-spoofy Christmas viewing with a terrific cast, including Ben Stiller, Janeane Garofalo and the redoubtable William H Macy.