New Films

THE APPLE (SIB) (PG)

Director: Samirah Makhmalbaf

Starring: Massoumeh Naderi, Zahra Naderi

Seventeen-year-old Makhmalbaf's precocious debut re-creates the true- life fortunes of Iran's Naderi sisters, raised in seclusion by their parents before being set loose by a social worker. Part docu-drama, part rites-of-passage fable, The Apple is a luminous missive from a burgeoning Iranian film scene.

Limited release

ENEMY OF THE STATE (15)

Director: Tony Scott

Starring: Will Smith, Gene Hackman

Will Smith's fall-guy DA teams up with Gene Hackman's pensioned-off Pentagon warhorse in a tale of political intrigue. A top-drawer cast weaves in and out of the hi-tech imagery and adrenalised chase scenes.

Countrywide

THE MIGHTY (PG)

Director: Peter Chelsom

Starring: Sharon Stone, Gillian Anderson

Peter Chelsom's The Mighty is a stolid and rather predictable tale of two outcast kids in Cincinnati. Sharon Stone and Gillian Anderson cope well in what basically amount to supporting roles. Limited release

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME (15)

Director: Vincent Ward

Starring: Robin Williams, Annabella Sciorra

Along comes Christmas, and out comes What Dreams May Come; an over-glazed turkey with all the trimmings. Williams simpers as the dead chappie who leaves a cod-Impressionist heaven to rescue his suicide-bride (Sciorra) from a Gothic hell. Metaphysical conceits arrive with a heavy dusting of sugar.

Countrywide