SNEAKS ’91 : A USER’S...

FALL/CHRISTMAS

By the time September rolls around, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II” and whatever else has gone through the roof in the first half of the year will be all but forgotten. Now, we will all agree, the fun begins; the “serious films” will open, followed by the Holiday Box Office Derby, then the onset of Awards Season. But as this past fall and Christmas showed, the lineups for these seasons tend to look better on paper than they do in theaters.

The two seasons are distinct from one another, by subject matter as much as dates. The fall often sees the release of films that need slow openings designed to create reputations and build audience expectations. For those films where the strategy works, there are the prospects of both tapping into the rich holiday grosses and feeding into the year-end awards. To make it into the top 10 of both critics’ lists and the box office standing, that’s the goal.

At Christmas, of course, the studios battle for shares of the year’s second biggest purse. “Home Alone” was the big winner in 1990, the pre-season Christmas favorites this year include: Steven Spielberg’s “Hook,” with Robin Williams as Peter Pan; “Alien III,” with Sigourney Weaver, and Barry Levinson’s “Bugsy Siegel,” with Warren Beatty.

“Aces: Iron Eagle III”--Louis Gossett Jr. returns as Col. Chappy Sinclair in this third installment of the Iron Eagle series, this time directed by frequent Bond director John Glen. Chappy teams up with three maverick fighter jocks to battle a German drug lord headquartered in the South American jungle. With female body-builder Rachel McLish. (New Line)

“After Midnight”--A psychological thriller involving a phone sex lady (Deborah Harry, ex of Blondie), a psychotic serial killer (Tim Thomerson), a police detective (James Russo) looking for a quick promotion and the Hollywood club scene. Allan Holzman directs. (South Gate Entertainment)

“Alien III”--Sigourney Weaver returns as Ripley, battling the Alien this time on a peaceful mining planet. Directed by David Fincher. (Fox)

“An American Tail II: Fievel Goes West”--A sequel to the 1986 animated feature about immigrant mice, again presented by Steven Spielberg, but without Don Bluth’s direction. Simon Wells and Phil Nibbelink are the directors for this outing. James Stewart, Amy Irving, Dom DeLuise, John Cleese, Jon Lovitz and Nehemiah Persoff handle the vocal duties. (Universal)

“Article 99”--Ray Liotta, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Lea Thompson, John Mahoney and Kathy Bates are a team of doctors and nurses working in a VA hospital. Howard Deutch directs the dark, irreverent comedy from Ron Cutler’s script. (Orion)

“At Play in the Fields of the Lord”--Tom Berenger, Aidan Quinn, Daryl Hannah, John Lithgow, Kathy Bates and Tom Waits endure the Brazilian elements (and overgrown insects) for director Hector Babenco in this Saul Zaentz production. They’re there for the adaptation of Peter Matthiessen’s 1965 novel about those who jeopardize the delicate balance of cultures living in South America’s rain forests. (Distribution pending)

“Basic Instinct”--The bidding war for screenwriter Joe Eszterhas’ erotic thriller reached an unprecedented $3 million. Naturally, it was rewritten, in this case by Gary Goldman (who shares screen credit). Michael Douglas plays a homicide cop investigating a rash of baffling, grisly murders. “Total Recall’s” Paul Verhoeven directs. (Tri-Star)

“Blackman, the Movie”--An as-yet uncast inner-city super-hero defends L.A. juveniles from drug dealers and gangs. Robert W. Lewis III and Richard Cusolito produce. A Blackman Entertainment production. (Distributor pending)

“Bugsy Siegel”--The title character was a flashy golden-era gangster who, in the mid-’40s, virtually launched Las Vegas. Siegel’s charisma, along with his insatiable taste for the ladies, will be brought to the screen by Warren Beatty under Barry Levinson’s direction. Annette Bening co-stars. (Tri-Star)

“The Butcher’s Wife”--Demi Moore plays a clairvoyant who marries butcher George Dzundza and moves to Greenwich Village, where she influences the lives of all around her. Jeff Daniels plays a neighborhood psychiatrist concerned about her mystical effect on his patients. Directed by Terry Hughes. Also stars Frances McDormand and Mary Steenburgen. (Paramount)

“Cape Fear”--Martin Scorsese reunites with Robert De Niro and is joined by Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange in this remake of the 1962 thriller. Robert Mitchum, Gregory Peck and Martin Balsam, all of whom starred in the original, make cameo appearances. De Niro plays an ex-con who terrorizes the family of a lawyer who failed to keep him out of jail. Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall are executive producers. (Universal)

“Car 54, Where Are You?”--This ‘90s rendition of the ‘60s TV series about mismatched cops stars David Johansen as the stocky, hyper Officer Gunther Toody and John McGinley as his tall sidekick, Francis Muldoon. Bill Fishman (“Tapeheads”) directs a cast that includes Daniel Baldwin, Fran Drescher, Al (Grandpa Munster) Lewis, Rosie O’Connell and Nipsey Russell. (Universal)

“The Cherry Orchard”--This film version of Anton Chekov’s theatrical masterpiece stars Maggie Smith, Bob Hoskins and Alan Bates and is directed by Lindsay Anderson, who wrote the adaptation with Frank Grimes. (21st Century)

“Child’s Play 3”--Like it or not, Chucky’s back--again. Don Mancini, who created the character of the murderous doll, writes, this time for director Jack Bender. Alex Vincent stars. (Universal)

“China Moon”--Ed Harris and Madeleine Stowe star in this suspense thriller about a Florida cop whose investigation of a crime points to him. The second production by Kevin Costner’s Tig Productions--following “Dances With Wolves.” John Bailey directs Roy Carlson’s screenplay. (Orion)

“The Commitments”--Alan Parker directs this story of young Dubliners who form a band to bring R&B; music to Ireland. It’s based on Roddy Doyle’s book. With Robert Atkins, Angeline Ball, Bronagh Gallagher, Maria Doyle, Andrew Strong and Ken McCluskey. (Fox)

“Conundrum”--Sally Field (who co-produces) plays a policewoman set up by her partner as a suspect in his plot to kill his wife. Phillip Noyce (“Dead Calm”) directs the psychological drama. (MGM-Pathe)

“Crisscross”--Goldie Hawn stars as a single mother struggling to raise her 12-year-old son in 1969. Oscar-winning cinematographer Chris Menges directs from a screenplay by Scott Sommer, based on his novella. With Arliss Howard, James Gammon, Keith Carradine and David Arnott. (MGM-Pathe)

“The Dark Half”--George Romero writes-directs a thriller inspired by a novel by Stephen King with a theme similar to “Misery.” Timothy Hutton is a novelist who tries to kill off his alter-ego only for that character to come to life--with a vengeance. With Amy Madigan, Julie Harris and Michael Rooker. (Orion)

“The Dark Wind”--Lou Diamond Phillips plays Navajo Tribal Police officer Jim Chee, who is featured in a series of mystery novels by New Mexico novelist Tony Hillerman. “The Thin Blue Line’s” Errol Morris directs; Robert Redford serves as executive producer. (New Line)

“Dead On”--A cop investigates a series of brutal, random killings that he learns are a cover-up for international espionage. Ray Sharkey, Leo Rossi, Meg Foster and Miles O’Keeffe star; Michael Schroeder directs. (New Line)

“Deadly Games”--A young police detective must stake out his lover’s husband. When he witnesses the man’s murder, he is drawn into a maelstrom of violence and obsessive eroticism. No cast yet. (Moviestore)

“Enid Is Sleeping”--Elizabeth Perkins, Judge Reinhold and Jeffrey Jones star in the dark ordeal of two sisters living in New Mexico. When one sister (Enid) walks in on her sibling’s (June) afternoon tryst with husband Harry, she’s accidentally killed when she’s conked on the head with the bust of a clown. Rhea Perlman and Michael J. Pollard make special appearances. Maurice Phillips is the writer-director. (Distributor pending)

“The Favor”--This romantic comedy stars Elizabeth McGovern and Harley Jane Kozak as two best friends whose longtime bond is threatened when McGovern’s high school sweetheart (Ken Wahl) becomes the focus of an intense fantasy. Bill Pullman also stars for director Donald Petrie. (Orion)

“Femme Fatale”--Psychological suspense concerning a man desperately trying to find the woman that he loves, but discovers she is not who he thinks she is. Colin Firth, Lisa Zane, Billy Zane, Lisa Blount and Scott Wilson star; Andre R. Guttfreund directs. (Distributor pending)

“Fern Gully, the Last Rainforest”--20th Century Fox’s entry in the animation derby is an ecological fantasy about the forest’s inhabitants and the “web of life.” Jim Cox adapted a children’s book by Diana Young. Bill Kroyer directs and Peter Faiman (the original “ ‘Crocodile’ Dundee” director) and Wayne Young produce. (Fox)

“Floyd Mutrux Untitled”--Writer-director Floyd Mutrux (“American Hot Wax”) takes an “American Graffiti”-like look at eight high school graduates in 1965 who gather for the closing night of their favorite diner the night the Watts riots break out. Rick Schroder, Noah Wyle, Kristin Minter, Dermot Mulroney, Kelli Williams, Jill Schoelen, Kenny Random and Lucy Deakins star. (Orion)

“For the Boys”--Bette Midler and James Caan star in a musical comedy that follows an ill-fated romance of a song and dance team as they tour with the USO during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Mark Rydell directs a screenplay by Marshall Brickman, Neal Jimenez and Lindy Laub. (Fox)

“Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare”--If Freddy’s dead, then why is Robert Englund in the cast? Rachel Talalay directs Michael DeLuca’s script. Lisa Zane co-stars with promised appearances by Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper and Roseanne Barr in this “final” Freddyfest. (New Line)

“The Game”--Frederic Forrest, Melinda Dillon and Tess Harper star in this tale of a baseball player (Forrest) who returns to his hometown and becomes the mentor of a young baseball aspirant. William Nunez produces, writes and directs. (Shapiro Glickenhaus)

“Grand Canyon”--Lawrence Kasdan directs a film he co-writes with his wife, Meg Kasdan. Danny Glover, Kevin Kline, Steve Martin and “Dances With Wolves’ ” Mary McDonnell star in what Kasdan calls a “very personal, contemporary serious comedy.” (Fox)

“Holiday With the Teacher”--A young French schoolteacher comes to the U.S. for a summer job and finds there’s more to be learned on the beaches than in the classroom. Director and cast yet to be determined. (Crown)

“Hook”--Steven Spielberg has assembled a blockbuster cast: Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan. If that isn’t enough, Julia Roberts is playing Tinkerbell along with a cast of thousands and a budget of many millions. (Tri-Star)

“House Party 2”--Or House Party Goes to College. Kid ‘N Play leave their neighborhood to encounter the world of higher education. Written by Rusty Cundieff and directed by Paris Barclay. (New Line)

“Hurricane”--It’s stormy weather for Sheriff Dale (Hurricane) Dixon when a sexy murderess returns to her small Arkansas home, closely followed by her psychotic boyfriend. Bill Paxton, Cynda Williams (“Mo’ Better Blues”) and Jim Metzler star. Carl Franklin directs Tom Epperson and Billy Bob Thornton’s script. (I.R.S. Media)

“Ice Runner”--This end-of-the-Cold-War thriller was filmed entirely in the Soviet Union. Timothy Bottoms and Pat Morita star in a tale about a CIA agent abandoned by his government and imprisoned in a Siberian labor camp. Clifford Coleman directs a script he co-authored with Joyce Warren. (Trident Releasing)

“The Indian Runner”--Sean Penn’s directorial debut (he does not appear) concerns the woes of two brothers who cannot entirely forgive each other’s differences. Co-stars David Morse, Viggo Mortenson, Valeria Golino, Patricia Arquette, Cathy Moriarty, Dennis Hopper, Sandy Dennis and Charles Bronson). (Distribution pending)

“Icons”--Another film shot in the Soviet Union. This romantic thriller concerns an American student caught up in an adventure involving a woman of mystery, a priceless work of art and murder. Frank Whaley, Natalya Negoda (“Little Vera”) and Roman Polanski star. Deran Sarafian directs Lindsay Smith’s screenplay. (Largo/Fox)

“In the Eye of the Snake”--A young snake expert at a museum gets involved in a love triangle when a world reptile authority arrives with a beautiful assistant. Sydney Penny, Lois Chiles, Jason Cairns with Malcolm McDowell as the reptile authority, Prof. Baldwin. Max Reid directs. (Distributor pending)

“Jack the Bear”--Danny DeVito plays a father unable to deal with responsibilities to his sons following the death of his wife. So he moves to Oakland where he hosts a late-night TV horror show. Marshall Herskovitz (“thirtysomething”) directs a screenplay by Steven Zaillian (“Awakenings”) based on Dan McCall’s book. (Fox)

“The Last Boy Scout”--Bruce Willis and Damon Wayans star in Shane Black’s $2 million script about an ex-CIA agent who teams with an ex-football player to track down a murderer. Tony Scott (“Days of Thunder”) directs for megaproducer Joel Silver. (Warners)

“Late for Dinner”--”The Adventure of Buckaroo Banzai’s” W.D. Richter directs his comedy about a bizarre 1962 experiment that freeze-dries two best buddies, then allows them to return to their loved ones 29 years later. Brian Wimmer, Peter Berg, Marcia Gay Harden, Colleen Flynn, Peter Gallagher and Bo Brundin star. (Columbia)

“Liebestraum”--Kim Novak returns to the big screen in this dark thriller written and directed by Mike Figgis (“Internal Affairs”). Kevin Anderson, Pamela Gidley and Bill Pullman also star in the tale of two strangers mysteriously attracted to each other and a link between a modern-day affair to a murderous past. (MGM-Pathe)

“The Linguini Incident”--Rosanna Arquette is a hopeless escape artist, making her paychecks by waitressing at the Dali Restaurant. David Bowie is the handsome but shifty bartender there and they both decide to hold up the restaurant on a busy Friday night. Eszter Balint, Andre Gregory, Buck Henry, Viveca Lindfors and Marlee Matlin round out this ensemble cast for director Richard Shepard. (Distribution pending)

“Little Sister”--Jonathan Silver plays a young man who goes off to college after having been under the thumb of his old man his entire life. His first goal? Acquire a girlfriend! Jimmy Zeilinger writes/directs. (Disribution pending)

“The Man in the Moon”--Robert Mulligan, who directed “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Summer of ‘42,” directs this coming-of-age story of two teen sisters (Reese Witherspoon and Emily Warfield), who fall in love with the same boy. With Sam Waterston, Tess Harper and Gail Strickland. (MGM-Pathe)

“Married to It”--Arthur Hiller directs this ensemble romantic comedy starring Beau Bridges, Stockard Channing, Robert Sean Leonard, Mary Stuart Masterson, Cybill Shepherd and Ron Silver. (Orion)

“Meeting Venus”--Glenn Close stars in this romantic comedy about a conductor’s hapless attempt to stage a major opera with a multinational cast in Paris. Niels Arestrup and Erland Josephson co-star. Opera star Kiri Te Kanawa voices the diva played by Close. Istvan Szabo directs for producer David Puttnam. (Warners)

“Memoirs of an Invisible Man”--Chevy Chase is Wall Street analyst Nick Halloway. When Halloway is rendered invisible in a laboratory accident, thrills and chills develop as only “Halloween” director John Carpenter can generate them. (Warners)

“Mind Warp”--In a futuristic world where everyone plugs into a computer network for their entire lives, a woman fights to escape into the real world. Steve Barnett directs Bruce Campbell and “Phantasm II” villain Angus Scrimm. (New Line)

“Missing Pieces”--Eric Idle is a greeting-card writer whose outlook on life shines brightly. Robert Wuhl is a gifted but gloomy Gus cellist who helps Idle solve the lucrative riddle willed to him as the duo travel cross country. Lauren Hutton and Richard Belzer co-star for director-writer Leonard Stern. (Orion)

“Mom and Dad Save the World”--Jon Lovitz, Teri Garr, Jeffrey Jones, Eric Idle, Wallace Shawn and Kathy Ireland star in this comedy about an ordinary, middle-aged couple who are abducted on their wedding anniversary and taken on an interplanetary adventure. Greg Beeman directs. (Warners)

“My Cousin Vinny”--Vinny’s first trial is a biggie; his two East Coast college student cousins are framed for murder. Vinny’s New Jersey swagger and foul mouth don’t sit well with courtroom protocol, but he gets the job done. Joe Pesci stars as directed by Jonathan Lynn. Writted by Dale Launer (“Ruthless People”). (Fox)

“My Own Private Idaho”--River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves play street hustlers in Portland who wind up in Rome when one inherits some money in this film written and directed by “Drugstore Cowboy’s” Gun Van Sant. (New Line)

“My Rich Cousin”--A farm girl from Tuscaloosa travels to Beverly Hills to meet her wealthy cousin. Written by Steven J. Wolfe and Lynette Prucha. No cast or director yet. (Crown)

“Mystery Date”--Ethan Hawke is infatuated with the mystery girl next door. Then his older brother arranges for him to meet her. The mystery date turns into a mystery adventure. Jonathan Wacks directs, with Teri Polo, Brian McNamara, B.D. Wong and Michelle Pfeiffer’s current, Fisher Stevens. (Orion)

“Nickel & Dime”--C. Thomas Howell and Wallace Shawn star as a hunter of missing heirs and an uptight junior account exec who get together to locate a lost heir in 48 hours or face the clutches of the IRS. Ben Moses directs. (Distributor pending)

“Nostromo”--David Lean’s next epic concerns Joseph Conrad’s novel of an Italian sailor who helps smuggle a shipload of silver during a revolution and then decides to keep the booty to himself. Lean’s frequent writer Robert Bolt adapts; no cast yet. (Tri-Star)

“Past Midnight”--In a script by novelist Frank Norwood, a social worker gets dangerously close to a client convicted of a savage murder. Jan Eliasberg directs. (New Line)

“Peltier”--Michael Apted-directed documentary examines the case of Leonard Peltier, a member of the American Indian Movement convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975. Robert Redford is co-executive producer. (New Line)

“The People Under the Stairs”--Wes Craven (“A Nightmare on Elm Street”) explores the realms of human terror once again. (Universal)

“The Pope Must Die”--Robbie Coltrane plays a country priest elected Pope, who then uncovers a web of corruption in the Vatican. A mobster (Herbert Lom) soon fingers him for death. With Beverly D’Angelo, Alex Rocco. Peter Richardson directs a screenplay he wrote with Pete Richens. (Miramax)

“Prospero’s Books”--British writer-director Peter Greenaway’s take on Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Greenaway, you’ll recall, was responsible for “The Cook, the Thief, His Wife and Her Lover.” Sir John Gielgud, Isabelle Pasco, Mark Rylance, Tom Bell and Erland Josephson star. (Miramax)

“Rhapsody in August”--Akira Kurosawa’s account of a family over the course of a summer in Japan. Stars Sachiko Murase, Hisashi Igawa and Richard Gere. (Orion Classics)

“Rush”--Lili Fini Zanuck makes her directing debut with this film version of Kim Wozencraft’s best-selling novel based on her experiences as a female undercover cop who got involved in the drug subculture. Zanuck’s husband, Richard, produces. Jennifer Jason Leigh (“Last Exit to Brooklyn”) stars. (MGM-Pathe)

“Serial Killer”--A maverick cop metes out his own brand of justice on the streets of New York. No cast or director yet. (Moviestore)

“Serious Money”--Dennis Farina (“Crime Story “) and Leo Rossi star as two hustlers on the run from the mob in this comedy directed by James Lemmo from a script he wrote with Rossi. (New Line)

“Shakes the Clown”--Bobcat Goldthwait stars, writes and directs this tale of an alcoholic clown, who must track down an evil clown who framed him for murder and kidnaped his girlfriend, Julie (not Downtown) Brown. (I.R.S. Media)

“Shining Through”--Melanie Griffith and Michael Douglas star in this romantic spy thriller about a secretary in the New York office of the OSS who gets a job working for a leading Nazi official in Berlin during World War II. Director David Seltzer’s script is based on Susan Isaacs’ best-selling novel. With Liam Neeson, Sir John Gielgud and Joely Richardson. (Fox)

“Singles”--Bridget Fonda and Campbell Scott star in a romantic comedy that follows the interlocking fortunes of a group of young singles. Cameron Crowe (“Say Anything”) directs his own script. (Warners)

“Ski School II”--Yes, everyone heads for the slopes again in this “Police Academy on Skis”-style comedy. This time a rival elitist school challenges the rowdy pranksters for a position at the Winter Games. (Moviestore)

“Skin Tight”--Tom Mankiewicz (“Dragnet”) writes-directs this comedy/mystery about a retired cop determined to expose a inept plastic surgeon. His script is based on a Carl Hiaasen novel. Still uncast. (MGM-Pathe)

“Teach Me Tonight”--A romantic comedy, written and directed by Jim Pasternak, about a beautiful young teacher who finds herself in a rich, private school full of incorrigible teens. Naturally, she falls in love with her brightest student. (Crown)

“True Colors”--John Cusack, James Spader, Imogen Stubbs, Mandy Patinkin, Richard Widmark and Philip Bosco star in this drama about ethics and values of the generation that came of age during the ‘80s. Herbert Ross directs a script by Kevin Wade (“Working Girl”). (Paramount)

“Until the End of the World”--William Hurt, Max Von Sydow, Jeanne Moreau and Solveig Dammartin star in writer-director Wim Wenders’ futuristic thriller about international industrial espionage and a woman’s pursuit of the man she loves in a world of electronic surveillance. (Warners)

“Where Sleeping Dogs Lie”--Writer Dylan McDermott moves into an old mansion only to learn of the previous owner’s brutal murder. Along with the help of a suspicious stranger (Tom Sizemore), he sets out to learn the identity of the murderer in order to write a book about the case. Co-starring Sharon Stone and Joan Chen. The psychological thriller, directed by Charles Finch (son of the late actor Peter Finch), is a Soleta Pictures production. (Distribution pending)

“Woody Allen Untitled”--You didn’t really expect to read the plot here, did you? Suffice it to say, the Woodman is starring, writing and directing a cast that includes Mia Farrow, Jodie Foster, Fred Gwynne, Madonna, John Malkovich, Kenneth Mars, Kate Nelligan, Donald Pleasence and David Strathairn. (Orion)