'Tis the season to hit theaters

Things get started with Wednesday's release of "A Bug's Life." Coming from the makers of "Toy Story," this computer-animated insect comedy boasts the vocal talents of Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and the late Roddy McDowall. "A Bug's Life" has an uphill battle ahead with "Antz," another computer-animated insect comedy, still in theaters.

Courtesy of Disney Enterprises Hopper (Kevin Spacey) raids theaters in "A Bug's Life."

The other highly anticipated animated movie is "The Prince of Egypt," the story of Moses, Ramses and the Ten Commandments. Fans should plan on parting massive crowds to get into this sure-fire hit.

Bickering brothers reappear in "Very Bad Things," a scathing comedy sure to offend many more than it pleases. This story of a bachelor party gone wrong features a blistering performance by Christian Slater as the ringleader of the wrongdoers. Also look for Cameron Diaz in quite a turn from her role in "There's Something About Mary."

Speaking of things gone horribly wrong, a shot-for-shot remake of "Psycho" by Gus Van Sant has irked the ire of movie fans across the country. Starring Anne Heche, Julianne Moore and Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates, this may be the scariest movie ever made and not because of anything on screen. Audiences are left shaking at the thought of what's next: a remake of "The Godfather" with the Baldwin brothers and Kim Basinger or maybe an updated "Harold and Maude" with Gloria Stuart and Macaulay Culkin?

More horror comes to theaters in "The Faculty," a story about high school teens who think that their teachers are really aliens. Hopefully, this collaboration between writer Kevin Williamson ("Scream") and director Robert Rodriguez will be a much-needed break from the usual teen-slasher films that pollute today's theaters.

Bill Paxton and Billy Bob Thornton play brothers who stumble on a crashed plane filled with money in "A Simple Plan." Thornton owns the film in his performance as the overlooked brother and could be clearing off space on his mantel come Oscar night.

Director Chris Columbus, usually known for his work in lighthearted comedies ("Home Alone" and "Mrs. Doubtfire"), turns serious with "Stepmom." Susan Sarandon plays a cancer-stricken mother, and Julia Roberts the woman that she must teach to care for her children.

Another high-profile pairing, in a slightly more upbeat film, is that of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan in "You've Got Mail." Hanks and Ryan play characters who hate each other in real life, but, unknowing are, e-mail buddies. Will they remain on friendly e-mail terms when they find out the truth? Only time will tell.

After playing the president in "Primary Colors," John Travolta laces up his wingtips and gets ready to go to battle in the legal thriller "A Civil Action." Travolta plays a lawyer going up against a corporation whose contaminated water may have led to the deaths of several children. The film boasts an outstanding ensemble cast including Robert Duvall, Kathleen Quinlan and William H. Macy.

And finally, the year's most anticipated film may well be "The Thin Red Line." Twenty years after his last effort, "Days of Heaven," director Terrence Malick returns with a war drama adapted from the James Jones novel. The film features Sean Penn, John C. Reilly, George Clooney, John Travolta, Woody Harrelson, Nick Nolte and several other well-known actors. Malick will have his work cut out for him because of the incredible power and success of "Saving Private Ryan."

So whether it's Hanks, Travolta, Moses or Norman Bates, the holiday movie season looks sure to please.

11-23-98