Movie Guys: Get ready to unwrap holiday flicks

Friday, Dec. 4, 1998 | 11:33 a.m.

Here's what you can expect to see on the big screen this holiday season: Aliens who teach in the classroom; Moses leading his people to freedom; showers that are dangerous to your health; a 15-foot ape running loose in downtown Los Angeles; snowmen who are possessed; love on the Internet; photon torpedoes launching from the Starship Enterprise; attorneys; silly doctors; and dysfunctional families.

Whew! 'Tis the season! But, don't worry -- the Movie Guys are here to guide you through the mounds of movies coming your way this holiday. Please remember, some movies might be subjected to the Hollywood shell game -- release dates change. So, be sure to check the listings before heading out to your local theater.

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* On the Marquee: "Jack Frost." * On the Bill: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston and Joseph Cross. * On the Credits: Directed by Troy Miller. * On the Storyboard: Keaton is Jack Frost, a father who is dedicated to his job more than his family. He's on the verge of making changes in his life when he's killed in a car crash. The family moves on, until his spirit comes back in the form of his son's snowman. (This kid is going to need lots of therapy). Filled with holiday cheer and cool special effects provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, "Jack Frost" looks to be a magical movie ... until spring thaw. * On the Calendar: "Jack Frost" chills theaters Dec. 11.

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* On the Marquee: "Star Trek: Insurrection." * On the Bill: Patrick Stewart, Brent Spiner, Jonathan Frakes and F. Murray Abraham. * On the Credits: Directed by Jonathan Frakes. * On the Storyboard: Set your phasers on stun and set a course for adventure as the ninth installment of the "Star Trek" series warps into theaters, with the all of the original "Next Generation" cast returning to save the universe. The crew of the Enterprise discovers the Fountain of Youth, hidden away on a distant world, and the must learn its secret before it falls into enemy hands. Captain Picard even has a love interest this time around. (Captain Kirk, eat your heart out!) With action, love and plenty of phaser fire, "Star Trek: Insurrection" looks out of this world. See it with the Vulcan you love. * On the Calendar: "Star Trek: Insurrection" warps into theaters Dec. 11.

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* On the Marquee: "Prince of Egypt." * On the Bill: The voices of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Helen Mirren and Danny Glover. * On the Credits: Directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner and Simon Wells. * On the Storyboard: The book of Exodus never looked so good! This is DreamWorks' first attempt to outshine Disney by reinventing the art of animation (as opposed to the computer-generated "Antz" vs. "A Bug's Life"). With the clout of producer Jeffrey Katzenberg, a one-time team player for rival Disney, "Prince of Egypt" is guaranteed to make for an astounding achievement. This biblical tale is full of musical melodies, spectacular, groundbreaking animation and an impressive cast of voices. What choice does Ramses have? * On the Calendar: "Prince of Egypt" arrives by camel on Dec. 18.

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* On the Marquee: "You've Got Mail." * On the Bill: Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Greg Kinnear and Parker Posey. * On the Credits: Written and directed by Nora Ephron. * On the Storyboard: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan play the love-hungry fools in this loose adaptation of the 1940 Jimmy Stewart classic "The Shop Around the Corner." Involved in an anonymous e-mail relationship, they unknowingly love each other in real life as they battle over bookstore property. Writer/director Ephron hopes to once again capture the Hanks/Ryan chemistry that made her "Sleepless in Seattle" a box office smash. We think it's a safe bet. * On the Calendar: "You've Got Mail" will be delivered Dec. 18.

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* On the Marquee: "A Civil Action." * On the Bill: John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Kathleen Quinlan, Kathy Bates, John Lithgow and William H. Macy. * On the Credits: Directed by Steven Zaillian. * On the Storyboard: Now that Travolta has passed his Hollywood bar, he needs to win this case after a string of recent box-office losses ("Primary Colors," "Mad City"). Based on a true story, the film stars Travolta as an obsessed attorney who challenges two mega-chemical corporations believed to be responsible for families stricken with leukemia. Early buzz has it that "A Civil Action" may have Travolta making that Oscar speech. * On the Calendar: "A Civil Action's" court date is set for Dec. 25.

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.On the Marquee: "Down in the Delta." * On the Bill: Alfre Woodard and Wesley Snipes. * On the Credits: Directed by Maya Angelou. * On the Storyboard: Pulitzer prize-winning novelist and poet Angelou makes her directorial debut in this drama about an out-of-work mother of two (Woodard) who is battling a drug habit. She leaves Chicago's inner-city and heads south to spend the summer in rural Mississippi. There, she learns simple truths from some relatives who will show her how to put her life back on track. * On the Calendar: "Down in the Delta" departs for theaters on Dec. 25.

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* On the Marquee: "The Faculty." * On the Bill: Elijah Wood, Bebe Neuwirth, Josh Hartnett and Robert Patrick. * On the Credits: Directed by Robert Rodriguez. * On the Storyboard: "Scream" guru Kevin Williamson -- whose words breathed life into the extinct horror genre -- teams up with hipster director Rodriguez ("From Dusk Till Dawn") for a showdown: teenagers vs. the faculty. A group of high school students stumble upon a plot of world domination by alien-possessed teachers now looking to expel them indefinitely. Whatever you do, don't get detention! With a hip soundtrack and a cast comprised of the hottest teen talent, this thriller has all the right moves for a box office smash! However, with the recent release of "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer," "Urban Legends," and "Disturbing Behavior," is America screamed out? * On the Calendar: "The Faculty" takes roll call Dec. 25.

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* On the Marquee: "Gods and Monsters." * On the Bill: Ian McKellen and Brendan Fraser. * On the Credits: Directed by Bill Condon. * On the Storyboard: The strange relationship between "Frankenstein" director James Whale (McKellen), and his pool boy (Fraser) is the subject of this critically acclaimed biopic, which already has Tinseltown on its ear. The Oscar rumor mill is already circulating around Hollywood for "Gods and Monsters," and a nomination for McKellen is a certainty. * On the Calendar: "Gods and Monsters" comes to life Dec. 25.

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* On the Marquee: "Mighty Joe Young." * On the Bill: Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, David Paymer and Regina King. * On the Credits: Directed by Ron Underwood. * On the Storyboard: Dusted off and refurbished for the '90s, "Mighty Joe Young" is a family-friendly retelling of the 1949 classic about a pair of zoologists who find a 15-foot ape living peacefully among his jungle friends -- until the poachers arrive. Don't worry, the zoologists have a better plan: Capture Joe, bring him back to California and put him on display at the zoo's state-of-the-art wildlife habitat. Problem is, Joe has other plans, like crushing cars and baring his teeth to tourists. Remember that this is a Disney film, so no mass destruction of private property, or Joe flinging tourists back and forth onto the pavement. This is a kinder and gentler "Mighty Joe Young," with big special effects at work. Hey, Disney isn't monkeying around! * On the Calendar: "Mighty Joe Young" swings into theaters on Dec. 25.

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* On the Marquee: "Patch Adams." * On the Bill: Robin Williams, Phillip Seymour, Monica Potter and Daniel London. * On the Credits: Directed by Tom Shadyac. * On the Storyboard: It wouldn't be a holiday season without Williams, who is gunning for his second Oscar nomination with "Patch Adams." It's the story of a medical student who believes you need to treat a person's soul as well as the illness, with lots of humor, of course. All of this medical clowning around has Williams' superiors up in arms, to the delight of his patients. The dream team -- director Shadyac and writer Steve Oedekerk ("The Nutty Professor") -- work their magic on this comedy-drama based on a true story. It looks like a winner. * On the Calendar: "Patch Adams" makes his rounds beginning Dec. 25.

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.On the Marquee: "A Simple Plan." * On the Bill: Bill Paxton, Billy Bob Thorton and Bridget Fonda. * On the Credits: Directed by Sam Rami. * On the Storyboard: A pair of brothers and their pal find a crashed plane with no survivors. The questions is, what to do with the $4.4 million they find on board? An examination of morality, ethics and money as the root of all evil is the catalyst in this suspenseful thriller from director Rami ("Darkman," "Army of Darkness"). The film's chilling Minnesota setting, in the dead of winter, establishes the perfect surroundings for what is sure to be a gruesome tale of greed and murder. * On the Calendar: "A Simple Plan" unfolds Dec. 25.

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* On the Marquee: "Stepmom." * On the Bill: Susan Sarandon, Julia Roberts and Ed Harris. * On the Credits: Directed by Chris Columbus. * On the Storyboard: We know what you're thinking: You want drama in your holiday films, something to pull at your heartstrings. Have we got the movie for you! Sarandon plays an divorcee who has it in for her ex-husband's (Harris) new girlfriend (Roberts). After the two are pitted against each other, they are forced to reconcile when faced with a terminal illness. With the combination of a strong cast and wonder-boy director Columbus ("Home Alone," "Mrs. Doubtfire") at the helm, the end result will mostly likely require loads of Kleenex. * On the Calendar: "Stepmom" arrives in theaters Dec. 25.

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* On the Marquee: "The Thin Red Line." * On the Bill: Adrien Brody, Sean Penn, Woody Harrelson, John Travolta, George Clooney, Bill Pullman, John Cusack and Nick Nolte. * On the Credits: Directed by Terrence Malick. * On the Storyboard: Here comes another World War II drama, based on the work of "From Here to Eternity" author James Jones. The conflict sends this all-star cast into battle at Guadalcanal. Shot on location in Australia, director Malick is betting the farm on this one, having not made a film in 20 years. But, the buzz is huge on this one, folks. Between the cast and riding "Saving Private Ryan's" wave of success, we think that there is enough room in Hollywood for two WWII movies. * On the Calendar: "The Thin Red Line" storms into theaters Dec. 25.

NAME THAT FLICK

Our congratulations go out to Joe Miskech, who correctly guessed last week's quote, "You see, we're saving money already. We make a pretty good team," spoken by John Candy in the holiday comedy classic, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles." Way to go, Joe!

For this week, who said this and in what film: "Hey, look mister, we serve hard drinks in here for men who want to get drunk fast. And we don't need any characters around to give the joint atmosphere"? Does it sound familiar? If you think you know, call The Movie Guys Hotline at 225-9026, or e-mail us at movieguys5@aol.com. Be sure to spell your name and leave your daytime phone number, and if you're the first correct caller/e-mailer, we will print your name right here in our column for the entire Las Vegas Valley to read.

See you next week!

THE MOVIE GUYS, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun (additional material provided by Thomas Feeney). You can also read their capsule reviews of movies in Las Vegas Weekly magazine. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies.