This week, as we all head to the family room to gorge ourselves with a holiday meal, I'm taking a bit of a break with a shorter column that spotlights what looks good on the movie screens in the future. That's right, it's our Winter Genre Movie Preview!

FALL GENRE MOVIE PREVIEWS

Alien: Resurrection (November 26, Fox) Sigourney Weaver's back, and she's got Winona Rider along for the ride in the fourth film of the franchise. Genre vets Ron Perlman and Brad Dourif also star. Jean-Pierre Jeunet (City of Lost Children) directed. Rumors are that you might see a truly cool trailer preceding this film; could Fox have finished the first Star Wars prequel trailer already?

Flubber (November 26, Disney) Starring Robin Williams as a professor at Medfield College, who invents the gravity-defying substance known as "flubber" (flying rubber) and uses it to thwart the efforts of a villain (Raymond J. Barry) who plans to replace the college with an amusement park. Marcia Gay Harden is Williams' love interest. There's also an amorous flying robot sidekick named "Weebo." The remake of Disney's 1961 film The Absent Minded Professor.

Office Killer (December 3rd, Dimension) Didn't we leave stalker/slasher office films behind with The Temp? Apparently not. The femme cast includes Molly Ringwald, Carol Kane (as the killer), and Jeanne Tripplehorn. It's also directed by a woman, Cindy Sherman. The Mighty (December 12, Miramax) Gillian Anderson makes her big post-X-Files-fame bid for feature film acceptance with this Oscar-baiting adaptation of the young-adult book Freak the Mighty. She plays a drunkard biker chick, co-starring with Sharon Stone.

Scream 2 (December 12, Dimension) The sequel to last year's surprise horror hit will reunite almost everyone from the first film (except for the dead ones). Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, and David Arquette are back, plus Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jerry O'Connell, and Jada Pinkett (who gets the pre-credit star murder sequence occupied by Drew Barrymore in the first film). Also returning for the ride are writer Kevin Williamson and director Wes Craven.

Titanic (December 19, Paramount) James Cameron's huge-budget film about the sinking of the legendary ship finally hits the theatrical icebergs. Stars include Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Bill Paxton, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, and Frances Fisher. The film is over three hours, has garnered great preview reviews, and has already docked safely into at least one port: it is the most expensive movie ever made. . . a spot in movie history constantly reserved for director Cameron.

Tomorrow Never Dies (December 19, United Artists) How best to counter-program theaters against Titanic? How about the 18th James Bond film? Pierce Brosnan returns as Bond, in a fight against evil media mogul Elliot Carver (Jonathan Pryce) and his henchmen, including Vincent Schiavelli. Hong Kong action star Michelle Yeoh plays a Chinese spy who teams up with Bond, and Lois and Clark star Teri Hatcher also appears.

Spawn (December 23, New Line) The live-action movie is released on video. Alternate edits are expected.

The Postman (December 25, Warner Brothers) Kevin Costner returns to the post-apocalypse world of the future, and he's a loner travelling through the barren wastes. Unlike his character in Waterworld, Costner does not have gills, nor does he drink his own pee; instead, he rides a horse, carries a gun, and delivers the mail. But don't get him angry or you'll have The Disgruntled Postman to deal with.

Mr. Magoo (December 25, Buena Vista) Have audiences had enough of Leslie Nielsen as a clueless bumbling old guy? We'll see when this live-action version of the venerable cartoon character hits the screens, co-starring Kelly Lynch. Already it has recieved much criticism from the National Federation of the Blind.

An American Werewolf In Paris (December 25, Buena Vista) Delayed multiple times, you've seen the trailer dozens of times by now. The film follows the wolfian daughter of the original An American Werewolf In London's characters, and features computer-generated werewolves.

Steel (December 30, Warner Brothers) The other live-action African-American comic book hero movie, Steel, debuts on video.

Hercules & Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle For Mount Olympus (January 6, Universal) The first animated adventure of TV's two hottest action stars is released on video.

Andy Mangels is the writer of Star Wars: The Essential Guide To Characters (Del Rey),the Star Wars Finest trading card set (Topps), the Star Wars: Art of Ralph McQuarrie metal card set (CUI), and Boba Fett: Twin Engines of Destruction (Dark Horse). He's written comic books for the last eleven years, as well as articles and columns for almost every major genre magazine. Look for his "All New Andy Mangels's Reel Marvel" column in most issues of Marvel Vision, and look for him as co-writer for Marvel's Star Trek: Deep Space Nine series!

In December, put on your Christmas list to get a copy of Beyond Mulder & Scully: The Mysterious Characters of The X-Files, written by Andy Mangels. It's been rescheduled for release the week of December 17th!

previous hollywood heroes

Andy Mangels Hollywood Heroes, Dec. 19, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Dec. 12, 1997	The first 13 episodes of the Silver Surfer animated series!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Dec. 5, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Nov. 26, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Nov. 21, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Nov. 14, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Nov. 7, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Oct. 31, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Oct. 24, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Oct. 17, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Oct. 10, 1997	The Spider-Man animated series launches its new fifth season!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Oct. 3, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Sept. 26, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Sept. 19, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Sept. 12, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Sept. 5, 1997	Fall movie preview!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Aug. 29, 1997
Andy Mangels Hollywood Heroes, Aug. 22, 1997	An interview with Neil (Sandman, Neverwhere) Gaiman!
Andy Mangels Hollywood Heroes, Aug. 15 1997	Fall Animation Series!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Aug. 8, 1997	Details on Voyager's upcoming season, X-Files advance word, and the final, no-kidding, straight-from-Lucasfilm cast for the Star Wars prequels!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes July 25, 1997	Tia Carerre of Wayne's World is slated to play Shi in the movie!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes,July 18, 1997	COMIC CON CRISIS
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, June 27, 1997	June 27, 1997 -- Showtime opens the Stargate, Spider-Man movie maybe moving forward.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, June 20, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, June 13, 1997
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, June 6, 1997	Upcoming movies, films and TV shows.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, May 30, 1997	May 30, 1997 -- Scott Rosenberg isn't waiting around to see Men in Black go through the roof, he's already working on his next hit. This time he's playing with Cowboys and Aliens. Plus, more fall programming and the fate of Lois & Clark.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, May 23, 1997	May 23, 1997 -- David Hasselhoff, Agent of Shield! Believe it. Plus, the fall schedule for all the major networks.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, May 16, 1997	May 16 ,1997 -- Batman's animated series gets a bit lighter this season, while Superman's second season keeps up the hijinks with visits from Guy Gardner, Green Lantern, Mr. Mxyzptlk and the New Gods!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, May 9, 1997	May 9, 1997 -- Dark Skies, and a look at The Odyssey.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, May 2, 1997	May 2, 1997 -- Andy has the scoop on Marvel Film's planned production schedule. Get the latest on the transformation of all your favorite Marvel characters to the big screen.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, April 25, 1997	April 25, 1997 -- Stephen King, who has always been unhappy with Stanley Kubrick's version of The Shining, has taken it upon himself to re-script the movie scheduled to appear on ABC. Plus, season-finale spoilers!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, April 18, 1997	April 18, 1997 -- The JLA cast has been finalized. It's not Kyle or Hal, but Guy. The biggest surprise: Charles Winchester III, Martian Manhunter?!?
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes April 11, 1997	April 11, 1997 -- Tim Burton on Superman Reborn? And what does that mean for the Kevin Smith (Mallrats) script? Find out!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Apr. 4, 1997	April 4, 1997 -- Warner Bros. is planning feature animated films for most of DC's second string characters. Plus the latest Star Wars casting rumors, Nick Fury, and more.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, March 28, 1997	March 28, 1997 -- Disney has a bunch of features on the slate. Take a look at what's on their schedule.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, March 21, 1997	March 21,1997 -- Justice League of America on TV! We've got the entire scoop, not just what characters will appear, but what actors and actresses will play them.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes March 14, 1997	March 14,1997 -- Justice League of America on TV? Well that ,and many other pilots are on the slate for the new fall season.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, March 7, 1997	March 7, 1997 -- Buffy the Vampire Slayer returns.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Feb. 28, 1997	February 28, 1997 -- Upcoming movies for 1997, plus roundups of animation, tv, and movie news.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Feb. 21, 1997	February 21, 1997 -- The Networks haven't announced the schedule for their new Fall cartoons, but if you're smart like us you can figure it out. Plus more Spawn: TAS news.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Feb. 14, 1997	February 14, 1997 -- In 1997, Spawn will come to the big screen, and appear in his own animated series on HBO. Now you can learn all the behind the scenes secrets as we take you on a tour of both productions.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Feb. 7, 1997	February 7, 1997 -- Batman will return to Saturday mornings in a whole new show Batman: Gotham Knights. Also Fall '97 cartoons.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Jan. 31, 1997	January 31, 1997 -- The Night Man television show has been cast. Also the inside scoop on all the twists and turns that you can expect during February's sweeps.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Jan. 24, 1997	January 24, 1997 -- Alien: Resurrection to revive the Aliens franchise; Babylon 5 signed for feature film prequel.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Jan. 17, 1997	January 17, 1997 -- All the details on the Gen13 direct-to-video animated feature, starring the voices of Jon DeLancie, Mark Hamill, Cloris Leachman and others.
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Jan. 10, 1997	January 10, 1997 -- The new fall TV season has lots of science fiction, fantasy, superheroes and animation, if you know where to look. And once you read Hollywood Heroes, you'll know!
Andy Mangels' Hollywood Heroes, Jan. 3, 1997	January 03, 1997 -- Andy knows what is going to happen on the next two seasons of Spider-man the animated series and he is willing to tell you all about it.