Stars come out in well-rounded season

BY MARGARET A. McGURK
The Cincinnati Enquirer

This year's crowded fall film slate features stars and special events for dedicated cinema lovers in almost every category.

Perhaps the most eagerly awaited movie is The Thin Red Line, from a James Jones novel about GIs preparing for battle on Guadalcanal, tentatively scheduled for December release. The first movie in 20 years from maverick genius Terrence Malick, the WWII saga is sure to attract keen interest after the phenomenal success of Steven Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan.

Two soft-hearted dramas have also piqued curiosity: Simon Birch (Sept. 11) is a heavily rewritten version of John Irving's A Prayer for Owen Meany. It bears a strong resemblance to The Mighty, adapted from Rodman Philbrick's book, due out Oct. 23.

Meanwhile, Antz, a cartoon about insects, is due out Oct. 2, and A Bug's Life, a cartoon about insects from the wizards who made Toy Story, is due out Nov. 20.

For action fans, the fall promises at least two interesting entries: The Siege, (earlier called Martial Law, no release date) pits Denzel Washington against Bruce Willis in a showdown over how to respond to terrorists. The movie has already stirred the anger of Arab Americans. Then, on Nov. 25, Will Smith appears in the thriller Enemy of the State, his first dramatic role since Six Degrees of Separation in 1993.

The big news for romantics is that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan will team up again for You've Got Mail, slated to hit theaters Dec. 18. Comedy buffs expect big things from Eddie Murphy in Holy Man (Oct. 9). Science-fiction fans are counting the days to Star Trek: Insurrection (Dec. 11).

The season will wrap up with a guaranteed crowd-pleaser due to open at Christmas -- the big-screen re-release of The Wizard of Oz.