Hollywood's Hot Holiday Season

By RICHARD ZOGLIN/

How many hits can a movie mogul squeeze into a box office? The crunch of high- profile December releases, each intended to be a bonanza, will be more frenzied this year than ever. Rocky V and Home Alone started fast out of the gate. Here's the morning line on some of the hopefuls yet to come:

GODFATHER III

Coppola's long-awaited,$50 million-plus sequel almost didn't make its Christmas deadline. Early on, it was considered a sure blockbuster, but doubts are growing. Do young moviegoers care about the Corleones? Hmmm. (opens Dec. 25)

THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES

A big book (by Tom Wolfe), a top director (Brian De Palma) and some of Hollywood's hottest stars (Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis). But the pundits are predicting it will disappoint. (Dec. 21)

HAVANA

Robert Redford and Lena Olin in an old-fashioned Hollywood romance set against the Cuban Revolution. The question is whether Redford, who hasn't appeared in a film since 1986, can still pack them in. Studio execs are nervous. (Dec. 12)

KINDERGARTEN COP

Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of Hollywood's rare action stars who have crossed / over successfully to comedy (Twins). Teamed with a band of cute kids, he seems assured of another musclebound smash. (Dec. 21)

MISERY

The season's oddest talent combo could be a sleeper hit. Rob Reiner directs a Stephen King story, with James Caan playing a novelist imprisoned by his biggest fan. Horror at Christmas? A gamble, but this one could pay off big. (Nov. 30)

With reporting by David E. Thigpen