Macaulay Culkin

Producer-screenwriter John Hughes promised theater owners that there would be a sequel to the phenomenal hit "Home Alone" in a speech last winter. "That is, if we can meet the kid's price," he added. The exhibitors cheered--and why not? "Home Alone" was on its way to becoming the third-highest-grossing American film ever. Now Hughes and distributor 20th Century Fox have met the kid's price.

"The Good Son" is an ending in search of a movie. Its climactic scene (fear not, it won't be revealed here) is the kind of high concept predicament that is supposed to send audiences out of theaters with a buzz on their lips. Instead it can do no more than point up how flat what's come before has been.

Actor Macaulay Culkin has been arrested in Oklahoma City on suspicion of possessing marijuana and a controlled substance, police said Saturday. Culkin, 24, best known for his childhood roles in the "Home Alone" movies, was arrested during a traffic stop Friday afternoon. He was taken to jail after a police officer said he found 17.3 grams of marijuana and prescription drugs that Culkin apparently obtained without a prescription.

In "The Good Son," 10-year-old Mark has to spend winter break with relatives and discovers that his cousin (Macaulay Culkin) is a psychopath who preys on just about anything that moves. (Rated R) * Can any fan of the "Home Alone" movies really buy Macaulay Culkin as a psychopath? Scene: Culkin tries to look tough as he lights up a cigarette. Audience reaction: "Oh, how cuuuuute!!" Scene: Culkin tries to talk tough, warning his cousin, "Don't (expletive) with me."

For those who say thanks, but no thanks to Thanksgiving's traditional parade and/or sports programming, there is something for you before and after pumpkin pie. Here's a selective look at other specials and program alternatives: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Turkey Day: Fans of Crow and Tom Servo will find them serving up some hefty portions of favored fare in a 24-hour marathon. "Batman's" Adam West hosts. Comedy Central. Wednesday, 8 p.m. Thursday to 1 a.m.

"Home Alone" is here again. This time, it's Capstone's "Home Alone, the Computer Game." Incarnated this holiday season as an arcade game, the movie plot lends itself fairly well to the antics of Kevin and his criminal co-stars. The actors, including Macaulay Culkin, lend their faces to the action. As arcade games go, its relatively unsophisticated. As arcade games made from movie titles go, however, this one gives more than a passing wave to the film.

In the midst of all the recent hoopla about the stage-parenting antics of Kit Culkin, Macaulay's manager-father, it was announced that the Culkins had come to terms with Warner Bros. for Mac to play the title role in a film based on Harvey Comics' character Richie Rich. But not before Culkin Sr. threatened to walk away from the film if he didn't get director approval--and Warners called his bluff. Now that Mac has the role, it's easy to say that it seems like typecasting.

Two actors whose once-climbing show business careers seemed to have derailed -- David Spade and Macaulay Culkin -- are each returning to the big screen this weekend. An Emmy and Golden Globe nominee for his role as Dennis Finch, the wisecracking, power-hungry assistant on "Just Shoot Me," and well-known from his five-year-stint on NBC's "Saturday Night Live," Spade returns to movies in Paramount Pictures' comedy "Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star."

Kiddies longing for a Mac attack this summer won't be enlivened by the tepid shenanigans and mushy maunderings of "Getting Even With Dad." Macaulay Culkin plays the estranged 11-year-old son of an ex-con, and he doesn't bare his tonsils once. His eyes moisten on cue, however. Such acting range! Culkin's Timmy, motherless, has been living with his aunt for the three years his father, Ray (Ted Danson), has been in prison for stealing VCRs. (A "cute" crime.