IS THERE A HIT IN SONY'S STARS.

The article focuses on the financial growth of Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2000. The studio will release four films including the special-effects-mountain-climbing drama "Vertical Limit." It is expected that it will cost Sony nearly $400 million to make and market the four flicks. Sony ranks seventh among Hollywood's eight largest studios. It is trailing behind most majors and even smaller players like Miramax Film Corp. and New Line Cinema. Both revenues and operating earnings at Sony's film unit fell by 10% in the fiscal year that ended in March 2000.