The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 23

-ft. Horror technique lifted from better flicks en 3 FRIDAY THE 13TH, Starring Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King. ON THE NICKEL. Starring Ralph Waite, Donald Moffat. By TED SERRILL Home News movie reviewer New Jersey's welcome to filmmakers has resulted in two consecutive Jersey-set horror films.

First, "Last Rites" slithered into theaters; a week later came "Friday the 13th," which, unlike its predecessor, has been much ballayhooed in TV promos. It's better a bit. Set in the Blairstown and Hope area of Warren County. "Friday the 13th" mostly takes place at an abandoned summer camp by a lake that we see in a prologue was the scene of two murders in 1958. Now it is being reopened and seven college-age counsellors are coming to join the owner in preparing for the onslaught of kids.

But they recken without the onslaught of a killer with a knife, a killer, in fact, who will use any fatal instrument that comes to hand. For more than an hour, we watch the faceless and formless fiend knock them off, one by one. There is blood and gore, but not as much as there could be. This is deliberate restraint. The filmmakers, heavily under the influence of John Carpenter's "Halloween," with, in the end, a touch of "Carrie," want to emphasize chills, not horror.

One of the women, almost arbitrarily, is designated the heroine. Ultimately, it comes down to a confrontation be tween Adrienne King's Alice and the killer, when finally all the answers to who and why are provided. One of the things that made "Halloween" rather special was its stunning use of the camera from the killer's point of view. "Friday the 13th" openly imitates this device, but without Carpenter's skill. Mysteriously, the subjective camera sometimes is used from no one's point of view.

Near the end, another idea of Carpenter's that worked very well but should not be specified here is imitated. Until the long-postponed revelations come, the picture is an exercise in stripping the much over-used conventions of the genre to the nub. Nothing gets in the way of the repeated device of setting up a victim and then carrying out the murder. The repetition becomes boring. The picture is riddled with logical holes.

This is not necessarily a flaw in some movies. "Halloween" was equally pitted. "Friday's" writer and director, Victor Miller and Sean S. Cunningham respectively, have not the imagination or skill, however, to make us ignore these holes. "Friday the 13th," which does have a few riveting and unexpected thrills, is a prime example of a movie that feeds off others.

They are the staples of the business, but one always comes away more or less disappointed. Betsy Palmer, by the way, to anyone acquainted with her name she has not been in films for more than 20 years plays the killer, a fact that is obvious just 10 minutes into the picture. Aside from one obvious red herr- strongly how she so easily murders her victims, including several presumably strong and agile young men (one played by Blng Crosby's son, Harry). The heroine shows resourcefulness that the filmmakers would not allow anyone else. "On The Nickel," which probably will not be shown anywhere beyond its currently ending run at a single New York theater, explores the lifestyles of the winos and other down-and-outers who live in Los Angeles' skid row, which they call the Nickel.

It opens with a sob-in-the-throat title song and drops from there into depths of lugubriousness. The story has Sam (Donald Moffat), who has been on the wagon 18 months, suddenly deciding to look up his old buddy C.G. (Ralph Waite). C.G. is on his last legs, subject to increasingly frequent DTs.

Written, produced and directed by Waite, the picture asks this question: Is it better to be sober and dead at heart or drunk and dying in actuality? Sam wonders if he should go back to the booze. An acquaitance says, "I'm in trouble." Sam's response: "Hell, we're all in trouble." On the other hand, a wino mumbles, "You take away my wine, I'm nothing." So the winos, who cluster around the bag woman Rose (Penelope Allen), who doesn't drink but is somehow the catalyst for their sub-society, discourses at great length in scenes held much too long by Waite. The bathos is positively-leaden. No one is more sentimentally treated than the "loveable," bleary-eyed, bewhiskered C.G. Ugh.

BETSY PALMER end away ing, no other cast member is old enough to qualify. Of course, we have no idea of who she is. That makes "Friday" possibly unique in telegraphing the actor who plays the killer long before the character played by the actor is identified. The youthful audience for whom the picture was made, of course, would not recognize her name in the cast and would not even know the sex of the killer. We old-timers who do know the killer's sex may tend to wonder even more Review of reviews C9 -4.

3J 03 i 5 Lvnrt in a ianilized account of ie rise of one of the queens of cou try music from a 13-vear-oid coai miner's daughter. Although desevediv a hit. its biar-dness shouid not be confused w'h ur-der -statement. Because Lyr-was looking over the-r shoulders the filmmakers restrained themselves. Nevertheless, Soacek is marvelous, particularly in her eanv scenes as a btg, bright -eyed innocent who marries at a very young age.

Soacek does her own smgmg and actually sounds as it she might have succeeded moderately in such a career Tommy Lee Jones is iust right as the husband who sparked her career and ultimatetv became an unnecessary but still loved ornament to her success. (S. 14, 34) THE fOG At atmospheric story of revengtul and murderous ghosts on a couote of dark nights in a small, sweov California coastal town, this horror film has a slightly old-fashioned tang and is wholly delightful. II generally avotds spilled bood and horrid close-ups. Not as stylistic or as gripping as the earlier "Halloween" by me same writer-director.

John Carpenter, it sil" much better than most examples ot ilk tire institute. Brickman has jammed h's movie ith cever and dehgftttut lines and situations. Sometimes the tabs at Musak or abstract paintjng are tired, bu' more original thoughts always follow LITTLE DARLINGS is a feminine rites of passase movie. Two dissimilar 15-vea'--oids at a summer camp, tr-e tough street waif piaved bv Kris-tie McNichoi, and Tatum O'Neal's rich man's daughter bet who wiH be deflowered first- The comedy is raunchy in this deliberate obverse of oldtime boys' camp flicks, and the picture is liberally doused W'th sentiment, it seems mainty angled toward the mid-teen audience. Good luck to them in seeing the move because the rating prevents 15-year-o-ds from attending without accompanying adults, and what teenager would want an adult around during this movie? A shining exam-pie of the upstdedown New Hollywood- Young people who do get in will find that despite the tiiiita-fion, the filmmakers are realty, looking askance at the thought of sex at such an earty age.

4. 7, 26. 38 COAL MINER'S DAUGHTER Sissv Spacek ponravs Lorea BEING THERE This is a faDie about a m-'ddie-aged non-entity and total innocent named Chance and how he comes potentially to influence me fate of the world. It was written by Jerry Kosinski, based on his novel, and stars Peter Sellers in a wonderful performance, never dull or irritating as the simple-minded mover of American leaders who shouldn't be simple minded, and A film Frank Capra might once have done, and expertly directed bv Hal Ashbv. "Being There" is a funny and perceptive satire of men's foolishness that is as captivating and heart-warming as anyone could wish Just marvelous Don't miss it (35, 39.

40) KRAMER VS. KRAMER Mother walks out on young son and husband. Father continues to raise son. Mother later wants son back and goes to court. This simple plot is fleshed out with the nuances of life in a manner that makes the hopes and fears of Ted and Joanna Kramer and their 6-year-old son Billy real.

The acting bv Dusfin Hoffman, Mervt Streep and voun Justin Henry is wholly convincing, so tuned to avoid the maudlin under writer -director Robert Benton that one is per than many who are better known SERIAL The tads of the '70s are satirized in this amusing update of the kind of suburban marnage movie that George Axefrod used to turn out It is a vast improvement on the recent "The Last Married Couple in America" to which it has a more than passing resemblance. In the Mill Valley suburb of San Francisco, Martin Mull piavs a husband and father who is mostly straight man to the fun-loving madness around him. Yet the heart of the movie is cynical; no one in the picture is helped by the nonsense fives they devise for themselves and some are hurt. With Tuesday Weld. Sally Keiier-man, Tom Smothers as too'ish flower power minister and Christopher Lee as an executive who becomes a homosexual motorcycle gang leader on weekends.

SIMON is a frothy satire bv writer-director Marshall Brickman belter known as a collaborator on some of Woodv Allen's movies, fhat covers the gamit of what wrong or foolish or dissipating about our culture and society. Alan Arkin is delightful as a neb-ish-iike college professor cao' up in the machinations of a sc en suaded this is reality, not a rrovie fiction. "Kramer vs Kramer" is tilled with moments that seem tust right it is about the maturing of parents as much as what's right for a chtio whose parents are divorced Trie final court scenes are the most tvgniv charged moments, but the earlier bulk of the movie, as father and son approach a mutual understanding and communication, is absorbing in its detail. (4, 13. 26.

30, 32, 36 SITTING DUCKS This ragtag romantic caper abou! two oddballs escaping from the mob with a heisfed fortune slowly gains appeal. The dialog bland, foolish, self -analytical and anxious sounds improvised, but director Henry Jagiom savs he carefully wrote it- The comk: team of Michael Emit and Zack Norman don't generate many laughs not much does but they are memorable. Equally charming in different ways are the pert and pretty Patrice Townsend as a contemporary siren and. most comically, Irene Forrest as a neurotic and vulnerable ex-waitress encounted on the road trip. These are actors without reputations vet, but they may stick in your mind more ALL THAT JAZZ Ad That Jan is mce than auto-biowaorttcai, it's positively incestuous.

What other word can be used for a movie in which the lead actor, Rov Scbe'der. is made to look and act exactly like choreographer Bob Fosse, wno wrote and directed this movie about his loves, the pressure of his work and his heart attack Dancer Ann ReiKing, Posse's lover when he his coronary, in effect piavs herself. Fosse makes no attempt to disguise his emulation of Felhni in thts mad but not maddening, mix of realism and dream fantasy with dance. Hope Lange, who once was a Foose girt friend, appears frequently as an anyei of death and Scneder's hard-living protagonist protagonist tafces time off everv so often to visit her a dream dressing room to talk about his wav of living And why he lives so close to the wire. Open-heart surgery can be seen briefly and, at lenght, a phantasmaoric final dance number thai Fosse probably hopes will blow your mind.

Maybe not that, but it's fascinating With years of distance. "All That Jazz" might be considered masterful (9, 25 Movie times "Friday The 13th." 8 15. II "Prophecy." 10 13. UA Cinema One and Two: "Hollywood Knights," 2 30, 4 20 6:10, 8 9.50. "Kramer vs.

Kramer." 2, 4, 6. 8, 10 LINOEN 14. Linden Twin: I. Hollywood Knights." 2-30, 4 20. 6:10, 8, 9 55.

II. "Coal Miner's Daughter." 2 15, 4 40. 7:05, 9:30. MANVILLE 15. ManvtHe Cinema.

Enter The Dragon." 7 30 "The Omen." 9 IS METUCHEN 16. Forum Theatre "Apoca-Ivse Now." 7. 9. MIODLETOWN 17. UA Cinema 1-2-3' t.

"Long Riders." 1:30, 3:30. 5:30. 7 30, 9:30. II "Friday The 13th." 2, 4, 6, 8. 10.

III. "The Nude Bomb." 2:15. 4:15, 6 15. 8:15. 10:15.

NEW BRUNSWICK 18. Art Cinema: "Hot Cookies." 2. 4:10. 7:25. 10:40 "Love Under 16." (X) 3:10.

6 25, 9 35. "Hot Summer Night 5 25. 6 35. "Rockv Horror Show." "Kramer vs. Kramer I 30.

3 30 5 30 7 30. 9 30, tl "The Nuoe Bomb I 45. 5.45. 7 45. 9:45 ill "Friday The 13th 2.

4, 6, 8, 10 33, Somerviiie Drive-ln "10' 8 20, 11:45 "The In-Laws." 10 15 SOUTH PLAINFIELD 34 UA Cinema l. "Coai Miner's Oaughter." 1, 3:15. 5 30. 6. 10 IS II "The Nude Bomb 1 30.

3 20 5 15. 7 25. 9 25. UNION 35, Lost Picture Snow "Being There 5. 7 20.

MS. ATCHUNG 36. Blue Star Cinema I "Kramer vs. Kramer 2. 4 45 7:30.

9 45 II "Friday The 13th 7 3 50. 4 50 7 40 9 30 III. "Norma Rae 2, 4 30, 7 20, 9 40 WOODBRIDGE 37 Ford Cinema "Apocalypse Now," 7, 9:15. 38 Fox Theatre: "Little Darlings." 2,30, 4:15, 5:45, 7 30. 9,15.

39, Iselin Theatre: "Being There 7, 9:15. 40. Woodbridge Cinema- I. "Being There 2 4 30 7:25. 9:45 "Friday The 13th 2.

4. 6. 8. 10 killed IV. Lithe can theater at (6091 799 9331 RAHWAY 27 Old Rahwav Theatre 'Biailng Saddles 130, 315, 5.

6 45, 8 30, 10:15. ROCKY HILL 28. Montgomery Onema "Nosferatu." 7 20. 10 35 "Wise Blood 8 45 SAYREVILLE 29. Cinema 9 Apocalypse Now 2 30.

6:10. 8 S5. 30. Ampov Cinemas Sixpie: "Kramer vs. Kramer," 1215.

2 30 4 30, 7:40. 9 55. midnight tl Love At First Bite." 12 40. 2 55. 4 55.

7 25. 9 40, 11:45. III. "Friday The 13th 12 30. 2 4 5, 7:15, 9 30.

11.35. IV. "Blazing Saddles." 12 25. 2 40 4 40, 7:50, 10 05. midnight.

V. "The Nude Bomb." 12:10. 225. 4.30. 7:30.

9:40. 11:40 VI. "Hollywood Kniuhls" 12:15, 2 30, 4 35, 7:35, 9:45, 11:50. SOMERVILLE 31. Cort Theater: "The God-sent." 4.

7:30. "The Changeling 2 5 30 9 0S. 37 Somerviiie Circle NORTH BRUNSWICK 19. North Brunswick Drive-in "Friday The 13th." 8 30, 11.40 "Female Butchers." 10 OLD BRIDGE 20. Madison Cinema I.

"Litl'e Miss Marker," 7:20, 9 30, II. "The Changeling." 7:30, 9:30, 21. Sayre-Woods Thea're. Parlin: "Thats Porno." (XI 2 4 30. 7:15.

9.50. "Little girl Bije (XI 3 15. 5 50. 8 25. PERTH AM BOY 22 Maiestic Thestre: "Ms Magnificent." (X) and Jude Pussycat (XJ continuous showing noon to II m.

23. Strand Theater: "Siizle (X) 2. 4 20. 640. 9 "Visions 3 01.

S30, 7:50. 10 10 PRINCETON 24. Princeton Playhouse "Apocalypse Now." 7:30 25 Prince III: 1. "AM That Jan." 1, 6. 805, 10 10.

II. "Apocalypse Now." 1. 5 45. 8. 10-15.

Ill "Night Games." 1, 6:15. 8:10, 10:05. 26. AMC Quakerbrtdge Cinema: I. "The Fog." II.

"Kramer vs. Kramer," III "Kill Or Be Sight." 1:50 4 15 7,20, 9.45. IV. "Little Darlings," 2 10, 4 10, 7,30 950. V.

"Tne Changling." 2:20, 4 30, 7:45, 10. 8 Turnpike Cinema I. "Staling Saddles." 2, 3.50, 5 40, 7:25, 915. 11. II.

"The "The Nude Bomb." 2:10 4 05. 6. 7:50 9 50 Drive-In: "Enter The Dragon 8 20. 11:25. EDISON 9.

Memo Park Cinema: I. "Manhattan." 2. 4. 6 8. 10.

II." All Thai Jan." 2 4 .50 7 20 9 35. 10. Plainfietd-Edison Theatre I "Bulling Saddles 2 3-50. 5 50. 7 45.

9 45. II. "The Rose 2, 4:30, 7, 9,30. Drive-In: "The Nude Bomb." 8 30, midnight "Prisoner Of Zenda." 10 20 FRANKLIN 11. Rutgers Cinema: I.

''Hollywood Knights" 2. 4. 5 50, 7 45. 9:45. It "Love Al First Bite" 2.

3 50. 5 40. 7:30, 30 HAZLET 12 Route 35 Drrve-ln Theater BELLE MEAD I. Hillsborough Cinema "Being There." 7. 920 BOUND BROOK 2 Brook Theatre "Enter The Dragon 20.

M0. CARTERET 3. Jerrrv Lewis Twin I "Little Miss Marker." 7, 8 50. II 'Hioe in Plan) Sigtil 7, 8 40. DUHELLEH 4 Dunellen Theatre: "Kramer vs.

Kramer." 2, 7 30, 9 20 "The Stewardesses." midnight EAST BRUNSWICK S. Brunswick Square: 1. "The Long Riders. 2, 4. 6, 8.

10. II "Coal Miner's Daughter," 2, 4 30, 7, 9:40 6 Loew's Route 18 Twin: I. "Friday The 13th." 2.35, 4:25. 620. 8 10.

10 05. II. "Hollywood Knights." 2:20. 4:15. 6 10, 8.

9:55. 7. Movie Cllv I. "Kramer vs. Kramer 1:30.

4 05, 7, 9 45 II "Little Miss Marker 1 40. 4 20. 7 10. 9 40. HI "Hide In Plain.