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

'Mother' almost as rotten as the villains a C2 but appropriate to a well-done gothic. (Why don't these producers film gothics, anyway? Because they are scared to take a chance.) A and are rather an obnoxious trio, just full of practical jokes. Nothing loveable about them. They have mothers, not that it matters. Trina's unseen mom has a masculine, whiny voice and browbeats her daughter.

I can't go much further with the story without giving away its attempted surprises. Nothing, actually, is unpredictable. Ponder a bit that our potential victims number all of three and not seven or eight as in most such movies. Think what that may mean. Needless to say, the manic mom and her rotter sons capture the trio.

Rape, torture and murder are ahead. The sons wake in the morning to the exhortations of a Big Bird alarm clock and have all kinds of alarming habits. They do, of course, whatever Ma says, and there's nothing she likes better than to watch a rape. Anyone who wonders how long they have been killing (see the corpse and head in the closet); why no one ever catches on; and why, in fact, they live in a wilderness area just is not in tune with the mindless illogic of such pictures. Where "Mother's Day" becomes boldly imaginative is its broadening the range of its slaughter.

Rarely an ax or knife, but nightmarish means such as pouring the contents of a can of toilet cleaning crystals down the throat. Some could well get bad dreams from these killing techniques. There's a variety because they don't kill that effectively. After the crystals, what better to do next than crash a "live" TV set down on top of the head, so the face becomes the flashing image? Here is grotesquerie worth waiting for, satirically oriented again, for those who look for something different. I doubt that anyone ever heard of the actors, which is just as well.

They should have sought awful "The Last House on the Left." "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" gives some people the jitters, which is good because it means the movie works. In fact, it has the most sustained, high-pitched sequence of terror found on film, I think. Other movies may have higher pitches, but "Massacre" can keep those with the courage to watch on the edge of the seat longer. makers also have seen "Carrie," wouldn't you know.) During "Mother's Day," the theater seat was becoming most comfortable. The picture shows most all the stuff it can muster in the pre-credit sequence.

After a brief dumb satire of EST. it puts a young couple in a car with an oldish woman in a neck brace who is giving them a ride. Quite obviously, somebody here is the villain, but who? Movie Review That couple is acting very suspiciously. Ah, but there is the title of the movie to consider. Yes, it's Ma who leads the couple to their dooom.

She stops on a deserted road and almost in a blink, the man's head has been severed by one of the grungy, half-wit sons of Ma. The young woman is given a less bloody but just as startling death. This mixture of dopey satire, red-herring surprises and viciously graphic murder is the essence of "Mother's Day." Is the hand that suddenly looms from behind the head a lover's or a maniac's? Does it matter? That's a pertinent question because our intended victims are a trio of women college roommates celebrating their 10th annual reunion on a camping trip to you-know-where. Jackie, Abbie and Trina are first introduced gabbing and joking in a voice-over as hammy snap-shots from their years at Wolfbreath College are shown behind the credits. Not a bad name, Wolfbreath, MOTHER'S DAY, Directed by Charles Kaufman.

By TEDSERRILL Home News movie reviewer New Jersey's film commission might begin having second thoughts about allowing so many horror and terror movies to be filmed on location here. The innocent may start believing that monsters and grotesque killers are lurking behind the bushes in New Jersey's woods. "Mother's Day" follows "Friday the Hearse" and who knows what other movies yet to come by setting its heinous crimes in New Jersey. And "Mother's Day" may not even have been filmed in the state; at least, it identifies no locations that were filmed. Rather, this clumsy and grubby tale takes place in the "Deep Barons Wilderness Area" in New Jersey, a place so isolated that it seems no one else aside from the cast ever comes near these woods.

"Mother's Day" is near the low end of the stick in this ever-proliferating cycle of so-called horror films. It does have some interest to connoiseurs of the macabre and the absurd. More on that later. The average guy who enjoys this kind of flick should, I very much hope, be disappointed. Maybe the movie will flop and that will be a step toward encouraging filmmakers to get it right, or film nature documentaries instead.

The basic failing of "Mother's Day," if you can ignore the cartoonist) acting and awkward camera setups, is that it fails to generate terror, much less suspense. At first yawn, it seems to be modeled on "Friday the 13th," because both have a maniac killer or killers loose in the Jersey woods. But that can't be true because both reportedly were filmed about the same time. Its actual inspiration is "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "Massacre's" rip-offs, ranging from the rather neat "The Hills Have Eyes" to the WHY ARE THESE MEN LAUGHING? Review of reviews If i PG THE FINAL COUNTDOWN This wholly absorbing science fiction movie of the "what if?" variety takes place largely on the U.S.S. Nimitz, the world's largest nuclear powered aircraft carrier, which is drawn by a time warp to the eve of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The ship with its aircraft is the real star of the film, whose cast includes Kirk Douglas as the captain. The picture fails to resolve its time paradoxical story satisfactorily, and in fact cheats, but can prompt much argument and discussion among viewers, and how many other movies can make that Claim? (7, H) PG THE GREAT SAN TIN I This mav turn out to be the best movie of the year for those who care about serious, well-made dramas. Robert Duvall as a Marine fighter pilot with no wars to tight the year is 1962 raises his family in military style. The conseouences unroll in a South Carolina town, where they move, and his son (Michael O'Keefe) comes of age. The son at a later stage wa seen in the movie "Conrack.

Now receiving wider distribution theatrically, "The Great Santini" has been shown on cable television under the tine, "The Ace "(25) PG MY BODYGUARD A sweet little picture about growing up and establishing a pecking order, "Mv Bodyguard" has Chris AAakeoiece playing a high school sophomore entering a new school in Chicago and encountering a group of bullies with a protection racket. Adam Baldwin is a large, glum student with a mysterious past who he hopes will be his bodyguard. This is not a typical high schoolers' movie and es- PA 1 I PG AIRPLANE! A send-up of airplane disaster movies, "Airplane!" is a cornucopia of nonstop gags. Not that many work, but it's still a laugh-a-minute movie with gags for everyone. The lead players are Robert Hays as an ex-pilot who is now afraid of planes but must pilot down an airliner when most of its crew gets food poisoning, and Julie Hagerty as his stewardess fiancee.

Tiny parodies within the movie include a delicious moment when Havs imitates John Travolta in "Saturday Night Fever" and the "From Here to Eternity" beach scene. One of the best decisions by the filmmakers is to fill key roles not with comic actors but such "straights" as Peter Graves. Leslie Nielson, Llovd Bridges and Robert Stack. The comedy in tr.is cheaply made and most unrealistic film is almost too preoostrous, vet it always manages to find a fresh laugh. (35) CADDYSMACK This movie about hi-tinks at a country club can't compare with various classic comedies, but if contrasted with its peers, "Caddvshack" is more tasteful than "Animal House" and "Meatballs" and is funnier than the latter.

The graduates of "Saturday Night Live" and National Lampoon pegged the film to a bum idea for a feature length picture and are constantly stretching to find iokes in odd places. Rodney Danger-field is the best of its comic cast, which includes Bill Murray and Chevy Chase (29) DRESSED TO KILL This has to be seen to be believed. "Dressed to Kill," the latest of director Brian De Paima, who made "Obsession," "Carrie" and "The Fury," as wed as the recent "Home Movies," is a glittering construct of suspense, terror and blood. It has no heart, but this deliberate take-off on some aspects of "Psycho" idv-fully plavs with all sorts of cine matic tricks. Angle Dickinson, in a kind of Janet Leigh role (remember dominates nearly the first 40 minutes, then Nancv Allen takes over as a new protaganist forced by the cops to look tor a killer.

Michael Caine's psychiatrist has a central role. A bravura movie, and great fun. (3, 7, 8, 16, 28, 36, 37) FAME centers on eight youths who soend four years at New York's High School for the Performing Arts. A series of anecdotes and vignettes, ranging from the comic through tearfully dramatic, this lively movie adds gradually to our knowledge of these would-be future stars, showing how in various ways they are molded by their schooling and companionships. Occasionally breaking out into Holly wood-styled whimsical dance and song numbers, "Fame" is as tough and vulnerable as the mixed bag of young men and women whose stories it tells.

Although not a particularly thought-provoking picture, a lot of thought was spent to try to keep it from being sloppy and banal. (7) This a publicity still, with Anthony James in foreground and Richard Harris in background, is from a movie called "Ravagers" that Columbia Pictures has refused to open, although it mailed out a promotion kit months ago. Obviously, these men aren't laughing, but are screaming with horror at the fate to which Columbia consigned their movie. have an elephant? His attempt to convoy an elephant from Miami to Dallas is the thread that holds together this often funny seaual Reynolds' popular road movie. Ravnoids is at his most pleasantly carefree.

Jackie Gleason returns as Sheriff Buford T. Justice and takes on two additional roles as chews wild times, car looming and romance. The irreoresibie Ruth Gordon provides another of her amusing bits as a grandmother who refuses to grow old (11, 17) PG SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT II It Clint Eastwood can have an ape, why can't Burt Reynolds related Justices who loin the pursuit. Charlotte the elephant, with a crush on Reynolds' Bandit, and Sally Fields contribute sentiment. The big chase sequence is a parody of many westerns: Tne Indians dosing on the settlers end the cavalry (here, tractor trailers) to ihe rescue (25) Movie times 5:30, 7 30.

9 30 III. "My Bodyguard." 1 45. 3 45, 5 45, 7 45, 9 45. 32. SomerviMe Drive-ln.

"Mother's Dav." 7.30, 10 45. and "Embryo 9 SOUTH PLAINFIELO 33. UA Cinema I. "In Good We Trust." 1, 2 55. 4.50, 7, 9.

10:55. II. "Mother's Day." 1:30, 3 15. 5, 6 45. 8 30.

10:15, midnight. UNION 34. Lost Picture Show: "Mv Brilliant Career." 5:40, 7 40, 9.40. WATCHUNG 35. Blue Star Cinema- I.

"He Knows You're Alone." 2, 3 45, 5:30, 9 30. II. "Hooscotch 2, 3 55. 5 50. 8.

10. III. "Airplane." 2. 3 40. 5 25, 7 40, 9 40 WOOOBRIDGE 36.

Ford Cinema: "Dressed To Kill." 7, 8:45. 37. Iselin Theatre: "Dressed To Kill." 7. 9. and "Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains The Same." midnight.

38. Woodbridge Cinema: t. "Divine Madness." 2. 4, 6. 8.

tO. II. "When A Stranger 1.30. 3D. '5 30.

7:30. Craiv Call the theater at (609) 799-9331. RAHWAY 26 Old Rahwav Theater: "Without Warning." 2. 3:35. 5:15.

6 50. 8 30, 10:10. ROCKY HILL 27. Montgomery: "Come Have Coffee." 7:30. 9 20 SAYREVILLE 28.

Cinema 9: "Dressed To Kill." 2, 3 55. 5:50. 7 45. 940. 29.

Ambov Cinemas Sixolex: I. "The Exterminator." 2:15, 4:30, 7 45, 10:05, midnight. II. "In God We Trust." 2:10. 42S, 7:10, 9 40, 11:45.

III. "Mother's Day." 2.30. 4 45, 7:30, 10, 11 50. IV. "Hopscotch." 2, 4:15, 7:10.

9:30. 11:40. "Caddvshack." 2:25. 4 40. 7:55.

10.15. 12:10. VI. "Without Warning" 2 30. 4:45.

7:40. 10, 12:10. SOMERVILLE 30 Corl Theatre: "Nude Bomb." 4 20, 8:35. "Blues Brothers." 2, 4:10. 10 25.

31. SomerviMe Circle: I. "When A Stranger Calls 2. 4. 6, 8.

10 II. "Itf Ooa tti Trast MB, 130," Music." 2. and "The Exterminator." 4 30. 7:45. 10.

8. Turnpike Cinema: I. "Mother's Day." 2:40. 4:30. 6:20.

8:10, 10, 11:45. II: "In God We Trust." 2 15, 4:15, 6:15. 8:15, 10:15. "Flesh Gordon." 8 15, Drive-In: "Dressed To Kill." 7:15, 11:30. EDISON 9.

Menlo Park Cinema: I- "The Empire Strikes Back." 2, 4:45, 7:15, 9:40. II. "Stardust Memories." 2, 3:40, 5:20. 7, 8:40, 10:15, midnight. 10.

Plainlield-Edison: "Cheech Chong's Next Movie." 6, 8, 10, midnight. II: "Without Warning." 6, 1:15, 10:10, midnight. Drive-ln: "He Knows You're Alone." 7:30, II. and "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." 9:25. FRANKLIN 11.

Rutgers Cinema: "My Bodyguard." 2, 3:55, 5 50. 7:45. 9:45. II: "Hopscotch." 2, 4, 6, 8, 10. HAZLET 12.

Route 35 Drive-ln: "Without' Warning." 7:25. and "Deranged." 9. 13. UA. Cinema One and Two: I.

"When A Stranger Calls 2.15. 4:15. 615. 8 15. 10:15, 12:15 II "Mother's Day." 2 3:40 5 20 7, 8:40.

10 20. midnight. LINDEN 14. Twin I. "He Konws Vou're Alone." 2:15, 4 05, 5:55.

7:50, and "Rocky Horror Picture Show." midnight. II. "In God We Trust." I 45. 3:40. 5 35.

7:30, 9 35; and "200 Motels." midnight. MANVILLE 15. Manville Cinema: "Final Countdown." 2, 7:30, 9 30. METUCHEN 16. Forum Theatre: Shorts 7, 9.

"Dressed To Kill." 7:15, 9:15. MIDDLETOWN 17. UA Middletown Cinema: I. "In God We 2. 4, 6, 8.

10. II. "My Bodyguard." 1:30. 3:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9.30. III.

"Brubaker." 2. 4 25, 7:15, 9:45. NEW BRUNSWICK 18. Art Cinema: "Baby Blue." (X) noon. 2:40, 5:20, 8, 10:30.

Obsessed." (X) 1:20, 4, 9:20. NORTH BRUNSWICK 19. North Brunswick Drive-ln: "Brubaker." 7:30, 11:20. and "Cathy's Curse." 9:25. OLD BRIDGE 20.

Madison Twin Cinema: I. "Summer Camp." 7:30, 9:10 II. "Rougn Cut." 7:30. 9 30. 21.

Savre-Woods Theatre. Parltn: "Tramp." (X) 2, 4.30, 7:15. 9 50. and "Expensive Taste." (X) 3:15. 5:50.

8 30. PERTH AMBOY 22. Maiestic: I. "Baby Doll." II: "Inside Desiree Cousteau." continuous performance from noon to 11:15 p.m. 23.

Strand Theater: "Lusty Princess." (X) 2. 4:10. 6 20. 8:30. "Exploring Young Girls." (X) 3.

5:10. 7:20, 9 30. PRINCETON 24. Prince 3: I. "Harold And Maude." 7:15, 9.

II. "The Exterminator." 7:15, 9:05. III. "The Canterbury Tales." (X) 7.15, 9:20. 25.

AMC Quakerbridge Cinema: I. "Tha Octagon." II. "The Great1 SenfinS." III. "Smokev And The Bandit II." IV. "Middle Age BELLE MEAO 1.

Hillsborough Cinema: "Without Warning." 7.30. 9 10. BOUND BROOK 2. Brook Theatre: "Rough Cut." 6 30, 10:10. and "Starting Over 825 CARTERET 3.

Jerry Lewis Twin: I. "Another's Day." 7. 835. II. "Dressed To Kill." 7, 8:50.

DUNELLEN 4. Dunetlen Theatre: "Without Warning 2, 7:30. 9 30. EAST BRUNSWICK 5. Brunswick Square: I.

"My Bodyguard." 2, 3 50, 5:40. 7:30. 9 20. II. "He Knows Vou're Alone 2, 4.

6, 8. 10. 6. Loew's Route 18 Twin: I. "Hopscotch." 2, 4.

6. 0. 10. Twin II. "When A Stranger Cans." 2, 3 50.

5 50, 7:50. 9:50. 7. Movie City 5: I. "Dressed To IK." 4:05, 7.

9.30. II. "Final Countdown." 1:40. 4 20, 7:10, 9:40. III.

"Fame." 1:50, 4:15, 7:20, 9:50. IV. "The Octagon." 2:10, 4:10, 7:30. 9.45. V.

"Can't Slop The.