With the Grand Theft Auto IV trailer circulating a good six months before the game's release, NYC officials are giving the thumbs down. The Daily News has comments:"It's despicable to glamorize violence in games like these, regardless of how far-fetched the setting may be," said Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly. "The mayor does not support any video game where you earn points for injuring or killing police officers," said Jason Post, a spokesman for Mayor......

With the Oscar nominations announced this week, you can expect much of the box office traffic to be people trying to cross films off of their list that they are just now realizing are "important." However, the new releases keep a coming and the New York repertory houses are programming away, so there's loads of good flicks to check out this weekend. In the wide releases category this week, Black Hollywood's new Meg Ryan, Sanaa......

Gothamist saw the trailer for the new Jennifer Connelly movie, Dark Water. Basically, she finds an apartment (with the help of John C. Reilly, a fellow tenant) in what looks like one of those huge NYC apartment buildings that are so big and nondescript, they look like projects, and moves in with her daughter, even though the elevator is freaky. She proclaims it perfect, but, of course, that's when the scary stuff happens: Leaky ceiling......

So, Gothamist was checking out the listing for the $70 million co-op at the Pierre Hotel (via Curbed), and there maybe be a staircase that looks like something out of a castle and dazzling views of the city only the rich can buy, Gothamist wants to know this: Is there a panic room in the house? We would imagine that $70 million should buy you a panic pied a terre, let alone a room. Panic......

Gothamist has been eagerly awaiting the opening of the Ben Stiller-Drew Barrymore "comedy" Duplex not because we really want to see it, but because we wanted to read A.O. Scott's review. And how did we know A.O. Scott would review it? Just a hunch, as he's a Park Slope resident, the film was filmed in Park Slope...we may not be able to spell, but we can add. Here are two quotes we like from Scott's......

The Post looks at what it's like to have your home co-opted by a film or TV show. With daily rates of $2000 (for posh locations), loads of equipment will be loaded in, your and your neighbors' peace of mind distressed, and strangers will tramp around your place. (Hey, it's almost like a couch surfer - just not the getting money part.) The Post has tips for how you can get your place on screen,......

DVD Talk has a great article about the opening title sequence for Panic Room. The titles were the best thing about the movie, which is sad considering the talent involved. The movie was flash but soulless. And that Patrick Bauchau had to be beaten to a pulp... Panic Room is on DVD but it's showing on cable, so catch the first 10 minutes for the credits. A.O. Scott said the film had "many scenes of......