BOSS FAVE

“The Stepfather” may not be doing much business, but the strong critical reception and industry buzz hasn’t hurt director Joseph Ruben, who’s “getting better scripts--and more of them.”

Before “Stepfather,” Ruben directed the special effects-ish “Dreamscape.” But he’s probably better known as the director of Crown International’s profitable 1976 exploitation pic “The Pom Pom Girls.”

“I was only 24,” he said. “So high school was still one of the most important experiences of my life. I think that shows in the film. It really does have the feel and innocence of a certain time. A lot of people still love it.”

In fact, Ruben claimed, it’s Bruce Springsteen’s favorite film. How does he know that? “Oh, we got a call once, from his publicist, who wanted a poster for the film. And (rock critic) Dave Marsh said that Springsteen dragged him to Brooklyn to see it at some revival house--for the fourth time.”