Video Reviews and News

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**Ordinary *Poor

Recent videocassette releases, reviewed by Times critics.

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Movies

The final film by the great director John Huston, “The Dead” (Vestron, $89.98, PG), is an incredibly flavorful, richly textured adaptation of the James Joyce short story. A unique film that either swept viewers into its quietly mysterious world (a turn-of-the-century Dublin dinner party) or bored them to death, “The Dead” isn’t for “action” fans. However, many who loved the film, which features a wonderful cast led by Anjelica Huston, will be frustrated by the non-sell-through price. This is one they’d like to own, and watch over and over. A tip: Wait for Vestron to substantially lower the tag, which should happen within a year, and in the meantime rent.

At the same time, Vestron is releasing a film that could hardly be more opposite: “Call Me” ($79.98, R), a sex-and-violence “thriller” about a woman (Patricia Charbonneau) who enjoys the obscene phone calls she’s been getting and witnesses a murder that may have been committed by the man who makes them. Kinky-film specialists might like to compare this to “Not of This Earth” (MGM/UA, $89.95, R), about a woman (Traci Lords in her first non-porn starring role) who discovers her boss is a blood-sucking alien from outer space. The video release date of this remake of a 1957 Roger Corman movie was delayed from its originally scheduled November date.

Other Videos

Sorry to mention it, but tax time is looming. First and probably foremost of several video helpers is the “Touche Ross Video Tax Guide 1989” (MasterVision, $39.95). Also from MasterVision is the newly complete “Audubon Society’s VideoGuide to the Birds of North America.” Each of the five volumes is $29.95. Information: (212) 879-0448.

“I Want to Read!” (Family Express, $59.95) is a two-hour tape that helps illiterate adults do just that. Information: (800) 356-2820.

Compiled by Terry Atkinson