TURN-ONS AND TURN-OFFS IN CURENT HOME ENTERTAINMENT RELEASES : VIDEOCASSETTES

“Staring at the Sea: The Images.” The Cure. Elektra. $24.98. This chronological arrangement of all 17 Cure videos should fascinate anyone ever entranced by the way one of the ‘80s’ best British bands has flirted so creatively with madness. Alternately intense, dreamy and playful, brilliant leader Robert Smith’s chameleonic persona displays its many colorful changes (no interviews, though). Put together by Smith and Tim Pope--the inventive director of the latest clips--and interspersed with snatches of home movies and live shows, this 82-minute companion to the Cure’s recent LP/CD/cassette singles collection is a treasure.