‘Blue Velvet’ May Haul in Green; ‘Karate Kid, Part II’ a Big Kick

Many critics and fans had mixed reactions to “Blue Velvet,” writer-director David Lynch’s controversial movie, which has been called amusing, poetic, chaotic and, in terms of its sexual content and message, downright shocking. Since it has developed a cult following of fans who apparently love to argue about its meaning, it should be a rental hit when Karl-Lorimar releases it April 1.

The movie stars Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Laura Dern and Dennis Hopper in a villainous role that some critics already rank among the most terrifying in film history. Hopper is expected to get an Academy-Award nomination for his performance.

NEW RELEASES: RCA/Columbia’s “The Karate Kid, Part II,” starring Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, should be the dominant cassette for the next month. A whopping 325,000 copies have been sold to retailers and distributors. Like the original, this is a fan’s movie. Most critics considered the first one hokey and the sequel hokier.

MPI’s “Help!,” a zany comedy with music, has nostalgic appeal for Beatles fans and is a good introduction to the Fab Four for youngsters who are wondering what all the fuss was about. Media’s “My American Cousin” is a Canadian comedy with a no-name cast about the coming-of-age summer of a 12-year-old girl. The performances by Margaret Langrick and John Wildman--the American cousin--are its strength. The pluses in Charter Entertainment’s tawdry action/thriller, “Never Too Young to Die,” are Vanity, who has a large, lustful male following, and Kiss’ Gene Simmons as an evil hermaphrodite.

Other recent releases: CBS-Fox’s “Big Trouble in Little China,” Embassy’s big-budget fantasy, “Labyrinth,” Warners’ “Club Paradise” CBS-Fox’s “Wise Guys.”

HORROR: This week’s big horror release is MCA’s “Psycho III.” Each sequel gets closer and closer to standard slash-and-splatter fare. Anthony Perkins, back for the third time as the psychotic nerd Norman Bates, makes his directorial debut. Some critics said he has a flair for horror. By the usual slash-and-splatter standards, this one is high class. If there’s a “Psycho IV”--there’s still some mileage left in Bates--Perkins may be the director.

Horror fans will get a kick out of Media’s “Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Part 2.” The original, a stomach-churning cult classic, cleverly preys on our fears of chain saws. So does the sequel, out next week on Media. Both are by director Tobe Hooper. An added attraction is the performance by the star Dennis Hopper, which is far above the norm of the genre.

OLD MOVIES: Rock Hudson isn’t remembered for “Gun Fury” (1953), but this recent RCA/Columbia release, at $69.95, is a good example of a ‘50s “A” Western. The performances, by Hudson and Donna Reed, are competent and the action is brisk. Hudson fans who are curious about the late actor’s old movies might appreciate this tale of a cowboy searching for his kidnaped fiancee. Some big names were involved in this one. Raoul Walsh directed, Lee Marvin co-stars and Irving Wallace co-wrote the script.

“The Goddess” (1958), just out on RCA/Columbia at $69.95, features what some film historians call one of the great performances of the ‘50s. Kim Stanley portrays a tortured actress who achieves movie stardom but never finds happiness. Paddy Chayefsky wrote the script. Any resemblance to the life of Marilyn Monroe was purely intentional.

CHARTS

(Complied by Billboard magazine)

TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, RENTALS

1--”Back to School” (HBO/Cannon).

2--”Short Circuit” (CBS-Fox).

3--”Howard the Duck” (MCA).

4--”Cobra” (Warner Video).

5--”Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (Paramount).

TOP VIDEOCASSETTES, SALES

1--”Jane Fonda’s Low Impact Aerobic Workout” (Karl-Lorimar).

2--”Indiana Jones and Temple of Doom” (Paramount).

3--”Jane Fonda’s New Workout” (Karl-Lorimar).

4--”Sleeping Beauty” (Disney).

5--”Secrets of the Titanic” (Vestron).