New Video Releases

Movies

When the number two appears at the end of a movie’s name, whether II or 2 , it usually adds up to big bucks for the releasing company and disappointment for fans of the original film. However, neither “Arthur 2 on the Rocks” (Warner, $89.95, PG) nor “Short Circuit 2” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG), both new at video stores this weekend, did stupendous business when they were released at theaters earlier this year.

But they did manage to live up to sequel expectations in one way, disappointing many fans (in the case of “Arthur 2”) and some fans (in the case of “SC2”). While Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli somehow escaped the pitfalls of the premise (that drunks are screamingly funny) in “Arthur,” the appropriately named “On the Rocks” found them tumbling right in. On the other hand, “Short Circuit 2” pleased many critics and moviegoers, though these further adventures of lovable robot Number 5 didn’t feature Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy this time or the delightfulness of the original.

Don’t look for a sequel to “Bagdad Cafe” (Virgin, $79.95, PG), but only because West German directors such as Percy Adlon (“Sugarbaby”) don’t tend to make them. But never mind sequels--see this very original original (Adlon’s first English-language film) about some funny, fascinating characters at a Mojave Desert roadside cafe.

Four notable foreign films reach video this week thanks to Connoisseur Video: “Spirit of the Beehive” ($79.95, 1973), “Big Deal on Madonna Street” ($69.95, 1956), “The Floating Weeds” ($79.95, 1959) and “Alphaville” ($59.95, 1965).

On a considerably less sophisticated note, there’s “License to Drive” (CBS/Fox, $89.95, PG-13), a wild comedy that depicts a parent’s worst nightmare about teen-agers behind the wheel.

Other Videos

Back to sophistication: Kultur has released three pianist-oriented tapes, “Glenn Gould: A Portrait,” “Claudio Arrau: 80th Birthday Recital” and “Claudio Arrau: The Emperor,” at $29.95 each. Information: (213) 668-9123.

Also on a cultural note, Home Vision has released “Autobiography of an Unknown,” an hour-long Jean Cocteau documentary you may have seen if you take the Bravo cable channel; “The Hero’s Journey,” a similarly comprehensive and excellent overview of mythologist Joseph Campbell’s career and philosophy (seen occasionally on PBS stations), and “Degas,” a 58-minute study of the artist’s life and work--each $39.95. Information: (800) 323-4222.