Video . . . What’s New : Movies

Even though Warren Beatty’s film version of “Batman” is a long way from theaters, let alone video stores, there’s still a dynamic duo new to videocassette this week. In fact, it’s a dynamic duo doubled : In the 1988 comedy “Big Business” (Touchstone, $89.95, PG), Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin play two sets of mixed-up identical twins (a la “The Comedy of Errors,” with one set poor, the other wealthy) on opposite sides of a factory-closure battle. Times Film Critic Sheila Benson wrote: “Like a sensational party, this film may not bear the closest scrutiny in the cold light of day--the pacing sags at times, and scene endings sometimes fizzle out--but it gives an irresistible glow at the time.”

Yippee! Ted Turner has changed his mind and now says he won’t colorize “Citizen Kane.” Boo! King Kong couldn’t escape the same fate--the poor, dumb, lovestruck ape never was much good at making an effective escape. The result, “King Kong in Color” (Turner, $19.98), is now on tape, but you can opt for the original black-and-white version at the same price.

Paul Morrissey used to direct movies like “Trash” for Andy Warhol. Now he makes films like “Spike of Bensonhurst” (Virgin Vision, $89.95, R). Times critic Kevin Thomas found this ’88 “send-up of the Italian-American comedy and the old prize-fighting movie” to be “frequently hilarious and always outrageous,” but it “runs out of steam after the first hour.” Sasha Mitchell, Ernest Borgnine and Sylvia Miles are in the cast.

On the action-film front this week, 1987’s “Man on Fire” (Vestron, $89.95, R) concerns a bodyguard and ex-CIA agent (Scott Glenn) trying to save the kidnapped daughter of a wealthy Italian, and 1988’s “Scandalous” (Prism, $79.95, not MPAA rated) stars ex-models Lauren Hutton and Capucine in a thriller about international intrigue.

Other Videos

Salvador Dali’s memory will persist in the art world both for his surreal paintings and his unreal personality. The first videocassette on the great Spanish artist to appear since his death became available this week: “The Definitive Dali” (Kultur, $29.95) chronicles Dali’s life and work and its 75 minutes include interviews with admirers/associates Luis Bunuel, Man Ray and Alfred Hitchcock. Information: (800) 458-5887.

Also a painter but a lot better known as one of the finest singer-songwriters in pop/folk history, Joni Mitchell is featured in the 70-minute “Joni Mitchell: Refuge of the Roads” (AIP, $24.95), a shot-on-film documentary--directed by Mitchell herself--that combines concert footage from a 1983 tour and conceptual material. Most of the 14 songs are from that year’s “Wild Things Run Free” LP, though “Raised on Robbery,” “For Free” and “Woodstock” are also performed.

More music: AIP is also releasing “A Night of Triumph” ($24.95), a flashy, 85-minute concert by the Canadian rock band shot in December, 1986. A&M; has “Breathe: All That Jazz--the Videos” ($12.98), containing four music videos from the British band’s album “All That Jazz” plus interview footage.

More new videocassettes: “NASA: The 25th Year” (Kodak, $19.95, 50 min.), “Norman Rockwell: An American Portrait” (Kodak, $24.95, the 60-minute documentary shown on PBS last year), and “The Feel Better Friends with Rosenshontz and Pandy” (Golden Book, $9.95, a 30-min. cheerer-upper for bedridden kids).