VIDEO . . . WHAT’S NEW : This Is the Week That Wasn’t for the Release of Big Movies

No news is bad news for video fans looking for another big-movie release this week. There isn’t one. It’s the lull between “Batman” and “Ghostbusters II” (already out) and “When Harry Met Sally . . .,” “Star Trek V,” “Road House” and “Great Balls of Fire” (all released next week).

This week’s slim pickings:

“Listen to Me” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG-13). This 1989 drama’s cast may attract you--Kirk Cameron, Jami Gertz, Roy Scheider, Amanda Peterson and Anthony Zerbe--even if the reviews were generally poor and the plot is less than irresistible. It’s all about two members of a college debate team getting ready for the big match against Harvard. Yes, it’s a very slow week.

“How to Get Ahead in Advertising” (Virgin Vision, $89.95, R). We’ve had talking horses, talking mules and talking cars before, so why not a talking pimple? The pimple pops up on the shoulder of an anxiety-ridden advertising hotshot in this heavy-handed black comedy starring Richard E. Grant and directed by Bruce Robinson (both from “Withnail and I”).

“84 Charlie Mopic” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, R). Even though lost in the shuffle of higher-budgeted Vietnam War movies, this 1989 drama about a six-man reconnaissance team that’s being filmed by a documentary crew received some good reviews. The cast (Richard Brooks, Christopher Burgard, Nicholas Cascone, Jonathan Emerson and Glenn Morshower), though mostly unknowns, also was praised by critics. Patrick Duncan directed.

“A Sinful Life” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, R). The L.A. Groundlings play “Just Like the Pom Pom Girls” was turned into this interesting 1989 failure--a wacky, quirky comedy about the lengths a single, unemployed mother named Claire Vin Blanc (played by Anita Morris) will go to keep her baby (named Baby) from being placed in a foster home.

“The Ann Jillian Story” (J2, $79.95). TV movie starring Jillian in her own filmography, tracing her career through her battle with breast cancer.

“Ghost Writer” (Prism, $79.95, PG). Obscure 1989 comedy about a free-lance writer who “ghost writes” the life story of a movie star who’s, you guessed it, a ghost. Not to be confused with a 1984 PBS adaptation of a Philip Roth story by the same name.

COMING ATTRACTIONS

“Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” on Feb. 1 for $24.95 (VHS and Beta), $29.95 (laserdisc) and $39.95 (Super-VHS). 1989’s second-biggest theatrical hit (after “Batman,” of course) will be Paramount’s first release ever in Super-VHS.

“Lethal Weapon II” on Feb. 8. Warner will offer the hit sequel for $24.98 (VHS, Beta, laserdisc) and $29.98 (8mm).

OTHER NEW VIDEOS

“Anne of Avonlea” (Walt Disney, $29.95 for the double-cassette package) is the likable TV sequel to the great Canadian-series version of the classic girl’s story “Anne of Green Gables.” As in the first series, Megan Follows stars as Anne--this time grown up and becoming a teacher. This 224-minute second series was shown on both PBS and the Disney Channel.

“Kathy Smith’s Ultimate Stomach and Thighs Workout” is a 90-minute exercise tape out on Media for $19.95.

There’s more new music video than you can shake a microphone stand at, including: “Bon Jovi: New Jersey--the Videos” (PMV, $19.95, 60 minutes), “Depeche Mode 101” (Warner Reprise, $19.98, 117 minutes), “Bobby Brown: His Prerogative” (MCA, $19.95, 60 minutes), Laurie Anderson’s “Home of the Brave” (Warner Reprise, $19.98, 90 minutes), “Reba McEntire: Reba” (MCA, $14.95, 30 minutes), “Kenny G Live in Concert” (6 West, $19.98, 90 minutes), “Ice-T: Ice-Berg” (Warner Reprise, $16.98, 90 minutes), “Jody Watley: Video Classics, Vol. 1” (MCA, $16.95, 45 minutes), “Anderson, Bruford, Wakeman, Howe” (6 West, $14.98, 30 minutes) and “New Edition: Past and Present” (MCA, $19.95, 59 minutes).