Current Crop Plus Previews of Some Coming Attractions

THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

There isn’t much new to pick from at the video store this week so, to keep you from selling off the VCR, we’ll look at brighter days ahead. First, though, let’s get the current arrivals out of the way.

All of the following new movies-on-tape were 1989 theatrical releases:

* “Communion” (MCEG, $89.95, R). This film version of the best seller about a man’s meeting (real or imagined) with life forms from another world is about as good as it gets this week. The drama features lauded performances by Christopher Walken and Lindsay Crouse.

* “Second Sight” (Warner, $89.95, PG). The New-Age phenomenon of channeling is a ripe subject for a great comedy. Unfortunately, that great comedy has not yet been made. Instead, the topic resulted in one of the worst films of 1989 and perhaps all time. TV’s Bronson Pinchot (“Perfect Strangers”) is paired with TV’s John Larroquette (“Night Court”) in a mess about a psychic whose spiritual entities wreak havoc--wouldn’t you know it--just when he’s trying to help a detective find a kidnaped cardinal.

* “Staying Together” (HBO, $89.99, R). Drama about three brothers who have to make it on their own after their father sells the family business. Tim Quill, Dermot Mulroney, Stockard Channing and Daphne Zuniga are in the cast; Lee Grant directed.

* “Dealers” (Academy, $89.95, R). Rebecca DeMornay stars in a plot about an attempt to recover a $100-million Wall Street trading loss.

OK, now for those coming attractions. Release dates are for videocassette versions, which will be priced in the $90 range unless otherwise noted:

“Crimes and Misdemeanors” (May 24), “The Little Mermaid” (May 18, $26.99), “Look Who’s Talking” (next Wednesday), “Shirley Valentine” (next Thursday), “sex, lies and videotape” (April 25), “Back to the Future, Part II” (May 24, a day before “Part III” opens in theaters), “Drugstore Cowboy” (May 10), “The Fabulous Baker Boys” (May 24), “A Dry White Season” (April 26), “Enemies, A Love Story” (June 13), “Harvey” (May 10, $19.98), “Rocco and His Brothers” (May 3, $79.95), “The Covered Wagon” (May 17, $14.95), “Fat Man and Little Boy” (May 3), “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” (May 9), “Penn and Teller Get Killed” (May 9) and “Harlem Nights” (May 17).

OTHER NEW VIDEOS

If you think the TV sitcom “The Golden Girls,” has been going to the dogs lately, you’re right in at least one respect. One of the stars has taken time from the series’ increasingly sophomoric sex jokes to make “Rue McClanahan: The Dog Care Video Guide” (M.R.S., $29.95).

The 50-minute tape basically consists of the actress talking with veterinarian David Griffiths about basic dog-finding and dog-raising tips, with a low-key, informative approach and an unusual (and welcome) emphasis on responsibility regarding spaying, neutering and on obtaining pets from animal shelters. It isn’t quite as comprehensive as some other available dog-care cassettes. McClanahan also has a cat-care video at the same price and featuring a similar approach.