‘My Left Foot,’ With Brilliant Day-Lewis, in Stores

THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

The next time you think you’ve got it tough, rent “My Left Foot” (HBO, $89.99, R) and watch Daniel Day-Lewis’ brilliant portrayal of Christy Brown, an Irishman who didn’t let cerebral palsy keep him from painting and writing--with one foot.

The Oscar-winning performance and the encouraging story are only two of this excellent film’s qualities. Among the others: first-class direction by Jim Sheridan and a fine supporting cast, including Brenda Fricker, Cyril Cusack and Fiona Shaw.

Being influenced by ‘40s films was great for Steven Spielberg. Remaking one was disastrous. You can see the proof for yourself this weekend as the romantic fantasy about an aviator-turned-ghost, “Always” (MCA/Universal, priced for rental, PG), crash-lands at your video store. This remake of 1943’s “A Guy Named Joe” wastes the talents of Richard Dreyfuss, Holly Hunter and John Goodman.

Speaking of wasted talent, why does Fred Savage--so good in TV’s “The Wonder Years”--keep winding up in theatrical clunkers like “The Wizard” (MCA/Universal, priced for rental, PG)? Sort of a cross between a “Rain Man” for kids and a giant Nintendo commercial, this empty-headed film is no wiz.

Other recent movies new to video:

“Tango and Cash” (Warner, $92.95, R) teams Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell in an unthrilling cop thriller. “Heart Condition” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, R) teams--you guessed it--a cop (Bob Hoskins) and--maybe you didn’t guess it--the spirit of a black lawyer (Denzel Washington) in a watchable action-comedy. It’s everybody lambada in the limp “The Forbidden Dance” (RCA/Columbia, $89.95, PG-13).

COMING ATTRACTIONS: “Internal Affairs” (July 12), “Men Don’t Leave” (July 18), “Everybody Wins” (July 26), “Flashback” (Aug. 2), “All Dogs Go to Heaven” (Aug. 29, for only $24.98).

OTHER NEW VIDEOS

Parents of infants will be happy to hear there are two more tapes in the critically acclaimed “Baby Songs” series--”Baby Songs Presents John Lithgow’s Kid-Sized Concert” and “Even More Baby Songs.” The 32-minute, live-action videos are $14.98 each from Hi-Tops.