‘Steel Magnolias,’ ‘Roger & Me’ Reach the Stores

THIS WEEK’S MOVIES

If it’s stars you want, then “Steel Magnolias” (RCA/Columbia, priced for rental, PG) delivers them aplenty. Sally Field, Shirley MacLaine, Dolly Parton, Darryl Hannah, Julia Roberts, Olympia Dukakis and Tom Skerritt star in this 1989 comedy-drama adapted from the hit play.

But if it’s plot you want, forget it--this boring film drifts along like a magnolia blossom in the wind, with talky women (and the talk’s not very interesting), cartoonish males and some of the most gosh-awful, over-colored interiors you ever laid pained eyes on.

If it’s no stars and no plot you want, but don’t mind a biased (and often crude) view of the plight of a Michigan community after auto-plant closings, then rent Michael Moore’s documentary “Roger & Me” (Warner, $92.95, R). Though generally overrated, the 1989 theatrical release provides the documentary form a boost plus a few chuckles, especially if you don’t mind a strong helping of cruelty to animals.

OTHER RECENT PICTURES: “Music Box” (IVE, $89.95, PG-13) stars Jessica Lange in a Costa Gavras’ courtroom drama, and “Strike It Rich” (HBO, $89.99, PG) has Molly Ringwald in a comedy about love and gambling.

VINTAGE VIDEO: MGM has just released (for $19.95 each) “The Americanization of Emily” (1964), a strong, ironic comedy/drama about a cynical American photographer (James Garner) and the British driver he loves (Julie Andrews); “Smile” (1975), Michael Ritchie’s often hilarious view of the American beauty contest; “The Loved One” (1965), a wildly uneven filming of the Evelyn Waugh satire on Forest Lawn, with Robert Morse badly miscast as the protagonist but lots of other fascinating portrayals; “The Boy Friend” (1971), an uncharacteristically sweet (even too tame) musical spoof of the ‘20s from Ken Russell; and “Cold Turkey” (1971), a just-OK comedy about an entire town that tries to stop smoking, with Dick Van Dyke, Jean Stapleton, Bob Newhart and other TV types in the cast.

REDUCED PRICES: Connoisseur has cut the cost of several titles in its excellent line of foreign films to $29.95, including “Grand Illusion,” “Wild Strawberries” and “The Burmese Harp.”