Video Lessons on Subjects From Acting to Feng Shui

Do you have acting aspirations? Want to learn how to play the piano or travel down the information superhighway? Well, help is just an instructional video away. In fact, there are videos that cover almost every subject imaginable. Here’s a look at some recent releases.

For the budding thespian, there’s the informative “The Method Based on Stanislavski and Strasberg With Lorrie Hull Ph.D.” (Corlin Productions, $40), a two-hour tape examining the acting techniques of the popular Method style. Included are relaxation techniques, four basic sensory and concentration exercises and scene critiques. To order, call (310) 828-0632 or (805) 682-0638.

Heading down the aisle soon and desperate to fit into your wedding dress? Perhaps you should check out “How to Get in Shape for Your Wedding” (Step N’ Motion Videos, $20). Newly married step aerobics instructor Cathe Friedrich leads viewers through two strenuous 45-minute workouts that are definitely not for the novice. Feel free to fast-forward through the one too many clips of Friedrich’s wedding and reception. To order, call (800) 433-STEP.

“How You Can Save Your Dog’s Life” (MediaMax Productions, $20) instructs pet owners on how they can treat common dog emergencies such as unconsciousness, fractures, poisoning, drowning and frostbite. The nifty tape is hosted by veterinarian Bernadine Cruz. To order, call (800) 440-8386.

Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art that balances the life energies, is explored in “Feng Shui: The Chinese Art of Design and Placement” (Mirror Images, $30). The leisurely paced tape demonstrates how furniture arrangement, water fountains, mirrors, wind chimes and cut glass crystals can lead to the balance. To order, call (800) 551-2482.

“Pat Boone Presents Vidiano Video Piano Lessons: Hymns Common to Most Christian Faiths” (the MacGregor Co., $20 each) features the “Vidiano” method of playing the piano. Boone introduces the video and then Lorie MacGregor, who helped create this method, demonstrates how to play such hymns as “Silent Night.” The hymn book is included. To order, call (800) PLAY-POP.

For the Internet-illiterate, there’s Kamera B’s lighthearted “Upgrade Your IQ: A Ridiculously Simple Guide to the Internet” ($15), hosted by Gil Bates, and HomeTown Television’s peppy “ABC’s of the Internet” ($20), hosted by Frank Kilpatrick and Anne Hulegard. To order “Upgrade,” call (800) 473-1636. To purchase “ABC’s,” call (888) 2NETABC.

Jane’s Addiction: Gwyneth Paltrow has been receiving rave reviews as Jane Austen’s meddling heroine in the current film “Emma.” Back in 1972--the year Paltrow was born--the BBC presented a four-hour adaptation of Austen’s tale of a young woman who interferes in the lives of her friends. BBC Video has released this stylish, literate version ($30), which Austen’s legion of fans will no doubt enjoy.

Documentary: Arriving Tuesday is “Biography: The Old Testament Collection” (A&E;, $100 for the set, $20 each), which features profiles of Adam and Eve, Samson and Delilah, Moses, Solomon and Sheba, Noah and King David. To order, call (800) 423-1212.

Foreign Affairs: New on Tuesday: Nathalie Baye gives an emotional performance in the French drama “Every Other Weekend” (New Yorker), as a washed-up TV actress trying to renew her relationship with the two children she gave up for her career.

Home Vision presents the uncut, letterbox version of Jacques Tati’s 1967 classic comedy “Play Time” ($30). In this farce, Tati’s Mr. Hulot tries desperately to keep an appointment.

Zheng Junli directed the 1949 Chinese drama “Crows & Sparrows” (Hen’s Tooth), which was completed on the eve of the Communist revolution.

Rodgers & Hammerstein: FoxVideo has gussied up the classic 1965 musical “The Sound of Music” ($20) by digitally mastering the Oscar winner, starring Julie Andrews. Available on Tuesday, Fox will stop selling the video after this year.

Also new on Tuesday is the A&E; documentary “Rodgers & Hammerstein: The Sound of Movies” ($20). Shirley Jones hosts. To order, call (800) 423-1212.

Oldie but Goodie: Dirk Bogarde and Jean Kent head the cast of “The Woman in Question” (Home Vision, $30), a minor but enjoyable 1950 British murder-mystery.

Coming Next Week: Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen star in “Gulliver’s Travels” (Hallmark, $25), the acclaimed, multi-Emmy-nominated NBC miniseries based on Jonathan Swift’s classic novel.

Nick Nolte, John Malkovich and Melanie Griffith headline the film noir “Mulholland Falls” (MGM/UA).

Julia Roberts is “Mary Reilly” (Columbia TriStar) and John Malkovich is Dr. Jekyll and Mr. You-Know-Who in this grisly melodrama.

The ever-busy Malkovich and Catherine Deneuve star in the Faustian drama “The Convent” (Fox Lorber).

Cher, Ryan O’Neal and Chazz Palminteri star in Paul Mazursky’s black comedy “Faithless” (MGM/UA).

Charlie and Itchy are back in the animated musical “All Dogs Go to Heaven 2” (MGM/UA, $23). Also new: “1-900” (Fox Lorber); “Cannibal: The Musical” (Troma).