The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy **1/2 (Touchstone; $29.99) Go into the future for a giggle with this sci-fi comedy that begins with the end of the world and does a pretty good job of capturing the anarchic - Fingersmith ***1)% (Acorn; $29.99) This smashingly fun UK. miniseries is almost certainly the best Sapphic Dickensian melodrama we will ever see, telling a tale of con artistry and lesbian love based on the best selling novel by Sarah Waters.</p><p> Other TV just out: the Emmy nominated miniseries "Empire Falls" (HBO; $29.98) from the Pulitzer Prize winner by Richard Russo; the hilarious hip-hop interview spoof "Da Ali G Show: Da Compleet " Second Seazon" (HBO; $29.95); and the final season of the legendary Second City sketch comedy show with John Candy, Eugene Levy, et aI., "SCTV Volume 4" (Shout; $89.98). .</p><p> Ben-Hur ***1/2 (Warner Bros.; $39.92) Today, big, lumbering epics like spirit of the comedic novel by Douglas Adams.</p><p> Martin Freeman is perfectly cast as the helpless hero, Arthur.</p><p> Dent, though the usually engaging Mos Def is disappointingly subdued as alien writer "Ford Prefect.</p><p> Witty extras include deleted scenes,fake deleted scenes, two commentaries and a sing-along, "Troy" and "Alexander" are reason to flee the theater.</p><p> But in the golden era of Hollywood, big, lumbering epics like 1959's l!-time Oscar winner "Ben-Hur Collector's Edition" managed to remain intelligent and engaging -thanks to director William Wyler and the stolid Charlton Heston.</p><p> Extras are beyond lavish, not least of which is the complete 1925 silent version, two substantial documentaries and much more.</p><p> Also out: the near-miss of 1983's "Rumble Fish Special Edition" (Universal; $19.98) and the triumphant 1980 Loretta Lynn bio-pic "Coal Miner's Daughter 25th Anniversary Edition" (Universal; $19.98).</p><p> Director's Label Series Vol. 2 ***1/2 (Palm; $79.98) This new boxed set collects the work of four groundbreaking music video directors, each of which is available for $24.98.</p><p> It makes clear these short films aren't just launching pads for young talent or promos for rock stars, but fascinating, brilliant works of art.</p><p> Artists featured with roughly a dozen works each include Anton Corbijn (U2's "One"), Mark Romanek (Johnny Cash's "Hurt"), Jonathan Glazer (Radiohead's "Karma Police") and Stephane Sednaoui (Bjork's "Big Time Sensuality"). til c: ::::l C. ~ til (I) "C .... (I) ~ (I) ., .... !'" '" o o U1 ::::l '< "C o '" .... n o 3
