‘Big’ Holds On to Top Spot

Maybe “Cocktail” (No. 2) won’t knock “Big” out of the top spot of the Billboard chart after all. “Big” has turned out to be even bigger than expected. It’s looking more like “Big” may cling to the top spot until it’s dethroned by “Coming to America”--coming to the charts next week. “The Accused,” featuring Jodie Foster’s Oscar-winning performance, is as hot as expected, jumping from No. 32 to No. 7. Star power helps in home video market--but only so much. On the sales chart--which is based on number of copies shipped to stores--Michael Jackson will soon have the top two videos. His “Moonwalker” is the perennial chart leader. His “The Legend Continues”--up to No. 6 in just two weeks--will shortly either be second--or maybe even first

* The box-office appeal of “Mystic Pizza”--a sleeper hit grossing $11.9 million--carried over to the rental market, where it has spent most of its six chart weeks in the bottom half of the Top 10 (No. 9 this week). This comedy-drama, starring unknowns, is commonly used as a example by those arguing that a hit movie without big stars is possible.

VIDEO CHARTS

Rental Rental Weeks Top Ranking Ranking 2 On Rental Rentals Weeks Ago Chart Chart 1.”Big” 1 1 8 (CBS-Fox) 2.”Cocktail” 2 2 5 (Touchstone) 3.”Gorillas in the Mist” 3 4 5 (MCA) 4.”Tucker” 5 6 5 (Paramount) 5.”A Fish Called Wanda” 4 3 12 (CBS-Fox) *”Mystic Pizza” 8 8 6 (Virgin Vision)