‘Nation’ Isn’t Alienating Action Fans

All those action-adventure hits in theaters this summer have whetted fans’ appetites for rentals in this genre. As the only recent Grade-A entry in the genre, “Alien Nation” is getting a lot of summer rental action. Part of its success (No. 5 on the Billboard chart) is due to the fact that fans love this unorthodox buddy movie--about a human cop (James Caan) and an alien cop (Mandy Patinkin) chasing gangsters in futuristic Los Angeles. “Cocoon: the Return” is doing better-than-expected business in the rental market: It’s No. 8 after just two weeks. “The Last Temptation of Christ”--rising two places to No. 9--continues to lure legions of renters who missed it during its stormy theatrical run.

*”Dangerous Liaisons,” about hazardous erotic gamesmanship in pre-Revolutionary France, earned a best-picture Oscar nomination and grossed a hearty $30.3 million. John Malkovich, as the scheming rogue, earned great reviews but Glenn Close (best actress) and Michelle Pfeiffer (best supporting actress) received the Oscar nominations. Normally, an intellectual costume drama wouldn’t be a hot item in the rental market, but the Oscar publicity helped prime renters for “Liaisons,” which debuted at No. 10.

VIDEO CHARTS

Rental Rental Weeks Top Ranking Ranking 2 On Rental Rentals Last Week Weeks Ago Chart 1.”Twins” 2 2 5 (MCA) 2.”Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” 3 5 4 (Orion) 3.”The Accidental Tourist” 6 10 3 (Warner) 4.”Coming to America” 1 1 9 (Paramount) 5.”Alien Nation” 7 7 5 (CBS-Fox) *”Dangerous Liaisons” ... ... 1 (Warner)