National Video Rentals : ‘Boomerang’ Still Hanging On

Thanks to “Boomerang,” Eddie Murphy has bounced back as a rental market attraction. Though this romantic comedy always seems on the verge of being knocked out of the top spot, it’s still the No. 1 rental. Some retailers report that Murphy’s early ‘80s action movies are even renting briskly these days. Some skeptics charge that while he’s taking all the bows, much of the movie’s appeal and rental success is due to the smash-hit soundtrack. “Raising Cain,” starring John Lithgow as a character with multiple personalities, did just fair box office--$20.5 million. Still, it’s off to a strong rental market start, opening at No. 9. “Cain” lacks No. 1 potential but may linger in the Top 10 for the next few weeks. “Diggstown,” with James Woods and Lou Gossett Jr., premiered at No. 16. into fun rather than art, liked this B movie--to the tune of $28.7-million gross. It debuted at No. 22 on the rental chart but, judging from the early action, should bound up the chart next week, maybe into the Top 10.

National Video Rentals

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”Boomerang” 1 5 2.”Lethal Weapon 3” 2 9 3.”Housesitter” 3 6 4.”Patriot Games” 4 10 5.”Honey, I Blew Up the Kid” 5 4 6.”Sister Act” 6 12 7.”Universal Soldier” 7 8 8.”Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 8 5 9.”Raising Cain” ... 1 10.”A Stranger Among Us” 14 2 * “3 Ninjas” ...

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.