National Video Rentals : ‘Female’ Fends Off Competition

Many retailers still aren’t sure why “Single White Female”-- another sex-and-violence thriller--is so popular, nesting in the top rental slot, beating out films that did much better at the box office. Some are reporting that many customers--particularly women--are renting it several times. Another seamy thriller, “Unlawful Entry,” is the No. 3 rental and not far behind on many stores’ private Top 10 lists. One theory is that “Basic Instinct” and “The Hand That Rocks the Cradle” whetted fans’ appetites for such thrillers. “A League of Their Own,” a comedy/drama about a female baseball league, is doing well--No. 2 after three weeks--but it was expected to be on top by now. It may become a more popular rental in the next month as the start of the baseball season gets closer. “Sneakers,” featuring Robert Redford, jumped from No. 36 to No. 7 in its first week and the comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas” went from No. 33 to No. 5.

* “Rapid Fire” is a martial-arts movie with high production values--a rarity in this genre--and boasting Brandon Lee, son of the late Bruce Lee, in the starring role. Some stores that cater to martial-arts film buffs report that it’s among their top rentals. On this chart, though, it entered at No. 17--very respectable for this kind of movie.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “Single White Female” 1 5 2. “A League of Their Own” 6 3 3. “Unlawful Entry” 2 4 4. “Death Becomes Her” 3 3 5. “Honeymoon in Vegas” 33 2 6. “Raising Cain” 4 6 7. “Sneakers” 36 2 8. “Mo’ Money” 5 4 9. “Boomerang” 8 10 10. “Housesitter” 7 11 *”Rapid Fire” ... 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.