National Video Rentals : It’s ‘Joon’ in October

Just when “Benny & Joon” seemed to have ended its stay in the Top 10, it climbs up two notches to No. 8. According to reports from many retailers, this oddball comedy-drama about a romance between an eccentric and a schizophrenic continues to be a much more popular rental than some expected. One theory is that fans are attracted to the stars, Mary Stuart Masterson and Johnny Depp. Some retailers also say that “Point of No Return” (No. 4) is doing very strong business, luring many of the fans in the market for a new action movie. “Fire in the Sky,” which grossed nearly $20 million at the box office, entered the chart at No. 21. This drama, about alleged alien abduction, has a good shot at the Top 10, even though star D.B. Sweeney isn’t a major rental-market draw.

* Starring Emilio Estevez and Samuel Jackson Jr., this spoof of the “Lethal Weapon” movies premiered at No. 13. It’s loaded with the kind of lowbrow humor that appeals to the teen Beavis and Butt-head crowd. The comedy did so-so business in theaters, grossing $28 million, but it should score a bull’s-eye in the rental market. Look for “Loaded Weapon” to shoot into the Top 10 next week.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”Groundhog Day” 1 4 2.”Scent of a Woman” 3 8 3.”Falling Down” 2 5 4.”Point of No Return” 4 4 5.”Alive” 5 3 6.”The Bodyguard” 7 11 7.”Unforgiven” 8 11 8.”Benny & Joon” 10 6 9.”Sommersby” 6 7 10.”Few Good Men” 9 12 *”National Lampoon’s” ... 1 Loaded Weapon 1”

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.