National Video Rentals : ‘Loaded Weapon’ Blasts Into Top 10

“National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1,” with its low-brow, scattergun humor, blasted into the Top 10 in its second week on the chart, settling at No. 6. Some video stores report that this comedy, starring Emilio Estevez and Samuel Jackson Jr., is their top rental--an indication it should climb into the Top 5 next week. Action fans are still wild about “Point of No Return,” with Bridget Fonda playing a Stallone-type heroine. It certainly helps that there’s a void in the rental market now for new top-line action films. But some retailers add that Fonda is also attracting female renters who usually avoid this genre. “Chaplin” jumped from No. 12 to No. 7 on the strength of an audience most likely lured by Robert Downey Jr.’s acclaimed performance. But its Top 10 run may be shortened by bad word-of-mouth--which, along with some negative reviews--helped doom the movie in theaters.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1. “Groundhog Day” 1 5 2. “Alive” 5 4 3. “Falling Down” 3 6 4. “Point of No Return” 4 5 5. “Scent of a Woman” 2 9 6. “National Lampoon’s Loaded Weapon 1” 13 2 7. “Chaplin” 12 3 8. “The Bodyguard” 6 12 9. “Sommersby” 9 8 10. “Benny & Joon” 8 7 * “Indian Summer” ... 1

* Aside from “Loaded Weapon 1” and “Aladdin,” there’s been a drought of hot new rentals in recent weeks. Of the new entries, only “Indian Summer”--a “Big-Chill”-inspired comedy/drama--did decent rental business, premiering at No. 26. Without any big stars, though, it’s not likely to be a major rental hit.

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.