National Video Rentals : Suspense Edges Out ‘Sleepless’

Once the romantic glow of Valentine’s Day faded, so did “Sleepless in Seattle.” Rentals briefly shot “Sleepless” into the top spot, but this week it slipped to No. 4. Seems renters are in an action/suspense mood these days, with four out of Top Five falling into that category. “In the Line of Fire,” with John Malkovich’s Oscar-nominated performance, moved to the top. “Last Action Hero” seems to have peaked, slipping a notch to No. 3--it’s attracted considerable renter interest, in spite of its disappointing box-office performance, but has nowhere near the appeal of the usual Schwarzenegger action movie. The college-football drama “The Program,” notorious for its macho, lying-in-the-road sequence (not included in the rental video), debuted at No. 20. So far, “The Real McCoy,” starring Kim Basinger, is no blockbuster, moving up just two notches to No. 19.

* In his directorial debut, Mel Gibson also stars, playing against his image, in “The Man Without a Face.” This quiet little drama about a recluse with a scarred face, didn’t earn Gibsonesque box-office numbers--its $23.1 million is about as much as a “Lethal Weapon” movie would make in its first week or so. The video opened at No. 14 and Gibson’s star power should easily make it a Top 10 rental--maybe even Top Five. Source: Billboard Publications Inc.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”In the Line of Fire” 6 2 2.”Hard Target” 3 4 3.”Last Action Hero” 2 4 4 .”Sleepless in Seattle” 1 10 5.”The Firm” 4 9 6.”Dave” 5 9 7.”Rookie of the Year” 7 4 8.”Kalifornia” 14 4 9.”True Romance” 9 7 10.”Rising Sun” 8 11 *”The Man Without a Face” ... 1