National Video Rentals : ‘Demolition’ Holding Steady at No. 2

“Demolition Man,” the sci-fi/action film starring Sylvester Stallone and Wesley Snipes, has to be one of the strongest also-rans ever on the rental chart. Retailers report that it’s doing great rental business, but it’s still stuck at No. 2. As potent as it’s been, there’s always been one with more appeal--first “In the Line of Fire” and now “The Fugitive.” So does this leave “Demolition Man” in the bridesmaid position during its entire rental peak period? Maybe. But “Fugitive” could falter, since its rental potential is limited because it’s also available for sale in the $16-$17 range. The surprise of the chart this week is the popularity of “Judgment Night,” starring Emilio Estevez. Some retailers list it among their Top 5 rentals--noting that it’s especially popular with teen audiences. It entered at No. 28 and zoomed to No. 8. Woody Allen’s “Manhattan Murder Mystery” took a healthy jump, from No. 30 to No. 18. But it’s a long shot to make the Top 10. Chart debuts: “Gettysburg” (No. 27) and the Kathleen Turner movie “Undercover Blues” (No. 28).

* “So I Married an Axe Murderer,” the comedy starring Mike Myers, did better its second week, climbing from No. 29 to No. 15. Cracking the Top 10 is possible but not likely, based on the movie’s unimpressive box-office performance.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”The Fugitive” 5 2 2.”Demolition Man” 2 3 3.”In the Line of Fire” 1 6 4.”Striking Distance” 3 3 5.”The Good Son” 7 2 6. ‘The Man Without a Face” 4 5 7.”Son-in-Law” 8 4 8.”Judgment Night” 28 2 9.”The Program” 6 5 10.”Much Ado About Nothing” 14 3 *”So I Married an Axe Murderer” 29 2

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.