National Video Rentals : ‘Sommersby’ Romance Heats Up

Last week’s rental-on-the-move, “Sommersby,” is still doing just that, bolting from No. 11 to a respectable No. 7 in its second week. The romantic Richard Gere-Jodie Foster collaboration appears to be a strong lure for viewers and should easily continue its ascent on the chart. The No. 1 and 2 rentals, “The Bodyguard” and “Unforgiven” held strong, and the rest of the top five shifted only slightly with the flip-flop of “Home Alone 2” and “Scent of a Woman.” Despite being pushed aside by “Sommersby,” “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” continues to do well (No. 8), as are Jean-Claude Van Damme’s fast-kicking “Nowhere to Run” (No. 9) and the still-talked-about “Malcolm X” (No. 10). Among new releases, “Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey” opened at No. 18, and the loopy “Benny & Joon” at No. 20.

* Fueled by Michael Douglas’ strong performance as a fed-up Angeleno trying to get even with a cruel world, “Falling Down” rocketed onto the rental chart at No. 12. A top 10 populated with message-oriented films such as “The Crying Game” and “Malcolm X” can certainly make room for this I-can’t-take-it-anymore picture.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”The Bodyguard” 1 6 2. “Unforgiven” 2 6 3.”A Few Good Men” 3 7 4.”Scent of a Woman” 5 3 5.”Home Alone 2” 4 3 6.”The Crying Game” 6 6 7.”Sommersby” 11 2 8.”Bram Stoker’s Dracula” 7 8 9.”Nowhere to Run” 10 3 10.”Malcolm X” 8 4 *”Falling Down” ... 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.