National Video Rentals : A Good Week for ‘Good Men’

As expected “A Few Good Men,” powered by Tom Cruise fans, hit the top of the rental chart in its second week of release. But it may get strong competition from “Unforgiven,” Clint Eastwood’s Oscar-winning Western, which opened at No. 4. Some retailers, however, are fretting that “Unforgiven” may not have the chart longevity they would like because the $91-million grossing film hung around in theaters for a long time to cash in on its Oscar-generated attention. Oscar nominations and the hoopla about “the secret” helped push “The Crying Game” to a unexpectedly high box-office total of $60.7 million. But, apparently many are still curious about it: It premiered at No. 8. But the movie could have some problems in conservative areas because of its radically unorthodox themes.

* Critics dismissed “The Bodyguard,” which stars Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston, as glitzy trash but fans flocked to it anyway, to the tune of a $121.3-million gross. Renters will love it too. Retailers expect this one to be particularly huge among female fans, because of Costner. The combination of Costner plus the thriller plot line should make this one of the summer’s top titles. Don’t be fooled by the first week’s chart position--No. 39 on the Top 40. “Bodyguard” should rocket into the Top 5 next week.

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”A Few Good Men” 3 2 2.”Bram Stoker’s Dracula” 2 3 3.”Forever Young” 1 5 4.”Unforgiven” ... 1 5.”Body of Evidence” 4 4 6.”Jennifer 8” 7 3 7.”Leap of Faith” 10 2 8.”The Crying Game” ... 1 9.”A River Runs Through It” 5 8 10.”The Distinguished Gentleman” 6 10 *”The Bodyguard” ... 1