National Video Rentals : A ‘Lethal’ Contender Looms

There’s an unusual logjam of potential No. 1 rentals in the Top 5. “Alien 3” (No. 3) and “Far and Away” (No. 4), normally shoo-ins for No. 1, may not make it. Top-ranked “Sister Act” has the inside track right now because it’s a family-oriented comedy with religious overtones that’s perfect for this holiday season. Because of the strong competition, “Batman Returns,” which slipped to No. 6, never even made it to the top spot. The newest competitor, the Harrison Ford thriller “Patriot Games,” entered last week at No. 37 and barged into the Top 5--at No. 5.

* Speaking of strong No. 1 candidates, “Lethal Weapon 3,” the blockbuster urban action film starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, premiered at No. 29. It will be hard to keep this one out of the top spot.

National Video Rentals

Rank Weeks Last on the Week Chart 1.”Sister Act” 1 4 2.”Basic Instinct” 2 7 3.”Alien 3” 10 3 4.”Far and Away” 6 3 5.”Patriot Games” 37 2 6.”Batman Returns” 3 6 7.”My Cousin Vinny” 5 9 8.”Beauty and the Beast” 4 6 9.”Encino Man” 9 3 10.”Deep Cover” 7 4 * “Lethal Weapon 3” 1

Source: Billboard Publications Inc.