VIDEO RENTALS : ‘Roses’ a Success in Rental Market

A box-office smash, “The War of the Roses,” featuring Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas as a couple locked in marital combat, proved there’s a mass audience for black comedy. Its theatrical success has extended to the rental market, where “Roses” moved up one notch to the top of the Billboard magazine rental chart. Modest-grossing “Family Business,” which didn’t figure to be a big rental hit, continues to be propelled by the surprisingly potent star power of Sean Connery, Dustin Hoffman and Matthew Broderick. “Business” moved up three places to No. 6. “Hard to Kill,” featuring action hero Steven Seagal as a vengeful cop with nine lives, debuted at an impressive No. 7 and could crack the Top Five next week. “Blaze,” starring Paul Newman as a politician having an affair with a stripper, entered the chart at No. 16. “Enemies, a Love Story” came on the chart at No. 34.

* “Driving Miss Daisy” debuted at No. 30, but could be the most popular rental of the next few weeks. This warmhearted comedy/drama, which raked in more than $102 million at the box-office, boasts best-picture and best-actress (Jessica Tandy) Oscars--making it a veritable shoo-in to reach the top of the rental chart.

VIDEO RENTALS

Ranking Weeks Ranking 2 Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Last Week Ago Chart 1. “The War of the Roses” (CBS-Fox) 2 2 5 2. “Steel Magnolias” (RCA/Columbia) 1 1 7 3. “Internal Affairs” (Paramount) 4 21 3 4. “Tango & Cash” (Warner) 3 3 7 5. “Always” (MCA/Universal) 5 4 8 * “Driving Miss Daisy” (Warner) ... ... 1