’ Air Force One’ Leads Landing of Top Videos in ’98

Harrison Ford, Ariel the mermaid, Michael Douglas, Sean Penn, Rowan Atkinson, Demi Moore, Anthony Hopkins and Laurence Fishburne are among the stars coming to a video store near you in 1998.

Perhaps the biggest title arriving in the new year is Harrison Ford’s acclaimed president-in-peril thriller “Air Force One” (Columbia TriStar), which touches down Feb. 10 at the sell-through price of $20.

Another major sell-through title for adults is “Soul Food” (Fox, $20,) the popular comedy drama about a middle-class black family that is due Jan. 13.

There’s also plenty of action on tap.

Steven Segal’s latest opus “Fire Down Below” (Warner), arrives Jan. 6, as does the ‘30s-era gangster flick “Hoodlum” (MGM), starring Fishburne and Andy Garcia.

Douglas finds himself trapped in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse in David Fincher’s “The Game” (PolyGram), due Jan. 20.

The following week, Universal releases Kevin Sorbo’s (“Hercules”) first big feature “Kull the Conqueror,” which sank like a stone at the box office last summer. Paramount counters with the sci-fi thriller “Event Horizon,” starring Fishburne and Sam Neill.

Tupac Shakur makes his last screen appearance in the disappointing “Gang Related” (Orion), due Feb. 3.

Anthony Hopkins and Alec Baldwin find themselves upstaged by that hairy old pro Bart the Bear in the David Mamet-penned “The Edge” (Fox), arriving Feb. 24.

Just in time for St. Patrick’s Day is the gross-out thriller “Mimic” (Dimension), starring Mira Sorvino and Jeremy Northam as two scientists fighting some really ugly bugs.

If you’re in the mood for a drama, there’s Demi Moore as “G.I. Jane” (Hollywood), which marches into stores on Feb. 3. Sean Penn, Robin Wright Penn and John Travolta make a rather unusual love triangle in “She’s So Lovely” (Miramax), set for March 17. And Jessica Lange and Michelle Pfeiffer play two sisters in “A Thousand Acres” (Touchstone), a “King Lear”-esque tragedy, due March 24.

For comedy fans there’s “Money Talks” (New Line), due Jan. 13, starring Chris Tucker as a fast-talking con man who bamboozles Charlie Sheen. The following week finds Martin Lawrence befriending Tim Robbins in the buddy comedy “Nothing to Lose” (Touchstone).

Alicia Silverstone doesn’t have a clue in “Excess Baggage” Columbia TriStar), checking in Feb. 3. Rowan Atkinson plays the bumbling buffoon “Bean” (PolyGram) in the international box-office hit, due on March 31. Arriving on these shores April 14 is the sleeper British comedy “The Full Monty” (Fox).

Kids will also have a lot to choose from next year. On Jan. 6, Columbia TriStar releases the thriller “Masterminds,” starring Patrick Stewart. Also due that day is the animated adventure “Hercules & Xena: The Battle for Mount Olympus” (Universal, $20), featuring the voices of Sorbo and Lucy Lawless.

The following week heralds the arrival of the latest TV version of the musical “Cinderella” (Buena Vista, $20), starring Brandy and Whitney Houston. Jim Henson Pictures’ “Buddy” (Columbia TriStar, $15), starring Rene Russo, will also be released on Jan. 13.

Kenan and Kel, the stars of the popular Nickelodeon series, headline their first feature, “Good Burger” (Paramount), due Feb. 17.

Disney’s latest animated musical, “Hercules” ($27), muscles in on Feb. 3, followed by reissues of “Peter Pan” ($27) on March 3 and “The Little Mermaid” ($25) on March 17.

Also new for March 17 is Warner’s feature-length animated adventure “Batman & Mr. Freeze: Subzero” ($20).

Next week: A look at art-house, independent and oldies on video.