Video Rental Chart : ‘Thelma & Louise’ Starts With a Bang

According to some video retailers, “Thelma & Louise,” the comedy/drama starring Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis, is the hottest rental title on the market. On the Billboard magazine rental chart, it took a mighty leap, from No. 30 to No. 5, and has a good shot at toppling “Terminator 2.” Just as hot, some retailers are reporting, is the wacky spoof “The Naked Gun 2 1/2,” starring Leslie Nielsen, which moved up two notches to No. 3. This one, too, has a shot at No. 1. “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey,” sure to be a male teen fave, debuted at No. 15 and may wind up in the Top Five. The small, acclaimed art film “Straight Out of Brooklyn” is doing decent rental business--up three notches to No. 21.

* In the rental market, this weeper, which entered the chart at No. 10, should appeal to many of those Julia Roberts fans who ignored it during its theatrical run--some apparently turned off by the bad reviews. It grossed a respectable $32 million but was considered a flop because it was expected to be a blockbuster, in the $100-million-plus range.

Ranking Ranking 2 Weeks Top Rentals Last Week Ago 1. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (LIVE) 1 2 2. “City Slickers” (Columbia TriStar) 2 1 3. “The Naked Gun 2 1/2” (Paramount) 5 9 4. “Doc Hollywood” (Warner) 7 11 5. “Thelma & Louise” (MGM/UA) 30 ... * “Dying Young” (FoxVideo) ... ...

Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Chart 1. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (LIVE) 4 2. “City Slickers” (Columbia TriStar) 6 3. “The Naked Gun 2 1/2” (Paramount) 3 4. “Doc Hollywood” (Warner) 3 5. “Thelma & Louise” (MGM/UA) 2 * “Dying Young” (FoxVideo) 1