Video Rental Chart : ‘Terminator’ Takes Over

The yuppie comedy/drama “City Slickers” turned out to be much tougher opposition than expected for the action/adventure epic “Terminator 2,” which finally terminated the two-week run of “Slickers” at the top of the Billboard magazine rental chart. Look for the new rental champ to reign for a few weeks, weathering heavy attacks by potent newcomers like “The Naked Gun 2 1/2” (No. 5). The hit romantic comedy “Doc Hollywood,” starring Michael J. Fox, jumped up four notches on the rental chart, landing on No. 7. “Cool as Ice,” starring rapper Vanilla Ice--rush-released after laying a bomb in theaters last fall--entered at No. 39 and is expected to get an icy reception from renters.

* This should be a rental blockbuster, particularly next month when the Oscar nominations are announced and Geena Davis and/or Susan Sarandon show up in the best actress category. “Thelma & Louise” debuted at No. 30 but should bound into the Top 10--maybe even the Top Five--next week.

Ranking Ranking 2 Weeks Top Rentals Last Week Ago 1. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (LIVE) 2 4 2. “City Slickers” (Columbia TriStar) 1 1 3. “Backdraft” (MCA/Universal) 3 2 4. “The Silence of the Lambs” (Orion) 4 3 5. “The Naked Gun 2 1/2” (Paramount) 9 ... * “Thelma & Louise” (MGM/UA) ... ...

Weeks On Rental Top Rentals Chart 1. “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” (LIVE) 3 2. “City Slickers” (Columbia TriStar) 5 3. “Backdraft” (MCA/Universal) 10 4. “The Silence of the Lambs” (Orion) 11 5. “The Naked Gun 2 1/2” (Paramount) 2 * (MGM/UA) 1