Cruising Toward the Top

The makers of second-ranked “Cocktail,” starring Tom Cruise, should be having a champagne toast in the next week or two with the movie cruising toward the top spot of the Billboard magazine rental chart. Fast-rising “Gorillas in the Mist” (No. 4) also may have a shot at No. 1. “Tucker,” starring Jeff Bridges as the eccentric automaker, seemed to run out of gas after a quick start, but it’s been re-energized, charging up to No. 6. The horror fans’ favorite, “Child’s Play,” featuring Chucky the demon doll, jumped 23 places to No. 15. Chart debuts: “Clara’s Heart,” (No. 29) with Whoopi Goldberg as a sage housekeeper, and the Molly Ringwald drama, “Fresh Horses” (No. 31).

* John Cusack and Charlie Sheen, who have a strong following among young renters, might help the moody baseball drama “Eight Men Out” (chart debut at No. 18) score in the rental market. Despite generally good reviews, this tale about the fixing of the 1919 World Series grossed just $5.5 million at the box office.

VIDEO CHARTS

Rental Rental Weeks Top Ranking Ranking 2 On Rental Rentals Weeks Ago Chart Chart 1. “Big” 1 1 6 (CBS-Fox) 2. “Cocktail” 4 27 3 (Touchstone) 3. “A Fish Called Wanda” 2 2 10 (CBS-Fox) 4. “Gorillas in the Mist” 6 14 3 (MCA) 5. “Crocodile Dundee II” 3 3 7 (Paramount) * “Eight Men Out” ... ... 1 (Orion)