April 26, 2006

“Hostel” checks in at No. 1 on DVD sales chart

By Thomas K. Arnold

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The gruesome horror film
"Hostel" slashed through the competition to take the top spot
on the national DVD sales chart for the week ending April 23.

Director Eli Roth's low-budget hit about kidnapped
backpackers sold to a human slaughter ring, also finished a
strong second on the video rental chart, earning about $6.2
million, or 13.2% of its $47.3 million box office take.

The only other new release on VideoScan's First Alert DVD
sales chart was "Mrs. Henderson Presents," starring Judi Dench
in an Oscar-nominated turn as a widowed theater owner, which
debuted at No. 8. The period comedy was released theatrically
by the Weinstein Co. and earned $10.9 million.

After two weeks at No. 1, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The
Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" slipped to No. 2 on the sales
chart. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" also is showing
remarkably long legs; after seven weeks, the fourth installment
in the "Potter" franchise ranks No. 7.

On trade publication Home Media Retailing's video rental
chart, "Fun With Dick & Jane" narrowly beat "Hostel" to remain
in the No. 1 spot for the second consecutive week, with rental
earnings of $6.3 million. "Mrs. Henderson" debuted at No. 11
with $2.2 million, or more than 20% of its theatrical gross.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter