Movie Fans Select Their 2010 Awards Show Favorites in Survey From Blockbuster(R)

DALLAS, March 3 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- While all eyes will be on the fabulous star fashions sweeping the red carpet, Sunday, March 7, Hollywood will pay tribute to the "best of the best" movies for 2009. Tune in to the movie capital's big night to see which voter favorites from the Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI, BBI.B) 2010 Awards Show poll take home the golden statues.

In a double-sweep victory, the high-grossing movie "Avatar," about a paraplegic war veteran brought to the planet Pandora on a unique mission and torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home, led the "Best Picture" category with 35 percent of the votes. James Cameron won in the "Best Director" category for his record-breaking sci-fi adventure with 45 percent of the votes.

Voters overwhelmingly chose Sandra Bullock to win the "Lead Actress" category for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy in "The Blind Side." This movie tells the story of a homeless boy from a broken home who became an All-American football player and first round NFL draft pick when a caring woman and her family help him fulfill his potential.  

Based on more than 3,000 votes cast on blockbuster.com, the winners in each category with their percentage of the total are:

• Best Picture: "Avatar" – 35 percent of the votes
  • "The Blind Side" – 16 percent
  • "The Hurt Locker" – 11 percent
  • "Inglorious Basterds" – 10 percent
  • "Up in the Air" – 8 percent
  • "Up" – 7 percent
  • "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" – 6 percent
  • "District 9" – 4 percent
  • "A Serious Man" – 2 percent
  • "An Education" – 1 percent
• Best Director: James Cameron for "Avatar" – 45 percent
  • Kathryn Bigelow for "The Hurt Locker" – 20 percent
  • Quentin Tarantino for "Inglorious Basterds" – 19 percent
  • Lee Daniels for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" – 9 percent
  • Jason Reitman for "Up in the Air" – 7 percent
• Lead Actor: Jeff Bridges for "Crazy Heart" – 28 percent
  • George Clooney for "Up in the Air" – 23 percent
  • Jeremy Renner for "The Hurt Locker" – 23 percent
  • Morgan Freeman for "Invictus" – 21 percent
  • Colin Firth for "A Single Man" – 5 percent
• Lead Actress: Sandra Bullock for "The Blind Side" – 60 percent
  • Meryl Street for "Julie & Julia" – 18 percent
  • Gabourey Sidibe for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" – 16 percent
  • Carey Mulligan for "An Education" – 4 percent
  • Helen Mirren for "The Last Station" – 2 percent
• Best Supporting Actor: Christopher Waltz for "Inglorious Basterds"  – 45 percent
  • Matt Damon for "Invictus" – 24 percent
  • Stanley Tucci for "The Lovely Bones" – 17 percent
  • Woody Harrelson for "The Messenger" – 10 percent
  • Christopher Plummer for "The Last Station" – 4 percent
• Best Supporting Actress: Mo'nique for "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire" – 41 percent
  • Penelope Cruz for "Nine" – 18 percent
  • Maggie Gyllenhaal for "Crazy Heart" – 17 percent
  • Anna Kendrick for "Up in the Air" – 14 percent
  • Vera Farmiga for "Up in the Air" – 10 percent

Movie fans who want to keep score at home can tune in to the awards show Sunday on ABC at 5E/8P. Select movies are available now at blockbuster.com or at BLOCKBUSTER stores.

About Blockbuster Inc.

Blockbuster Inc. is a leading global provider of rental and retail movie and game entertainment. The company provides customers with convenient access to media entertainment anywhere, any way they want it - whether in-store, by-mail, through vending kiosks or digitally downloaded directly to their family room or mobile device. With a highly recognized brand name and a library of more than 125,000 movie and game titles, Blockbuster leverages its multichannel presence to serve two million daily global customers and more than 50 million annual global customers. The company may be accessed worldwide at www.blockbuster.com.

SOURCE Blockbuster Inc.