Blockbuster Survey Reveals Popular Votes for 2007 Academy Awards(R)

Blockbuster Survey Reveals Popular Votes for 2007 Academy Awards(R)

Meryl Streep & Will Smith Are Among Top Picks

DALLAS, Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Academy may have the final say, but Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI) has conducted a survey on who should win this year's OSCARS(R) with a group of highly qualified experts -- movie lovers.

"Who better to make a call on this year's most inspired films and performances than the people who fill the theaters, rent the movies and are the ultimate audience for the movie industry," said Joyce Woodward, senior vice-president, rental film with Blockbuster Inc.

The votes are in on the Blockbuster ACADEMY AWARDS survey, and according to film fans, the OSCAR(R) goes to ...

For best picture: "The Departed," with close to a quarter of movie fans (24%) choosing the Martin Scorcese mafia tale as their top pick in this category. However, "Little Miss Sunshine" comes in at a close second (22%).

For best actress: Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada," winning America's hearts while stomping on those of her employees as a ruthless fashion magazine editor.

For best actor: Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness," who inspired close to half (43%) of movie fans to select him with his performance as a struggling single dad.

And sweeping the supporting categories: the stars of "Dreamgirls." Survey respondents chose Jennifer Hudson and Eddie Murphy as their favorites in the supporting actress and actor categories.

Popular Picks for Best Picture
"The Departed" 24%
"Little Miss Sunshine" 22%
"Babel" 14%
"Letters from Iwo Jima" 13%
"The Queen" 12%

Popular Picks for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Meryl Streep in "The Devil Wears Prada" 36%
Helen Mirren in "The Queen" 21%
Kate Winslet in "Little Children" 13%
Penelope Cruz in "Volver" 11%
Judi Dench in "Notes on a Scandal" 6%

Popular Picks for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Will Smith in "The Pursuit of Happyness" 43%
Forest Whitaker in "The Last King of Scotland" 21%
Leonardo DiCaprio in "Blood Diamond" 17%
Peter O'Toole in "Venus" 4%
Ryan Gosling in "Half Nelson" 2%

Popular Picks for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Jennifer Hudson in "Dreamgirls" 43%
Abigail Breslin in "Little Miss Sunshine" 20%
Cate Blanchett in "Notes on a Scandal" 11%
Adriana Barraza in "Babel" 8%
Rinko Kikucki in "Babel" 3%

Popular Picks for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Eddie Murphy in "Dreamgirls" 32%
Alan Arkin in "Little Miss Sunshine" 20%
Mark Wahlberg in "The Departed" 19%
Djimon Hounsou in "Blood Diamond" 15%
Jackie Earle Haley in "Little Children" 1%

Those who haven't had a chance to see OSCAR nominated films and performances can find those which have already been released on DVD at any BLOCKBUSTER(R) store or at blockbuster.com. In addition, BLOCKBUSTER Total Access(TM) members can reserve nominated films for future online rental at blockbuster.com.

All results are from a survey of movie watchers by Blockbuster Inc. completed in February 2007.

About Blockbuster

Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI)(NYSE:BBI.B) is a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment, with more than 8,000 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company may be accessed worldwide at http://www.blockbuster.com/.

"OSCAR", "OSCARS", and "ACADEMY AWARDS" (C) and (R) A.M.P.A.S.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: as@sheahancomm.com

Source: Blockbuster Inc.

CONTACT: Tami Cannizzaro of Blockbuster Inc., +1-214-854-3190

Web site: http://www.blockbuster.com/

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