Blockbuster Announces Results of 'Julie & Julia' Inspired Poll: Do I Smell a Rat in the Kitchen?

Blockbuster Announces Results of 'Julie & Julia' Inspired Poll: Do I Smell a Rat in the Kitchen?

Remy of "Ratatouille" Named Favorite On-Screen Chef, Among Other Results

DALLAS, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- "Julie & Julia," which will be released in theaters tomorrow, shows almost anyone can become a famous chef, and a poll conducted by Blockbuster Inc. on blockbuster.com confirms it. Almost half of foodie film lovers (45 percent) named Remy of "Ratatouille" fame their favorite movie chef, generously overlooking his four-legged rat heritage.

Other top movie chefs selected in the Foodie Movie poll were of the two-legged variety, including Kate Armstrong, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in "No Reservations;" John Clansky, portrayed by Adam Sandler in "Spanglish;" and Babette, played by Stephane Audran in "Babette's Feast." These and other foodie films are included in a collection of almost 50 movies with a taste for good cuisine in the "What's New" section under Rentals at www.blockbuster.com.

"Movies have always stimulated the senses, particular sight and hearing, but through films like 'Julie & Julia,' they also inspire our imagination for creating and savoring the flavors of food," said Mike Mandzia, Director, Film Product with Blockbuster Inc. "The release of this movie starring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams reminds us that there is a smorgasbord of films about food that you can dig into."

The poll also asked foodies about their real-life chef preferences. Survey respondents named Emeril Lagasse as their top celebrity chef pick, followed by Paula Deen, Gordon Ramsey, Bobby Flay and, with posthumous honors, Julia Child.

While fans may delight in watching their favorite on-screen cooks serve up complex flavors requiring courageous culinary feats, their tastes for food to accompany a movie remain simple. Close to half (44 percent) of those surveyed indicated a preference for popcorn, while pizza, chips and dip and ice cream followed not far behind in popularity. On-screen chefs, particularly Julia Child, might be disappointed to learn that only one percent said they prefer foie gras au torchon as movie fare.

FOODIE MOVIE POLL BY BLOCKBUSTER.COM (Top results from July 2009 survey)
Favorite Chef from a Movie
-- Remy, played by Patton Oswalt in "Ratatouille" - 45%
-- Kate Armstrong, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones in "No Reservations" -
20%
-- John Clansky, played by Adam Sandler in "Spanglish" - 17%
-- Babette, played by Stephane Audran in "Babette's Feast" - 6%

-- Isabella Oliveira, played by Penelope Cruz in "Woman On Top" - 4%

Favorite Celebrity Chef
-- Emeril Lagasse - 18%
-- Paula Deen - 17%
-- Gordon Ramsay - 15%
-- Bobby Flay - 13%

-- Julia Child - 10%

Favorite Food To Eat While Watching A Movie
-- Popcorn - 44%
-- Pizza - 17%
-- Chips and Dip - 13%
-- Ice Cream - 13%
-- Candy - 11%

-- Foie Gras au Torchon - 1%

About Blockbuster

Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE:BBI)(NYSE:BBI.B) is a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment, with more than 7,200 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. The company may be accessed worldwide at www.blockbuster.com.

Source: Blockbuster

CONTACT: Tami Cannizzaro, +1-214-854-3190, for Blockbuster

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

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