MUMBAI: The Academy may have the final say, but Blockbuster Inc. has conducted a survey on who should win this year’s Oscars with a group of 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 Blockbuster Inc senior vice-president, rental film Joyce Woodward.
According to film fans, the Oscars this year will go to the following:
For best picture: The Departed, with close to a quarter of movie fans (24 per cent) choosing the Martin Scorcese mafia tale as their top pick in this category. However, Little Miss Sunshine comes in at a close second (22 per cent).
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 per cent) of movie fans to select him with his performance as a struggling single dad.
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 per cent), Little Miss Sunshine (22 per cent), Babel (14 per cent), Letters from Iwo Jima (13 per cent), The Queen (12 per cent).
Popular Picks for Best Actress in a Leading Role: Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada (36 per cent), Helen Mirren in The Queen (21 per cent), Kate Winslet in Little Children (13 per cent), Penelope Cruz in Volver (11 per cent), Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal (6 per cent).
Popular Picks for Best Actor in a Leading Role: Will Smith in The Pursuit of Happyness (43 per cent), Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland (21 per cent), Leonardo DiCaprio in Blood Diamond (17 per cent), Peter O’Toole in Venus (4 per cent), Ryan Gosling in Half Nelson (2 per cent).
Popular Picks for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Jennifer Hudson in Dreamgirls (43 per cent), Abigail Breslin in Little Miss Sunshine (20 per cent), Cate Blanchett in Notes on a Scandal (11 per cent), Adriana Barraza in Babel (8 per cent), Rinko Kikucki in Babel (3 per cent).
Popular Picks for Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Eddie Murphy in Dreamgirls (32 per cent), Alan Arkin in Little Miss Sunshine (20 per cent), Mark Wahlberg in The Departed (19 per cent), Djimon Hounsou in Blood Diamond (15 per cent), Jackie Earle Haley in Little Children (1 per cent).
