"The Hurt Locker" Vs. "Avatar": Oscar and Golden Globe Comparison

Which movie is better? The Academy Awards have unanimously decided and settled the matter but both Oscar nominees are excellent movies and equally deserving. The big winner at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards was "The Hurt Locker" directed by Kathryn Bigelow. The movie received a total of six Oscars out of nine nominations. Kathryn Bigelow became the first woman to receive an Oscar for Best Director. The Hurt Locker won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director, Film Editing, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, and Original Screenplay. "Avatar" directed by James Cameron received three Oscars for Best Cinematography, Visual Effects, and Art Direction. "Avatar" is considered the highest grossing film of all time.

Despite overwhelming support for "The Hurt Locker" I was biased and wanted "Avatar" to win the Oscar for Best Picture. I watched both and think they were excellent movies each in their own category. Critics claim "Avatar" lacked storyline and strong character performances. I personally think the performances and the plot were outstanding for the type of genre. Each movie appeals to a different audience. I understand that the votes at the Academy Awards do not represent the views of the general public. That is fine with me. Based on ticket sales, the general public preferred "Avatar" over "The Hurt Locker" but I could be wrong. Although, I wanted Avatar to win I'm glad to see both contenders as Oscar winners. Both movies are highly recommended.

The following comparison takes a closer look at each movie and their respective awards and box office performance. The source is based on estimates by professional researchers and movie industry writers. Movie information is subject to change. For a complete list of the Nominees and their box office performance, click here.

The Hurt Locker
Distributor: Summit Entertainment
Rated: R
Genre: War
Release Date: June 26, 2009
Production Budget: $15 million
Running Time: 130 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes Approval Rating: 97%
Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Actors: Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, Guy Pearce, David Morse, Ralph Fiennes
Producers: Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal
Composer: Marco Beltrami and Buck Sanders
Opening Weekend: $145,352
Domestic Total Lifetime Gross as of Mar. 7, 2010: $14,700,000
Worldwide Total Lifetime Gross as of Mar. 7, 2010: $21,356,139

2009 Academy Awards Nominations for "The Hurt Locker": six Oscars out of nine nominations
Picture
Director
Actor: Jeremy Renner
Original Screenplay
Editing
Cinematography
Sound
Sound Editing
Original Score

2009 Golden Globe Awards Nominations for "The Hurt Locker": two nominations
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Best Director - Motion Picture

Avatar
Distributor: Fox
Rated: PG-13
Genre: Sci-Fi Adventure
Release Date: December 18, 2009
Production Budget: $237 million
Running Time: 160 minutes
Rotten Tomatoes Approval Rating: 82%
Director: James Cameron
Actors: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi
Producers: James Cameron, Jon Landau
Composer: James Horner
Opening Weekend: $77,025,481
Domestic Total Lifetime Gross as of Mar. 7, 2010: $720,189,000
Worldwide Total Lifetime Gross as of Mar. 7, 2010: $2,599,189,000

2009 Academy Awards Nominations for "Avatar": three Oscars out of nine nominations
Picture:
Director:
Editing
Cinematography
Art Direction
Visual Effects
Sound
Sound Editing
Original Score

2009 Golden Globe Awards Nominations for "Avatar": two Golden Globes out of four nominations
Best Motion Picture - Drama
Best Director - Motion Picture
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Best Original Song - Motion Picture

For a complete list of the Oscar nominees and winners, click here.

Source:
Oscars.go.com
Goldenglobes.org
RottenTomatoes.com
Boxofficemojo.com
the-numbers.com