Bullock tops on box office pulling power

IN the eyes of cinema owners, Sandra Bullock shined as 2009’s top Hollywood star at the box office, as the actress nicknamed “America’s Sweetheart” scored with audiences after a two-year absence from screens.

Quigley Publishing Company's annual list of top money-making stars, based on a poll of hundreds of cinema executives, had Bullock beat out such stars as George Clooney and Denzel Washington, on the strength of her roles in The Proposal and The Blind Side.

Romantic comedy The Proposal made $315 million (€220m) at worldwide box offices following its June release, and football drama The Blind Side has made $193m (€135m) only in the US and Canada since its November 20 release, with its roll-out in other countries still to come.