McConaughey has never been that good (even the performance he won on Oscar for was easily beaten by several others that year), it's just for some reason everyone bought into the "McConaughssaince" narrative hook, line, and sinker for awhile. I guess cause he seems like a nice guy and it's fun to root for an underdog? Now that the narrative has worn off though, he will go back to just being considered an alright actor who is best at being charming in the right kind of movie.
This year is going to be rough for the cbm fatigue arguments when Civil War and BvS both way underperform the outlandish expectations due to an overcrowded slate for the genre this year.
The Martian manipulates feel good emotions every step of the way, and I still don't know how any of it is supposed to feel genuine when you know every insurmountable odd is just an "aw shucks" brilliant solution away.
No way man. The Revenant does at least have everything going for it in a big way on all the technical levels. The Martian's technical aspects are the definition of good enough and not even close to the best of the year. The Martian may have more heart I guess, but only because Matt Damon is likable. Hardly a testament to the film.
Exactly. I mean just imagine Gervais at the Oscars throwing the Academy under the bus like he likes to with the HFPA, and then getting asked to return host. Yeah, wouldn't happen. The GG are just a fun show for the celebs to have a good time.
Fortunately I think The Revenant will indeed win at the Oscars before The Martian (yikes, talk about pick your poison). The HFPA loves feel good trite like The Martian. The Academy are at least a little more discerning.
There are literally only 6 categories it can get nominated in, but I suspect it to score all 6. If it doesn't, then I will start to question its chances. To me it seems like exactly what they would go for today.
Hey at least Twilight is even more unique than the forced, cliche, "insurmountable odds that actually don't ever feel threatening", feel-good plot of The Martian.