In our series “The Best Case for Best Picture,” Slate staffers and critics mount their strongest argument for the movie they think should win the Oscars’ biggest prize. It won’t be easy: They’ll also have to contend against the counterarguments of Slate culture editor Dan Kois.
This time, Slate editor in chief Julia Turner tries to convince Kois that despite the long odds, The Martian is the survival tale most worthy of the big award. A powerful and uplifting story of human ingenuity, Ridley Scott’s best work since Alien has just the right mix of humor and distinctly cinematic appeal to take home Best Picture. The math checks out.
