Arts: Can Matthew McConaughey Seduce the Academy?

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Brow Beat Can Matthew McConaughey Seduce the Academy? By Forrest Wickman Posted Tuesday, Dec 04, 2012, at 03:04 PM ET Yesterday, the New York Film Critics Circle declared Zero Dark Thirty the best picture of the year. The movie also won best cinematography—plus best director for Kathryn Bigelow, who, having also won for The Hurt Locker, became the first female director to win twice. These were mildly surprising upsets over Oscar heavy-hitter Lincoln, which tied the film for the most wins, taking screenplay (Tony Kushner), supporting actress (Sally Field), and actor (Daniel Day-Lewis, in his fifth NYFCC win). Even more unexpectedly, Rachel Weisz was named best actress for The Deep Blue Sea; some Oscar prognosticators didn't even have her on their cards. But only one surprise arrived oiled up in a gyrating g-string: Matthew McConaughey's win for best supporting actor, awarded on the strength of both Bernie (in which he tooted his own horn as the self-aggrandizing DA Danny Buck) and Magic Mike (in which he thrust it as the aging stud Dallas). McConaughey has not, to this point, been known primarily for his talents as a thespian. Not only has he never won a comparable acting award, he's never even been nominated. Instead he has been put up for such honors as "Sexiest Love Scene" and "Choice Movie Liplock." (Two Teen Choice Awards which, despite multiple nominations, he has never won.) The past year has shown a new side of McConaughey, though, and I'm not just talking about his assless chaps. In addition to his wonderfully charismatic performances in Magic Mike and Bernie, he ... To continue reading, click here. Join the Fray: our reader discussion forum What did you think of this article? POST A MESSAGE | READ MESSAGES Also In Slate Being Transgender Is No Longer a Disorder "The Socially Awkward Do It Better" Why Is Syria Mixing Sarin?	Advertisement
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