Because we’re talking about The Academy. If a movie is borderline Oscar – say like The Martian or even Captain Phillips – stellar box office can be the difference in whether a member feels justified in voting for it with their first place vote or not.

I disagree with you on “Things.” I think she’s actually better in “Elle,” but critics’ groups may save either performance (or not).

Never have been able to fully get why this would alter someone’s opinion of a film after they’ve seen it. A little more understandable if it influences their decision to see it in the first place, but still, raw numbers really need to be de-emphasized among criteria for voting on the *best* of the year.

Re: Isabelle Huppert, and for those who might be put off by “Elle,” hopefully IFC will make voters aware of her other, even better-received role this year in “Things to Come.” They’ve managed nominations in this category two years running (Cotillard and Rampling), and this film could resonate with the Academy demographic. Fingers crossed that she won’t cancel herself out, at least.