The Martian won the box office this weekend with a $55 million debut on strong reviews, reaffirming Matt Damon’s movie star power and popularity and lifting the Mars curse. The numbers also improve The Martian’s Oscar chances at being included among the 10 possible Best Picture candidates, just like Gravity. And now Matt might have an outside shot at Best Actor too. If Depp, DiCaprio, Fassbender, and Redmayne have four spots locked up – this early in the race – that fifth spot is wide open.

Matt was in London this weekend with Luciana and on Saturday night, they had dinner and partied in Notting Hill afterwards with Amal and George Clooney and Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber. Speaking of Amal, she was back out today in London to attend a press conference with Laila Ali, wife of Mohamed Nasheed, former president of the Maldives. Amal was in the Maldives a few weeks ago to meet with Nasheed under dangerous circumstances. Just prior to her arrival, her co-counsel Mahfooz Saeed was attacked by four masked men and ended up getting stabbed. We are not Amal Clooney. Because, you know, if I married George Clooney I’d live on easy street, and the only reason I’d go to the Maldives is for HOLIDAY. We went there for our 10th wedding anniversary. The resorts there are insane.