1. The Aviator (200
I'll admit the movie was a bit of a stretch but the only reason why you didn't mind the massive length and overtly dramatic treatment was Leonardo's pitch perfect portrayal of Howard Hughes' descent from an eccentric billionaire to that of a reclusive, almost crazy man in solitude. His performance reaches newer heights of cinematic genius towards to penultimate moments of the movie as you come out awed and blown away.
2. Blood Diamond (2006)
Shining like a diamond (I couldn't resist saying that!) in this otherwise gory and mostly all over the place action movie, Leonardo proves why he's the ever-dependable actor, lending much-needed gravitas and emotional depth amidst all the war sequences happening around. Plus, that accent he put on was so on-point, it alone was reason enough to get him the award.
3. Shutter Island (2010)
One of my favourite Scorsese movies, this thriller had a lot going right including the brilliant ending. But the ace here, apart from the direction was certainly Leonardo's portrayal of US Marshal Teddy Daniels who's out to investigate the goings-on on the island. He was restrained and layered and displayed no overt heroism, letting the film take precedence.
4. Django Unchained (2012)
He may not have been the lead here but you couldn't have walked out of the theatre marvelling at Leonardo's brilliance on screen. He played a ruthless and vicious man who doesn't blink an eyelid before feeding a slave to the dogs, literally. Yet, you continue to stare at him with rapt attention simply because Leo truly looks like he's having fun being so bad on screen. Unfortunately, he didn't even get nominated for this one.
5. Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
My personal favourite Leo performance, the film had him playing a highly unlikeable, mostly despicable man who's all obsessed with making money, morals or no morals. It's only because of his wonderful portrayal that you end up liking Jordan even though he's busy doing all that he does on screen. Leonardo was hilarious, sleazy and nasty and every bit deserving of that award. Damn you, McConnaughey!
Here's hoping that 'The Revenant' breaks the Academy Awards jinx for the powerhouse performer in 2016.
I'll admit the movie was a bit of a stretch but the only reason why you didn't mind the massive length and overtly dramatic treatment was Leonardo's pitch perfect portrayal of Howard Hughes' descent from an eccentric billionaire to that of a reclusive, almost crazy man in solitude. His performance reaches newer heights of cinematic genius towards to penultimate moments of the movie as you come out awed and blown away.2. Blood Diamond (2006)
Shining like a diamond (I couldn't resist saying that!) in this otherwise gory and mostly all over the place action movie, Leonardo proves why he's the ever-dependable actor, lending much-needed gravitas and emotional depth amidst all the war sequences happening around. Plus, that accent he put on was so on-point, it alone was reason enough to get him the award.
3. Shutter Island (2010)
One of my favourite Scorsese movies, this thriller had a lot going right including the brilliant ending. But the ace here, apart from the direction was certainly Leonardo's portrayal of US Marshal Teddy Daniels who's out to investigate the goings-on on the island. He was restrained and layered and displayed no overt heroism, letting the film take precedence.
4. Django Unchained (2012)
He may not have been the lead here but you couldn't have walked out of the theatre marvelling at Leonardo's brilliance on screen. He played a ruthless and vicious man who doesn't blink an eyelid before feeding a slave to the dogs, literally. Yet, you continue to stare at him with rapt attention simply because Leo truly looks like he's having fun being so bad on screen. Unfortunately, he didn't even get nominated for this one.
5. Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
My personal favourite Leo performance, the film had him playing a highly unlikeable, mostly despicable man who's all obsessed with making money, morals or no morals. It's only because of his wonderful portrayal that you end up liking Jordan even though he's busy doing all that he does on screen. Leonardo was hilarious, sleazy and nasty and every bit deserving of that award. Damn you, McConnaughey!
Here's hoping that 'The Revenant' breaks the Academy Awards jinx for the powerhouse performer in 2016.
