Friday, December 27, 2013

Top 5 Leonardo DiCaprio Performances

Leonardo DiCaprio had that hard thing to do. You know, that thing where you’re the most famous young actor in the world, but want to be taken seriously. That thing where just one wrong role could ruin your career. Thankfully, DiCaprio has consistently made excellent character choices, bringing to life one fearless and commanding man after another. While he’s currently killing it in The Wolf of Wall Street, I thought it’d be fun to look back at some of the best work he’s done yet.

5. The Basketball Diaries (1995)
as Jim Carroll

DiCaprio’s performance as real life poet and helpless drug addicted Jim Carroll is so many things. One of the finest child performances I’ve ever seen, certainly. One of the most gut wrenching depictions of drug addiction ever captured, truly. And, of course, one of the actor’s most fearless roles to date. I’ll always respect the hell out of DiCaprio for bucking convention and playing such a raw character so early in his career.

4. The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
as Jordan Belfort

It’s still early. Ask me in a year and DiCaprio’s relentlessly manic portrayal of real life stock broker Jordan Belfort could very well be ranked higher on this list. There isn’t a single moment in Martin Scorsese’s epic that DiCaprio isn’t fully on. A character this unapologetic about his gross excess should in no way be as appealing as DiCaprio allows him to be. But such is DiCaprio’s unique charm. I can’t say I ever really liked Jordan, but goddamn if I wasn’t sitting on the edge of my seat, eager to see what the hell he’d get into next.

3. Django Unchained (2012)
as Calvin Candie

I’m fascinated by reinvention. By an accomplished and well-known actor delivering a performance of sheer revelation. That was Calvin Candie, the charming and sadistic plantation owner who stole every one of his frames in Django Unchained. Who can forget Leonardo DiCaprio sitting at the head of a dinner table, sawing into the skull of a slave? The white entitlement, the abrupt rage, the overall conviction – as written, Calvin Candie is Quentin Tarantino at his most devilish. As played, it is DiCaprio at his most intrepid.

2. The Departed (2006)
as Billy Costigan

DiCaprio’s physical transformation as undercover cop Billy Costigan never gets mentioned enough. When we first meet him, he looks and acts like a little boy: thin, pale, and eager to prove himself. By the film’s end, he’s surpassed manhood and developed into a whithering shell of a man. Consumed by pills, lies, and constant torment, there is no limit to Billy’s anguish, no depth to his rage. I suppose what I appreciate most about this performance is that I really do like Billy, despite the fact that I disagree with many of his decisions. I always hope he’ll manage to wiggle his way out of the shitstorm he’s in, but, sadly, there’s no stopping that elevator’s descent into hell.

1. Revolutionary Road (2008)
as Frank Wheeler


From the moment I first saw Sam Mendes’ Revolutionary Road, I knew it contained the finest Leonardo DiCaprio performance I had ever seen. And I’m not sure I can fully explain why. It’s difficult to articulate how well DiCaprio understood Frank Wheeler. When I watch this film, I never see Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie star. I see Frank Wheeler, the tortured spirit. The neglectful father, the vengeful husband, the confused man. Kate Winslet is, of course, largely responsible for the strength of DiCaprio’s performance. The two played off one another so convincingly that to view their performances as separate entities simply doesn’t seem appropriate. I’ll be stunned if another DiCaprio performance ever tops this one for me. But I’ll always be looking. Admiring the fearlessness, hoping for a revelation.


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67 comments:

  1. I think my list would look quite different from yours. I'd almost certainly include The Aviator, which I think is criminally underrated. The same for Gangs of New York.

    Seriously, though, I don't know how you did this as a top 5. I wouldn't be able to limit myself to just five of his movies.

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    1. I do them as only 5 because it's more of a challenge than 10. Ten would be too easy for me, 5 makes it kind of fun. I think he's phenomenal in The Aviator, but I've never been keen on his GoNY performance. Still, a great actor, no doubt.

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  2. Hi5! on number 1. And love love love Calvin Candie.

    Can't wait for Wolf of Wall Street!

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    1. Wolf is INSANE. I really hope you like it. He's so great in the role.

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  3. I could go on and on about this man, and still not be able to pin-point down what performance from him it is that I love the most. I'm a huge fan as it is, so maybe that's a bit of a cheat, but I have to say that Blood Diamond is up there for me. However, so is Departed. But also, then there's Django Unchained too! Ugh! So hard to think of, but maybe in a few years, I'll have my mind singled-down. Lovely post, as usual, my friend.

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    1. Thanks Dan! For me, he's definitely the best part of Blood Diamond (along with Djimon Hounsou). I'm not a fan of that movie as a whole, but those two were incredible in that film. Leo is a damn fine actor indeed. Damn fine.

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  4. Great choices Alex, Wolf of Wall Street sure looks interesting.

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    1. Thanks man. It's one hell of an interesting flick.

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  5. I'll agree with Steve about The Aviator, which was in the top spot when I made a similar list earlier this year. I also did a top five, and it was really difficult. #2 and #3 were the same as yours, and I finished with Catch Me If You Can and Gangs of New York. I haven't seen Wolf of Wall Street yet, but I'm hearing very good things.

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    1. Ah I remember your list, it was solid. Truth is, the man is an incredible actor who has far more than 5 great performances. I dig all of your picks as well, you know? A lot to choose from.

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  6. Great post! He never disappoints. I saw The Wolf of Wall Street yesterday and he was amazing.

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    1. Thanks! He definitely never disappoints. Love his work. So glad you liked Wolf.

      Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

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  7. I love love LOVE the fact RR topped your list. The two main performances and the movie itself are crazy underrated. This is by far my favorite work from DiCaprio - he reminded me so much of young Brando with his unstoppable rage and he was so heartbreaking in quiet moments, like his last scene.

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    1. Makes me so happy to hear that you're such a fan of his work in that film. He's so fucking captivating. You're right: there's Brando there.

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  8. Five tops is definitely tough to do... I could put "Titanic" on my bottom list for DiCaprio without thinking. I'm sure "Wolf" will be in my top and am in total agreement with you on "Revolutionary Road". Wasn't sure I wanted to see that pairing again after "Titanic" but so glad I did....amazingly well done. You really nailed this one, Alex!

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    1. Thanks so much Dawn!!

      Yeah, that'd be my bottom too, he's just not good in that film. But oh well.

      So glad to hear you're a RR fan, that film devastates me.

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  9. As of right now...

    1. The Wolf of Wall Street (easily the most insane performance he's ever done and take its up to 11. A truly disgusting character but he's so fucking cool)
    2. Django Unchained
    3. Inception
    4. William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet
    5. The Departed

    His performance as Jordan Belfort I think is his crowning achievement. Not only because he's so much fun but he's the funniest thing in the entire movie. I really think Leo should do more comedies.

    In fact, I just came up with an idea that sounds absolutely insane.

    The Dirt directed by Martin Scorsese. (you and I would write the script). Starring Leo as Nikki Sixx, Michael Fassbender as Tommy Lee, Ryan Gosling as Vince Neil, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Mick Mars, and Robert de Niro as Ozzy Osbourne.

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    1. Solid list man, great picks. I love that you loved his Wolf performance, I saw it again today and...wow, so incredible.

      So...who should take the first stab at The Dirt? Because that's a fuckin' winner right there.

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    2. You do the dramatic draft. I'll do the funny draft. Then we figure out how to tell the story the right way while not making it too conventional. Any other ideas on the casting for that film like who should play Pam Anderson, Heather Locklear, and other rock stars and such of that time?

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    3. I will pay good money to watch this.

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  10. I haven't seen "The Wolf of Wall Street" yet, so I can't say how I feel about that. I love the rest of your pics, including an inspired choice for #1. My top 5, as of this moment (it may change by tomorrow) would be...

    1. The Departed
    2. Django Unchained
    3. The Aviator
    4. Shutter Island
    5. Revolutionary Road

    (trying to wrap my head around Robert De Niro as Ozzy Osbourne)

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    1. Thanks man, really enjoyed your picks as well. The Aviator was number 6. He really went all in for that film.

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  11. I'll agree with the general sentiment of being difficult to cull it down to 5. I haven't seen lot of his films but still I can easily think of 8-10 amazing performances that will make a formidable list.

    I haven't seen Revolutionary Road in quite a while but I LOVED both Winslet and DiCaprio in that. You've got me wondering if I'll emotionally react to that movie as strongly as I did then.

    Couple of performances that I think I have more affinity for would be Blood Diamond and Catch Me if You Can. Can't wait for Wolf!!

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    1. I love him in Catch Me..., that was actually the first time since is Grape/Diaries days that I thought he had real talent. I'm looking forward to Hearing your Wolf thoughts!

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  12. Excellent list! I'm glad you included Revolutionary Road, I always think of the final scene, where he's watching his children play at the playground, and he's smiling at them, but you can tell how much he is hurting inside. That is just fantastic acting.

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    1. Thanks! That scene is so fucking devastating, isn't it? A truly haunting performance.

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  13. Awesome picks! I really need to see The Basketball Diaries.

    My five at the moment:

    1. The Wolf of Wall Street
    2. The Departed
    3. Shutter Island
    4. Revolutionary Road
    5. Django Unchained

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    1. I LOVE that Wolf tops your list. Like I said, in a year's time it could very well be higher on mine. He's really quite fearless in Diaries. Scary shit.

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  14. Loved your number 1 and 3 choices, but I'm a bit sad to see you haven't got What's Eating Gilbert Grape on there. I think that's his best performance :)

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    1. Agreed. His portrayal of Arnie in What's Eating Gilbert Grape is incredible. That and Basketball Diaries are my favorites.

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    2. Grape was definitely in the Top 10, but it just doesn't trump his other stuff for me. Still, a fantastic performance, no question.

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  15. Dope choices man. Have yet to see Revolutionary Road and definitely looking forward to The Wolf of Wall Street. His favorite performances of mine are definitely What's Eating Gilbert Grape and The Aviator. Great list!

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    1. Thanks! He's completely insane in Wolf. Hope you dig it! Thanks for the comment!

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  16. If I had to pick, I think I'd mention Catch Me If You Can because for some reason, instead of falling in love with Leo in Titanic or Rome + Juliet, I went for him after seeing him being a con artist. And I'm shamed to say, I haven't seen the 5th and the 1st performance.. sorry!

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    1. He's so good in Catch Me. He went through such a convincing transformation in that film. Rev Road is great but a rather tough watch.

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  17. Hmm ... I guess I need to see Revolutionary Road. Glad you included Django Unchained ... that's a must. ;-) One of my all-time favorite DeCaprio performances is still in What's Eating Gilbert Grape.

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    1. Now you've got me interested in Basketball Diaries, too. I have got to stay off your blog. ;-) With all the great movie recommendations it's like being the proverbial kid in the candy shop. And I don't seem to be finding much time for books and movies these days.

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    2. Haha sorry! But I promise they're really good. You'll like Diaries because it is a flawless depiction and youth drug addiction. And Rev Road is good in that sort of painful way. I think you'd appreciate them both. I haven't had as much time for movies lately either. Busy busy'

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    3. I suspect you don't, what with you directing a movie and all. ;-) I am amazed at how you're keeping up with blogging. Kudos!

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    4. Ha thanks. I actually find writing about films relaxing. And I need all the relaxation I can get right now! Happy New Year to you and your family!

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  18. I definitely appreciated DiCaprio's work in Revolutionary Road, but didn't feel like enough a stretch for him personally and compared to some of the other lead male performances in '08 (Penn, Rourke and, for me, Michael J. Smith in Ballast--an unknown who went largely unrecognized and, alas, hasn't done anything since). Calvin Candie just was not for me. Too much caricature; DiCaprio didn't feel "right" for that role.

    I totally agree with your other picks and would also toss Catch Me If You Can and What's Eating Gilbert Grape onto the pile.

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    1. Oh by no means do I think Leo gave the best male lead performance of '08. Rourke will always hold that title for me. And GREAT call with Smith. I loved that film so much. So many excellent, small films get ignored every year. Which is such a shame.

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    2. I'm so glad Tarra Riggs has gone on to more film roles, even if most of them (i.e. The Help) are small. I'd love to see what Lance Hammer does next. Hopefully he doesn't keep us waiting too long.

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    3. Same here. Ballast was such a confident and personal film. I'd love to see more from Hammer.

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  19. Jesus man, just saw Wolf yesterday and oh God, DiCaprio is a beast in that film. I was amazed at how fucking manic he could get, the power behind every little thing, he captured Belfort's highs and lows exceptionally.

    If I was to rank it would be something akin to:
    1) The Aviator
    2) Revolutionary Road
    3) The Wolf of Wall Street
    4) The Departed
    5) Django Unchained

    Mad props to him in Allen's Celebrity, best 10 minutes or so going. He's a riot in that film!

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    1. Love your list! So glad you liked him in Wolf. A fucking beast indeed.

      He's easily the best part of Celebrity. It was actually quite bold for him to play that part at that exact time. I dig it.

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  20. Pretty accurate list, although I'd have to squeeze Gilbert Grape somewhere in there; he was magnificent in that film at such a young age! Also glad to see Revolutionary Road on your list!! I thought his performance was significantly better than Winslet's yet she received all the award recognition :\

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    1. Gilbert Grape was really close to making the cut here. I love his work in that film.

      I thought Winslet's '08 awards push should've been for Rev Road and not The Reader, but the power of the Brothers Weinstein is obviously all encompassing. Ha.

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  21. Sometimes I think he's gotten better with age but then I'm reminded of The Basketball Diaries and This Boy's Life. I haven't seen The Wolf of Wall Street yet so it's reassuring that his performance in it makes your top 5 - it must be something very special.

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    1. Titanic threw it all off. I love him in Grape and Diaries, but his stretch in the late '90s, very early '00s doesn't really work for me. Everything else is more or less gold.

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  22. Wow, I love that Revolutionary Road is your number one! He's so great in that film. His face when the big thing with April happens...wow. It broke my 13 year old heart, and I still haven't recovered. My favourite performance of his is still What's Eating Gilbert Grape, and I can't even begin to think of the rest of the list. The Wolf of Wall Street is definitely one of the best I've seen from him lately.

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    1. Ah, that scene is, yeah... wow. What a great performance there. He's so good in Grape too. Such a skilled performance for a young actor.

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  23. Great list Alex. My most favorite would be The Aviator. And I have not seen the Wolf yet.

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    1. Thanks Nika! The Aviator was really close to making the cut. He's great in that film.

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  24. This is a really great list, Alex. Leonardo DiCaprio is such a tremendous actor, that I think it's hard to pick out his five best performances to date. Anyway, my Top 5 is the following:

    1) The Wolf Of Wall Street
    2) Revolutionary Road
    3) The Departed
    4) Django Unchained
    5) Shutter Island

    I must say that after watching Sam Mendes' film, I was also sure it would be extremely difficult to watch a DiCaprio performance that would surpass in my mind what he did with the role of Frank Wheeler. He was simply outstanding there. But, my God, he made it. Because in Scorsese's latest film, he managed to give one of the bravest male performances of all time. And that's a really huge statement to do. He absolutely deserves it, though. As Jordan Belfort, he is insanely brilliant. His character is a truly disgusting one, but thanks to his no-holds-barred, hilarious and emotionally naked performance, it's almost impossible to take your eyes off of him - no matter how rotten and loathsome he gets as the story unfolds. His willingness to dive into a character that takes the term "unsympathetic" to another level and make us laugh with him and most importantly care for him cements him as one of the greatest actors of all time. He has never been that bold, that wild, that raw, that uncompromising, that savagely awesome. It's DiCaprio at his best and you fuckin' love it.

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    1. I honestly think that in a few months time, DiCaprio's work in WoWS will end up being my favorite performance of his. I need to watch the film again, but what he did there is nothing short of incredible. It's an acting completely giving himself over to the material, and his director. Utterly mesmerizing.

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  25. Finally, someone who appreciates REVOLUTIONARY ROAD. That movie is one-fucked classic, I loved it. And Leo and Kate are just phenomenal, bot of 'em are just into it! Anyways, here's would be my list looks like if I count down Leo's Top 5:

    1. Revolutionary Road
    2. Django Unchained; this is also, I think one of Samuel L.'s best performances, ever.
    3. The Wolf of Wall Street; still waiting for a much powerful performance, it could be in Revenant or maybe in his new collaboration with Scorsese!
    4. Inception; mainly because he doesn't shout too much, kinda like I view De Niro's performance in Once Upon a Time in America.
    5. The Departed

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    1. Awesome man, love how many we have in common. And of course I love your praise for Rev Road as well. I might bump TWOWS up to #2 today, but I still hold firm with Rev Road at #1.

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  26. For me, Leo is THE Actor of our generation. Every performance is fully realized. He defeated the stereotype early on that he was more than just a pretty face. He has always had that natural talent that seems so effortless when he is on camera. It's almost like he's not even trying even though it's obvious he commits more than any other Actor today. Here are my Top 5 performances, #1 being my favorite then so on.

    1. The Wolf Of Wall Street
    - I don't know how Leo is going to top his portrayal of Wall Street stockbroker Jordan Belfort but I am eager to find out. Every moment of the film, he was on point! We saw all the elements of Leo's talents thrown into one character and it created in my opinion one of the best performances by an Actor of all time.
    2. The Basketball Diaries
    - Pre-Titanic Leonardo. This film in my opinion proved he was ready to work with the "Big Dogs." He was fully committed to understanding the character of Jim Carroll. That scene toward the end of the film where he is on the other side of the door, begging his mother for money so he can buy drugs...so emotional and heartbreaking to watch. A phenomenal performance that deserved an Oscar nomination.
    3. Revolutionary Road
    – Can someone please explain to me why this film did not receive MORE awards recognition?! Both Leo and Kate deserved an Oscar for their performances (Yes, Kate won that year for "The Reader" but her performance in this is far more profound in my opinion). I love Leo's portrayal of Frank Wheeler because he creates a character that you both love and hate. To me this film is like a modern day "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" The infamous fight scene in the car at the very beginning of the film...Acting at its finest!
    4. The Aviator
    - I feel like this was the first performance of Leo's that earned him universal praise as an Actor. I love when Leo portrays real life characters because he makes you look at them a different way. Although I feel the film is maybe about 30 minutes too long, Leo's performance is both gripping and compelling.
    5. Django Unchained
    - I don't think Leo has ever played a character as formidable as Calvin Candie. I love his performance in this film for the simple fact that you can tell he just had a blast making it! I hope to see him do more work with Quentin Tarantino just like he has with Martin Scorsese as I think Quentin brought out a rage in Leo we have not seen before. I really think Leo should have been nominated and won Best Supporting Actor for this role.

    Okay, I know this ran super long but I just have to point out a couple other performances of his I just love:

    6. The Departed - Should have been nominated for this, not Blood Diamond.
    7. Catch Me If You Can - It was great to see a comedic side to Leo.
    8. The Revenant - Much of this performance was about the close ups, the visual, the expressions, and its a culmination of 20+ years of work.
    9. What's Eating Gilbert Grape? - Still blows me away every time I watch it.
    10. Titanic - Come on, it's Titanic! An iconic role that no one else could have done!

    So glad to see you appreciate Leo's work. Sorry for rambling! But he is without a doubt my favorite Actor. Great picks by the way!

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    1. GREAT work here. I would rank his performance in The Wolf of Wall Street higher today. Either 2 or 1. He's such a beast in that movie, it's fucking astounding. I'm still baffled that Rev Road didn't get more awards love. I agree, it is a modern day Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.

      And it is still so weird to me that he got nominated for Blood Diamond of The Departed!

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    2. Thank you! And yes, Blood Diamond is a great performance but The Departed just had a roster of A+ acting. You got Leo and Jack, arguably two of the greatest Actors alive. Not to mention one of my all time favorite actresses Vera Farmiga who deserved an Oscar nod for her work in that film.

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    3. Man, don't you wish Jack was still acting? I mean, I get it, he chills and plays golf all day, but did he have to leave us with How Do You Know?

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    4. Ha, you took the words right out of my mouth! There's a video of Leo doing a Jack Nicholson impression. It's spot on! Maybe that can be Leo's next gig?! LOL

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    5. Oh wow, I need to find that vid!

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    6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcEQjjQbNI0

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