This years race is one that will be studied for years to come by new kid on the block actors as a strong, strong year. It may be 1973 strong and has the potential of giving the world the most shocking surprise win since Art Carney (Harry and Tonto) beat Albert Finney (Murder on the Orient Express,) Dustin Hoffman (Lenny,) Jack Nicholson (Chinatown) and Al Pacino (Godfather Part Two; the biggest shock in Oscars history!!!)
Is Bruce Dern going to win by tribute or is the statue going to a much younger man?; his character was “Harryesque.” Liam Neeson was the center of “Schindler’s List” and failed to win one of the many awards bestowed the film on Oscar Night; which makes me think Chiwetel Ejiofor may be the prime focus of “12 Years a Slave” and may suffer the same fate. Christian Bale was fantastic and as great as he was I believe he gave a more deserving performance in “Out of the Furnace” a little seen film that disappeared way too soon. So, the dark horse favorite is a movie star who also happens to be a tremendous actor; Leonardo DiCaprio I feel should have a few of those gold guys already but he has not stood at the mic as anything but a presenter. The amazing performance he gave in “The Wolf of Wall Street” was one of naivty, greed, rebellion and command that just carried a whole movie which was no short length. Matthew McConaughy had a great year-like Tom Hanks he started in lighter fare and has worked hard to make people forget the rom-com, stoner “daze” and he went all out capturing the unlikable yet charismatic duality of Ron Woodroof.
My heart goes with Leonardo and my head says Matthew!
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