Oscar voters, who usually favor artistic fare over blockbuster films for the coveted best picture prize, this year put three big budget films in the race: “The Revenant” and “The Martian”, which earned seven nods, and “Mad Max: Fury Road”.
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That person is Hugh Glass, a frontier scout in the 1820’s who is mauled by a grizzly bear and left to die in a frozen wilderness two hundred miles from civilization.
“I feel very proud and happy for my colleagues”.
Other familiar faces are returning, as well, like last year’s best actor victor, Eddie Redmayne (“The Danish Girl”), Jennifer Lawrence (a record fourth nomination for the 25 year-old for “Joy”) and mainstay composer John Williams, who notched, staggeringly, his 50th nomination.
The Revenant features what by all accounts is a DiCaprio performance built by months of hardship, spent in freezing corners of Canada and Argentina, eating raw animal and sleeping in horse carcass.
“I am so grateful to the Academy for their recognition of this film”.
At the hands of maverick and visionary director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, this is cinema at its best, this is not just a story of revenge, it’s also about the power of the human spirit whilst facing adversity, it’s man’s battle with himself and nature.
And could this be the year for Leonardo DiCaprio? The actor was first nominated for an Academy Award 22-years ago, for his supporting role of Arnie Grape in 1994’s “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”. The Academy Awards-the pinnacle of Hollywood’s awards season-will be handed out on February 28.
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi epic “The Martian” landed seven nominations, including best picture, but no best director nod for Scott. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” and hip-hop movie “Straight Outta Compton” were among those not making the cut.
Steven Spielberg’s “Bridge of Spies” received six nominations, including for best picture, and lesbian drama “Carol” starring Cate Blanchett received six nominations, including for best actress and best supporting actress.
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Odds-wise, DiCaprio is a huge favourite, with bookmakers William Hill offering the category as follows: 1/9 Leonardo DiCaprio, 11/2 Michael Fassbender, 14/1, 20/1 Bryan Cranston, 20/1 Matt Damon.
