The Curious Case of Leonardo DiCaprio

With each Oscar season that passes us by, Leonardo DiCaprio remains Oscar-less. It’s become a tradition of sorts, for the Academy to bestow the award to any one of the other actors nominated alongside DiCaprio. No matter how batty the role is, no matter what he had to do to prepare for it, or how hard he campaigns for it, nothing can seem to win the former teen heartthrob his beloved trophy.

At the risk of setting the actor up for failure, this might just be the year he takes home the gold. DiCaprio is starring in Oscar winner Alejandro González Iñárritu’s followup to the Oscar-winning “Birdman.” “The Revenant,” which co-stars Tom Hardy, focuses on a fur trapper, Hugh Glass [DiCaprio], in the 1820’s who is betrayed, robbed and left for dead by his accomplices following a deadly bear attack. The film follows Glass as he attempts to get his revenge. 

Though not opening to audiences until early next year, following a limited release starting on Christmas Day, buzz is naturally following the film and DiCaprio’s involvement. Reports say that awards analysts have been hired to strategically campaign the film for Oscars and see the film turns a profit after filming delays led to an expanded budget of $135 million. 

It remains to be seen if this will all come to pass, and whether or not DiCaprio’s past ‘snubs’ can carry him to a win after four losses. But has the actor really been ‘snubbed’ like everyone likes to think, or was the competition simply better? Let’s take a look by examining his nominated performances through the years. 

Watch Leonardo DiCaprio in the first trailer for "The Revenant"

Hot off of his triple win for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay and Best Picture (as a producer) for last year's "Birdman", director Alejandro González Iñárritu is back in the race again, but this time for a Western-thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy.

Not much is known about the film, except that DiCaprio plays a fur trapper named Hugh Glass in the 19th century, out for revenge after his companions rob him and leave him for dead following a deadly accident.

The film's budget, $60 million, is much higher than "Birdman" (only made for about $18 million); it'll be interesting to see what Iñárritu is able to pull off with the added flair. Rumor has it the film is being shot using only natural light; Emmanuel Lubezki is handling the cinematography once again, and based on the trailer alone, he may be adding a third consecutive trophy to the ones he won for "Gravity" and "Birdman".

Watch the intense trailer below. "The Revenant" is set for release on December 25th.

Oscars Recap: "Birdman" and Lady Gaga Soar

Neil Patrick Harris and Anna Kendrick started the show off with a huge bang last night. 

This past Oscar season has been so weird, that it's sort of relieving to be able to put a cap on the entire thing. After going on for months bouncing back between "Boyhood", "The Theory of Everything" and "The Imitation Game" as the frontrunner, "Birdman" surged late in the game and eventually ended up on top. Though the film is, at its very core, about actors, it's such a strange, unconventional choice for a Best Picture winner, but an inspired, deserving one, the kind that doesn't usually win because it's too weird. It is a film after all where Michael Keaton levitates in his underwear and flies through New York City… or does he? Is it all in his mind? It’s basically a more actor friendly, less ballet focused “Black Swan”, though starring Michael Keaton and not Natalie Portman. 

"Birdman" Poised to Win Best Picture

In what must be the most unexpected surge towards Best Picture in recent history, director Alejandro González Iñárritu picked up the big win at last night's DGA awards, fresh off of his film's wins with the PGA and SAG a few weeks ago. Though it certainly seemed like this would b Richard Linklater's trophy to lose, "Birdman" has solidified itself as the film to beat for the top prize with the Oscars in a few weeks.

Buzz For Birdman Out of Venice

"Birdman" has landed in Venice; the film has received a rapturous amount of praise by nearly everyone that's seen it. 

Take a look at some excerpts from the reviews below, which boost Birdman ahead as the strongest (seen) contender in the picture, director, acting, and tech categories.

New York Film Festival Reveals A Very Buzzy Line Up

The New York Film Festival has been the unveiling point and stateside release for several key films headed into the Oscar race in years past, and this year will be no different. Though it was previously announced that David Fincher's "Gone Girl" will have its world premiere here, the thriller will be joined by the likes of Paul Thomas Anderson's "Inherent Vice", Sundance hit "Whiplash" and Alejandro González Ińárritu's "Birdman" (which will have its official unveiling at Venice weeks earlier).

The festival will take place from September 26, 2014 until October 12, 2014. Stars such as Kristen Stewart, Channing Tatum and Jean-Luc Godard are expected to be in attendance.

Take a look at the full list of films that will play during the festival's duration below. If the film's trailer is available click on the film title to watch the trailer.

Michael Keaton & Birdman Seem to be Likely Oscar Contenders in First "Birdman" Trailer

The buzzy "Birdman" finally has a trailer. Presumed to be one of the major Oscar players later in the season (specifically in Best Actor for Keaton), it certainly looks like a wild ride.

Watch the trailer below.