For Fans of Scorsese and DiCaprio
A very fine review of The Aviator http://www.thehollywoodnews.com/reviews/avaitor_the.php Two excerpts: Bringing the complex Howard Hughes to life couldn’t have been an easy task, but Leonardo DiCaprio does so with what appears to be effortless ease. This is an outstanding performance by an actor many thought all wrong for this big-screen portrait. One of the best of the year. There are so many layers to what DiCaprio does here, I don’t know where to begin. His moments of obsessive compulsive behavior are intense, and his momentary lapses into madness are mesmerizing, but it’s DiCaprio’s playful moments I liked best. Watch him take on the MPAA over the use of breasts in a film, and marvel at his electrifying confrontation with Alan Alda during the climax of the picture. DiCaprio is just excellent here, and while there are many out there who enjoy taking jabs at this gifted actor (mostly because of his turn in Titanic–which I personally found outstanding), even they will most likely be hard pressed to find something negative to say about this soaring performance. He literally becomes The Aviator. This is his best work since his incredible, heartfelt performance in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape. DiCaprio is the best thing in this outstanding and monumental film. AND I really can’t say enough kind words about Martin Scorsese. I’ve never hidden the fact that Steven Spielberg is my favorite film maker - partly because I grew up on his films. But as much as I love and admire his work, he’s more of my sentimental favorite (although Schindler’s List is perhaps my all time favorite film.) I’d have to say that pound for pound, Scorsese is the strongest film maker of all time in terms of quality. I can see the talkbacks flooding in already. "WHAT! ARE YOU CRAZY! WHAT ABOUT ORSON WELLES! WHAT ABOUT ALFRED HITCHCOCK! WHAT ABOUT STANLEY KUBRICK! WHAT ABOUT FELLINI! WHAT ABOUT BILLY WILDER! AND THE LIST GOES ON! I understand calling Scorsese the strongest film maker of all time is a bold statement (especially given that there are thousands upon thousands of films produced over the years that I’ve never seen before), but I can honestly say that I’ve been amazed by every one of his pictures in some shape or form. Even the Roger Corman produced Boxcar Bertha – even the widely criticized Bringing Out the Dead – and even the mildly disappointing Gangs of New York. For me, even Scorsese’s letdowns are better than many film makers’ masterpieces.

Review of The Aviator
EXCELLENT review! Many THANKS, lena! I LOVED reading this part...these are some of my very favorite scenes too: ...but it’s DiCaprio’s playful moments I liked best. Watch him take on the MPAA over the use of breasts in a film, and marvel at his electrifying confrontation with Alan Alda during the climax of the picture. DiCaprio is just excellent here...

Thanks so much Lena, I loved it!!!!

Tks Lena for bringing the review here... Loved reading it, especially about Leo and his AMAZING performance as Hughes.... nice to know others view his performance the same...He should have won the Gold!

There are so many layers to what DiCaprio does here Thanks so much Lena, love reading articles like that. It is his 'layers' that make Leo such a great actor in all his films I think. The humorous scene I love best is the 'Hercules' scene where he is describing it to Ode and the wonderful 'Who doesn't like tits' line. Always cracks me up!:D

Thanks lena - got lots of favourite lines in my head - "a little bit naughty".

Nice comments, Lena - thank you. This was probably Leonardo's performance most highly and widely praised after WEGG and maybe CMIYC. He certainly deserved them.

Aviator Review
He literally becomes The Aviator Wonderful review! Thanks lena. It’s always great to read good things about TA. It’s one of my favorite Leo or Scorsese movies.

Thanks. I will never fully recover from the shock of The Aviator losing to Million Dollar Baby and Martin Scorsese losing to Clint. Never.

same here dear Scream, anyway I'm so happy to see ya around ;)))

Agreed Scream. It was very much highway robbery.

I will NEVER forgive the academy for not giving Leo his Oscar for The Aviator. It happens to be my favorite performance of anyone EVER. Quite a bold statement I'm sure, but I believe it. The depth Leonardo brings to his characters is virtually unparalleled. I don't think anyone expresses with their face and eyes the way Leonardo does. He's simply brilliant.