Actor Hardy’s awards nod is warranted, he’s really that good.  1800’s untamed West landscape will amaze you, most gorgeous display of outdoors I’ve ever seen. Extremely violent and gory, the bear mauling scene is amazing screen time (is it real or animatronic?).  Dicaprio’s character goes through hell, more than any man could or should have to bear in a lifetime.  Painful and loving performance in one, let’s hope the Academy shows him some love.  In the end, its exhausting and excruciatingly painful to watch to conclusion and the payoff you wait for still leaves you hollow.

Thank the stars we live in the 21st century…