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DiCaprio Just Bein' the UnDiCaprio

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trailers | Comments (27)



shutter2.jpg

I know a lot of folks believe that Leonardo DiCaprio plays a variation of himself in every movie he’s in, but I actually think something of the opposite, although the result is similar. I think he’s too studied — that he gets so wrapped up in delivering the lines just as they should be delivered that none of his personality seeps through. The effect is the same: he sort of is the same person in each movie, but I don’t think it’s a version of himself. He’s too muted; too controlled; too self-aware.

From his scenes in what is now the second trailer for Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island, that doesn’t seem to have changed. Granted, I like the guy — I think he’s a great actor. I just think he’s stuck too far inside himself. Even when he unleashes, it seems controlled.

This trailer suggests that Shutter Island — which has recently been bumped out of Oscar contention and into a February release date — is a more supernatural affair. It looks very promising, and has a lot of Scorsese’s Cape Fear vibe to it. In fact, there’s a brief shot of Elias Koteas in this trailer, and he looks like a dead ringer for DeNiro in Cape Fear. If anything, Shutter Island looks like a nice reprieve for the horrible movies that otherwise generally dominate February.









"FlashForward," Episode 2: "White to Play" | Pajiba After Dark 10/05/09













Comments

Saw this trailer with Zombieland on Saturday and I was impressed. I hate Leo, have hated him ever since the girls started crushing on him in Titanic. However he grew on me with The Departed and Gangs of New York, in this trailer I actually went "Fuck Yes!" I'm glad to see him go against the pretty boy appeal.

Posted by: DeistBrawler at October 5, 2009 6:10 PM

I know a lot of folks believe that Leonardo DiCaprio plays a variation of himself in every movie he’s in

Can't you say that about most good actors, Day-Lewis being the major exception? I actually don't have a problem with "variation of" actors as long as they're believable.

Better trailer than the first, which gave fuck all away (at least in comparison to this one).

Posted by: Mick J at October 5, 2009 6:27 PM

I missed the last trailer but this has me very excited.

Also Leonardo DiCaprio has made nothing but excellent career choices, post Titanic. He's no Kirk Cameron, but he's come a long way since Growing Pains.

Posted by: TSF at October 5, 2009 6:38 PM

Supernatural creepies = I'm in.

Posted by: MM at October 5, 2009 6:41 PM

Too many good actors to pass this one up.

Posted by: Recondite at October 5, 2009 6:41 PM

Casey Jones! Casey Jones.

Posted by: Lucas at October 5, 2009 7:43 PM

I agree that the performances he puts out are always way too controlled... in fact, I didn't realize that was what it was about his acting that was always a little "off" to me until you just said it. But I happen to think this is exactly was keeps him in the more-than-competent, less-than-great zone.

That being said, I have also consistently enjoyed every movie he has put out post-Titanic. So the brother can pick a script, I'll give him that.

Posted by: Cruise at October 5, 2009 8:10 PM

I still think it looks like a good creepfest for a Sunday afternoon. As opposed to my usual routine of sponge bathing the neighbourhood derelect who pays me in soda can pull-tabs.

Posted by: admin at October 5, 2009 8:22 PM

Aw hell, it got bumped out of Oscar contender time. At least we'll have something to get us through the normally terrible month of February.

Posted by: George at October 5, 2009 9:05 PM

It really freaks me out how Leo keeps looking like a very wrinkled 14 year old. It's weird and freaky like those people who age too fast.

Posted by: figgy at October 5, 2009 9:23 PM

"I don’t gotta tell you dat I gawt a majah fackin hahd on for this movie ’cause it’s from Mahtin Scoah Seas, the fackin’ guy who directed The Fackin’ Depahted, an it’s fackin’ set in fackin’ Bawston again. GO SAWX! This one’s gawt Leanahdo Di Caprio, Special K, Ruffo, and that othah queah"

--wwtd

Posted by: D-Day at October 5, 2009 10:35 PM

Is it that he can pick a good script, or just that he's the only actor whose phone number Scorcese can remember?

Posted by: Daniel Hall at October 5, 2009 10:39 PM

reprieve from, not reprieve for.

Heil grammar.

Posted by: cpt.rum at October 5, 2009 10:44 PM

I think he’s too studied — that he gets so wrapped up in delivering the lines just as they should be delivered that none of his personality seeps through.

Did you feel that way about Revolutionary Road? I really thought Leo did step outside himself for that role, and I was dumbfounded that he wasn't nominated for any awards.

I'm very psyched for Shutter Island.

Posted by: Cindy at October 5, 2009 10:47 PM

D-Day, that was brilliant.

Posted by: jessica at October 6, 2009 1:41 AM

I love Leo. Over the years I have heard a lot of folks talk shit about him but he has been consistent without being a coked out asshole when it comes to his career.Im not ashamed to admit that

Posted by: Candy at October 6, 2009 1:42 AM

Gave way too much away in that trailer. Annoying.

Posted by: bendiagram at October 6, 2009 6:00 AM

Cindy - I wasn't nutty about the movie (adore the novel), but Leo was excellent. That Winslet, who was merely competent, got the accolades killed me.

Posted by: samantha t at October 6, 2009 8:43 AM

Ahhhhhhhh! The Human Caterpillar! Quick, sew George Clooney to Leo's ass.

Posted by: BWeaves at October 6, 2009 9:07 AM

Wow. I find myself wanting to see a jump-shock-based horror movie. This has never happened before. I've been fooling myself for years into believing that Leo had no influence on me, but apparently the Romeo + Juliet carryover is stronger than I thought.

Posted by: Ling at October 6, 2009 10:35 AM

Saw the trailer, and am getting tired of actors sporting facial hair (and in this case, anachronistic facial hair -- a stubble goatee in the 40s/50s?) to try to look tough and grown-up. DiCaprio still looks 15. If a director wants a weathered, mature-looking lead, why not cast one instead of trying (and failing) to butch-up Leo?

Posted by: Ned at October 6, 2009 11:32 AM

From the trailer it looks like DiCaprio is actually an inmate at the asylyum. I sure hope there is more to the plot than that little obvious twist.

Posted by: Mr. Scratch at October 6, 2009 4:28 PM

From the trailer it looks like DiCaprio is actually an inmate at the asylyum. I sure hope there is more to the plot than that little obvious twist.

Posted by: Mr. Scratch at October 6, 2009 4:29 PM

From the trailer it looks like DiCaprio is actually an inmate at the asylyum. I sure hope there is more to the plot than that little obvious twist.

Posted by: Mr. Scratch at October 6, 2009 4:30 PM

From the trailer it looks like DiCaprio is actually an inmate at the asylyum. I sure hope there is more to the plot than that little obvious twist.

Posted by: Mr. Scratch at October 6, 2009 4:30 PM

Sorry about all the duplicate posts... internet was acting stupid.

Posted by: Mr. Scratch at October 6, 2009 4:33 PM

Omg. THANKS A LOT MR. SCRATCH.


Jesus Christ.

Posted by: kayla at October 8, 2009 12:55 PM


















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