Matthew McConaughey Emerges As Key Oscar Player With 'Dallas Buyers Club' Role

With Golden Globes, Critics' Choice and Screen Actor Guild wins under his belt, and two nominations for the Epitome of Film Awards, Matthew McConaughey has emerged as a frontrunner for Best Actor at the 86th Annual Academy Awards.

Nominated for his role in 'Dallas Buyers Club', the actor will compete against Leonardo DiCaprio, Bruce Dern, Christian Bale and Chiwetel Ejiofor for the highest honor in his field. With Bale standing as the only nominee that has no chance at winning and given he has already beaten Dern and early favorite Ejiofor at all of the previous award shows, the race stands squarely between McConaughey and DiCaprio.

DiCaprio entered the race late with 'The Wolf of Wall Street', but the role has earned him career best reviews and given he beat out McConaughey for the BAFTA nomination, he could serve as a potential spoiler. Not to mention it is widely-regarded by the industry that one of the generation's finest actors should already have an Academy Award and is overdue for a long career filled with great and even a few iconic roles.

McConaughey, on the other hand, has had one of the best and most-exciting career reinventions in recent memory by trading in his romantic comedy leading man status for independent projects that are more character-driven. Not to mention his daring role as real-life AIDS patient Ron Woodruff is the stuff that Oscar dreams (and wins) are built on and the fact that he lost a whopping 47-pounds to play the part only gives the voting committee more incentive to reward his dedication and passion for the project.

So, who will take home the gold on March 2nd? McConaughey, DiCaprio or one of the other three nominees? Watch profiles on the former two and sound off after the cut:

Matthew McConaughey in 'Dallas Buyers Club'



Leonardo DiCaprio in 'The Wolf of Wall Street'

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Write by: RC - Sunday, February 2, 2014