The two performances selected as the two standouts in this edition pit men against something larger. On one hand, you have a military man fighting for what he perceives to be the liberation of his nation. On the other hand, you have an explorer fighting the elements. Neither makes it out alright.

Let's have a look.

The Conflicted Commandant - Idris Elba in "Beasts of No Nations"

By David Salazar

Picking a single male performance above the rest was a tough task, but it ultimately came down to Idris Elba's ability to create emotional conflict within the viewer through his portrayal as the commandant in "Beasts of No Nations."

As viewers, we fear the figure upon his initial arrival on the scene, and yet moments later, his tough love makes him -- if not completely likeable -- at least understandable. His violent behavior throughout the remainder of the film is often filtered through this point of view. His descent into disillusionment and increasing frustration actually makes for a rather tragic development. After all, in the context of the film, he is what our protagonist Agu (Abraham Attah) would wind up being if he remained in his ranks long enough -- a character indoctrinated to be a killing machine who ultimately gets little to nothing out of the arrangement aside from betrayal.

During the scene where Agu meets the leader, the previously explosive figure suddenly keeps his emotions in check, despite the building tension due to mounting disrespect. It is arguably the most understated part of Elba's performance, and yet in many ways, the most remarkable and unforgettable.

And that final scene, in which the once imposing man comes off as nothing more than a pathetic creature, completely unhinged, is yet another remarkable moment for Elba. His ranting is dangerous, and yet we can feel, through his disarrayed physicality, that he has lost all of the respect he once commanded.

Battling the Wilderness - Leonardo DiCaprio in "The Revenant"

By Francisco Salazar

In a year with so many great performances, from such actors as Michael Fassbender for "Macbeth" and "Steve Jobs," Michael Caine for "Youth," Johnny Depp for "Black Mass" and Eddie Redmayne for "The Danish Girl," one actor stood out for his physicality and commitment to one of the most grueling film shoots in the history of cinema.

That actor was Leonardo DiCaprio.

Over the past 20 years, DiCaprio has been captivating audiences for his performances in diverse roles and for his transformations in these roles. This year, in "The Revenant," he plays Hugh Glass, a man who seeks revenge after being left for dead and seeing his son murdered.

DiCaprio's performance is very different from what most would expect, as it relies heavily on his physical movements. Very rarely does he say a word. As a matter of fact, for most of the film DiCaprio is in agony, either lying on the floor or crawling, trying to get up.

One of the key scenes in the film is the moment when he is attacked by a bear. During this scene, DiCaprio is almost killed by the animal, and the actor's anguish is felt with every bodily movement, as he tries to escape or reach his gun. It is truly painful to watch, and the actor makes the viewer feel everything Glass is feeling in that moment.

Another essential component to the performance is his facial expressions, which DiCaprio utilizes in many ways. In the scenes where he is remembering his wife, there is a longing his eyes to be reunited with her. In another scene, where he is forced to choose whether or not to allow his son to die, there is a sense of fear, along with a clear will to get up and fight back.

DiCaprio's vocal inflections are also masterful. At the beginning of the film, he is a man with vigor and a leader. However, after being attacked with a bear, his character is forced to murmur, and many words are indiscernible. Towards the end, when he is finally found and somewhat recovered, the vigor of his voice is gone, and he speaks with pain and weakness.

While most will claim this is not DiCaprio's best work, this is a performance that is truly a career high, and one that audiences will be talking about in years to come.