Nebraska, Bruce Dern's Turn for an Acad. Award

The melancholy, often humorous and visually stunning film, NEBRASKA, is the latest movie by Dir. & Screenwriter, Alexander Payne.  Payne (THE DESCENDANTS) which received an Acad. Award, should garner numerous nomination for this year's Awards. Bruce Dern should get a best actor nom. & best supporting actor should go to Will Forte.  The movie is shot in black & white and takes images that bring Diane Arbus' incredible photos to mind.  The desolate plains are filmed passing through lonely  towns & empty highways. Payne is known for his dark humor & penetrating look at contemporary American life.  Here, Payne focuses on struggling, small midwesterners; "salt of the earth people."  Although, every town has its share of devious individuals, there is an abundance of peculiar  people.  The casting of actors must have come from locals, straight from the heart of America.  Bruce Dern, (Woody) carries this film like Atlas.  Woody is an old alcoholic tottering on Alzheimers.  He is a determined curmudgeon who sets off on an improbable journey to claim his $1,000,000 publisher house prize he believes he's won.  His blatantly ribald & honest wife is played uproariously by June Squibb.  She enlists her younger, estranged son David (Will Forte) to "handle his father."  The relationship that develops between father & son is nothing short of miraculous.  You can home again.  You should go find NEBRASKA.  This gorgeous black/white film is a sure win for Oscar gold.