Alexander Payne's filmography contains some of the most bitter and hilarious films of the past twenty years, from Laura Dern's caustic abortion comedy Citizen Ruth to the movie that Thron calls the unofficial sequel to Ferris Beuler's Day Off: the merciless Reese Witherspoon showcase Election. But today we take a look at his softer side, with a double feature of Bruce Dern in Nebraska and George Clooney in The Descendants! Each was made to be much more audience friendly than his usual fair - but does MG think they are Oscar-worthy or Oscar-bait?