God's Not Dead

College freshman Josh Wheaton (Harper) is enrolled in a philosophy class.  His professor, Jeffery Radisson (Sorbo), is an atheist and requires all students to write "God is dead" and sign the paper so that they can move on to other topics.  All of the students in the class sign the paper, but Josh is a Christian and refuses to sign.  To complete the assignment, Josh will be given 20 minutes at the end of the next 3 classes to present his case to the rest of the class, with them deciding the ultimate victor.  If Josh loses, he will flunk the class.

Professor Radisson is convinced that Josh will not succeed and gives him another chance to get out of the assignment or the class.  Josh's family and girlfriend think he should drop the class and believe the debates are a waste, made to make Josh look foolish.  Josh is determined and seeks the advice of Reverend Dave (White), who encourages him to make a stand.  Josh's decision sends ripples throughout the community, causing others to take a stand.


I went to see this film opening weekend, and sat in a packed theater.  It was a great experience.  The film was much better than I expected it to be; the trailers don't do it justice.  The story is based on actual experiences at college campuses, which scroll across the screen at the end of the film.

The title also comes from a song by the Newsboys called "God's Not Dead (Like a Lion)".  The Newsboys make an appearance in the film, and sing the title song in a concert in the film.  Duck Dynasty Star Willie Robertson and his wife Korie Robertson appear as themselves.

The film was produced by Pure Flix Entertainment and is their first big film, they have released several other smaller films over the years.  The story felt genuine and threw in a few curves along the way.  The cast is great.  Most message boards bash the film, but there is also a huge audience for this film (it did well in the first week of release).

A convicting film, that is definitely worth seeing.

God's Not Dead (2014) 113 minutes
Rating: PG for thematic material, brief violence and an accident scene
Director: Harold Cronk
Starring: Kevin Sorbo as Professor Jeffery Radisson
Shane Harper as Josh Wheaton
David A.R. White as Reverend Dave
Benajmin Ochieng as Reverend Jude
Cory Oliver as Mina
Hadeel Sittu as Ayisha
Trisha LaFache as Amy Ryan
Dean Cain as Mark
Paul Kwo as Martin Yip

Baggage Claim

"Montana comes from a long line of flame-retardant women. She'll be just fine."
"Flame retardant?"
"He surprised me."

Montana Moore (Patton) is unlucky in love.  Her job as a flight attendant keeps her busy, and all of her boyfriends are duds.  When her younger sister, Sheree (Lauren London) gets engaged, Montana is under increased pressure from her mother, Catherine (Jones) to settle down.

She doesn't want to show up at her sister's wedding alone, so she schemes with her best friends Gail (Scott) and Sam (Brody).  During the next 30 days, they will make sure she is on any flight with one of her exes, hoping that something will rekindle.


There is no limit to simple chick flicks.  They are predictable, but there is something comforting by knowing the outcome early in the film.  This film falls into that category, entertaining but predictable.  Paula Patton is a a charming lead.  No matter how you feel about her quest for a husband, you can't help but cheer for her.  She has been successful in action flicks (Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol) and chick flicks (Hitch and Jumping the Broom), and will probably continue to jump back and forth between the 2 genres.

Her suitors are equally entertaining.  Taye Diggs stands out as Langston Jefferson Blight III, the politician.  He is funny and memorable.  Tremaine Neverson, also known as rapper Trey Songz, is entertaining as Damon Diesel, the record producer... Derek Luke and Djimon Hounsou are charming in their respective roles.  But the best characters are Jill Scott's Gail and Adam Brody's Sam.  They are usually fighting about something and get funny interactions with each other and Patton.  Love that they are the final scene of the film.

Mindless fun.

Baggage Claim (2013) 96 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for
Director: David E. Talbert
Starring: Paula Patton as Montana Moore
Derek Luke as William Wright
Taye Diggs as Langston Jefferson Blight III
Boris Kodjoe as Graham
Tremaine Neverson (Trey Songz) as Damon Diesel
Jill Scott as Gail
Adam Brody as Sam
Jenifer Jones as Catherine Moore
Djimon Hounsou as Quinton Jamison

Veronica Mars (2014)

"I need your help, Veronica."
"I don't really do that anymore."

Nine years after leaving her home in Neptune, CA, Veronica Mars (Bell) is about to become an attorney at a prestigious law firm.  Before she can accept the position, a former high school classmate, Bonnie DeVille (Andrea Estella) is murdered.  The top suspect is Veronica's ex Logan Echolls (Dohring), who was dating Bonnie.  Veronica agrees to come home and help the investigation.

Back in Neptune things haven't changed.  There is still a divide between the 09ers and the working class, and the new sheriff, Don Lamb (Jerry O'Connell), and his cronies are corrupt... and it's time for her 10 year reunion.  As the stakes get higher can Veronica save Logan and her friends?


Veronica Mars was a great TV show that had / has a strong following.  It was never a huge hit, but the the fans, also known as Marshmallows, were loyal and continued to ask for a follow-up.  I discovered the show shortly after it was cancelled, and immediately fell in love.  When creator Rob Thomas announced the Kickstart campaign in March 2013, I was among the fans that donated to the film.  During the last year, this film has topped the my most anticipated films and I looked forward to the day the film premiered.

I loved it!  The story is a love letter to fans, that delivers what you want to see: Veronica back in action, your favorite characters from the show, and the sharp dialog.  It feels like going home; the more things change, the more they stay the same: the characters have grown and "matured" over the years, but they are still the people you remember.  There are also some jokes for the fans, related to the Kickstarter campaign and the FBI years, and the cameos are great.

That being said, the film will be harder to follow for people that are new to Veronica Mars.  If you haven't see the show, check it out prior to seeing the film.

As usual, Kristen Bell is awesome.  Love her as Veronica.  She still has great chemistry with Enrico Colantoni, as her father, and Jason Dohring, as Logan.  Ryan Hansen is hilarious as Dick, and will get a web show (about Hansen trying to get a spin-off about his character).  I wish Percy Daggs III, Tina Majorino, and Francis Capra had more screen time, but enjoyed seeing them and all the other regulars.

The story draws you in and leaves you with questions, possibly setting up future Mars adventures.  Thomas wrote a book sequel "The Thousand Dollar Tan Line", and he and the cast are all interested in returning to the characters again.  Here's to hoping for a 2nd film or miniseries!

Veronica Mars (2014) minutes
Rating: PG-13 for sexuality including references, drug content, violence and some strong language
Director: Rob Thomas
Starring: Kristen Bell as Veronica Mars
Jason Dohring as Logan Echolls
Krysten Ritter as Gia Goodman
Ryan Hansen as Dick Casablancas
Franics Capra as Eli "Weevil Navarro
Percy Daggs III as Wallace Fennel
Chris Lowell as Stosh "Piz" Piznarski
Tina Majorino as Cindy "Mac" Mackenzie
Enrico Colantoni as Keith Mars

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

"Any last advice?"
"Stay alive."

A year after winning the Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen (Lawrence) and Peeta Mellark (Hutcherson) are preparing for their victory tour of the districts.  They are supposed to distract the districts and continue to act in love.  Rebellion is in the air and President Snow (Donald Sutherland) makes it very clear that there is a price to messing up the tour.

After the tour, it is time to prepare for the 75th Hunger Games.  Since it is Quarter Quell, there are new rules: this year, the victors will compete again.  Once again Katniss and Peeta are chosen to enter the Games.  They are joined by heartthrob Finnick Odair (Claflin), bitter Johanna Mason (Malone), and other favorites.  Can they forge alliances and survive the games, or are the stakes too high?


As I mentioned in my post about the first Hunger Games film, I loved the books by Suzanne Collins.  This book was my favorite, and I was excited to see what the new director (the first was directed by Gary Ross) would do.  Francis Lawrence and the writers brought the world of the book alive.  They really highlight the difference between life in the Capitol and life in the Districts.

Like the first film, they add some elements to the film / story, mostly with conversations between Snow and the Game Makers.  It adds an element that wasn't necessary in the books, but just enhances the film.  Once again Jennifer Lawrence brings an intensity and likeability to Katniss.  Elizabeth Banks is funny, and and more dimensional, in the film (love her costumes).  The rest of the returning cast are great, and the new people are welcome additions.  Sam Claflin (Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Snow White and the Huntsman) is the perfect choice for Finnick, which I did not expect.  I love Jena Malone as Johanna and look forward to seeing her more in the next films.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman is great as Heavensbee.

The effects are better here, but the fights are less memorable.  The film ends at the right moment and leaves you anticipating the next film (the third book is being split into 2 films: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2).  It will be interesting to see how they handle the next 2 films... there is some heavy material and it could be hit-or-miss on screen.  This was a solid second effort, an improvement from the first and still an enjoyable ride.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013) 146 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some frightening images, thematic elements, a suggestive situation and language
Director: Francis Lawrence
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
Woody Harrelson as Haymitch Abernathy
Elizabeth Banks as Effie Trinket
Sam Claflin as Finnick Odair
Jena Malone as Johanna Mason
Jeffrey Wright as Beetee Latier
Phillip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch Heavensbee

Austenland

"No, you make me nervous"

Jane Hayes (Russell) is a huge Jane Austen fan.  After getting dumped by her boyfriend, she decides to spend all of her savings on a trip to Austenland, a British resort that offers total immersion in the Regency era.  The resort is run by Mrs. Wattlesbrook (Seymour) who requires that all guests leave behind anything that is out of the period, like cell phones, to fully experience a week in the Regency era.  They are given new names and backstories and are courted by actors in costume.  The week culminates in a grand ball.

Jane is given the pseudonym of Jane Erstwhile and is joined by Miss Elizabeth Charming (Coolidge) and Miss Amelia Heartwright (King).  Their time is spent in the company of Mrs. Wattlesbrook, her husband (Vansittart), and the actors: Colonel Andrew (Callis), bored Mr. Henry Nobley (Feild), and Captain George East (Whittle).  Each of the actors fills a role, and is to court one of the ladies, but Jane feels drawn to stable man Martin (McKenzie).  Can she find true love?



I have loved Jane Austen novels since high school / college.  At this point I've only read Pride and Prejudice and Sense and Sensibility.  I have plans to read her other novels (I've seen film versions of Emma, but I don't know much about the others), but haven't done it yet.  I am by no means an expert, but I enjoy her works.

The film is based on the 2007 novel "Austenland" by Shannon Hale.  Hale wrote the novel, as a fan, for major Austen fans.  The novel was popular and caught the attention of director Jerusha Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), and author Stephenie Meyer, who stepped in as a producer.

It is an entertaining chick flick with a likeable cast.  Keri Russell is a strong lead, with some funny moments.  J.J. Feild is a strong Darcy-esque character, and works well here.  Jennifer Coolidge is hilarious, if a bit over the top.  Georgia King is also over the top, which just makes everything a little more ludicrous, but it works.  There are lots of laughs and it is just a fun, care-free flick.

Austenland (2013) 97 minutes
Rating: PG-13 for some suggestive content and innuendo
Director: Jerusha Hess
Starring: Keri Russell as Jane Hayes
J.J. Feild as Mr. Henry Nobley
Bret McKenzie as Martin
Jennifer Coolidge as Miss Elizabeth Charming
James Callis as Colonel Andrew
Georgia King as Miss Amelia Heartwright
Ricky Whittle as Captain George EastJane Seymour as Mrs. Wattlesbrook
Rupert Vansittart as Mr. Wattlesbrook

Sexy Evil Genius

"Nikki doesn't steal hearts, she eats them."

A group of strangers are brought together at a bar by their ex girlfriend, Nikki Franklyn (Sackhoff).  Nikki is gorgeous, spontaneous and certifiably insane.  None have seen Nikki recently and they don't know why she invited them to the bar.  As they wait for Nikki to arrive, the reminisce about their relationships with Nikki.

Zachary Newman (Green) is the first boyfriend, first love.  He used to be adventurous, but now works a dead-end job that he hates.  Miranda Prague (Trachtenberg) met Nikki in rehab, and they saved each other.  Marvin Coolidge (Perrineau) is a jazz musician.  And Bert Mayfaire (Baldwin) is her current beau and lawyer.  As the night progresses Nikki's true motive for the gathering comes to light.

I discovered this flick while browsing in Netflix, and based on the caliber of the cast, decided to give it a try.  It is a fascinating indie film that keeps you guessing.

The cast are well-known figures in sci-fi / geek culture.  I have loved Seth Green since his time on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and his show Robot Chicken is hilarious.  Michelle Trachtenberg is also a Buffy alum, and has been on TV / in films since childhood, where she was best known for TV's Pete & Pete and the film Harriet the Spy.  Katee Sackhoff was in Battlestar Gallactica (which I still haven't watched, but still plan to).  Harold Perrineau was on Lost and in the Matrix films.  William Baldwin has appeared in numerous films, including Flatliners, and TV shows.  They all work well together and are the perfect people for this film that relies heavily on characters talking.

An entertaining film that hasn't / won't receive the kind of publicity it deserves.

Sexy Evil Genius (2013) 91 minutes
Rating: R for language
Director: Shawn Piller
Starring: Seth Green as Zachary Newman
Michelle Trachtenberg as Miranda Prague
Katee Sackhoff as Nikki Franklyn
Harold Perrineau as Marvin Coolidge
William Baldwin as Bert Mayfaire
Anthony Michael Hall as Mark Von Dutch

Rush (2013)

"A wise man can learn more from his enemies than a fool from his friends."

In 1970, two talented young drivers spin out at a Formula Three race.  British playboy James Hunt (Hemsworth), is impulsive, while Austrian Niki Lauda (Bruhl) is calculated and focused on winning.  Their encounter on the track leads to a consuming rivalry.

Lauda begins racing in Formula One, where he is teamed with Clay Regazzoni (Favino).  Eventually they join the Ferrari racing team.  Lauda's success causes Hunt to start taking racing more seriously.  His team, Hesketh Racing, closes shop and he begins driving for McLaren.  Their rivalry comes to a head as they battle for the top spot in the 1976 season.


I should preface this by saying, my father is a huge racing fan.  He loves Nascar racing (which I mentioned when I wrote about Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby), Indy, Formula, etc.  He has even published a few ebooks about racing.  Despite my best intentions, I have absorbed a decent amount of information about racing and almost enjoy watching it now.  I ended up watching this film with my father, who remembers the rivalry between the drivers, and Niki Lauda's crash.

According to racing fans, this is the most accurate racing film.  They used vintage race cars or replicas and filmed at tracks to add to the authenticity.  The film also strove to stay historically accurate, making minor changes to add to the film narrative / suspense.

Daniel Bruhl and Chris Hemsworth are great in their role.  Both had the opportunity to meet Niki Lauda, and to research the men that they portrayed.  And both delivered strong performances of fascinating men.  Both Lauda and Hunt come across as entertaining and driven men, and the film doesn't shy away from showing the bad in each as well as the good.  The women don't get to do much.  Olivia Wilde gets prime billing, but doesn't appear in most of the film.  Alexandra Maria Lara is in more of the film, as Lauda's wife Marlene, and she is a more entertaining character.  All the other women in the film are treated as accessories.

A strong racing movie, that is based on actual events... and that does not suffer from the viewer knowing the outcome of the rivalry or the racing season.  Kudos to the cast and crew.

Rush (2013) 123 minutes
Rating: R for sexual content, nudity, language, some disturbing images and brief drug use
Director: Ron Howard
Starring: Chris Hemsworth as James Hunt
Daniel Bruhl as Niki Lauda
Olivia Wilde as Suzy Hunt
Alexandra Maria Lara as Marlene Lauda
Pierfrancesco Favino as Clay Regazzoni

Oscar Picks 2014

It's time to predict the outcome of the 2014 Oscars.  This is my 8th year of predictions!  Last year i saw 15 of the nominated film, and correctly predicted 7 of 8 categories (I don't predict all of them).  This year I saw 13 films (for the full list of nominees, go to the Academy Awards website):

The Act of Killing
All Is Lost
American Hustle
Captain Phillips 
The Croods
Cutie and the Boxer
Despicable Me 2
Frozen
Iron Man 3
Nebraska
Saving Mr. Banks
Star Trek Into Darkness
20 Feet From Stardom

Iron Man 3 is nominated for Best Visual Effects
Saving Mr. Banks is nominated for Best Original Score
Star Trek Into Darkness is nominated for Best Visual Effects

Alright, let's get to the main event:


Best Supporting Actor

Barkhad Abdi, Captain Phillips
Bradley Cooper, American Hustle
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Jonah Hill, The Wolf of Wall Street
*Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

...who will win... Jared Leto

...who should win... Barkhad Abdi

At this point, Jared Leto has cleaned up at all the award shows.  I still haven't see Dallas Buyers Club, but he is the front runner to take the prize.  Bradley Cooper was good, but not good enough to take the prize.  I haven't seen Michael Fassbender or Jonah Hill's performances, but they aren't showy enough to take it.  I was most impressed by Barkhad Abdi in Captain Phillips.  He commands the screen, even from a screen veteran like Tom Hanks.  He is the only person that could upset Leto's victory.

Best Supporting Actress

Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Jennifer Lawrence, American Hustle
*Lupita Nyong'o, 12 Years a Slave
Julia Roberts, August: Osage County
June Squibb, Nebraska

...who will win... Jennifer Lawrence or Lupita Nyong'o

...who should win... Lupita Nyong'o

This is a two-way race between Jennifer Lawrence and Lupita Nyong'o.  They have been taking turns winning awards, so it could go either way.  Lawrence was good in American Hustle, but the momentum is with Nyong'o.  I haven't seen 12 Years a Slave, but every review praises her performance.  I think the award is hers to lose.  I loved June Squibb in Nebraska, but it isn't a showy enough part to win.  The other 2 aren't even on my radar.

Best Actor

Christian Bale, American Hustle
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Leonardo DiCaprio, The Wolf of Wall Street
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
*Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

...who will win... Chiwetel Ejiofor

...who should win... Chiwetel Ejiofor

I haven't seen 12 Years a Slave, but I expect Chiwetel Ejiofor to take home the prize for his role.  He is a talented actor that I have loved in numerous films over the years.  I don't see how anyone else can win this.  Matthew McConaughey won the Golden Globe for his role, and I will admit that I'm impressed with his recent film choices... he has won at other award shows and might be the front runner at this point, but I'm still calling Ejiofor.  Christian Bale is always great... Bruce Dern is great in Nebraska, but I don't think it's the right year for either.  Not sure what to say about Leonardo DiCaprio, he really shines in Martin Scorsese films, but this isn't his year.

Best Actress

Amy Adams, American Hustle
*Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine
Sandra Bullock, Gravity
Judi Dench, Philomena
Meryl Streep, August: Osage County

...who will win... Amy Adams

...who should win... Amy Adams

Cate Blanchett is a great actress, but right now there is so much scandal with her director (Woody Allen), so I think that will hurt her chances.  I enjoy Sandra Bullock, but I think Gravity will take other awards (like director and some technical awards), and someone else will take the statue.  Judi Dench and Meryl Streep are recurring nominees, but their films didn't do as well as the other 3 nominated.  I think this is Amy Adams year.  She delivers a captivating performance in American Hustle and should take home the statue.

Best Director

*Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
David O. Russell, American Hustle
Martin Scorsese, The Wolf of Wall Street

...who will win... Alfonso Curan

...who should win... Alfonso Curan

All great directors and worthy films... but I don't see much competition.  Alfonos Cuaron will win for all the work he put into Gravity.  The film had the potential to bomb in a huge way, or be a major success.  He made the right choices and will be rewarded for his risks.  Steve McQueen might be an upset, but I'm still calling Cuaron.

Best Animated Film

The Croods
Despicable Me 2
Ernest & Celestine
*Frozen
The Wind Rises

...who will win... Frozen

...who should win... Frozen

Never bet against Disney.  Frozen is a beautiful film, visually stunning with a strong story.  The cast is incredible and the songs are catchy and memorable.  It's a slam dunk for Disney.  I enjoyed all the films in this section (I'm still waiting for Ernest & Celestine and The Wind Rises to come to Netflix).

Best Documentary 
*20 Feet from Stardom

The Act of Killing
Cutie and the Boxer
Dirty Wars
The Square

...who will win... 20 Feet from Stardom

...who should win... 20 Feet from Stardom

This is the first time I made an effort to watch the documentary nominees...  I couldn't force myself to watch Dirty Wars or The Square, which I'm sure are great films but are too political for my tastes.  The Act of Killing is also political, but sounded very interesting.  I genuinely enjoyed 20 Feet from Stardom and Cutie and the Boxer, which renewed my faith in documentaries as a whole.  They are interesting and offer some hope.  I would love to see 20 Feet from Stardom win... and most people seem to like it, so I think it stands the best chance.

Best Picture

*12 Years a Slave
American Hustle
Captain Phillips
Dallas Buyers Club
Gravity
Her
Nebraska
Philomena
The Wolf of Wall Street

...who will win...12 Years a Slave

...who should win... 12 Years a Slave

Philomena and Her, should be proud of the nominations.  The Wolf of Wall Street, Dallas Buyers Club, and Nebraska are strong films, with great casts.  American Hustle is gaining steam, but I don't see it winning.  Gravity will win best director.  12 Years a Slave is a film that is hard to watch, but has been considered the front runner since the beginning.  The Academy will give it the win for showing a ugly part of American history.

I would like "Get a Horse" (pictured above) to win Best Animated Short, because it was fun and directed by a woman.  I would also like to see "Let It Go" from Frozen win Best Original Song, because I loved that film and the song is awesome... but I don't know enough about the other contenders in either category to officially call them the winners.

EDIT: 6/8
I didn't actually watch the Oscars this year.  I wasn't feeling well and fell asleep before the show even started.  That said, I'm ok with Matthew McConaghey's win.  Still disappointed Amy Adams didn't win.  Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez were adorable and I loved their rhyming speech (and loved that he is now an E.G.O.T. winner).

Nebraska

"I never knew the son of a bitch even wanted to be a millionaire! He should have thought about that years ago and worked for it!"

Woody Grant (Dern) is determined to go to Lincoln, Nebraska to collect $1 million he won in a sweepstakes, by any means necessary.  The letter Wood received, which is always with him, is a mail scam to promote purchasing magazines.  Woody refuses to listen to his exasperated wife, Kate (Squibb), and sons, Ross (Odenkirk) and David (Forte).  Kate and Ross want to place Woody in a retirement home, since his persistent alcohol abuse is messing with his mind.  David is against the plan and agrees to drive Woody to Lincoln.

Woody is a man of few words, but is adamant that they reach Lincoln as soon as possible.  Along the way they stay a few days in Woody's home town of Hawthorne, Nebraska, staying with Woody's brother Ray (Rance Howard).  Soon everyone in town knows about Woody's winnings and everyone wants a piece of the money... even though David tries to convince everyone that there is no money.


This is one of the few Oscar nominated films that I was really excited to see.  I loved that it was filmed in black and white, and I enjoyed director Alexander Payne's film The Descendants.  I had high expectations for the film and was thrilled when it finally became available to rent.

I love this film!  The black and white film is beautiful, with incredible cinematography (which is nominated for an Oscar).  The story (which is nominated for an Oscar for "Best Original Screenplay"), is compelling - heartbreaking and funny.  I love the way AFI explains the film (which was considered one of the Top Ten films of 2013):

paints a stark portrait of Midwestern America – a Rockwell drained of both color and nostalgia, but nonetheless infused with astounding depth and sentiment. Shadows cast with austere beauty by director Alexander Payne reveal innumerable shades of gray in the film's characters – evoking empathy, if not sympathy, for an embittered family on an unlikely pilgrimage

The story is accentuated by the stellar performances of the cast.  Bruce Dern is great as Woody.  For a man that became a household name for playing interesting bit parts, he is the perfect lead for this film.  He leads the film without saying much, making the words he actually says even more powerful.  Will Forte, best known for his time on Saturday Night Live, may not be the conventional choice here, but he is great.  You believe he is the character.  My favorite character was June Squibb's Kate.  She is hilarious and lights up the screen.  Hopefully she will appear in even more films in the future.  Stacy Keach is the perfect slimy character and Bob Odenkirk is great, as usual.  I loved all the scenes with Woody's brothers, all men of few words, especially Rance Howard (father of Ron Howard and Clint Howard) as Uncle Ray.

Dern and Squibb are nominated for Oscars for their performances, as is director Alexander Payne, and the film itself, giving it 6 total nominations.  The film isn't as flashy or political or historical, but it is a beautiful film that ends on a hopeful note.  My favorite, non-animated, film for this year's Oscars.  It probably won't win a lot, but it was a great film.

Nebraska (2013) 115 minutes
Rating: R for some language
Director: Alexander Payne
Starring: Bruce Dern as Woody Grant
Will Forte as David Grant
June Squibb as Kate Grant
Bob Odenkirk as Ross Grant
Stacy Keach as Ed Pegram