Chance: A Good Gamble Alexander Payne is no stranger to golden glory, what with his last film The Descendants not only being for Best Picture, but actually winning Best Adapted Screenplay in the same breathe. While his work might seem like a safe inclusion, it's more of a safe outside pick for each year. Payne's films aren't always accessible (even to Oscar voters) and they're so distanced in terms of release dates that the momentum of The Coens or Scorsese isn't quite there. Still, a character introspection is an Oscar trope, and it's one that doesn't seem too indulged upon this year. (Gravity and Inside Llewyn Davis seem to be the closest competition in that sort of subgenre.) Still, Bruce Dern has been gaining buzz for his performance, and the film managed a surprising nod for Best Comedy at the Golden Globes, which puts this movie in striking distance for a nomination. A win, however, is more of a gamble than a certainty.
Mike Reyes may or may not be a Time Lord, but he's definitely the Doctor Who editor here at What Culture. In addition to his work at What Culture, Mr. Reyes writes for Cocktails and Movies, as well as his own personal blogs Mr. Controversy and The Bookish Kind. On top of that, he's also got a couple Short Stories and Novels in various states of completion, like any good writer worth their salt. He resides in New Jersey, and compiles his work from all publications on his Facebook page.
