A Closer Look at the Best Original Screenplay Nominees

Now that we have covered the acting fields, it is time to look at the constructs of what makes those performances pop. First up is the Best Original Screenplay category that mixes modernist sci-fi (Her) with the AIDS epidemic (Dallas Buyers Club) and classy cons (American Hustle). It may even arguably be more interesting than the Best Adapted Screenplay category, as almost every selection on here provides an alternative view of American culture and chooses to explore the bigger themes of our lives. This is where the race becomes less solidified and the nominees are equally up for debate. Even then, this category is rather impressive and reflects what made 2013 a solid year for films.

The "Nebraska" Trailer Introduces Bruce Dern into the Best Actor Race

Left to right: Bruce Dern and Will Forte

While I made my preseason predictions a few weeks ago, I still feel like some contenders have yet to form themselves in the public consciousness. The most notable example of this is director Alexander Payne's follow-up to The Descendants called Nebraska. While I had posted statistics about the film and didn't rank it high, save for a nod for Best Actor for Bruce Dern, I am still eagerly awaiting the film as well as the trailer. Up until this morning, little was known about the film. Now with the release of some clips and the official trailer, it looks like Payne is back with a film reminiscent of About Schmidt.