In late 2022, I decided to do an impromptu D.F. on Alexander "Bring The" Payne, a contemporary director known for his satirical black comedies and dramedies. He's made at least two classics and, in general, most of his work is pretty great. These are sly dissections of life in Middle America with rich, nuanced characters featuring A+ screenplays, often co-written with partner Jim Taylor. Here is my current worst-to-first ranking with links back to the podcasts and reviews...
------------------------------
MEH TIER
------------------------------
7. The Descendants
6. Downsizing
------------------------------
SCHMIDT TIER
------------------------------
5. About Schmidt
------------------------------
NEAR-CLASSIC BLACK COMEDY TIER
------------------------------
4. Citizen Ruth
3. Election
------------------------------
VIBE WITH PAUL GIAMATTI IN SNOWY NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS MOVIE TIER
------------------------------
3. The Holdovers
------------------------------
STONE COLD CLASSIC TIER
------------------------------
2. Sideways
1. Nebraska
------------------------------