So if you make movies about people, exploring what it means to be human, that makes you "Oscar bait" and "overrated?"

I just watched Nebraska and thought it was very good. I usually don't care much for modern "talky" movies. I don't need all action, but having to assume too much about what a character (or worse a director) is thinking leaves a movie empty to me. Although quiet and subtle, this movie told a really great story and kept things moving.

Payne is a great filmmaker. I love Election, About Schmidt, and Sideways. However, I do think he has become sort of an Oscar-bait sellout director in all of his work after Sideways, though I did enjoy Descendants.

I actually watched only the descendants and Nebraska and liked both. I guess now I need to watch schmidt and sideways.
What I did like about descendants was the comedic side, I understand why people might disliked it because of cloony and his typical acting style that is over done and too sarcastic in a way. It didn't bother me.
Nebraska was painfully slow and annoying but it had it's beautiful ending and some funny moments once again. Its really about a matter of taste as far as his style of screenplay. I enjoy his movies.

I agree completely. I really like Schmidt and Sideways. The rest are mehespecially The Descendants.

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Personally, I think Sideways and About Schmidt weren't that good in the first place, so I'm not surprised I didn't particularly like Nebraska. I found The Descendants quite good though.
Haven't seen Election or Citizen Ruth yet, but until now I'm terribly underwhelmed by Payne's work but I can see why people like it (authenticity card, indie vibe).