I took advantage of a light EPL and college football schedule and took in "Winter's Bone" on the Time Warner PPV. This is the indie movie from the summer that is starting to get the "little movie" push for some Oscar nominations.

It's actually quite good. Jennifer Lawrence dominates as the 17-year old Ree, mature way beyond her years, who is raising her brother and sister due to her having a zoned-out Mom and a meth-cookin' Dad. They live in the backwoods of the Ozarks, and yeah, despite the meth, they're dirt poor, too.

See, Dad is in trouble with the law and has a court appearance coming up. But, as part of his bond, he has signed over his home. When he doesn't show up, the bondsman says they probably have a week left in the house. Ree has to either find him to haul his ass back in or prove, what everyone thinks, that the guy is already dead and they can stay in their home. Her trek in finding him, gives us many surprises along the way.

Lawrence is real strong here. She's in virtually every scene and is terrific. She just wants to find out what happened to her Dad, but has to deal with a multitude of indifference, bullshit and violence along the way. I think a nomination would not be that surprising. But let's face it, so few have actually seen the film. John Hawkes is also very good in his few scenes in the supporting role as Lawrence's erratic uncle, Teardrop. Hawkes is more widely known as the brother of Kenny Fuckin' Powers on "Eastbound and Down", but gets back in the indie spirit here, delivering a great line here.

Ree: "I am always afraid of you."
Teardrop: "That's because you're smart."

Not for everyone and certainly not a must-see, for now. But come Oscar time, this one may show up again.

Meal of Links

Glenn Beck. Pants on fire. But go see his movie.

Groupon says no. To a $6 million offer from Google.

This made me laugh.

Exercise Yard

I was in and out of last night's MAC Championship Game. The old alma mater pulled one out of its posterior and got a miracle 4th down completion late. Followed by a TD off a Northern Illinois blitz that left a Miami receiver as open as Denny's. Miami then hung on for a 26-21 win.

So, Miami wins the title in 2010, after winning only 1 game in 2009. Let's see where they go bowling.

Visitor

37 Down: Critic Maslin (5 letters) Answer: Janet