My original weekend plan – a 10k race in Asheville and spending time with good friends – was rudely altered by foul weather. Rather than sulk under grey skies, I made the most of the time with some much needed R&R, including two movies: Winter’s Bone and Gangster Squad. Read on for my reviews:

Available on Netflix, Winter’s Bone starring Jennifer Lawrence, affectionately known as JLaw, hunts for her missing father in order to save her family. You may remember JLaw from Hunger Games and Silver Linings Playbook. The movie is excellent, dark and confrontational, about people whose lives are ruled by the decisions of others. You are also witness to the strength and love of a young person who has matured out of necessity and endures struggles most of us will never face. I was also struck by the similarity of the pretense of Winter’s Bone to Hunger Games: a young girl grown up too quickly, forced by tragedy to care for young sibling(s) and a “sick” mother, and willing to risk anything to protect her family. Watch this.

With surprising comedic moments, Gangster Squad proved better than I anticipated. However, there is not much new to report about a war between two tribes: the corrupt wealthy vs the loyal servicemen. We have all seen it, heard it, or read it before. In this particular installment, it does help that Ryan Gosling is easy on the eyes. I do wish that Robert Duvall had played the cowboy; I imagine him like he was in Lonesome Dove. There are other movies up for Oscars that I would recommend first, but if you are looking to be entertained, this will certainly do the trick.

Happy Watching!