The biggest surprise of the 2011 Oscar nominations was the love shown to two films that have barely figured in the various critics' award lists and other award shows since the beginning of December: True Grit and Winter's Bone. Winter's Bone, a Sundance 2010 film that earned ravishing critical response but barely caused a ripple outside of the arthouse circuit, is the bigger surprise, earning nominations as best picture and for best actress (Jennifer Lawrence), best supporting actor (John Hawkes) and adapted screenplay.