Crime drama Winter's Bone is leading the charge for the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards after landing seven nominations.

Director Debra Granik's film, about a young woman's search for her drug dealer father, will compete for Best Picture against ballet movie Black Swan, starring Natalie Portman, James Franco's survival drama 127 Hours, Ben Stiller's Greenberg and Annette Bening's The Kids Are All Right.

Winter's Bone star Jennifer Lawrence will battle it out with Bening and Portman for Best Actress, in addition to Greta Gerwig (Greenberg), Nicole Kidman (Rabbit Hole) and Michelle Williams...

When it comes to Ben Stiller’s comedic roles, he tends to play dimwitted characters that are either totally bumbling or overly self-assured. Most people do not realize, however, that Stiller can also convincingly portray serious characters as well as his silly ones.

In preparation for his new dramedy “Greenberg” about an unemployed New Yorker searching for a new direction in his life, check out Stiller’s three greatest serious roles and three comedic ones:

KEEPING THE FAITH

Ben Stiller is perfect as the spiritual leader Rabbi Jake Schram in this romantic dramedy. The best friend of Fa...

On Thursday night I finally went to see “Crazy Heart” since it was still playing at one of my local theaters. While it’s not always the happiest film, it is grounded and real, like you’re actually following the life of a country musician addicted to the rock star lifestyle, despite being past his prime.

Jeff Bridges gives a deep and nuanced performance as the lead character Bad Blake, convincingly portrays a washed up country singer riding on fumes. Blake’s selfish behavior and penchant for the bottle alienate him from other characters in the film, but Bridges’ kind face and sense of hum...