Let me start by saying this is the best acting I've ever seen Gemma Arterton do, I had to check the credits to make sure it was indeed her. Sure she was playing a stereotypically degrading role but she did a very good job as Ivan Block's (Ben Affleck) human hand towel. The film overall was entertaining (though poorly edited) Justin Timberlake who plays the main character, a down on his luck graduate student who promotes gambling to pay off his debts and who the story is told via his character's narration seemed a little stiff in the beginning but loosened up as the plot went along. Affleck was effective as Ivan, a corrupt ponzi-scheming off-shore gambling CEO, with Anthony Mackie rounding out the cast as the FBI agent hot on their tails.

I get this movie maybe being a high 6 or low 7, but a 5.3?? That's just crazy! I loved most of what this movie offered. It had a great story line, in-depth characters, and a great setting. Honestly, I was just refreshed from having to see another sub-par superhero movie, but I digress. I really liked JT and Batfleck in this movie. Both of the characters had a lot of depth to them as well as some mystery. I'll give it to you that the ending was sort of predictable, but I didn't think that it made the movie any weaker.. I thought the Costa Rica and online gambling ideas that the movie was based on were really fresh, new, and something of worth. I also really enjoyed the corruption bits of it as well. The cast in this movie, I thought, did a really good job.. And every hole was filled pretty much. I don't know what else you really expect in a movie.

Greetings again from the darkness. I can sit in a theater and watch a mediocre movie, but when it comes time to write about it, there is no motivation or appeal. The most positive comment I can make is that it stars two very pretty men.

This one has "paycheck project" written all over it. Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake simply go through the motions as if someone is feeding them their lines through an ear piece. Gemma Arterton should never stoop to such a mundane and lifeless role ... though her hair and make-up are terrific. Only John Heard and Anthony Mackie come across as professional actors, and their minor roles are so limited, they barely register.

Writing partners Brian Koppelman and David Levien co-wrote the excellent Rounders, but this one merely teases the dark underbelly of online gambling. It has neither the depth, plot or character development that we would expect from a movie with this premise and cast. Director Brad Furman showed promise with The Lincoln Lawyer, but this one comes across as being rushed through production with faux-style.

The closest comparison I can come up with is last year's Savages, directed by Oliver Stone ... and even that one was more enjoyable. Rather than a MPAA warning for Language, I would prefer a heads-up whenever the filmmaking team really doesn't care much for the project. At least I could spend my money and time watching a different movie.