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5

TVJerryOct 7, 2013

Justin Timberlake plays a Princeton student who travels to Costa Rica to confront on-line gambling kingpin Ben Affleck about being cheated. When he gets there, he's offered a part in the game, which turns predictably sour and dangerous. WhileJustin Timberlake plays a Princeton student who travels to Costa Rica to confront on-line gambling kingpin Ben Affleck about being cheated. When he gets there, he's offered a part in the game, which turns predictably sour and dangerous. While there's nothing original, this film is adequate in style and performances. The pacing never lapses and the art direction is attractive. If you enjoy these actors and don't want to see anything else, you won't be bored. You won't be thrilled, either.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

ThegodfathersonOct 4, 2013

By far the biggest shortcoming of the film is the lack of interconnectivity between the gambling world and the characters in the movie itself. Early on, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the online gaming industry is captivating but the filmBy far the biggest shortcoming of the film is the lack of interconnectivity between the gambling world and the characters in the movie itself. Early on, a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the online gaming industry is captivating but the film never commits to maintaining the insight as the larger crime narrative locks into place. Throughout the film, Thurman attempts to remind viewers that Runner Runner is about gambling through heavy-handed metaphors and exposition that explain the connections between high-stakes poker and high-roller living but none of these ideas come full circle by the end as the story locks into a standard cat and mouse chase. As a result, gambling enthusiasts will likely conclude that Runner Runner is a shallow, and outright superficial, look at their hobby/business while anyone hoping for a sharp-witted look behind-the-scenes will find the film prioritizes generic story beats over innovative drama. Solid performances hint that, somewhere along the line, Thurman lost sight of any captivating hooks in his gambling thriller instead delivering a bland and familiar narrative that, given the on-the-nose messages about striving for greatness, ironically, takes very few risks.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

MovieGuysOct 5, 2013

Ben Affleck as some good appeal here, and JT is pretty decent as well, but the acting can't save this movie. It comes out strong at the beginning, but the plot becomes weak and muddled as the movie drags on. Both actors are just stranded inBen Affleck as some good appeal here, and JT is pretty decent as well, but the acting can't save this movie. It comes out strong at the beginning, but the plot becomes weak and muddled as the movie drags on. Both actors are just stranded in weak material here.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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5

MarcDoyleOct 8, 2013

It's not a terrible movie as many suggest- it's highly predictable, but Timberlake, Arterton and Affleck are fun to watch in this context. You've got gambling, sex, attractive people in pools, and a smart person negotiating his way out of aIt's not a terrible movie as many suggest- it's highly predictable, but Timberlake, Arterton and Affleck are fun to watch in this context. You've got gambling, sex, attractive people in pools, and a smart person negotiating his way out of a difficult series of circumstances. It's the ultimate popcorn movie that doesn't require much in the way of thinking. If you're up for that sort of thing, this should fill the bill.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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3

KadeemluvmusicOct 8, 2013

Although I'm not too sure with the chemistry between a Grammy-winning pop megastar and a Oscar-winning actor (who's going to be in the Man of Steel sequel as the new Clooney *ahem... Batman). JT has some huge talented skills, but he can't actAlthough I'm not too sure with the chemistry between a Grammy-winning pop megastar and a Oscar-winning actor (who's going to be in the Man of Steel sequel as the new Clooney *ahem... Batman). JT has some huge talented skills, but he can't act in a traditional style of a poker-esque movie. Runner, Runner has a list of great cast like Gemma Atkinson and Anthony Mackie, but there's nothing new in the movie. I feel very disappointed at Justin Timberlake's movie career status because he's not yet a full Hollywood A-lister and just like Taylor Kirsch and Colin Farrell and even Ryan Reynolds, he's just not making a name for himself when it comes to becoming a musician turned actor. Affleck's performance in Runner Runner is lesser than Gigli and more than Argo. But I think he took a few steps backwards before he even got nominated for his work in Argo. It was supposed to be a good thriller, but then again I just might go see "Gravity" instead. I think I should wait for a rental, but I don't wanna see Runner Runner right now. If you like poker movies, try "Leaving Las Vegas" or "Casino Royale" and maybe you're just in time to play the cards right.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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7

StriderKiwiJan 6, 2014

Occasionally bad or more appropriately named "convenient writing" aside, Runner Runner is simplistic hollywood entertainment. It never aspires to be anything super exceptional and it certainly doesn't dissappoint. It's weaker than 21, aOccasionally bad or more appropriately named "convenient writing" aside, Runner Runner is simplistic hollywood entertainment. It never aspires to be anything super exceptional and it certainly doesn't dissappoint. It's weaker than 21, a somewhat similar movie but it offers up enough enjoyment to make it worth seeing. The trailers spoiled some of the plot and i think this is the kind of movie that would be more enjoyable if you went in knowing nothing about it. A lot of the f-bomb dropping seems unnecessary. The acting is passable all around. It was interesting to see the soon to be Batman in a villain sort of role. I wouldn't say he did a great job as Ivan Block but I also wouldn't say he did a terrible job either. The romance side plot between Gemma and Justin is laughable at best. Gemma's character in general seems very token, much like every other side character. Justin Timberlake did fine. I've never felt like he was a bad actor so maybe that's why I'm ok with his performance. Some of the twists near the end were good, but there were also some things that happened that were kinda iffy near the end as well. Really it's as I said before, it's good entertaining movie, and absolutely nothing more. Not one single aspect about it is exceptional and only a couple things are bad about it. Ultimately, it's a movie that knows it needs to entertain, something many much higher profile movies tend to forget.… Expand