RUNNER RUNNER (2013) – My rating: 7.5/10

A student loses all of his college tuition on a popular website playing  on-line poker.  He discovers that he was cheated so he sets out to confront the owner of the web site and finds himself working in a web of crooked high rolling cheats.  Richie Furst played by Justine Timberlake, thought he was dealing with a legitimate, up front guy named Ivan Block, played by Ben Affleck, but soon found out differently.  This movie reminded me so much of “21” a movie starring Kevin Spacey as a teacher who teaches a special student how to win at gambling by counting cards so he could afford his college tuition.  I found Runner Runner to be very entertaining and well acted.  I could actually believe this kind of thing could happen.  There’s a lot of double crossing, deceit, action and drama in this movie.  I especially enjoyed Justin Timberlake’s performance as he has turned out to be a really good actor as well as an excellent singer and a great entertainer. I recommend that you  check it out on DVD.

 

 

 

 

 

RAKE – My rating: 8/10

I’m giving Rake a rating of 8 because it so entertaining, I can’t give it any less.  It’s wild, crazy and totally unrealistic.  It’s almost bordering on being a fantasy.   Keegan Deane  played by Greg Kinnar, is a lawyer with a gambling and sex problem.  He really belongs nowhere.  He’s estranged from his wife and son but remain friends.  He had a tiny practice, but lost it all to gambling debts that he still hasn’t paid.  He has more than his share of true friends and a very loyal assistant named Leanne Zander played by British actress, Tara Summers (best know for Boston Legal).  Deane has managed to have sex with every nationality of woman and from every walk in society, including a hooker that he is practically in love with.  He lives from pillar to post.  His best friend owns a law firm and has hired him to help get some of the less sophisticated cases resolved.   Keegan’s  antics are outrageous and he’s well known among the judges.  Despite his up-side down world, he seems to always win.  He’s smart, clever and extremely street smart.  I like this show because it makes me feel uninhabited and it makes me lmao.  I’ve always been a fan of Greg Kinnar and I’m happy to see his career taking off.  I really think if you’re looking for an escape from the everyday hum-drum series, get into Rake.  I’m not sure why it’s called Rake but I think it’s a keeper.  Rake currently airs on FOX. Rake has been cancelled — Maybe there’s just too many series on TV!

DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (2014) – My rating: 9/10

Nicely told.  Dallas Buyers Club is about a partying, drinking, drugging, gambling,  sex addicted cowboy who tested positive for AIDS.  Back in the 80’s the stigma was awful and information limited.  ATZ was the popular treatment, which actually did more harm than good.   Watching this cowboy’s life unfold was pure genius.  Matthew McConaughey portrayed this HIV positive cowboy brilliantly.  I didn’t know what to expect from this movie, especially since I had no idea what it was about.  I was schooled on so many levels and found myself extremely emotional due to his plight and the plight of many others who are going through living with this horrific decease.  I think Dallas Buyers Club is a must see film.  I won’t say it’s entertaining, given the subject matter but I will say it’s intense and informative.  Dallas Buyers Club is most defiantly worthy of an Oscar, I say check this one out!