Director Brad Furman, who also directed the excellent "Lincoln Lawyer" left me feeling a bit disappointed. Maybe it was his casting choices; I'm not sure. This is an R-rated flick about gambling and as we know, "the house" always wins.

We watch:

• * Ben Affleck ("Argo") as Ivan Block, a sly offshore entrepreneur who runs "the house." He is charming and ruthless. His two hobbies are sailing his yacht and feeding his pet alligators.
• * Justin Timberlake ("Trouble With the Curve") is Richie Furst, a clever on-line gambler who spots some cheating on Block's website. He knows a gambler who owns "the house" has no need to cheat, so tracks down Block to let him know one of his employees has tweaked the program.
• * Gemma Arterton ("Quantum of Solace") is set decoration for most of this 91-minute crime drama, although she does play a key role...eventually...
• * Anthony Mackie ("Pain and Gain") is FBI Agent Shavers, an ambitious but frustrated fellow who has no jurisdiction on the Caribbean island where most of the action takes place.
• * John Heard (Lots of TV) is our hero's father, an inveterate gambler who becomes a pawn in Block's chess game.

This one had me (almost) covering my eyes as foreshadowing threatened to become reality. Expect lots of profanity, some gunfire and fisticuffs but no blowie uppie stuff. In my opinion, Timberlake will have to keep looking for a vehicle that will make him look good....