The Gambler

In this remake of a 1974 film, James Caan, an English professor who is also a compulsive gambler, finds that the only people who will have anything to do with him are those to whom he owes money. Jim Bennett is a lecturer reeling from the death of his beloved grandfather. His all-or-nothing personality gets him in debt for more than a quarter of a million dollars to the no-nonsense Mr. Lee, who runs an illegal gambling den. Jim attempts to play his way out of the hole by borrowing money from vicious criminal Neville Baraka, but his strategy backfires and leaves him owing the latter as well. His wealthy mother initially refuses to give him any more money, which prompts Jim to make contact with Frank, a loan shark who offers to front him the cash he needs, but promises that failure to repay will lead to the death of his “bloodline.”At the same time, Jim teaches a class of college kids about Shakespeare and Camus. His best student, Amy, openly flirts with him, but he’s also preoccupied with trying to get through to Lamar, a star basketball player whom the university higher-ups want him to pass so he can continue to play. Director: Rupert Wyatt. Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Brie Larson, Jessica Lange, John Goodman, Emory Cohen. Rated: R. Time: 1:51.

Birdman swoops top prize; now in the running for an Oscar

Mexican director Alejandro G. Iñarritu’s film “Birdman” won top prize at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. As many of the members of the guild also vote for the Oscars, the consensus among critics is that the film is now front-runner for the coveted Best Picture award.