Negative Reviews For Runner, Runner Costa Rica's Infamous Crocodile Bridge Back In Spotlight (video)

[Mben]

Sure, much of the online gambling film Runner, Runner is a fictitious account of what really occurs in the mysterious multi-billion dollar industry. Set in the real world online gambling Mecca of San Jose, Costa Rica but filmed almost entirely in Puerto Rico, Runner, Runner goes a bit overboard in its depiction of the Web gambling world (literally in some cases).

Still, producers managed to feature one popular mainstay of the Costa Rica-based sector that Gambling911.com can confirm is indeed authentic ... the infamous Crocodile Bridge.

Costa Rica is becoming a tourist haven in recent years but we doubt you'll find the Crocodile Bridge in any travel brochures.Prior to the Central American nation constructing a highway two years ago that allows for a direct route from San Jose to the Pacific beach resorts, travelers could only access via precarious winding mountain roads with one way lanes. A two-hour trip has been cut to 45 minutes thanks to the new multi-lane highway.

But the old route is still highly recommended for first-time travelers as this is the only way to see Crocodile Bridge.

The Wall Street Journal got it a little bit wrong. In a scene the writers said was based on an unconfirmed anecdote that made the rounds in the industry, Mr. Affleck tosses turkey carcasses to a seething pack of pet crocodiles.

First off, Costa Rica doesn't have turkeys. The carcasses in question are that of chickens.Second, those crocodiles are not exactly pets.

The massive reptiles typically hang out right by the bridge for folks to get a great look.

Runner, Runner has thus far received poor reviews. It opens nationwide October 4 in the USA.

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[Mben]

Star Of Runner, Runner Says It Sucks

Can Runner Runner get any more bad press? It must be bad if even one of the stars says it sucks in not so many words! lolside note - I'll take $4 - $5 million to star in a bad movie any day! lol

Runner, Runner star Ben Affleck was so worried over the outcome of the online gambling flick that he brought in his go-to-film editor, Academy Award winner William Goldenberg, to spruce things up.

The film still bombed. Runner, Runner took in a dismal $7.7 million its first weekend in theatres. The Brad Furman movie involved a $30 million budget. Furman is rumored to have lost control of Runner, Runner during the filming.

By comparison, the Sandra Bullock-George Clooney film Gravity took in a whopping $55.6 million in its opening weekend. Affleck and co-star Justin Timberlake each were reportedly paid in the range of $4 million to $5 million for starring in Runner, Runner .

 

[Mben]

We thought this atrocious excuse for a film was behind us, straight to DVD and out of our memories for good but “Runner, Runner” is the gift that keeps on giving this holiday season apparently. For Costa Ricans, this cinematic disaster has sparked outrage with both the police and Minister of Public Security.

The film follows actors Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake portraying individuals tied up with the world of online gambling, an industry that has flourished in Costa Rica over the past 17 years.

Timothy Williams of InsideCostaRica.com writes:

Despite being released in the United States in October 2013, it seems Costa Rican officials have only now taken notice that the film portrays Costa Rican police officers, and the country in general, in a less-than-flattering light.

The film’s storyline, starring Ben Affleck and Justin Timberlake, follows Princeton grad student and online poker player, “Richie,” who travels to Costa Rica to confront an online gambling tycoon who he believes has swindled him.

In the film, Costa Rica is depicted as a haven for gamblers and drug addicts, a den of prostitution and the home of corrupt police and security officials.

But it’s the scene that depicts Costa Rican police as less-than-ethical that has sparked the most outrage. One scene has officers smoking cigars and romping around with prostitutes.

Costa Rica’s Minister of Public Security tells Inside Costa Rica that the filmmakers were unauthorized to use the police uniforms or insignia:

“Instead of drawing attention to our country for its flora and fauna, they tarnish the image of our civilian police,” Gamboa told reporters.

“It is a way of telling criminals and drug addicts that Costa Rica is perfect [for such behavior]. We want this regulated because you don’t play with our country.”

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In Latin America, the film was titled “Apuesta Maxima.” Watch the trailer below.