The Gambler (2014)

Odds are there’s a gambler for nearly every decade on the big and small screens, from Tyrone Power in The Mississippi Gambler (1953) and James Caan in The Gambler (1974) to Kenny Rogers in The Gambler (1980) and Dominic West in The Gambler (1997). Of course, we can’t forget Mark Wahlberg in The Gambler (2014). Under the direction of Rupert Wyatt, this crime flick centers around Jim Bennett (Wahlberg). He’s a bit of an anomaly since he earns a living as a literature professor, yet also has a gambling addiction that gets him into some major trouble. With debts to Lee (Alvin Ing), the head of a gambling ring, and to loan shark Neville Baraka (Michael K. Williams), Jim must clean off his slate in seven days or he will be murdered. While he thinks about hitting up his class for cash, Jim convinces his mother (Jessica Lange) to front him the funds instead. But during a night out with his student Amy (Brie Larson), Jim gambles the money away. As a result, she is kidnapped and Jim is forced to ask his basketball-playing pupil (Anthony Kelley) to shave some points during a game. Needless to say, the titular character continues to gamble his life away. Luckily for us, Mr. Wahlberg manages to show off his hunky upper body on two different occasions — once in the bathtub and the other while taking a dip in pool. No doubt, the sight of Mark’s wet pecs will make a splash in your pants!