Poolhall Junkies
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Movie Reviews of Poolhall Junkies
Movie Review: Not the best, but definetly not the worst.
Summary: 4 Stars
Ive played pool for a long time. Ive watched hustlers, ive learned some of their tricks. Callahan is a real life hustler. Alot of people dont know this, but he was trying to hustle co-author, Chris Corso, who in turn was trying to hustle him. Thats how they first met, and they became friends shortly afterwords, wrote pool hall junkies, and rushed it out. Their rush on the script does show. Theres no real thrilling plot, its just more of an inside look at a hustlers life. Not only are famous actors in it, but the man who played St. Louis Louie is Mike Massey. True pool fanatics allready know who he is, and thoose who dont know might be interested in looking him up. Most of the shots were either made by him or Callahan. Christopher Walken made that shot 100% by himself. In fact it was a just a rehearsal for that shot, but he told them to have the cameras ready just in case. Thats the amount of effort that all of the actors put into this movie, and that shows too. It is an excellent move for its budget, but for thoose of you who dont much care for pool, I wouldnt touch this movie, you wont appreciate it. For thoose of you who love playing pool, or just like to hustle people, this movie is as good as The Hustler. If anything, at least rent it to watch Walkens speech in the bathroom about how sometimes, when it seems people have forgotten, you have to show everyone that you are known as the best for a good reason. This movie made me jump, yell, laugh, and grit my teeth. My advice is, watch it during the beginning of the day, and get everything ready to shoot pool afterwards, because this movie is so energetic that you will have to play pool, no matter what your skill level is.Movie Review: Wanna be pool buffs????? Are you on crack dude.
Summary: 4 Stars
Hey, K. L. Proctor "klpcompudude"
First of all, the guy Mars Callahan is an actual player you moron! He wasn't just some guy off the streets that didn't know how to hold a stick! Maybe you should do research before you open your uneducated mouth about a subject, so you wont look stupid. For example:
You said, "Mike Massey wasn't on the movie" ?????? Man I don't know if I should laugh or cry to just how stupid you sound. He asked Mars Callahan's character if he was on the roster to play in a tournament then introduced Mars to his friends in a loby/bar in another part of the facility.
The hits just keep on coming, K.L ..The reason the Silver Spoons kid let the guy put all his balls in the pocket was so he could have a clear shot on all his object balls run the table and make it look like he doesn't have the upper hand, which in fact he did.. It was a con you idiot!!
Just because you saw acouple of black and whites, Know acouple names like Minisota Fats, and Jackie Gleason, doesn't make you an expert nor sound smart.
I'm 25 years old and been playing since I was 12. I've been to bars and played people who hustled me by pulling off shots you could only pay to see. I myself had hustled people as well. And by your post it sounds like you dont know what you're talking about regarding this movie, the game, and the people who play it!
And can you think outside the box and wonder to yourself, maybe he wanted to make an up dated version of those classic pool movies? Anyways people like you give me a head ach.
Movie Review: Entertaining, even without a mega-star leading...
Summary: 4 Stars
I initially heard about this movie in a pool league newsletter I get, however, I could never find it, and it never came around to Atlanta. I accidently found it the other day, and after watching it last night, I must say I like it the most of the few pool-based movies I've seen. It's a well produced/edited film, but doesn't have the glitzy commercial feel of a mega blockbuster.I liked the lead role played by Gregory Mars Martin (Callahan). I think it allowed me to focus a little more on the movie than on some mega star (read Cruise in Color of Money.. hated that one). Granted, his character didn't seem as deep as some of the others in the movie, I didn't think it detracted from the movie at all.
As for Rick Schroder, I agree with some of the other reviewers in saying he played the part of a cold, calculating (and quiet) hustler very well. He's made great in-roads into drama from his beginnings and hope to see more serious roles from him.
The other actors also helped move this movie along. Walken is in his typical supporting role (a little more of him would have been nice, though, given the sometimes dark mood of the movie).
Being an avid pool player myself, I enjoyed the scenes of the hustling (verbal and table play), and the trick shots. However, there was footage of some shots re-used a few times throughout the movie. And I didn't like the way it portrayed everyone as needing to drill every shot (minor nitpick).
In the end, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good pool/hustler movie.
Movie Review: Most of the others missed it.
Summary: 4 Stars
First, Mars seems to have written this movie for Walken - no wonder he seems to steal the show (well, no, he really does - it's WALKEN!). Second, Mars actually acts like Walken... he wrote dialogue that could have been written for Walken and he gives it like Walken.Finally, for the wannabe pool buffs, get over yourselves. You didn't even mention any of the famous players in the film - did you not even recognize them? Their acting wasn't very impressive but I enjoyed seeing them just the same. The one with the biggest part is Mike Massey (sp?) - a trick shot shooter (and gambler as I understand).
There are problems with the film, of course. The biggest being scenes that just don't seem to fit - like one where Johnny asks what to do for a shot, having left himself rough on the 8 ball. It doesn't work because of the dialogue, but also because I would expect someone that good to know what to do - how to play safe. For that matter, someone good enough to go on the tour (or road) should be able to cut the thing in (I could, and I suck)! Well, most honest pool players would say the scene still works simply because of the hustle that follows... very clever.
If you're some kind of "pool purest" and you've never put your cash on the lamp, you probably won't like the movie. If you're a fan of future cult films and poolhalls, at least rent it. Then watch it a couple of times - there are some great lines.
Movie Review: Decent underground movie, was pleasantly surprised.
Summary: 4 Stars
I wasn't really sure, when I bought this movie, what to expect. As I started to watch it I liked what I saw for its entertainment value. I've played pool and I've won money doing it so I have a small clue about what's involved in it. Movies are all about creating drama. When you see people shooting continuous 5 rail shots to win $80K, it's only for the heightened emotional effect. For those of you looking for "real life" in a movie, stick to the documentary genre. The shots are pretty and that's the hook/point. The acting is what you would expect given the names involved, though I still like the movie regardless of it. The scene in the bathroom between Walken and Callahan is a great one. Walkens monolog, done in one shot, shows why he continues to be ranked highly among wanted screen actors. Also Rod Steiger makes a last appearance in this film before his death.
The one thing I felt let down about was listening to the Directors Audio Commentary. Mars Callahan does the majority of commentary having directed and co-wrote the movie. After listening to portions of his diatribe and egomania concerning his acting, I lost the measure of respect I had gained for him from the film. Whether you do or not is dependent on your own outlook. Overall I would watch the film, but if you liked it and found it to be entertaining as I did, skip the commentary.