POOLHALL JUNKIES

[Kokopuffs]

IMHO that film is destined to become a cult hit. I just watched the DVD and think that it provides great entertainment. Some of the lines will bowl you over; they're hilarious. And the background music will put ants in your pants - much better than listening to the Color Of Money, you bunch of pocket pixies! :P

[parrothead]

I totally agree. The movie wasn't perfect, but I thought it was really fun. I was totally satisfied with it, I wish that they would release the soundtrack, but I couldn't find it anywhere.

[Kokopuffs]

A substantial portion of the soundtrack was music written and performed by James Brown.

[maughanm]

I rented it last weekend...didn't know it existed until I read about it on this forum. Great pool flick...some of the acting won't win awards, but I enjoyed the whole film....some great pool shots in it also....Yep, James Brown in the soundtrack....

[sellis]

IMHO that film is destined to become a cult hit. I just watched the DVD and think that it provides great entertainment. Some of the lines will bowl you over; they're hilarious. And the background music will put ants in your pants - much better that listening to the Color Of Money, you bunch of pocket pixies! :P

I, on the contrary, was not at all impressed with it. I find it takes a very distant 3rd to "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money". The acting was terrible, absolutely terrible. The only one to do a half way decent job was Walken and that's only because he is such a good actor he could do a good job with any mundane role. I tried to be open minded because a good pool movie would be good for the game of pool, but it just didn't hack it. The story line was very weak, ripping bits and pieces off from other movies such as "Rounders" which weren't a big hit in their own regard. Particularly pathetic was the seen where Walken and his niece come in with a briefcase full of money like knights in shining armor. Even the name "Poolhall Junkies" was awful, the first time I heard of the movie my first reaction was how good can this movie be if the people responsible for making it couldn't come up with a better name than that. Maybe the next movie they make will be "Golf Widow", the story of of a woman left at home by here golf fanatic husband who goes on to win the LPGA open.

This is just my opinion, but I think it is shared by a lot of other pool players. Oddly enough my 22 year old son who doesn't play pool enjoyed the movie, go figure.

[Tanar]

I do agree with sellis on the point that the acting was not so good. But really, what do you expect from a B movie that sat on the shelf for ten years before any movie company even considered making it? An then, it seems the only reason it got made was because Christopher Walken got on board. Although, I have to disagree about the movie title. I know what Poolhall Junkies is all about. I am one. I play in two leagues (on Wednesday and Thursday), I am usually practicing on Tuesday and Friday and there are usually small tourneys on Saturday. Even with all of that playing, on my days off I am still itching to get back to the pool hall and play around or find a money game. Now, to be fair and I am sure you are all wondering, I do have a full time job. I am just lucky enough that I primarily work by phone, so I can work it around my addiction. In my opinion, that is a pool hall junkie.

A friend of mine was raving about the movie saying it was one of the best pool movies made! so of course i had to watch it and even though it was B quality i thought it was AWESOME!!! I wish there were more movies with pool centered around it (what the hell pool is an awsome game WHY NOT MAKE A MOVIE???) There is only 3 pool movies that i know of The Hustler (which i haven't seen) and the color of money and those two are old as hell! :evil: Why can't they come out with a new movie umm da it is more than a good idea. Don't you think.

Anyway I Loved the movie the hustle seens were funny as hell. How someones situation went from bad to worse. I will own the movie as soon as i can find it for sale... nevermind just bought it now went to amazon.com.

[jonsbondgirl]

IMHO that film is destined to become a cult hit. I just watched the DVD and think that it provides great entertainment. Some of the lines will bowl you over; they're hilarious. And the background music will put ants in your pants - much better that listening to the Color Of Money, you bunch of pocket pixies! :P

I, on the contrary, was not at all impressed with it. I find it takes a very distant 3rd to "The Hustler" and "The Color of Money". The acting was terrible, absolutely terrible. The only one to do a half way decent job was Walken and that's only because he is such a good actor he could do a good job with any mundane role. I tried to be open minded because a good pool movie would be good for the game of pool, but it just didn't hack it. The story line was very weak, ripping bits and pieces off from other movies such as "Rounders" which weren't a big hit in their own regard. Particularly pathetic was the seen where Walken and his niece come in with a briefcase full of money like knights in shining armor. Even the name "Poolhall Junkies" was awful, the first time I heard of the movie my first reaction was how good can this movie be if the people responsible for making it couldn't come up with a better name than that. Maybe the next movie they make will be "Golf Widow", the story of of a woman left at home by here golf fanatic husband who goes on to win the LPGA open.

This is just my opinion, but I think it is shared by a lot of other pool players. Oddly enough my 22 year old son who doesn't play pool enjoyed the movie, go figure.

I have to agree with sellis. It was pretty bad. I also think it was overkill with the bank shots - I've never seen a real game or tournament situation with that many bank shots. I usually bank when I didn't leave myself with good position on the next shot.

[Kokopuffs]

Well I've never seen the volume of "trick shots" in real tournament play as I saw in both The Hustler and TCOM. And the acting was just fine with me and I found the film more humorous than the other two 'originals'.

[jonsbondgirl]

Can't really comment on TCOM since I fell asleep through it, but I don't think The Hustler was meant to be humorous. And according to the included commentary, it wasn't intended to be a pool movie either, LOL :)

Also, in The Hustler, they were playing straight pool - where "trick shots" are necessary to pocket balls that are stuck in a pack, or if you're looking for a nice breakout shot. I liked The Hustler better, probably because I prefer straight pool to 9-ball. Maybe that's it, who knows...

I liked it, but there are too many damn bank shots. They were banking it for the sake of banking and looking pretty. Many of those could have been cut easily.

[Tanar]

I think you also have to keep in mind that to a non-pool player, cut shots aren't as pretty as the bank shots. There seems to be some mistique about the bank shot that intrigues people.
If it was a real game, we all know the guy would get worked hardcore as bank shots are usually to be avoided unless they are the only option left.

[Kokopuffs]

It was just a humorous movie and some posters are looking for hard core reality.

[dags_lax]

IMO most movies are bad (it is difficult to flesh out characters and develop a plot in 90-120 minutes) , a few movies are good and even fewer yet are great. Now I haven't seen Pool Hall Junkies yet (one of these days) but from the time it spent in theatrical release I know it wasn't a popular movie although popular doesn't necessarily relate to good.

The Color of Money was a good movie but the real star was 9 ball and the characters were developed around it. The Hustler was a great movie with great characters. The pool hall culture wasn't the point of the movie, Fast Eddie's life was. The Hustler would have worked no matter what the game, be it poker, chess or whatever. I don't think you can say that about The Color of Money.

If you want to see a really cheesy pool movie check out Kiss Shot with Whoppi Goldberg. Another movie you may want to check out is the Baltimore Bullet.

[DZ314]

I like any pool movie. Poolhall Junkies was ok from the critic standpoint, and from the entertainment standpoint it was pretty good.