Poolhall Junkies (2003)

All Johnny Doyle his younger brother Danny (Michael Rosenbaum) who it (Mars Callahan) ever wanted is to play pool against the best. He's got a mouth that won't shut up. For 15 years, his handler Joe (Chazz Palminteri) used Johnny to hustle pool and prevented him from entering tournaments. He tries to leave pool behind and go straight. When that turns sour, he goes back to pool. His girlfriend Tara (Alison Eastwood) hates him playing. His younger brother Danny (Michael Rosenbaum) thinks he's better than he actually is. He befriends Tara's boss Uncle Mike (Christopher Walken) by hustling a rival. Joe breaks Johnny's hand and has a new protégé in Brad (Rick Schroder).Mars Callahan's directing and acting is below par. However there is an audacious energy about this movie. He's shooting for both Swingers and The Hustler. Mars is nowhere near good enough to hit the target but he really tries. It's low budget indie with hard talk, real pool and some great actors. The big missing elements are a better director and a better leading man.

This is definitely the worst movie I have ever seen. I don't understand how this movie has a 6+ IMDb rating. There is nothing about this movie that is good. The plot is virtually non-existent, the acting is positively awful....I could go on and on. There is endless footage of guys making pool shots, but that's it. I think the actors were hired because they are good at pool, not because they can act. It is one of those movies you get entertainment out of because it is just that bad. What is the point of these reviews having to be more than 10 lines? I think I have written an expressive review that captures my feelings about this movie and hopefully dissuades people from watching this movie.

The critics hated this flick, which in some cases can be a blessing. If your rent check has ever been hanging on the end of your cue, you'll appreciate the story as well as the characters. The pool talent speaks for itself in this movie, while being used in enough scenes to keep your interest. There are a few superfluous side plots, but there's only so much you can do in a pool movie, especially if you want to keep it real. Its not hard to find a bad review for this one, but if you read some of the comments, it seems most people simply DON"T GET IT. Complaining that its like another movie (every pool movie) is as lame as panning movies about race cars because they aren't as good as Grand Prix or Winning. One submission actually suggested that Vince Vaughn would have been a better choice for the lead, so are we to be believe that Will Ferrell would have been a better choice for Chris Walken's role? Lets face it folks. Pool is not held in very high esteem, and Snooker is much too difficult for most to play or embrace the strategies and time requirements.Pool Hall Junkies is not the Hustler, nor was it intended to be. Its another movie with some good scenes, some decent acting by decent actors (although Ricky S would not have been my first pick for the protégé) and its considered a CLASSIC among some pro billiard players who don't pick it apart for its faults but rather enjoy it for its entertainment value. YES real Pros. Men and even some ladies from the WPBA tour. Some of the world's best were at the Premiere.And for the Vince V fans . . . . lets face it; the only actor in the world who is more 1 dimensional is Kevin Costner.Lemme think! Waterworld? The Postman? No thanks . . . Junkies blows 'em away. But then again, we're dealing with a public who is fascinated with the qualities of fast food eateries and Paris Hilton.

I don't know why I like this movie. But, I do. The whole quiet as a church line is retarded, I cringe every time it is said. I can't believe no one else brought that up. The shots are not all that hard, and if you watch closely some are unwarranted. Why take a fancy, hard shot when you have a duck in the corner. Your opponent will realize you are a good shot and that they are being hustled. Anyone who watched the hustler or color of money knows that you have to let the opponent think they are better than you. Pulling off crazy shots will impress them and make them not want to bet. Also, they make it sound like this guy has never left his hometown. If he is the "god of pool", why would anyone play him for money? All that said, I still like this movie and have watched it several times and will probably watch it in the future. I guess it is my guilty pleasure movie. Everyone's got one, this one is mine.