Poolhall Junkies poster & wallpaper

Alison Eastwood, Anson Mount, Chazz Palminteri

A talented pool hustler who has stayed out of the game for years, must go back to his old ways when his little brother gets involved with his enemy, the very man who held him back from greatness.

Flixster Users

89% liked it

4,296 ratings

Critics

34% liked it

44 critics

R, 1 hr. 34 min.

Directed by: Gregory "Mars" Martin

Release Date: December 31, 2003

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DVD Release Date: August 26, 2003

Stats: 1,250 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,250)

  • RiderOfTheStorms
    April 19, 2009
    RiderOfTheStorms
    A cool Movie with cool acting
  • QueenCityFilms
    February 5, 2009
    QueenCityFilms
    This movie was interesting. It had moments of brilliance. Then the very next scene showcased idiotic dialogue and moronic cliche. Then the scene after that would be crackling with witty banter. The scene after that would fall flat on its face...it's like two completely differ...( read more)ent people wrote half of the same script. Ending sucked for me, but that's just because of the lame "hustle" the main character pulled over Chazz Palminteri. All in all, a decent pool flick.
  • amodman
    September 14, 2008
    amodman
    A pretty fun underrated little piece.
  • DrZeek
    June 26, 2008
    DrZeek
    Mike: What do you call a thousand lawyers buried up to their necks in sand?
    Johnny Doyle: What?
    Mike: Not enough sand.

    A very fun movie about hustlers in the poolhall. There isn't much too it, a lot like the movie Rounders, but this doesn't take itself as serious.

    It's fun, ha...( read more)s a lot of cool pool shots that aren't fakes or done with camera tricks. It moves along quickly enough and there's also the help of Chris Walken stepping in and giving off some great lines.

    The story revolves around a young guy, Mike played by writer and director Mars Callahan, who has a natural gift at pool, but has been raised by a mentor, played by Chazz Palmenteri to hustle others.

    Mike attempts to break off his connections with the hustler life, but cannot help to continue playing pool. Through this he manages to meet his girlfriends uncle, played by Chris Walken who takes a liken to him.

    The movie eventually boils down to a showdown where Mike has to prove himself as a master pool player.

    Johnny Doyle: Bet twenty thousand!
    [the poolhall falls silent]
    Johnny Doyle: Oh, did I stutter? Everybody gone all quiet and shit? About a minute ago it was like an evening at the Apollo up in this motherfucker, now all of a sudden it's quiet as a church. That's all right, Chico, I don't blame you. I've been beatin' this Jimmy Walker lookin' motherfucker all goddamn night, he can't win.
    Chico: You'd better watch your mouth, Johnny!
    Johnny Doyle: You watch my mouth, Chico. 'Cause you sure as hell don't wanna watch me play pool. Unless, of course, I'm blind folded and hand cuffed with a pool cue stickin' out of my ass. Or maybe you'd bet the twenty thousand then?

    While the plot is pretty familiar, as I have mentioned, the movie is about having a good time watching it. Walken, in particular, seems to have fun with delivering the plot related lines with a slight smirk.

    The film also boasts a good soundtrack and enough style to make it standout a bit. Fun flick.

    Joe: How the fuck does that make you feel... to be in that position with all your money on the table?
    Mike: How much you got, Joe?
    Joe: What?
    Mike: Total. You put down 80 thousand like it didn't matter. That's a lot of money for somebody like you and him. I think it matters.
    Joe: What's the difference...
    Mike: I'm a millionaire! That's the difference. I lose 80 I get another 80. For me it doesn't matter. See, I think it's you... who's sweating this, the both of you.
  • BurtHarbinson
    September 18, 2008
    BurtHarbinson
    This is a good watch.. The Walken factor in this flick make it worth while.. thats about it.
  • roblindstrom
    October 10, 2009
    roblindstrom
    Top 3 Favorite Movies of all Time!!!
  • SirGenius
    September 5, 2009
    SirGenius
    I have to finish watching this.
  • eldinbalcinovic
    July 2, 2009
    eldinbalcinovic
    I'm a pool hall junkie myself, so this was a very educational movie for me. Not mention it was really good movie. Some of the dialogue was corny at times. Mars Martin's directing was good, with some great performances.
  • Liloh
    April 29, 2009
    Liloh
    You give me some Popcorn and a Chazz Palminteri Movie and now get the Hell outta here.
  • nickels4ya5
    September 19, 2008
    nickels4ya5
    Check this film out.

View All Poolhall Junkies Reviews

Critic Reviews

May 15, 2003
Colin Covert, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

This brash little indie is oddly endearing and fun to be around. full review

March 7, 2003
Nick Schager, Filmcritic.com

Dull and lifeless. full review

February 28, 2003
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Is this a great movie? Not at all. Is it more or less consistently entertaining? Yes. full review

February 27, 2003
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

Overplotted. full review

View more Poolhall Junkies reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments

  • Self1er
    August 31, 2007
    Self1er
    This movie is crazy,
  • potblack
    August 29, 2006
    potblack
    Finally, A great movie about pool. Fantasic.
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Poolhall Junkies Trivia

  • Name the movie with the following quote: Mike : What do you call a thousand lawyers buried up to their necks in sand??? Johnny: i don't know, what? Mike: Not enough Sand...  Answer »
  • I have appeared in all of these movies. Who am I? Wedding Crashers, Man on Fire, Kangaroo Jack, Poolhall Junkies, and Joe Dirt  Answer »
  • what movie has a song called redneck gigolo?  Answer »
  • What movie is this from? "Did you guys know, that the average penis size is 6.4 inches? And that the average vaginal canal is 7.9 inches.Therefore, in this country alone, there's over 17,000 miles of unused, virgin pussy out there."  Answer »
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