Every sport needs a movie.  Scratch that.  Every sport needs a great movie.  For pool, that movie is The Hustler (1961).  However, if you were born in the 80's and early 90's, you are probably more drawn to this movie.

     Johnny (Mars Callahan) is an amazing pool player being held back by his manager, Joe (Chazz Palminteri).  When he breaks from Joe, he and those close to him feel both Joe's wrath and Johnny's desire to become the best.  Enter a fat wad of cash from Uncle Mike (Christopher Walken), and you've got yourself a game, right there.

      While the acting leaves much to be desired, at least from Callahan, it still shines a cool ambivalent light on the game.  Plus, everyone shot the shots seen in the movie.  Ain't no stunt pool pussies up in this motha fucka.

 

     What Makes This Movie Cool: Christopher Walken and Chazz Palminteri.  What more can be said about these two greats, except watch everything that they've ever been in.  And then imagine them working against each other.  The moxy, the wise cracks, the exhuberant joy you get when you hear them talk.  It's what life is about, really.