Quoting from a score of tough-guy classics like THE HUSTLER, MEAN STREETS, and ON THE WATERFRONT, Mars Callahan writes, directs, and stars in this saga of pool and redemption. Johnny (Callahan) is a natural ace player held back from the pro circuit by his greedy mentor Joe (Chazz Palminteri), who wants to keep him hustling in smoky pool halls. At the encouragement of his law student girlfriend (Alison Eastwood), Johnny tries to go straight. Of course he has a kid brother (Michael Rosenbaum) who idealizes him in all the wrong ways; when he winds up in big trouble, only Johnny can bail him out by going back to the life he left behind. Christopher Walken shows up and steals the show as a strange lawyer who bankrolls Johnny against Joe in the big game climax. Rick Schroder plays the pro Johnny must beat to save the day; Rod Steiger is the hall's grizzled proprietor.
POOLHALL JUNKIES is a lot of fun. Callahan's infectious love of the game shines through in every spectacular shot and Walken is at his bizzaro best. Fans of the films Callahan emulates should appreciate his heartfelt homage to cinematic coolness.
Theatrical Release Date: February 28, 2003 (NY/LA)
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 - English
Dolby Digital Mono 2.0 - Spanish
Additional Release Material:
Audio Commentary: Mars Callahan - Director/Star
Trailers: Original Theatrical Trailer
Stars
Chazz Palminteri: Actor/Screenwriter
Rick Schroder: American Actor, NYPD BLUE, SILVER SPOONS
Christopher Walken: Oscar-winning American actor, THE DEER HUNTER
Rod Steiger: American actor, IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967)
Michael Rosenbaum: Actor
Mars Callahan: Director, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Allison Eastwood: Actor, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Director
Mars Callahan: Director, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Producer
Tucker Tooley: Producer, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Vincent Newman: Producer, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Karen Beninati: Producer, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Screenwriter
Chris Corso: Screenwriter, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Mars Callahan: Director, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Composer
Richard Glasser: Composer, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Executive Producer
Norm Waitt: Executive Producer, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING (2002)
Executive Producer
Paul Brooks: Producer, WHITE NOISE (2004)
Director of Photography
Robert Morris: Director of Photography, POOLHALL JUNKIES (2003)
Review 1:
"...A tribute to the gritty character actor mojo represented not only by Mr. Walken but also by Chazz Palminteri and Rod Steiger in one of his last film roles..."
Source: New York Times
p.E17 02/08/2003
Review 2:
"...As a patchwork of some very fine scenes with some terrific acting by some of Hollywood's talented veterans, the movie succeeds..."
Source: Box Office
p.99 04/01/2003
Review 3:
"...POOLHALL JUNKIES has big moments of inspiration....It has movie-fan moments..."
Source: Chicago Sun-Times
p.27 02/28/2003
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