Rating: 
Summary: Pool Hall Skunks.....
Review: Oh what a stinker........
I had high hopes for this film -- especailly since I had been hearing about it from Mike Massey on and off for a year or so. Mike was convinced that this was going to be bigger than the Color of Money. Fortunately Mike knows a lot more about pool than he does about acting and his skills on the table will keep him and Francine fed.
From top to bottom this movie was a self-serving skunk and probably did more to hurt the image of pool than even Earl Strickland does.
The plot was thin. The shooting not much more than trick shots and every third word was f**k. Not a movie I could take my kids to or even my wife.
Give it a miss
Rating: 
Summary: Saved by Christopher Walken ...
Review: Ok, I really liked almost everything about the movie: the story, the pace, the pool shots, and most of the actors. That is except for the star. He is a good writer and he is a better director, but he is plastic on screen. Still, this movie was very enjoyable, especially whenever Christopher Walken was onscreen. Also, I was really impressed with Michael Rosenbaum (Lex on Smallville). He is going to be huge one day.
Rating: 
Summary: The Hustler meets Rocky and Diner
Review: Poolhall Junkies is a very uneven mixture of styles, moods and movie cliches that is nevertheless quite entertaining at times, thanks mainly to the talents of veteran actors Christopher Walken, Chaz Palminteri and Rod Steiger. Gregory Mars Callahan directs and stars in this familiar story of Johnny, a young pool hustler who aspires to greatness. Palminteri plays Joe, the thuggish mentor who teaches and exploits his protege. There are the obligatory scenes of poolroom hustles, the threats and violence following the game when the loser doesn't pay up and, of course, the final showdown with everything on the line. Steiger plays a wise and world weary pool hall owner who sounds like Rocky's manager as he gives Johnny motivational speeches. What makes Poolhall Junkies different is the insertion of dialogue and scenes that almost belong in another movie. Most of these scenes show Johnny's brother Danny (Michael Rosenbaum) and his friends engaging in silly, Diner-esque witty (and not so witty) repartee. Even some of the hustles are played more for humor than realism; a couple of [folks] lose bets that are really just punch lines. It is Christopher Walken who ultimately saves this movie from its tendency towards aimless drifting. Playing his usual suave and sinister man of the world, he raises every scene in which he appears to a level above the ordinary. The film does sometimes succeed at capturing the excitement of the game itself. It kept me interested; I only wish it had been a little more focused.
Rating: 
Summary: Definite Underrated
Review: So many people are bashing this movie just to bash it. It's a great movie. Nothing is incredible (acting, lighting, etc) But face it, it's an indie movie. And living in Park City and going to Sundance, I've seen my fair share. This is definitely one of (if not THE) best. It's filled with good hustling (some is a bit childish) good music, and sly sarcastic humor that makes this all the better.
Do yourself a favor and see this movie.
Rating:
Summary: The poolhall from Mars.
Review: So what's this guy's name, anyway? The director-writer-star of "Poolhall Junkies" is listed as Mars Callahan on the movie credits, but as Gregory "Mars" Martin on this Web site. In any case, "Poolhall Junkies" is Mars' attempt as self-mythologizing, taking bits and pieces from other, better movies--"The Hustler," "Rocky," "Diner," "Saturday Night Fever." Nevertheless, the movie has just enough energy and talent to make it worth a look. Mars plays a young pool hustler who breaks off with his treacherous manager (Chazz Palminteri), only to find that life in the straight world isn't easy for him. To get his gifted but unstable brother (Michael Rosenbaum) out of a jam, he must take up his cue again to play Palminteri's new flunky (Rick Schroder). Mars has a way with writing tough-guy dialogue, and the scenes where he and Rosenbaum hang out with their posse (Phillip Glasser, Anson Mount, Ernie Reyes Jr.) have a certain charm. The pool scenes also have a certain razzle-dazzle; if Mars and Schroder really can play that well, they should go on the pro tour immediately. But Mars either is too confident in his directorial abilities, or not confident enough; he undercuts the basic tension of the pool matches with arty camera angles and fast-motion effects. He also overestimates his gifts as an actor--he is good-looking and moves well in front of the camera, but his eyes are dead--and he saddled himself with an inept leading lady in Alison Eastwood, Clint's daughter. Palminteri is stuck in a standard-issue thug role, and Schroder has little to do, as does the late Rod Steiger as the kindly owner of the poolhall. (IMHO, the movie would have been better if Schroder and Mars had switched roles.) The film's best performance by far is by Christopher Walken, as an affable, wealthy lawyer who takes a shine to Mars.
Rating:
Summary: "Rounders" meets "The Color of Money"
Review: The film starts out showing a young pool prodigy named John, coached by a well schooled hustler named Joe (Chazz Palmentari). The young pool shark wants to use his talents to go pro, but is convinced otherwise by his street mentor. The story fastforwards 15 years later where John ( Gregory 'Mars' Martin)is getting tired of the racket, and breaks free from Joe to go straight. John longs to go back to the life, but manages to steer clear when he receives an ultimatum from his girlfriend Tara ( Alison Eastwood) to choose between her and pool. Unfortunately, John's younger brother Danny ( Smallville's Michael Rosenbaum) seems destined to follow in his footsteps, and John must use his skills to get his brother out of a jam.Poolhall Junkies is one of those unknown gems that unfortunately only have a limited release in theaters. I was fortunate enough to catch this film, and I must say that it is one of the true sleepers of 2002. The story is extremely similar to the film "Rounders" and is very predictable. However, fellow fans of pool in general will eat this film up. The vast array of outstanding pool action and other hustler tricks make this film very enjoyable to watch. The film is also extremely funny and enjoyable overall. The director of the film Gregory 'Mars' Martin, not only did a great job with the choreography of the pool shots, but he also took on the tough job of playing the lead character. Great job on both accounts. The film's other main actors - Christopher Walken, Chazz Palmentari, Alison Eastwood, Rod Stieger, and Rick Schroder are all great as well. If you are a fan of pool and gambling in general, or are just looking for a fun way to spend 90 minutes, you can't go wrong with "Poolhall Junkies". I highly recommend this film.
Rating: 
Summary: Good rental
Review: The reason I picked up this movie was for one actor and one actor only....Christopher Walken. Now he wasn't in much, but he does get the chance to steal the film with one of his classic monologes. "Poolhall Junkies" is one of those movies that even though its predictable you still continue to watch. Films moves and you don't get bored watching. Rick Schroder as the Pool Pro/Poolhall Hustler was very good. He didn't say much, but his facials and his bodylanguage proved to me this guy is one not to reckon with. Gregory "Mars" Martin who directed, wrote and starred in this movie was the only thing I really didn't like. He should stay behind the camera. Just didn't buy him as a lead man. Like I said, this movie is a fun rental. I wouldn't waste your money though.
Rating:
Summary: "Rounders" for the felt-table sect.
Review: This is a well-done indie production playing with some major league acting talent (Chazz Palmintieri and Christopher Walken, who apparently has seen very few scripts he doesn't like these days) that would be a heckuva lot better-received (or at least perceived as being somewhat more original) if it wasn't for the fact that "Rounders" had come out only a few years prior...and was a lot better.
The plot is both movies are essentially the same: A prodigious young man with a gift for performance in presure situations that take place in smoke-filled rooms renounces his true talents at the behest of his girlfriend and vows to "fly straight and get a real job" only to be called back into the game when a friend or a brother that always idolized him gets into trouble trying to follow in his footsteps.
The difference is that "Rounders" seems to shy away from the idealistic Hollywood ending that "Poolhall Junkies" unfortunately embraces. "...Junkies" does have a bit more going for it in terms of character development; Alison Eastwood and Michael Rosenbaum (not immediately recognized without the "Smallville" Lex Luthor chrome dome) are well-rounded. Mars Callahan kept me wondering where I'd seen him before, and of course Palmintieri and Walken stole every scene they were in.
This movie will likely be slagged off as a "The Hustler" wanna-be, but that's not entirely fair. It is a contemporary interpretation of that same classic theme, complete with flashy editing and a post-"Pulp Fiction" feel for dialogue (which is sometimes more successful than others). The story is formulaic and the ending is predictable, but there are some fine pool shots and there is a twist to the finale that will leave the casual poolplayer/observer starry-eyed with wonder. It's definitely a must-see for anyone who's ever enjoyed the art of the game at any level; you aren't going to feel hustled after watching it.
Rating:
Summary: DON'T BOTHER
Review: this is movie is quite possibly the WORST movie I have ever seen in my life....the acting is pathetic, the shots reused over and over again , the script laughable(see "what did I stutter..")
the plot pitiful. the only saving grace for this movie was the addition of Christopher Walken to the cast...his apperance makes the pain bearable, although I can't figure out why he decided to do this movie, my theory is he lost a game of pool to the director and landed up getting hustled to the play the part......
if you're fan of pool take my advice and watch the Color of Money with Tom Cruise instead....even though that movie was made in the 80's and with the monoexpressioned Cruise it beats this movie out hands down.
Rating:
Summary: Poolhall Junkies is unbelieveable
Review: This is one of my all-time favorite movies. Mars Callahan is an incredible writer/director/actor. Poolhall Junkies has all the elements of a great movie: comedy, drama, action, Christopher Walken... It's perfect.
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