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You're reading a really old version of matt-thornton's website. For example, if you're looking at the movie reviews... you'll notice that none of them are of recent films. Indeed, I leave them here for posterity's sake, but I doubt very much that they'll get updated anytime soon. So have a giggle.
You might, if you're lucky, find something recent from Matt at his blog matt's debates. Kernow bys vyken.
Color of Money
the one line review:
pool hustling (balls not water)
the overview
I'm trying to educate myself in a few of the so-called classics, so on my BBuster list, I've been flicking through their (and IMDB's) recommendations. A fan of pool, and needing to see more of Paul Newman, I gave this a shot.
the plot:
Eddie Felson (Newman) is a whisky salesman, who knows a hustler when he sees one. Because he used to be one, until he got forced out of it by crims. One day he spots Vince (Cruise) pulling a few hustles in a small pub. The two get together, and hit the road on the promise that Eddie will teach Vince how to become a proper hustler, culminating in a big pool tournament in Atlantic City 6 weeks later.
the verdict:
It's good. It's hard with films like this to get yourself in the right mindset to watch. Not because the filming is bad, but because nowadays we're used to glitzy super smooth video scenes and glorious 5.1 digital sound. So watching a film made in 1986, you don't get half of that. So it's lucky really that the Scorsese does an excellent job of directing legend Paul Newman, and then somewhat upandcomer Cruise into a fairly respectable film.
It's not really about the pool - sure, you see some shots and games and such, but it's more about the hustle itself, and the ultimate sacrifice that each one makes. Enjoyable film!
(N.B. the film is in colour, so ignore the b&w'ness of the pic!)
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