"Raising the Hustler" ((UNOFFICIAL TRAILER))

[Mr. Bond]

Here we are again with the word "hustler" being used with something pool related... Surely, non-pool players who see the title will immediately know this is about pool and gambling, even without the player silhouette in the logo.

Do you think that will make more people want to watch it, or less?

Sorry for the seemingly critical comment, but it was really the first thought that popped into my mind. On a personal level, this really looks really interesting and I really can't wait to see the finished product... But I also feel conflicted as the other side of me sees this as just another nail in the coffin for the reputation of the American pool game, which will further prove to the general viewing population that pool is more a mechanism for fostering a lifestyle of gambling than a legitimate sport with any kind of viable future. That country song about cowboys comes to mind, but slightly modified.... "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be pool players...."

One thing's for sure, I will watch it... but I won't be watching with my youngster around. Just like I won't be buying him any "Hustlin' Pool" t-shirts, either...

Being a dad sure has changed my thought process, that's for sure...

Perhaps the phrase " docu-drama" applies here.

Yes , pool culture has a shady side, but this is not an attempt to glorify it, and is more about telling the story of how we got here.

Angel has been filming for this project literally for YEARS now, so this is an absolutely unrivaled and unprecedented project for the ages. And considering where the culture stands today, we may never have another opportunity to capture it on film, ever.

Many of the people featured in the film are not even alive anymore! Put the kids to bed if you must, but if you love pool, you won't want to miss this.

* I am merely a fan and supporter and have played no part in it's production.

 

[drv4]

Any release date set? How will be able to watch? Purchase a DVD? Have you approached Netflix, or a streaming service. I can't wait!

 

[jaetee]

Perhaps the phrase " docu-drama" applies here.

Yes , pool culture has a shady side, but this is not an attempt to glorify it, and is more about telling the story of how we got here.

Angel has been filming for this project literally for YEARS now, so this is an absolutely unrivaled and unprecedented project for the ages. And considering where the culture stands today, we may never have another opportunity to capture it on film, ever.

Many of the people featured in the film are not even alive anymore! Put the kids to bed if you must, but if you love pool, you won't want to miss this.

* I am merely a fan and supporter and have played no part in it's production.

_________________________________________________

The other word in the title is "Raising"as in "lifting up"
Perhaps you haven't seen the teaser-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uxH63RqwSM

As I have remarked pool is more than just it's "Hustler" stigma as it is more than just one player or one type of game.
Stories have many parts to them and I certainly spell out every single thing I focus on in the film.
I will not do that here just to appease the curious.

-CP

Thanks to both of you for addressing my comments with what feels like genuine positivity...

To be honest, I was a bit concerned before hitting the submit button as I didn't want to instigate a flame war of gamblers vs. non-gamblers... Just posting my immediate first impression. Saw the trailer, and will watch when it's available in full length...

 

[itsfroze]

=============

 

[TheNewSharkster]

I dont mean to sound like a negative nancy but I cant stand the handheld cellphone video quality. The interesting parts are when the players are talking but the actual pool playing and random shots of pros is terrible.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

that's why this is an UNOFFICIAL TRAILER

I dont mean to sound like a negative nancy but I cant stand the handheld cellphone video quality. The interesting parts are when the players are talking but the actual pool playing and random shots of pros is terrible.

________________________________________________

watch 4 pieces pf the puzzle, should take you all of 12 minutes or less
then feel free to respond.

Pool is and can be
raw and visceral.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lZaUOJgnqU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uxH63RqwSM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGXWl3wE3Bw
http://www.billiardsmovies.com/billiards-documentary/chasing-wincardona/

 

[cleary]

Here we are again with the word "hustler" being used with something pool related... Surely, non-pool players who see the title will immediately know this is about pool and gambling, even without the player silhouette in the logo.

Do you think that will make more people want to watch it, or less?

Sorry for the seemingly critical comment, but it was really the first thought that popped into my mind. On a personal level, this really looks really interesting and I really can't wait to see the finished product... But I also feel conflicted as the other side of me sees this as just another nail in the coffin for the reputation of the American pool game, which will further prove to the general viewing population that pool is more a mechanism for fostering a lifestyle of gambling than a legitimate sport with any kind of viable future. That country song about cowboys comes to mind, but slightly modified.... "Mama, don't let your babies grow up to be pool players...."

One thing's for sure, I will watch it... but I won't be watching with my youngster around. Just like I won't be buying him any "Hustlin' Pool" t-shirts, either...

Being a dad sure has changed my thought process, that's for sure...

The hustling and gambling in pool has attracted waaaaaay more people to this game than it's turned away. Face it, pool is a gambling game. Always has been and always will be.

Taking gambling out of pool is like taking the alcohol out of beer.

 

[jaetee]

The hustling and gambling in pool has attracted waaaaaay more people to this game than it's turned away. Face it, pool is a gambling game. Always has been and always will be.

Taking gambling out of pool is like taking the alcohol out of beer.

Says who? That's a massive assumption to which we'll never know the true answer. How do you know what the other billions of people in the developed world and outside of your microcosm are thinking?

I think a more accurate version of your statement would be to say that gambling in pool has attracted more degenerates to the game in the United States than it has turned away.

Don't take this personally... I'm not saying that you are a degenerate and not attacking you in any way. But your perspective is purely that of an American gambling pool player. I'm stating based on observations from having lived in Europe almost 20 years and North America for 28. In that time I've managed to spend quality time in pool rooms in Germany, France, Spain, Holland, USA and Canada. Probably a few other countries I've forgotten over the years... And the most arguing, fights, and generally sketchy behavior I've witnessed in any of them was in American pool rooms, or over pool tables in bars here in the States. 95% of that was gambling related, the other 5% there was a girl involved.

Frankly, as an American pool player, it's kind of embarrassing that somehow our culture always becomes a discussion topic when I'm visiting Germany and meet new people in those pool rooms after they find out I'm American. As an American who speaks native German, that apparently makes me more immediately approachable to them at a personal level. Other subjects that come up often include "why does America feel the need to be the world police?" and "why do so many Americans feel the need to own weapons?" but those are discussions for different forums.

I'll even go so far to say that if we somehow magically got rid of gambling and the shady image of pool to the mainstream, maybe it would actually be an acknowledged Olympic sport? And there would be a thriving professional tour with a solid future and worldwide sanctioning.

The truth is, we'll never know, because that is not going to happen. Just like we'll never know if frogs with wings would still bump their arses as much as they do...

 

[cleary]

Says who? That's a massive assumption to which we'll never know the true answer. How do you know what the other billions of people in the developed world and outside of your microcosm are thinking?

I think a more accurate version of your statement would be to say that gambling in pool has attracted more degenerates to the game in the United States than it has turned away.

Don't take this personally... I'm not saying that you are a degenerate and not attacking you in any way. But your perspective is purely that of an American gambling pool player. I'm stating based on observations from having lived in Europe almost 20 years and North America for 28. In that time I've managed to spend quality time in pool rooms in Germany, France, Spain, Holland, USA and Canada. Probably a few other countries I've forgotten over the years... And the most arguing, fights, and generally sketchy behavior I've witnessed in any of them was in American pool rooms, or over pool tables in bars here in the States. 95% of that was gambling related, the other 5% there was a girl involved.

Frankly, as an American pool player, it's kind of embarrassing that somehow our culture always becomes a discussion topic when I'm visiting Germany and meet new people in those pool rooms after they find out I'm American. As an American who speaks native German, that apparently makes me more immediately approachable to them at a personal level. Other subjects that come up often include "why does America feel the need to be the world police?" and "why do so many Americans feel the need to own weapons?" but those are discussions for different forums.

I'll even go so far to say that if we somehow magically got rid of gambling and the shady image of pool to the mainstream, maybe it would actually be an acknowledged Olympic sport? And there would be a thriving professional tour with a solid future and worldwide sanctioning.

The truth is, we'll never know, because that is not going to happen. Just like we'll never know if frogs with wings would still bump their arses as much as they do...

The game started as a gambling game. The two biggest booms in the American pool world were from the movies "the hustler" and "the color of money". If you havn't seen them, spoiler alert... they're about hustling and gambling. Funny how the pool rooms were filling up after that.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Gentlemen-

The game started as a gambling game. The two biggest booms in the American pool world were from the movies "the hustler" and "the color of money". If you havn't seen them, spoiler alert... they're about hustling and gambling. Funny how the pool rooms were filling up after that.

_____________________________________________

Please,
you both have very strong arguments that hold much value and validity.

This is an unfortunate case for pool because our greatest strength
(U.S. wagering)
also, at the global level,
becomes our greatest weakness.

SURPRISE:
Billiards is already an Olympic SUMMER EXHIBITION sport!
"Pool" however is not.

This confirmed during my interview with the German National Head Coaches of Pool/Billiards

Andreas Huber
Michael Hetjens
Danny Alvarez

 

[jaetee]

The game started as a gambling game. The two biggest booms in the American pool world were from the movies "the hustler" and "the color of money". If you havn't seen them, spoiler alert... they're about hustling and gambling. Funny how the pool rooms were filling up after that.

Again, you speak only from the American perspective.

Let me ask you a few questions...

1) In which pool-playing country is pool in the worst decline?
2) And in which country with professional pool players is the Pro tour in the worst state of disarray?

And yes, I've seen the movies, probably many years before you did. Love them, and even have them here on DVD... While those movies may have brought attention and immediate awareness of pool to the mainstream in their times, I'm now old enough and open minded enough to take a step back and realize they made pool popular for all the wrong reasons. Painting glorified pictures of a life filled with lots of travel, freedom and easy money. What's not to like about that? Until reality smacks you in the face...

Just compare the goings-on of the US Open we read about here, to the non-drama but competition-rich German Open. A simple google search and image view will show you a whole different perspective and attitude towards the game. Assuming you're willing to form one, that is.

As for the origins of pool, historians don't really know for sure how it originated. Rumor has it that billiards originated as an indoor alternative to croquet in France. And it's also been stated to have originated from other ball/stick games in Italy, China or even Egypt...

 

[jaetee]

_____________________________________________

Please,
you both have very strong arguments that hold much value and validity.

This is an unfortunate case for pool because our greatest strength
(U.S. wagering)
also, at the global level,
becomes our greatest weakness.

SURPRISE:
Billiards is already an Olympic SUMMER EXHIBITION sport!
"Pool" however is not.

This confirmed during my interview with the German National Head Coaches of Pool/Billiards

Andreas Huber
Michael Hetjens
Danny Alvarez

Sorry. Didn't see this until after I posted my reply to Cleary. Didn't mean to derail your thread. Won't post again unless it has to do with the original topic...

 

[Mr. Bond]

pool in the public started as a gambling game.

'Subcultural origin'

Many, if not all, games began as rites of passage and/or mating rituals.( exhibition of manhood) The stakes simply shifted from babes and cows to dollar bills.

This moment in history has been brought to you by the Lazy Magnolia brewing company of Kiln, Mississppi. Cheers y'all. www.lazymagnolia.com