Which is better: TCOM or THE HUSTLER

9 ball

9 ball

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
The reason I ask this is because I just watched the hustler yesterday and I must say I didn't like it very much at all it felt too slow and yet it has won 2 oscars.

Compare that with The Color of Money which I feel is alot more exciting, funnier and fast paced yet has only won 1 oscar and is arguably the better film of the two with a cracking sound track.


What are some of your opinions?.
 
My opinion-This is another movie deal where the sequel can't begin to equal the original. "The Hustler" is a character study where pool happens to be the vehicle. TCOM is a commercial venue capitalizing on the audience drawing power of an established icon in film and a younger rising star. Seeing "The Hustler" way back in high school is what brought me to the game. The game desperately needs another good pool movie for a much-needed jump in popularity. Pool Hall Junkies missed by a mile. Maybe Jennifer's flick may someday become reality.
 
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The Kid Delicious film is supposedly being made right now with an unknown actor who can play taking the part of Danny. Hopefully Danny is the advisor and we'll all have something to see that we'll like, but the public's enthusiasm is even more important as to it's success than the reaction from pool players.

By the way, no comparison. The Hustler was a great one. I've seen it 30 times. TCOM....maybe 5...Tom
 
9 ball said:
The reason I ask this is because I just watched the hustler yesterday and I must say I didn't like it very much at all it felt too slow and yet it has won 2 oscars.

Compare that with The Color of Money which I feel is alot more exciting, funnier and fast paced yet has only won 1 oscar and is arguably the better film of the two with a cracking sound track.


What are some of your opinions?.
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I think there may be a generation gap problem here. I think The Hustler wins hands down no contest period. Paul Newman, Jackie Gleason, George C Scott tremendous performances. Philw
 
Not even a close call here.

The Hustler was, by far, a better movie than Color of Money by every measurable level; storyline and script, cast ( Newman in his prime, Gleason, Scott), depth and complexity of characters, cinematography (black and white was better suited for the film), even the pool scenes were of better quality.

The Hustler is one of the best movies ever made, and it wasn't just about pool; it was about life, love, good vs evil, conflict, personal inner struggle, human character at every level. It made me laugh, cry, happy, sad, proud, and ashamed.

On the other hand, although I enjoyed the pool parts, the Color Of Money was kid stuff. JMHO

Jim
 
9 ball said:
The reason I ask this is because I just watched the hustler yesterday and I must say I didn't like it very much at all it felt too slow and yet it has won 2 oscars.

Compare that with The Color of Money which I feel is alot more exciting, funnier and fast paced yet has only won 1 oscar and is arguably the better film of the two with a cracking sound track.


What are some of your opinions?.
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You have made a very good point about saying it was slow..i lived in that era and will tell you it represents that era ..things were much slower back then..little things back then got us excited..the things/events of this newer era are so much faster everbody is in a hurry to do everything.it takes more to excite people now...when watching the Hustler a person should realize that they are watching real history of the past..the Hustler being made in 1961 and i believe TCOM was made approx 1984..i have watched them both dozens of times..both movies were outstanding..:)
 
cuejoey said:
You have made a very good point about saying it was slow..i lived in that era and will tell you it represents that era ..things were much slower back then..little things back then got us excited..the things/events of this newer era are so much faster everbody is in a hurry to do everything.it takes more to excite people now...when watching the Hustler a person should realize that they are watching real history of the past..the Hustler being made in 1961 and i believe TCOM was made approx 1984..i have watched them both dozens of times..both movies were outstanding..:)
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That's so true.
If you watch Gunfight At The Ok Corral or Shane now, you might not get the adrenaline flowing like they used to at the theater ( 70MM film ).
 
The Hustler gives COM the 7, no question. The quality of the acters, the drama of black and white photography, the script, following the original story more. COM, in my opinion, always had kind of a fantasy feel about it that The Hustler did not.
 
JoeyInCali said:
That's so true.
If you watch Gunfight At The Ok Corral or Shane now, you might not get the adrenaline flowing like they used to at the theater ( 70MM film ).
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Yup and look at the silent films of the first roller coasters or ferris wheels or race cars ect....also in antique shops i see pin ball machines from the 30's ..slot machines from the 1800's,man were they plain...BUT you can just imagine the fun people were having..how much excitement it was just to see a machine like that.....:)
 
billyjack said:
My opinion-This is another movie deal where the sequel can't begin to equal the original. "The Hustler" is a character study where pool happens to be the vehicle. TCOM is a commercial venue capitalizing on the audience drawing power of an established icon in film and a younger rising star. ...
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My thoughts exactly. I completely agree.
 
Well I guess that is the trend today. Back in the 60's movie makers were dedicated to their craft. The guys who started this business really loved movie as an art and not just making the cash. Now accountants run the business. Guys like Jack Warner. Sam Goldwynn, and Harry Cohn the boss of Columbia studios hired great writers like Raymond Chandler, Tennesee Williams, Arthur Miller, etc to write their scripts. Use stage actors like John Garfield, Betty Davis, Marlon Brando, Piper Laurie. Now they want cosmetic beauty.
The Hustler is one of the greatest American movies directed by a great director Robert Rossen, who also directed All The Kings Men, Blues in the Night (s great film) and Lilith. He also wrote the screenplay for A CHild is Born another great film.
I know it cant top the Matrix for its action and effects but its got more substance than 10 TCOM's. Its like comparing Sinatra or Elvis to Britanny.
 
9 ball said:
The reason I ask this is because I just watched the hustler yesterday and I must say I didn't like it very much at all it felt too slow and yet it has won 2 oscars.

Compare that with The Color of Money which I feel is alot more exciting, funnier and fast paced yet has only won 1 oscar and is arguably the better film of the two with a cracking sound track.


What are some of your opinions?.
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Hey 9 ball, I'm gonna out on a limb here and guess that you are under the age of 35? Am I correct?
 
FWIW...The last Georce C. Scott was my half brother.

We are developing a film...the story line of which I can't get into for obvious reasons...but think "What ever happened to Fast Eddie after COM."

Anyone interested in learning more or who may have questions about Hustler can e-mail me at Encoresong@aol.com
(-:

EDIT: We are especially interested in "stories from the road" that you think would be great scenes in a movie.
 
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The Hustler was a WAY better movie. Am I the only one who finds Tom Cruise's character in TCOM really, really annoying? Maybe it's just the fact that we all realize now that he's such a nutjob now in real life, but I can't stand his character, with all the ninja cue swinging and stuff.

And I'm not just saying this because they read this board...but I do really like Keith and Grady in it.

Tom Cruise I can live without.
 
poolplayer2093 said:
the hustler was a much better film in my opinion. tcom seemed kind of hokey to me
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i agree COM was fair, sound track was cool. Tom Cruise sucks, Keith was just Keith(perfect), Paul Newman was better in Hustler, Story line in hustler was better, Jake LaMotta what more can you ask for, Paul newman describing a cue as a pice of "wood with nerves in it" was the best scene if your a real pool player...the list goes on, there wasnt a scene in COM that really touches the soul of pool, it was Hollywood pool.
 
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Man, you guys are pretty serious when criticing these two movies....Personally I believe if a movie can't be quoted in just about any situation then it's just a movie. Animal House for instance, or to a lesser extint Blues Brothers, or Caddy Shack. These will make you bust a gut, and think of lines for appropriate and even inappropriate moments in everyday life. Sadly the critics don't see things this way....forget the "classics" and get with the Farrelly brothers, or most Sandler, Farrell, Carrey movies etc. (Dumb & Dumber in my eyes is PURE GENIUS!!!!) :) Tom Cruise with a vapid look saying sorry 100 times or more...not so much. And though Gleason is good in just about anything; I've gotta say, I can't get Buford T. Justice outta my head everytime I see him. Sorry!
 
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