Poolhall Junkies

Christopher Walken (and perhaps a last look at an uncharacteristically restrained Rod Steiger) is the sole saving grace of this tedious, cliché-ridden film written, directed by, and starring Mars Callahan as Johnny, a blue collar pool player with a wealthy girlfriend (Alison Eastwood, not making anyone's day), out for revenge against his former mentor (a typecast Chazz Palminteri). Johnny may be a "natural" at pool, but the same can't be said of Callahan as a filmmaker, and no amount of stylistic excess or gratuitous profanity can help sink this shot. Best then to scan ahead to Walken's few but welcome scenes, especially his last: a wonderfully ridiculous monologue about nature documentaries that is meant to inspire our hero before the biggest match of his life. Overall, however, this is not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by co-writer/director/costar Mars Callahan and co-writer Chris Corso, cast/crew bios, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a small, undistinguished film.] (K. Lee Benson)