I miss Paul Newman.
Oh, how I love to shoot pool.
Scorsese, Newman, Cruise–a trifecta for me. After a revisit of both films this past fortnight, I am pleased to share my opinions with you. Rack ’em up!
The Hustler is a modern classic. It is twice the better film than The Color of Money, and it has nothing to do with Scorsese. The acting and the script makesThe Hustler better. I would bow to Scorese for creative directorial shots, however. The Hustler is art while The Color of Money is a good film. Personally, Paul Newman’s Oscar win for The Color of Money was a gift because he lost in 1961 as best actor in The Hustler. In 1961, West Side Story won everything. I adore West Side Story, so I can’t complain too much, but I do contend that to rectify the situation, when The Color of Money came…
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Cindy Bruchman 
Paul Newman is such a beautiful, beautiful man 😉
Btw Cindy, hope you don’t mind me linking to your Musicians Who Become Actors post on Friday.
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I didn’t see that! Gosh, thanks Ruth! 🙂
You are the best.
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I miss Paul Newman as an actor, and he was also a wonderful human being, evidenced by the money he raised for charities. I recently watched Hud again, another of his great performances in a true five star classic.
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Imagine if he were in a film w/ Michelle Pfeiffer, boy the screen would’ve been on fire with those unbelievably beautiful people.
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Gosh wouldn’t it though!
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I’ve got goosebumps at the thought of it!
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Hi Paul! I need to see ‘Cat on A Hot Tin Roof’. I think Cool Hand Luke is one of the best films out there and I sure loved Road to Perdition. I haven’t seen Hud! Ouch! I better rent that soon. 🙂
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Oh those blue eyes, he is gorgeous. Favourite PN films? Cat, Butch, Luke, The Sting. 🙂 SD
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They are all winners! What an actor. What a man. Truly a perfect human being. ♥♥♥
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I like Cruse, but nothing can beat the combo of Newman and Gleason!
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Ohhh, you are so right! I like to shoot pool, and their slug-fest, 24 hour pool show down was exhausting to watch and awesome. Thanks, GP
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Do you recall the beating that Newman took from the critics early in his career? Guess he showed them a thing or two. The Verdict: Class.
Cruise? Other than “Born on the Fourth of July” Tom has never been able to establish himself Critically – though all his movies make a ton of money – and are usually re-watchable. Not really a criticism … but curious.
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Yeah, Newman was always in competition with Marlon Brando and seemed like a wannabee to critics. He really came into his own and I believe surpassed Brando to become a legend of his own. Class is right. I buy “Newman’s Own” just because. Tom did a fantastic job in Born on the Fourth of July I like Tom. I think people love to raz him but he is a fine actor able to create energy and passion and he does have dimensions other than screaming with his mouth wide open. I think of The Last Samaruri as an example. He was perfect in the role. I love the Mission Impossible franchise; better than Bourne, better than many actors. He has a great presense on the screen. I will always vouch for him, however if he asked me to marry him, I’d say no. 😉
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Hi, Cindy:
The Hustler has it all over Scorsese’s later The Color of Money .
For mood, atmosphere and glorious B&W tension, you cannot top Gleason owning the role of Minnesota Fats and making his own shots. While Newman’s Fast Eddie pushes the boundaries to achieve a righteous place at the table.
The Color of Money is a nicely done execution of who and what Fast Eddie would be decades later. Still sticking to his own code while imparting some wisdom to Tom Cruise. It’s a good film, but not a great film.
If you are a fan of Gleason. Look for a neat little bio-pic titled oddly enough, Gleason with Brad Garrett (Everybody Loves Raymond) and Saul Rubinek. A well detailed film dealing with the young upstart and the very beginnings of what would be called “Variety television”.
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I haven’t seen The Hustler or The Color of Money. But . . . would it count if I said I agree anyway?
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Oh. And Paul Newman really was great.
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LOL, yes, that he is! Don’t forget Cool Hand Luke while you are at it. That’s your homework assignment. Make it a Paul Newman weekend 😉
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Cool Hand has been on the list for some time, actually. But it just jumped up in priority. 🙂
The Hustler might take a while. Netflix tells me it’s A Very Long Wait.
Incidentally, I’m almost done with Oryx and Crake. It is a bit heavy on backstory and summary and a bit lite on scene, but I still like it. Quite a bit.
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OH Josh, please watch The Hustler! You won’t be disappointed. Outstanding classic. 🙂
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It is now on the list. 🙂
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