The Color of Money (1986)

 

Fast Eddie Felson teaches a cocky but immensely talented protégé the ropes of pool hustling, which in turn inspires him to make an unlikely comeback.

Skillfully made continuation of the classic The Hustler is not among the director's best works, but is interesting and exciting enough to hold one's attention, due also to the excellent performances by Newman and Cruise.

Halliwell**: "Slackly told but consistently enjoyable adventures of Fast Eddie Felson in his older age." 

Maltin***: "Sharply made, nicely textured sequel...Hardboiled script by Richard Price, flamboyant camerwaork by Michael Ballhaus,, and top-notch performances by Cruise and especially Newman make this a must-see...though film's second half is protracted and disappointing, with a hoped-for climax that never occurs."

The Hustler (1961)

 

An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.

Down in the dumps drama is realistically set and brilliantly photographed in sleazy pool halls, cheap hotels and worn-down bats and diners, where its downward spiraling tale seems all too inevitable; top performances all around, but Paul Newman is absolutely perfect in the title role.

Haliwell****: "Downbeat melodrama with brilliantly handled and atmospheric pool table scenes; the love interest is redundant."

Maltin***: "Newman is outstanding...Dingy pool-hall atmosphere vividly realized in this incisive film."

 

Quintet (1979)

During a future ice age, dying humanity occupies its remaining time by playing a board game called "Quintet." For one small group, this obsession is not enough; they play the game with living pieces ... and only the winner survives.

From memory: Leftfield sci-fi drama with a star cast is fascinating to watch, but seems to be nothing more than a by-the-side exercise for its director.

Halliwell (no star): "Dismayingly pretentious claptrap which did it's star's career no good at all."

Maltin**: "Pretentious, unappealing story...Not as puzzling as it is ponderous."

Hombre (1967)

John Russell, disdained by his "respectable" fellow stagecoach passengers because he was raised by Native Americans, becomes their only hope for survival when they are set upon by outlaws.

Excellent Revisionist Western carries a strong anti-racist message and exposes moral hypocrisy; Paul Newman, although dubiously portraying a "half-breed", is as cool as ever.

Halliwell**: "Slow but suspenseful Western melodrama which works up to a couple of good climaxes but falls away in an unnecessary tragic ending."

Maltin***: "Interesting Western......well acted, entertaining."

Paul Newman

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Two Western bank/train robbers flee to Bolivia when the law gets too close.

Highly entertaining Western takes a lighthearted, but not insincere view of outlaw life and gives its two leads lots of room to expand (and enjoy) on their buddyhood, while never losing pace of the tale, and offers some spectacular landscape cinematography; the soundtrack may have been popular, but is a bit incongruous to the goings-on.

Halliwell****: "Humorous, cheerful, poetic, cinematic account of two semi-legendary outlaws, winningly acted and directed. One of the decade's great commercial successes, not least because of the song 'Raindrops Keep Falin' on My Head'.'"

Maltin****: "Delightful seriocomic character study masquerading as a Western....Many memorable vignettes."

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

Two Western bank/train robbers flee to Bolivia when the law gets too close.

Paul Newman

Bio:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Newman

Message in a Bottle (1999)

A woman discovers a tragic love letter in a bottle on a beach, and is determined to track down its author.

Unrestrained tearjerker on the verge of parody, not for the squeamish.

Halliwell (no star): "Soporific and soft-centred romantic drama that is yet another nail in the coffin of Costner's career."

Maltin**1/2: "Sappy, old-fahioned romance...Too long, too slow, but enjoyable escapism if you buy into it, with Wright Penn nicely cast against type, and Newman in fine form as Costner's starchy father."