Great Movies While High: The Color of Money

In this age of on-demand everything, sometimes there’s just too much to choose from, especially stoned. I love it when I am baked and something good just comes on TV, the old school way. This nod to a throwback gem was thanks to a solid wake-n-bake and a little pinner of Sour Diesel, just right on this day. The channel guide on the other hand was rather dismal until a stop on NBC sports revealed a title that immediately brought about the Burns in me, (EEEEXCELLENT!), The Color of Money.

An Oscar winning film about pool hustlers, what’s not to love?

For those not familiar, Paul Newman won an Academy Award for this 1986 film about a retired pool hall shark finding an “investment opportunity” in a young, explosive player who hasn’t learned the hustle yet. That hustler is Tom Cruise, so goddamn good I forget what a dick he became every time I screen it. It was directed by stoner cinema Hall of Famer Martin Scorsese, and John Turturro is also in it. If you aren’t already at HBO GO queuing it up, please read on.

I’m fairly certain my passion for this movie comes from my love of the game. Anyone who has ever held a pool cue blunted should easily concur. Pool fits right into that meaty spot of the bell curve, as far as stoner activities go. Engaging enough to be a competitive sport, lazy (ahem) low-impact enough to sustain your high, and no problem when you miss because you’re zoooooted. It’s like the putt-putt of basement and parlor games.

The Color of Money doesn’t just revolve around pool- it revolves around guys that are magicians at it. Each viewing transports me back to friends’ basements and late night pool sessions after fatty cannons of hydro.  I may have griped about tech a little bit earlier, but for this movie, I love my DVR. The shots are so quick and cool, you immediately wanna run them back and watch again.

Combination stoners and players, you have your orders. Love it and feel free to start a convo with me about it. Stoners who aren’t so into pool, you do the same; best part of getting baked is “right on” new shit on the tube. #lightersup

Check out other posts from Weedist’s Great Movies While High series!