Stickmen

This film... I was offered free tickets to see it when it came out, but I didn't take them up on the offer. Shame really.

We aren't talking deep plot here. A group of pool players, known as Stickmen, get involved in a pool tournament (as you do), but quickly get in over their heads. There are bad guys with toughs, and women to frazzle their minds, and at the end of the day, can they hold their sticks and play with their balls?

This is very much in the vein of Lock Stock, or Snatch, with dealing with the seedier side of life... although we are just talking pool here, not guns or heists or anything. But it is well told, and we get some character arcs. And no, I didn't at the time see the "twist" coming about Bastinados, but it's not like that's particularly hidden or anything.

Shot in Wellington, and there are definitely Wellington landmarks there. Aside from the Bucket Fountain, many of us remember Kenny's Cafe (no longer there, sadly). We also get some real NZ actors in there, although I can't recall them doing other big things, but definitely Kiwi on display there.

Now, trying to find a copy to watch is the real game to play now. It's not really anywhere. But if you can, you'll enjoy this!

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