Each month this year, the Movie Guys have compiled a list of movies for you to vote on. In November and December, your top ten picks were compiled and voted on for Your Favorite Sports Movie of 2003. The votes have been tallied, and with a roll of the drum, the envelope, please, this years must popular movie is...

The Hustler (1961) – In this brooding black and white portrait of "Fast Eddie" Felson, Paul Newman plays a pool hustler whose hot game is overshadowed only by his huge ego. He is never satisfied at merely winning; he has to crush his opponents. Felson's big head is confident that he can take on and beat the legendary Minnesota Fats, but is soundly trounced by the Fatman. Devastated by this humiliating loss, Eddie spends the night in a bus station where he meets Sarah Packard. They fall in love, and she tries to get him to quit playing, but Eddie can't stay away from pool. He hooks up with seedy, greedy moneyman Bert Gordon, who gets him into higher-class, higher-stakes games. After a series of life altering events, Felson once again shows up to take on Minnesota Fats - one game for three thousand dollars, all the money he has left. He plays calm. He plays cool. He wins easy. The temptation is there to continue to gamble, but Eddie Felson walks away from the game. He maintains his integrity for the woman he loved.

The outstanding cast came away with well-deserved Academy Award nominations, as did the director, Robert Rossen. It was also given a nod with a Best Picture nomination. One note that I did find amusing, if it's true, is that the real-life Minnesota Fats took his name from the movie character, not vice-versa, as is widely believed. You'll have to ask the Sport Guys about that one.
PAUL NEWMAN, PIPER LAURIE, GEORGE C. SCOTT, JACKIE GLEASON (N/R).