We lost one of film's finest personalities this weekend when Paul Newman passed away at 83.

His most towering works — which ironically don't include "The Towering Inferno," in my opinion — don't need my exaltation. But if you've never seen "Cool Hand Luke," "The Hustler" or "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," stop reading and start renting.

Though not his most popular film — depending on whom you ask — "Slap Shot" retains a connection to central New York. Part of it was filmed at the Onondaga County War Memorial Auditorium. By 1977, when the movie was made, Newman was one of Hollywood's most venerated names. He lent this credibility to the comedy about a struggling minor league hockey team, which otherwise may have been dismissed for its vulgarity and profanity. (After traveling a winter with a high school hockey team, I feel pretty comfortable saying these qualities helped the film nail the tone of the sport's locker rooms).

While the infantile Hanson brothers may have provided the comedic highlight of the movie, Newman was without a doubt its charismatic core. I'm of the wrong sex to speak to the natural appeal of his beloved blue eyes, but Newman's steely, freewheeling attitude could seize anyone's attention. Few stars can command the screen so effortlessly today. Few ever could.