jasonamoss13 It could have been so much better.That's my seven-word summary of The Baltimore Bullet, a 1980 billiards movie, directed by Robert Ellis Miller, that blatantly cribs from The Hustler, without providing any of that film's richness and depth.First, let's start with the major league cast. The billiards movie stars impeccably-coiffed tough guy James Coburn as Nick Casey (aka "The Baltimore Bullet"), past Oscar nominee Omar Sharif as "The Deacon" (the Minnesota Fats equivalent), and past Oscar nominee Ronee Blakley as Carolina Red. So why couldn't this talented trio breathe life into this tepid film?Next, let's turn to the pool. The opening sequence (shown below) of multiple trick shots, made by pool legend Mike Sigel, according to his official website, is off the hook. And Sigel is but one of nearly a dozen pool greats who appear in the film. Others include Willie Mosconi, Steve Mizerak, Jimmie Mataya, Lou Butera, Irving D. Crane, Allen Hopkins, Pete Margo, Ray Martin, James Rempe, and Richie Florence. On top of that, the movie is located in New Orleans (my favorite city of all time and where I spent countless evenings shooting stick), and features an extended funeral procession second line from the legendary Olympia Brass Band.It should have been so much better.Unfortunately, great cast + great pool players + great location does NOT make a great billiards movie. After the first 30 minutes, the film sags under its own weight of contrived subplots, including random gangsters, a moronic hit-man, and a senseless romance.Finally, the true kiss of death for this movie is the final scene. Even amateur students of pool movies know it ends with the final showdown. Think Fast Eddie Felson and the Fat Man (in The Hustler). Think Mars Callahan and Ricky Schroder's characters (in Poolhall Junkies). But, in this movie, after a rather drawn-out buildup to the final match between the Baltimore Bullet and the Deacon, the director glosses over the game. He shows a few initial shots…and then — bam! — game over. Talk about an epic table scratch.You can read all my billiards movie reviews on my blog "8 Ball on the Silver Screen" at www.billiardsmovies.com.

merklekranz James Coburn is a pool hustler, and Bruce Boxleitner his protégée, in this enjoyable film. Coburn's living on the edge character, is not unlike his portrayal of "Speed" in "Hard Times". Omar Sharif really does not play as much of a part in this as his second billing might lead you to believe. It is a mistake to be too critical of the actual pool games. Just enjoy "The Baltimore Bullet" for what it is, a very entertaining buddy road movie, that happens to have a theme which involves pool. Michael Lerner deserves special mention, for wearing what can only be described as an abominable toupee. Seek this one out. - MERK

DARTHKOOL This is required viewing for any James Coburn fan.Easily one of his best performances and perhaps one of the best "buddy" films I've ever seen. James Coburn (as Nick Casey aka The Baltimore Bullet) and Bruce Boxleitner (as Billy Joe) are excellent as a professional pool hustler and his up coming protogee'. The two have great chemistry on screen that is hard to duplicate. Omar Sharif plays "The Deacon", the ultimate pool hustler and gambler that had been serving jail time, but is now out on "Good Behavior". The movie follows Coburn and Boxleitner cross-country trying to hustle up enough money to play The Deacon who only plays for a 5-figure minimum. And a player that had his way with Coburn the last time they shot pool. Sending the Baltimore Bullet home in "nothing but his jock strap". This movie is a laugh a minute, chock full of one-liners, that will have you watching it over and over again!

bdabagia This is James Coburn at his finest, years before anyone realized what a terrific actor he can be. He also has a classic line: "I taught him everything he knows, but I didn't teach him everything I know." It's "The Hustler" without any Oscars.