It's disreputable, occasionally ludicrous and merely kinda fun.

Whatever you want to say about this Mars Callaghan -- who is an avid cue-man in real life -- he would seem to be able to sink anything. Darned if he doesn't make this whole movie disappear.

As a director, Callahan wants the verve that Martin Scorsese brought to The Color of Money, but his visual approach is careless, relying too much on clichéd slo-mo and hasty edits.

The fast-paced picture sizzles with energy, and it's a tour de force for Mars Callahan, who co-wrote and directed.