P.C.H.

It says so much about this TV movie that the cast members prioritized in marketing after the fact have at most parts that split the difference between lead and support. It maybe says even more that the finished feature opens with rapid-fire, overzealous cinematography and editing that is supposed to be a snapshot of scenes to come, but one can only react with quizzical bewilderment. There are points of cleverness in the scene writing and dialogue, yet these and the plot development are so scattershot that the feelings of bewilderment are absolutely sustained moving forward - not least as vague thriller vibes are stirred in irregularly, incompletely, and piecemeal with 90s college comedy-drama. Oh, and one-third of the way through, suddenly a new character is introduced. What is happening here? 'Kill shot,' also known as 'P. C. H.,' can be generously described as an oddity.

It doesn't know what tone it wants to strike. It doesn't seem to know what a protagonist is, or what the word "focus" means, as several characters we meet (but not all) have their own subplots. It works overtime to emphasize and sexualize women's bodies; the costume design is rather all over the place, even as it screams "90s!" I do appreciate the costume design, for that matter, and the hair and makeup work, but these only count for so much when weighed against questionable narrative and scene writing that force the cast to swerve between disparate moods without really finding their voice, especially star Jacqueline Collen. Other movies have zigzagged between far-flung notions with sufficient intelligence and dexterity to make it all count; this just seems like it can't figure out what it wants to be - which is especially strange since the plot is, after all, whole, cohesive, and coherent. It's a curious idea, but one with potential. That potential seems unmet, just kind of thrown to the winds.

For what it's worth, I think the cast make the most of what they're given, or at least try to; were the writing tighter and more meaningful, I can see how their performances, and their character's threads, would be more impactful. But 'Kill shot' zips between peppy comedy-drama, soap opera melodrama, and meager thriller airs with far too little sense of direction, if any. I don't specifically blame co-star Gianni Russo, for whom this represents his first writing credit, nor director Nelson McCormick, in only his second turn in that capacity. Yet both their contributions are so pointedly erratic and flimsy, with skills yet undeveloped, that all the best ideas and best effort of all involved can't really help this to get off the ground, attain prime viewer engagement, or have the desired effect.

It's not abjectly bad; I see what it could have been. There are certainly far worse films you could watch. Unless you're a major fan of someone involved, however, I'm not sure there's enough value here to warrant a view. If you're extra curious or bored, then have at it; if you're looking for something you can really sink your teeth into, maybe you're better off continuing your search. 'Kill shot' has some good plays, but it just can't carry the ball to the finish line.

The volleyball genre is strangely overlooked by most screenwriters. Thankfully, highly acclaimed director Nelson McCormick has brought us the second best volleyball movie of all time (rated lower than Side Out and higher than, well, umm). However, don't let the cover of this movie decieve you. Kill Shot stars up and coming star Koji as a modern day Sherlock Holmes. Using such high-tech gadgets as a computer that is less powerful than my Gameboy, Koji is able to aid FBI agents in the tracking of a man who has not committed any obvious crime. While there are other actors in the movie, including brief cameos by Denise Richards, a gay negro, and a preposterously ugly and annoying girl, Koji carries this movie on his own. Any fan of movies such as The Matrix or Hackers will definitely love Kill Shot.

"Kill Shot" was originally the 1995 pilot to a potential TV series called "PCH," as in Pacific Coast Highway. It stars Kimberly Goltry, Jacqueline Collen, Casper Van Dien, Denise Richards (in a small role) & many others and is similar in tone to Baywatch, but with less beach antics. The project was unfortunately shelved and didn't surface until its release on DVD in 2001.

Denise was 23-24 years old when this was shot and looks great. Some complain about her small role (limited to the first 15 minutes or so), but she does appear and, besides, there are plenty of other noteworthy women to be found, some more beautiful than Denise. More importantly, the characters are likable and the story keeps your interest.

As far as the "more beautiful" women go, "Kill Shot" is worth picking up just for the stunningly gorgeous Kimberly Goltry. Kimberly plays Becky, a single-mother Southern belle trying to relocate in S. Cal. and eke out a living as a night club singer.

Kimberly wasn't only physically gorgeous, she had a star quality and genuineness not unlike, say, Marilyn Monroe, albeit more intelligent, not to mention better looking. Unfortunately Kimberly turned in the acting towel not long after "PCF" was shelved, but at least we have this gift (the "Kill Shot" DVD) to eternally behold her awesome beauty and talents.

Not only is the cast likable, much of the acting is notable, which is surprising since this is an unrealized series pilot. For instance, Ria Pavia and Mushond Lee have a night scene on the beach that comes off so natural it's like witnessing real life.

Jack Scalia, as the trouble-maker from Stacey's past, also displays some great acting in a harrowing scene at the climax that ends in a surprising and shocking way.

FINAL SAY: Don't listen to the grumps. "Kill Shot" is a worthwhile TV movie detailing the fun times, drama and suspense of life on the Southern Cal coast.

The DVD runs 92 minutes and is inexplicably rated 'R' for brief/tame nudity that's tastefully done. And there's no potty language. It's more like PG or PG-13.

This movie was just too deep for me. Too many intricate sub-plots. The gay black man with the crazy ugly chick, the computer hacking asian who was constantly helping out the FBI, the single parent Southern lounge singer, Casper van Dien and his relationship with the Mexican pe-med student (I think this was an episode of 90210 as well), the picture of Denise richards on the cover of the box and her being in the movie for 15 minutes. And then you at the end you find out there is a volleyball sub-plot. A model teams up with Van Dien, the Mexican and the gay black guy and they beat the beach all stars. Then this guy commits suicide. Unfortunately the Asian was not involved in this scene.

This movie's origins are a mystery to me, as I only know as much as IMDB did before I rented it. I assume that before "Starship Troopers", "Killshot" was one of the countless unaired pilots that never made it to network, cable, or otherwise. The new title of "Kill Shot" is comically thrown into the opening sequence, the first of many quick clues that this was not ever intended for the cinema. The quick cuts, cheesy "Melrose Place" music, and short 2-second close-up candid shots of the main actors let you know what you're in for.

And I don't mind at all. I rented this movie seeing the repackaging that puts Casper Van Dien and Denise Richards on the cover in front of a volleyball net thinking it would be funny to see them in a movie besides the SciFi travesty of Starship Troopers (an excellent book, in my opinion, not so hot a movie - but that's another review). After looking it up on IMDB, my roommate and I surmised that the pilot was dragged up after the apparent success of Troopers and Richards own career (see Bond-Girl and Wild Things references here). They threw in a sex scene involving a minor character to reach the coveted R-rated status - coveted in suspense Video Rental sections, that is. In any event, they should have left it unrated if you're trying to sell it in the suspense/softcore porn section.

All in all, it's entertaining. I hate to spoil the fun of telling you it's a TV pilot, though. That was the biggest pull while watching it - when you expect a cinematic movie and get a TV show, the differences between them make themselves more clear than usual.

Would I rent it again? No. Would I watch this TV show? Well, why not - it's better than Baywatch. And their meager attempts at hitting all demographics would have done well back in the mid 90s. Token black guy (who's gay to avoid the TV taboo of inter-racial dating), token Asian (Japanese, I assume from the name Koji) more adept at science and computers than talking to women, beautiful, intelligent Latina pre-med student who has everything going for her except her family's bank account - this show probably would have done ok.

But as a movie it just cracks me.

I gave it a 7 out of 10, considering what it was and what it was forced to become. It made for a very enjoyable evening, and that's all I ask of rentals.