The Right Timing for Goldberg’s ‘Kiss Shot’

Ever hear of “Kiss Shot,” a movie starring Whoopi Goldberg as a pool shark? If the answer is no, maybe that’s because it’s a TV movie, originally telecast on CBS in 1989 and then repeated in May, 1991. Academy Entertainment is releasing it to the home video rental market on Thursday, at $90.

“The timing of this release couldn’t have been better for us,” said M. J. Peckos, Academy’s marketing vice president, acknowledging that the company will capitalize on the fact that Goldberg’s current movie, “Sister Act,” is one of the year’s biggest hits. “She’s real hot now. People want to see her in a light comedy-drama and that’s what this is.”

“Kiss Shot” is one of those heartwarming, family-oriented movies, featuring Goldberg as a retired pool shark forced to resume her career because she’s now a single mother desperately in need of money.

Goldberg made the film before “Ghost,” the 1990 box-office blockbuster that earned her a best supporting actress Oscar and revitalized her film career. These days, considering the salary she now commands, Goldberg would never make a small TV movie like this.

But even without “Sister Act,” “Kiss Shot” would have scored in the rental market. Many retailers say that Goldberg is one of the most popular stars on home video. There are fans who will rent anything she makes.

What’s New on Video: Here are some new releases:

“Hook” (Columbia TriStar, $25): Though fans generally loved it, many critics dismissed director Steven Spielberg’s star-studded fable about an aging, stressed-out Peter Pan (Robin Williams) becoming a carefree kid again in Neverland, flying with Tinkerbell (Julia Roberts) and battling Captain Hook (Dustin Hoffman).

“Ruby” (Columbia TriStar, no set price). Fairly absorbing, largely fictionalized account of the events, such as a supposed CIA-mob conspiracy, that led to the minor-league mobster Jack Ruby (Danny Aiello) killing Lee Harvey Oswald. “Olympia” (Columbia TriStar, $15 per volume). Director Leni Riefenstahl’s imposing, two-volume, 220-minute account of the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Superbly shot and edited but it’s from the Nazi point of view. If possible, ignore that aspect and just enjoy this for its artistry and historical value.

“Voyager” (Academy, $90). Mostly boring movie about a rich, bored American engineer (Sam Shepard) who’s an iceberg until he goes on a cruise and is thawed by a fling with a frisky youngster (Julie Delpy of “Europa Europa”) who, it turns out, may be the daughter he’s never met.

“Until the End of the World” (Warner, $92). A thoroughly unconvincing performance by Solveig Dommartin in the pivotal role is one of many flaws in director Wim Wenders’ slow, pseudo-existential tale of a woman’s search for meaning when the world is on the verge of destruction. Co-starring William Hurt and Max Von Sydow.

“Ladies of the Chorus” (Columbia TriStar, $20). This 1949 cheapie, with bargain-basement sets and horrific sound editing, is in the so-bad-it’s-funny category. It features a very young Marilyn Monroe in her first substantial role, playing a burlesque dancer in conflict with her mother (Adele Jergens), who’s also a burlesque dancer.

Upcoming on Video: “This Is My Life” and “Juice” (Thursday), “The Prince of Tides” (Aug. 5), “Hear My Song” and “Life Is Sweet” (Aug. 6), “Wayne’s World” (Aug. 12), “White Men Can’t Jump” (Aug. 20), “Final Analysis” and “The Lawnmower Man” (Aug. 26), “American Me” (Aug. 27) and “The Mambo Kings” (Sept. 2).

New on Laser: Among recent releases:

“They Drive by Night” (MGM/UA, $35). Crackling 1940 melodrama, featuring rat-a-tat dialogue and a terrific performance by Ida Lupino, about honest truckers, led by brothers played by George Raft and Humphrey Bogart, fighting to survive in a gangster-infested business.

“Up Periscope” (Warner, $35). James Garner and Edmond O’Brien play submarine crew members who are among the many cardboard characters in this routine drama about stalking the enemy in the Pacific during World War II. The laser-disc sound and clarity don’t enhance this one.

“Yolanda and the Thief” (MGM/UA, $35). Not one of Fred Astaire’s memorable movies, but there are some colorful moments and one rousing musical number (“Coffee Time”) in this 1945 fantasy, set in South America, about a con man (Astaire) trying to fleece a naive rich woman (Lucille Bremer).