A Killing Spring (TV 2002)

Widowed Joanne Kilbourn is an ex-police officer, whose deceased husband Ian was the Ontario provincial Attorney General when he was murdered. His murder was eventually solved six years ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Williams

Writers:

Gail Bowen (novel), Jeremy Hole,

Stars:

Wendy Crewson, Shawn Doyle, Michael Ontkean

3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Wendy Crewson	...	Joanne Kilbourn
Shawn Doyle	...	Detective Alex Emanuel
Michael Ontkean	...	Tom Keaton
Zachery Ty Bryan	...	Val Massey
Sherry Miller	...	Lisa Gallagher
John Furey	...	Reed Gallagher
Bruce Gray	...	Ed Kramer
Kim Schraner	...	Kelly Savage
Kris Holden-Ried	...	Karl Hrynluk (as Kristen Holden-Ried)
Jocelyn Snowdon	...	Emma Chavez
Callahan Connor	...	Angus Kilbourn
Natasha La Force	...	Taylor Kilbourn
Zachary Bennett	...	Zack
Pamela Wallin	...	Herself
Jean Yoon	...	Officer Lau

Storyline

Widowed Joanne Kilbourn is an ex-police officer, whose deceased husband Ian was the Ontario provincial Attorney General when he was murdered. His murder was eventually solved six years after the incident. After a stint as a criminology professor, Joanne now works as the criminal and justice expert for a local television news show, and as a college professor of journalism. Her private life is going well as she has just started dating Tom Keaton, her famous journalism school colleague who has just released his second popular non-fiction book stemming from an incident when two troubled youths terrorized him. Joanne's world is turned upside down when the School of Journalism's Dean, Reed Gallagher, is found dead in a seedy motel room with a pair of pantyhose tied around his neck. Initially, the death is thought to be accidental auto-erotic asphyxiation. But, the police, led by Detective Alex Emanuel, do eventually believe his death to be murder. Alex doesn't like that ex-police officer ...

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Plot Keywords:

autoerotic asphyxiation

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Taglines:

Never Get Involved With The Story.

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Genres:

Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for sexual content and some violence

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 2002 (Canada)

Also Known As:

Copie non conforme

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canadian Television (CTV), Shaftesbury Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Connections

Followed by Verdict in Blood (2002)

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Soundtracks

"The Inside"
Written by Chris Field
Performed by Chris Field

User Reviews

Yellow Journalism!

The setting for "A Killing Spring" was on the campus of a College of Journalism where the ethical and moral conduct of the teachers, administration, and students leaves a lot to be desired. For example, the faculty offices are equipped with liquor cabinets and drinks are served among the colleagues at all hours of the day and night. There also would appear to be sexual politics involved in the awarding of the most distinguished prize for student essays.

While the characters were interesting, the plot of this film was so convoluted that it was nearly impossible to understand the significant details and motivation for the killing of the dean of the journalism school and two of the star students. It was also rather disconcerting that in the course of these untimely deaths, it was pretty much business as usual at the college with no grief counseling or suspension of the regular school activities. The final segment of the film, wherein the mysterious identity of the serial killer is revealed, was especially murky and difficult to follow.

My favorite line in this film was spoken by the main character Joanne Kilbourn, the journalism professor who is on the trail of the serial killer. During a meal that is being prepared for Joanne by her friend Tom Keaton (Michael Ontkean), Joanne tells him: "Fresh garlic on a man's hand! Now that's an aphrodisiac!" While the film had some lively moments like this one, it was much too spicy for my tastes.