KISS-Konfidential & X-Treme Close Up

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General		Extras
Category	Music	Main Menu Introduction
Rating
Year Of Production	?
Running Time	176:55 (Case: 179)
RSDL / Flipper	Dual Layered	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region Coding	2,4	Directed By	Tim Rozner Jack Sawyers Bill Bowman
Studio Distributor	Universal Pictures Home Video	Starring	Gene Simmons Paul Stanley Bruce Kulick Eric Singer
Case	Soft Brackley-Transp
RPI	$34.95	Music	KISS

    KISS: Konfidential & X-Treme Close Up are two feature-length documentaries examining the legendary band KISS.

    The first documentary included on the disc is Konfidential (87:35). This feature was produced in 1993 and includes a number of live performances, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with band members. During these interview segments, the band discusses their previous tours and their performing history. They discuss their early concerts and present short clips from performances from the mid 70s to the early 90s.

    The second documentary, X-Treme Close Up (89:20), was produced in 1992. This feature looks more closely at the history of the band and their rise to fame. It includes a series of interview segments with various band members as well as vintage clips and historical footage. They discuss the band's beginnings, their rise to fame, previous band members, merchandising and the pressures they faced.

    These documentaries will definitely appeal to KISS fans and they provide access to some rarely seen footage and performances.

Video

    As historical footage from various sources comprise a significant portion of both features, the video quality of the transfers varies considerably.

    Both features are presented full frame at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1

    Due to the wide range of material presented, the sharpness during both features is highly variable. Some of the old film and video footage is quite soft, but this is understandable due to its age. No low level noise was detected during the transfer. Shadow detail varies considerably during the footage presented but at no stage displays high levels of detail.

    During both transfers, the colour also varies due to the range of material presented. The palette often appears slightly muted as you would expect from material of this age, but at no stage is this distracting to the viewer.

    MPEG artefacts are a significant problem for both features in this transfer. Artefacts are visible during any scene with rapid movement but are more obvious during film-based material. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen during Konfidential at 1:06, 11:55 and 31:52. Artefacts during X-Treme may be seen at 1:25, 8:12, 12:36, 28:58 and 29:15. Due to their regular occurrence and severity, these artefacts are very distracting.

    Luckily, aliasing poses no problem during either feature with no instances detected.

    Not surprisingly, film artefacts are visible during much of the historical footage presented. Examples of these artefacts may be seen at 11:08, 20:40, 50:26 and 62:47 during Konfidential, and at 5:50, 6:28, 7:29 and 7:48 during X-Treme. These artefacts are not disruptive to the viewer as they are to be expected with footage of this age.

    Numerous analogue tape errors may also be seen during both features. Some examples of these artefacts may be seen at 5:20, 26:34, 45:51 and 56:08 during Konfidential and at 19:55, 24:36, 24:41 and 54:11 during X-Treme.

    A number of rolling lines due to video interference may be seen during X-Treme at 20:53 and 23:14 but this is due to the source material and is not a fault of the transfer.

    French, Spanish and Italian subtitles are provided during the interview segments. No subtitles are provided for the concert footage presented.

    Each feature is contained on a separate layer of this dual-layered DVD and consequently there is no layer change.

Video Ratings Summary

Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    Both a Dolby Digital 192 kbps 2.0 mix and a PCM mix are included on this disc. The PCM mix is constantly superior and there is no obvious reason for the inclusion of the Dolby Digital mix.

    The dialogue is always clear and easy to understand.

    No dropouts or problems with sync were detected during the transfer.

    The surround channels were not utilized during this transfer.

    The subwoofer was used throughout to support the musical performances.

Audio Ratings Summary

Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

    No extras are included on this disc.

Menu

    This disc does not appear to be currently available in Region 1.

    KISS Konfidential & X-Treme Close Up is a disc that all KISS fans are sure to enjoy as it provides some rare footage and interesting interviews.

    The video transfer for this disc is marred by the presence of significant MPEG artefacts throughout.

    The audio transfer is adequate for the material provided, but viewers should ensure that they listen to the PCM track and not the inferior Dolby Digital track.

    Unfortunately, no extras are provided on the disc - even the inclusion of a discography would have been appreciated.

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall