UHD Review A Few Words About A few words about...™ - Killer's Kiss -- in 4k UHD (1 Viewer)

[Robert Harris]

"Her Soft Mouth Was the Road to Sin-Smeared Violence!"

IMHO, Killer's Kiss is an odd selection for 4k.

Extremely low-budget, shot and directed by a 27 year-old ex-Look Magazine photographer, who does a nice job here, especially shooting the underbelly of New York City.

Capable noir, with a couple of very nicely set up and directed sequences, but it's still what it was in 1955 - a second feature on a practice run toward a hopeful career.

Three shorts and another feature (Fear and Desire - 1953) coming from Kino had be previously released.

All noted, I'm not certain that this needed to be in 4k, although the blacks presumably take on a nice shine. Scan was OCN.

Very respectful of Kino, who should receive kudos.

Image – 5 (Dolby Vision)

Audio – 5

Pass / Fail – Pass

Plays nicely with projectors - Just fine

Makes use of and works well in 4k - 3.5

Recommended

RAH

 

[JoshZ]

If one already has the Criterion Blu-ray, I presume there's not much point in "upgrading"?

 

[Paul Penna]

If one already has the Criterion Blu-ray, I presume there's not much point in "upgrading"?

Criterion doesn't say what film element was used, just “Restored high-definition digital transfer…”

 

[Chewbabka]

Criterion doesn't say what film element was used, just “Restored high-definition digital transfer…”

It’s also a 10+ year-old encode.

 

[seangood79]

Criterion doesn't say what film element was used, just “Restored high-definition digital transfer…”

You may be thinking of The Killing.
Criterion didn’t release Killer’s Kiss.

Edit: my mistake. It’s a special feature on The Killing Blu Ray.
So if you want a stand-alone version, go for it.

 

[JoshZ]

Criterion doesn't say what film element was used, just “Restored high-definition digital transfer…”

I guess that's what I'm asking. How do they compare?

As a Kubrick fan, I like having this movie for academic and completist purposes, but it's not one I feel the need to own multiple copies of for what may be a small to negligible improvement.

 

[Paul Penna]

Criterion doesn't say what film element was used, just “Restored high-definition digital transfer…”

I guess that's what I'm asking. How do they compare?

As a Kubrick fan, I like having this movie for academic and completist purposes, but it's not one I feel the need to own multiple copies of for what may be a small to negligible improvement.

I point that out because Robert Harris says the Kino is from the original camera negative. If we knew what Criterion used that would provide a useful hint.

 

[mackjay]

I was quite impressed by the look of KILLER'S KISS on the Criterion. I'd only seen the film once before, but it looked to me about as good as a film of its type would look. In fact, it was the deciding factor in upgrading my DVD copy of THE KILLING. A value-added release from Criterion for sure.

 

[madfloyd]

I guess the director's career never took off. Poor guy.

 

[owen35]

I guess the director's career never took off. Poor guy.

He really struggled getting work. Only able to do a few films over a long career.

 

[FWAJMB]

In the future, movies will be sold on a small shard of clear silicon, so until then, let everything be 4K and phase out VHS altogether. On the other hand, I'm still explaining the black bars to my grandmother.

 

[Chewbabka]

In the future, movies will be sold on a small shard of clear silicon, so until then, let everything be 4K and phase out VHS altogether. On the other hand, I'm still explaining the black bars to my grandmother.

I was recently asked by family who had put in an old pan-and-scan DVD to “fix it”

 

[FWAJMB]

2017 and people were still asking.

 

[Patrick McCart]

While I would have expected Kino to make this and The Killing a double feature like Criterion did (only 2 1/2 hours combined), this is still an important entry in Kubrick's filmography. He was wise to make his second self-financed feature in his neighborhood instead of out in the wilderness. It's an incredibly photographed film given the threadbare budget he worked with. A lot of the nighttime shots were used in one of TCM's interstitals - the shot that stands out is the man in the ticket booth.

 

[marshman1138]

If one already has the Criterion Blu-ray, I presume there's not much point in "upgrading"?

Well, there is a new commentary track. Glenn Erickson says: "The smooth and authoritative audio commentary is contributed by Imogen Sara Smith. It’s a clean track that discusses the expected issues and concentrates on a visual analysis. It’s level-headed too, avoiding the deification of Kubrick that sometimes crops up in critical pieces."

 

[sbjork]

I watched it over the weekend, and thought that it looked lovely. I do think that the contrast is a tick better, and the grain is managed better in 4K. Worth an upgrade? Up to you. It was to me.