Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.


Back in January of 2003, Peter Criss had a Meet & Greet in Philadelphia during one of the conventions. Peter Criss was about to rejoin KISS (again) for their Australia tour which started at the end of February.  Peter sat in a small auditorium to answer some pretty tough questions from KISS fans wondering what the truth was about certain dark areas of KISS' history. Peter walks in with dark glasses and newly dyed hair and faced some pretty good unvetted questions from fans from all over.

This was a pretty interesting time in KISS' career. Peter had already been recently replaced by Eric Singer, (one of KISS's former drummers), where Eric would wear the cat makeup that Peter made famous since 1974 for a major leg of the tour. Peter then negotiated his way back in to the 2003 KISS tour of Australia, yet there seemed to be a dark cloud of animosity between Peter and his bandmates. Peter had deflected a good portion of the questions citing that the fans would have to read about it in his upcoming book (it still hasn't been released by the way over eight years later), yet some of the questions he did elaborate on them. The questions he tended to avoid answering had to do with the tour of the year before when he was replaced by Eric, although he did say admit that it was about money and he getting his fair share. This story corresponds with what Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley had stated as well, although he adds that they exaggerated the story by claiming he asked for more money than he was willing to admit to.

Peter's behavior seemed a bit erratic and schizophrenic from one minute to another. In one breath he claims he can't wait to get back on the road with KISS, the next he kind of complains that their old roadie is now the guitarist, (Tommy Thayer still fills in for Ace Frehley as lead guitarist since his departure, and has since appeared on two KISS albums if you count Psycho Circus). He had nothing nice to say about Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, even going so far as to slander Paul's sexuality. Peter's language was quite colorful, and even after he apologized for his language because of the young children in the room, he went right on with the cussing. A real class act.

As far as the video goes, you have a single somewhat shaky camera focused on Peter himself, and once in a while the shot will pan over to his left where his third wife was standing on the side. For a bootleg, this really wasn't so bad as far as quality. Peter can always be hear clearly and seen alright as well. There were some questions that we can't hear, and there was no light shed what was asked when Peter cryptically answered with quick quips like "No." or "Sit lower". The basic thing I got out of this Q&A with Peter was that he feels that Gene and Peter never tell the truth about his behavior and other things, and he's here to set the record straight. His overall tone was one of a complainer, and it makes me more inclined to believe Gene and Paul before I take heed to Peter's bellyaching. 
 
   

the bonus material


While the DVD is entitled KISS-Cat Tales, and the cover art puts Peter up front, the bonus material which is longer than the meet & greet is about all of the KISS members.  There is the segment called PreShow Footage where we see KISS (the original members by the way), hanging out backstage and right off stage before and during the show. In one instance we see Peter Criss coming off the stage cursing like Joe Pesci because he couldn't hear himself in the monitors. You get the feeling that if you are in the band, you must constantly tip toe around Peter's temperament in order to keep the peace.  

The segment called Promo Interviews looks like a time set apart for press before a show to take questions, do some radio call letter promotions, TV station promotions and even some international stuff as well. Paul & Gene had the most to offer as far as answering the questions with Ace Frehley staying the most quiet of the four.

There is one more bonus section simply called Bonus. This is press conference that looks remarkably like the one they had a few years earlier on the Intrepid.  This one seems to be held in LA (if I'm not mistaken) and they are promoting the upcoming Psycho Circus tour.  

Depending on what level of KISS fan you are will decide whether you feel the need to add this DVD to your collection. It is far from the worst bootleg I've seen; I feel the bonus stuff is more entertaining than the main event. I give this about three and a half stars for a bootleg fan created DVD, but when compared with what is available out there officially from the band, I give it two stars.


Meet & Greet - 102minutes
Pre Show Footage -18 minutes
Promo Interviews - 16 minutes
Bonus - 26 minutes


Cat Tales - Peter Criss
Starring:  Peter Criss (KISSology, KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park), Paul Stanley (KISSology 2), Gene Simmons (KISSology 3), Ace Frehley (Detroit Rock City)
Length:  126 minutes
Released: 10/09/2007
Rated: NR (strong language)
Rating: 2 stars 

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Recommended: No

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for a Rainy Day
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older