No Man's Land 20

The "No Man's Land" series has been, over-time, one of the more reliable girl/girl product lines. In this 20th installement from Video Team Productions, however, they miss the mark--which is a shame, given the cast and the directorial experience at work in this production.


The impressive cast is led by RayVeness, Melissa Hill and Ashlely Renee (although the order in which the cast is listed on the cover is a misleading indicator of the screen time of the performers) with back-up from Montana Gunn, Lexi Ericksson, Lisa Harper, Syndee Steele and several other hard-working "day rate" girls.


In charge of this impressive cast is director Wesley Emerson, who's been around since the early days of video porn in the mid-eighties. And, the viewer has a every right to expect more from a director with Emerson's resume.


But nothing seems to work in this production. The storyline has Melissa as a reporter doing a story on "power lesbians" for a West Hollywood weekly, and interviewing massage parlor owner Ashley Renee about her search for her long lost lover. Of course, this, in turn allows Ashley to recount her sexual experiences with the missing lover, as a nude model and a brief stint in porn--with flashbacks for the viewers. We also get to see some lesbian fantasies from Melissa, who is turned on by Ashley's stories.


What goes wrong with this video can be traced to the production values (sets, clothes, hair/make-up)--or, lack thereof. The production values are so awful that the sex scenes become as appealing to the viewer as a visit to a ghetto crack house. Such un-inspired production values leads to poor performances by the principal stars. Melissa Hill, who carries this video despite being listed as a "special appearance by.." has given better performances (sexually and acting-wise) in practically every other video she's been in. Lexi Ericksson, who has an impressive set of performances in previous productions (see "Extreme Jenteal" for proof)is totally in her only scene in this DVD; the final all-girl orgy that is photographed so poorly that the viewer never knows who's body parts are on screen. Likewise, the other performers--Crystal, RayVeness (who has a role in the production despite star billing), Lisa Harper and Montana Gunn don't appear to have been on the set of this video for more than an hour or two--talk about "day rates!"


What a waste.


All in all, Wesley Emerson deserves the blame for spoiling what should have provided the fans of girl/girl porn with a major blast. Instead, there's so little excitement, this DVD could be rated "PG."


The "extras" on this DVD may hold a clue to what Video Team really views as it priorities with this release. First, there are several ads for websites and other products on the "A" side of the DVD--before you get to view the show. Then, on the "B" side, there are ads for about eight other Video Team productions. You get the impression that this company just wants to advertise its other product--and is asking you to pay $39 retail for the privilege. Yes, there are some star bios and a photo gallery--but, you can get more info almost anywhere on the internet.


Final Verdict: don't buy this DVD unless you have too much money in your bank account.

No Man's Land 20 is average for the series, not one of my personal favorites, but compared to other offerings in the girl-girl genre is above average. The writer/director combination of Brimmer/Emerson results in a decent story line with excellent production quality. What makes No Man's Land unique as a series is the storyline. There is almost always a comment on lesbian lifestyle and at least an attempt, albeit perfunctory at times, to understand it. Combine the above with just some of the hottest girl-girl sex captured on video you have a dynamite series and No Man's Land is simply the best. Unfortunately, only #20 and #26 are available on DVD, which makes one wonder why. This series is good enough (I've seen them all) to put in a standing order for every release they bring out. Video Team, are you listening?

This disc has a superior transfer. The colors are excellent, the tones are solid, with deep, rich blacks, and there's virtually no pixelation despite the high-contrast videography. No Man's Land also has a ton of chapter stops, which is always a good thing.

EXTRAS- Cast bios, step-through still gallery, trailers.