Jack's POV

I encountered Robby D.'s immensely popular "Jack's" series rather late in the game, beginning with recent editions of his satirical you-either-love-it-or-hate-it JACK'S PLAYGROUND volumes and later catching a glimpse or two of the latter volumes of JACK'S POV. Like Seymore Butts or John Stagliano's Buttman persona, there is a distinctively freewheeling style to Robby D's work, mixed in with some humor which will either add considerably to the fun or make you roll your eyes after you're finished whacking off. His brand of hardcore is lightweight and direct, but always sexy. When compared to other porno auteurs in the Digital Playground stable, Mr. D's product is probably the perfect counterpoint to the stately, artistic offerings by directors like Joone. So if it's gonzo-style you want, then a "Robby D. Extension" is just your ticket.

Compared to the original DVD, this Blu-ray offering of the premiere edition of JACK'S POV doesn't provide any added-value when it comes to bonus materials or audio: The same trailers and photo gallery are carried over from the standard definition version, and if there was a substantial difference in audio quality, I didn't have the golden years to detect it. However, the video quality is just terrific, and yet another example of an ideal high definition transfer from Digital Playground. What struck me immediately after loading the disc is that the footage looked like it was shot on film, which perversely may not be too palatable to audiences who are used to seeing that flat, candy-coated colors of standard video. Though the original videography was obviously not shot to perfection, there is a depth and detail to the picture which adds to the mood and the sexual proceedings. When Lauren Phoenix is kneeling up-close and talking dirty, the whole experience feels more intimate and more carnal. (Then again, the sight of Miss Phoenix covered in a burlap sack would still turn me on.)

However, there is a technical issue worth noting on this review, and in reference to past critiques of Digital Playground Blu-rays. Although the package describes a "Full HD 1080p" picture, the display on most (if not all) televisions will indicate playback at 1080i. At first, I believed that my consumer brand equipment (a Playstation 3 and a 52" LCD Sony capable of displaying a native 1080p picture) was incorrectly calibrated, and that somewhere along the line, I had accidentally set the controls to downconvert resolutions. Recently, I have had the opportunity to tinker with my gear, and to consult with Empire's Editorial Director, who as it turns out, has already been investigating this issue. In short, JACK'S POV, as well as every other recent Digital Playground production was indeed shot in full high definition 1080 progressive scan, but at a framerate which is not compatible with Blu-ray. Therefore, the final product is encoded at a 1080i60 to properly playback at 1080p30.

Please be aware that barring a serious technical defect affecting the conversion process of your monitor or player, there should be no significantly appreciable difference between a progressive or interlaced picture at these higher resolutions. In other words, don't get too hung up on numbers and letters when it comes to high definition, and don't think that there is any misleading or erroneous advertising on the part of the studio. This technical "problem" should not affect your enjoyment of this superb video presentation.

Finally, I want to note that although the audio is described as "5.1 Digital Surround Sound," the main feature is bereft of any subwoofer activity, and my display indicates that the sound is, for the most part, in 5.0 surround. Again, it's a issue, but one worth noting for the incredibly anal among us (and I don't mean Hillary Scott).

Originally produced in 2006, JACK'S POV boasts some impressive performers, a couple of whom have now attained adult superstar status. Naturally, I would recommend this disc alone for the work of Lauren Phoenix, who has been nastier and more physical elsewhere, but whose sexual charms work every time. I've applauded her work time and time again in reviews and in Diesel's Den columns, and here once again, her oral and anal scenes are definite highlights. Tall and leggy (and, sadly, retired as of 2007), Lauren is a natural beauty whose un-glamorous girl-next-door looks make her deep throating ability and backdoor shenanigans all the more enjoyable. The only disappointment is that Lauren doesn't take a cumshot to the mouth, which is not necessarily a cheat, but would have added a great deal to the finale. Still, if you want to start this video off with a bang, skip over to her scene first which begins at Chapter 10. (The male performers are not clearly identifiable, but apparently include Mick Blue, Scott Nails, James Deen and Tommy Gunn.)

However, if you insist upon watching a movie as intended by the director, then you really can't go wrong with the first scene starring Roxy DeVille, who has a snarling, trampy look well-suited for gonzo. Since this is point-of-view porn, camera angles are of course limited to close-ups (especially on blowjobs) and medium body shots, with limited acrobatic positioning. After sucking him off, Roxy straddles her partner in forward and reverse cowgirl before jumping on a couch for some doggy. This goes on for a few minutes before she kneels down before her partner one last time (at least in this movie), blowing him and rubbing him into orgasmic bliss.

Blonde Charlotte Stokely is another slutty looking performer, who blows and fucks with gusto. We are introduced to her already getting screwed missionary style, allowing for very little in the way of tease or seduction. She gets banged vaginally and orally quick and to the point, which makes her scene instantly wankable for those who don't want to bother with introductions or foreplay.

Jayna Oso, who has done some impressive work under the direction of Jules Jordan, contributes what is probably the third best scene on this disc, getting banged cowgirl and missionary style and then finishing off with a blast of spunk all over her face and mouth. Surprisingly, she doesn't do anal which is not only her specialty but a normal part of her act. Oh, well.

Winner of multiple industry and critic awards, Hillary Scott follows Lauren Phoenix and almost outshines her in a heated scene which takes place in a garage. Besides her teasing introduction and expert anal work, Hillary makes her scene particularly memorable gets a pop-shot to the mouth which includes swallowing. If it weren't for my moral devotion to the lovely Miss Phoenix, I would have rated Hillary's scene as the best of the bunch.

Finally, JACK'S POV concludes with Lexie Marie, whose scene isn't nearly as strong or as lewd as the previous two, but is effective nevertheless. The oral shots are a bit rougher, but there isn't much to distinguish her standard vaginal screwing (missionary, then cowgirl, then doggy) or the cumshot which lands on her stomach and torso. I recall seeing several of Lexie's scenes in DVDs like WHERE THE BOYS AREN'T #18 and FLASH, but none of those moments strike me as being any better or worse than what she does here. I can only assume that she was included at the end due to her status as a former Vivid Girl.

If you already have a copy of JACK'S POV in your DVD library, then upgrading to this Blu-ray disc will depend solely on your appreciation of the main feature (as well as the performers). Since this is my first exposure - no pun intended - to this title, I'm more than happy to own it in the best consumer video format to date.

If anyone should be good at putting out a Point Of View title, it should be Digital Playground. After all, the studio pioneered the interactive era of adult DVD with their popular Virtual Sex With... line of titles. But Jack's POV actually marks Digital's first foray into the non-interactive point of view genre...and it's an excellent start.

One of the neat things that Director Robby D. does here is that he gives viewers the illusion that "Jack" is fucking each of the six girls on this DVD. There are actually four different guys here at work (James Deen, Mick Blue, Scott Nails and Tommy Gunn), but it was fun to imagine that after all his frustration in the Jack's Playground and Teen America flicks that ol' Jack was finally "getting some". So while we see a different cock in each scene, the dialogue you hear isn't from the performer but from Jack himself (voiced by Robby D.).

There are six scenes on the disc featuring six different girls and each running roughly 20 minutes each. What I liked about the footage is that Robby makes sure that the girls make a lot of eye contact with the camera (always essential in a POV title) and that they are also pretty vocal during the sex...with some more vocal than others (Hillary Scott earns bonus points from this reviewer for really getting into it).

The movie opens with dark-haired newcomer Roxy Deville, who is really starting to make a name for herself in the industry. She's kind of a "bad girl" - with a raunchy mouth and a number of piercings (including her nipples); but she's also quite attractive...a natural beauty who would probably still turn heads even when she's not all made-up for the cameras. She begins the action by giving "Jack" (the male performer in this scene is Scott Nails, I believe) a blowjob, which is followed by reverse cowgirl and cowgirl. The pair then move to a nearby couch for doggy, and the scene wraps up with more blowjob action from Roxy and her jerking the guy off back onto his stomach. Don't worry though...it's not a totally pop-shot, because Roxy does lick some of the cum off his belly.

Scene Two begins with platinum blonde Charlotte Stokely already on her back with her legs spread as she gets penetrated in the missionary position. Charlotte begins the scene in a tight red sweater, black mini-skirt, with white socks and black heels...but soon she's just down to the socks and heels! This scene also includes cowgirl and reverse cowgirl action, and ends with the guy jerking himself off and onto her ass.

Scene Three showcases Jayna Oso, who begins the segment in a sexy black outfit, and allows "Jack" to play with her tits. After some blowjob action and a little reverse cowgirl, the pair move down onto the floor for cowgirl and missionary. This scene ends with a very nice facial pop-shot, some of which lands in Jayna's mouth.

Things really start to heat up in the next two scenes. First we get Lauren Phoenix who decides to wear the sexy black boots she has on throughout the entire segment. This is also the first of two back-to back scenes that feature anal action, with Lauren getting her ass filled in the missionary and doggy positions. Lauren gets a pop-shot on her behind at the conclusion.

Next is Hillary Scott, who also graces the cover for this release (smart pick!), in a scene that takes place in a garage. Hillary starts the segment in a sexy blue bra with a matching skirt-like bottom, and does a little dance for "Jack" before the fun begins. After getting some reverse cowgirl and fingering her ass for the camera, Hillary takes it up her backdoor in the doggy, cowgirl and missionary positions and receives a great facial shot at the end - some of which lands in her mouth and some of which she swallows down!

Hillary's scene really should have been moved to the conclusion of the movie, since there's no way Lexie Marie was going to be able to top Ms. Scott's performance. However, we do get to see her get some throat-fucking as the guy stands above her face; which is followed by missionary, cowgirl, doggy, and then a return to missionary for a cumshot that goes onto Lexie's body.

While both the video and audio are top-notch (Digital continues to provide the best anamorphic widescreen transfers and 5.1 sound you'll find in adult), the extras are rather slim, with only a photo gallery; some trailers; and a Jack's Playground advertisement.

Jack's POV is a fun new release and one that should spawn a pretty successful series for Digital Playground. I wouldn't mind if future titles expanded a little more on the "set-up" for each scene and maybe even incorporated a multi-angle option for the sex...but as POV releases go, fans should be quite happy with this DVD.