Smiths, The

Kayden Kross stars in THE SMITHS, a Robby D. tale (or is it a "Robby D. Capture" as described on the main menu?) which proves once again that for the finest in straightforward adult features, Digital Playground rises to the top. Of course in this day and age of hackneyed gonzo productions and mindless adult parodies, any studio making an effort to product quality porno movies (and I mean movies, with genuine attempts at acting, dialogue, characters and a story) should be commended and encouraged. However, many such features fall short because they refuse to rise above the cliched plots (endless vampire tales, shallow murder mysteries and laughable psychological thrillers) and poor production values (every scene taking place indoors and under the same roof) which have become the industry practice for the last twenty years or more.

Fortunately, Digital Playground productions offer more than just the routine and the predictable. Grandiose features like TEACHERS and FLY GIRLS recall the look and charm of moderately budgeted classics from the seventies, while smaller films like IS HE THERE? and LOVE FOOL harken back to the better Vivid Feature Presentations directed by Paul Thomas. Yet, there is a distinctive style to Robby's pictures, as well as a more convincing execution of the sex scenes which far surpasses most of that produced prior to the new millennium.

THE SMITHS doesn't aspire to be as ambitious and as epic as FLY GIRLS, but there is no doubt that this movie is more cinematic and artistic than his other recent works. Based on the title and an early scene in which Kayden and Mick have dinner across a long dining room table, I believed that this movie would be an adaptation of MR. AND MRS. SMITH (a pretty darn good flick, might I add), starring Brangelina. However, what is presented here is more of a soap opera, in which Mick Blue (playing Dick) is neglected by his hot wife, played by Miss Kross (as Jane, of course). He works at a company which monitors porn sites (given all the hotties which are part of that office, sexual harassment must occur on a constant basis) and she supposedly works for a "numbers document firm." I'm not sure why and how the couple managed to maintain such a chaste relationship, nor do I understand how she kept her actual vocation a secret from hubby. Even more puzzling, how does Mr. Blue keep control of himself with his super-hot sister-in-law, played by Riley Steele, hanging around the same house? However, none of these details really matter amidst the endless teasing and sexual tension. It's amazing that such a "small" film can contain such high erotic quality, and discriminating viewers will find themselves more enraptured by ninety minutes of THE SMITHS than by most two-hour and a half hour gonzo videos.

Instead of assuming a stereotypically strident and bitchy persona, Kayden plays Jane rather sympathetically; she's more professional than haughty, and her warm personality makes her sexual releases exceptionally exciting. Riley Steele dresses like a fuck-doll, and flirts outrageously whenever her brother-in-law is nearby. Along the way, we have supporting characters getting their thrills (Kortney's bathroom affair with Scott Nails is filled with sexual tension which reaches a high point when she gets banged from behind, and Jennifer White's anal tryst with Manuel Ferrara is technically excellent across the board), leading up to the resolution of Dick and Jane's conflict as they indulge in their own carnal needs.

The hardcore scenes are introduced leisurely, with a proper, voyeuristic build-up and lots of slow, carnal provocation. But once the action begins, it comes in like a thunderstorm. For instance, Kayden's scene with Tommy Gunn is initially introduced like a dream sequence, then settles into raw passion and fun, beginning with her lustful oral work and continuing with her bucking and quivering orgasmic reactions when he returns the favor. Her fishnet outfit is hot, but her facial reactions are even more dick-stiffening. I was so impressed by this affair, that I almost overlooked the fact that she doesn't take a facial (Tommy cums on her butt after plowing her doggy-style).

Fortunately, her follow-up scene with Mick Blue does end in an oral money shot, so ardent raincoaters shouldn't feel any sense of disappointment. Few girls can appear in back-to-back scenes without conveying a sense of sameness and repetition. However, Miss Kross is so good, that the movie never loses its sexual momenum. Last year, Kayden impressed audiences and critics greatly as the lead in THE 8TH DAY, surely one of the best adult features ever made and a must-see for all porn connoisseurs and a must-have for all Blu-ray owners. I can't imagine any of her fans not wanting to add THE SMITHS as part of their Kayden collection.

The movie concludes with a "surprise" finale, where Mick is matched with Riley Steele, courtesy of the Missus. They have sex before the cameras, and Riley is on fire here (then again, what else is new?) The frenzied blowjobs, furious fucking and oral finish are just the kind of "blockbuster" finale one might expect from a superior feature video.

The eye-candy in THE SMITHS is absolutely astonishing, and the images look great on DVD. Of course, the Blu-ray version has better detail and more solid colors, but the anamorphic widescreen picture compares favorably. There are many memorable moments of the girls in non-hardcore action which are worthy of an Andrew Blake production: the opening close-up of Kortney Kane's ass wrapped up in an skimpy black dress, followed up later by the far shots of her endlessly long legs strutting in heels as she enters a bathroom stall, were images which struck me like a bolt of lightning generating 1.21 gigawatts of electricity. Equally easy on the eyes were the covergirl close-ups of Kayden's gorgeous face when she first appears in the picture, as well as the medium shots of Riley Steele dressed up in red lingerie. For a sequence which will really grab your attention, skip over to the fifty-four minute mark, for a montage of strobing images backed up by a pulsating score as Kayden prepares for her affair with Tommy Gunn. It's a strikingly creative visual moment, and climactically reveals a hidden secret kept by Miss Kross. I've always been impressed with the film-like texture of Mr. D's pictures, and THE SMITHS maintains the same standards in video and audio quality. To describe it is one thing, but to experience it on a widescreen monitor is another.

My only complaint about this production? I wish it were longer. It's ninety-minute running time is perfect for the tightly edited vignettes and expository sequences, but I wanted to see more of Kayden, Riley and Kortney, with or without clothes. The girls look that good. The entertaining Behind The Scenes featurette offers ten more minutes of fooling around during production, but a few extended photo shoots and glamour pictures would have been even better.

I don't want to overhype THE SMITHS, because clearly, those wanting nothing less than gynecological close-ups of double anal penetration, bukkake climaxes, and CGI extravaganzas will be left wondering what all the raving is about. But for others who appreciate creativity as well as quality, THE SMITHS is a winner inside and out.

Kayden Kross stars in THE SMITHS, a Robby D. tale (or is it a "Robby D. Capture" as described on the main menu?) which proves once again that for the finest in straightforward adult features, Digital Playground rises to the top. Of course in this day and age of hackneyed gonzo productions and mindless adult parodies, any studio making an effort to product quality porno movies (and I mean movies, with genuine attempts at acting, dialogue, characters and a story) should be commended and encouraged. However, many such features fall short because they refuse to rise above the cliched plots (endless vampire tales, shallow murder mysteries and laughable psychological thrillers) and poor production values (every scene taking place indoors and under the same roof) which have become the industry practice for the last twenty years or more.

Fortunately, Digital Playground productions offer more than just the routine and the predictable. Grandiose features like TEACHERS and FLY GIRLS recall the look and charm of moderately budgeted classics from the seventies, while smaller films like IS HE THERE? and LOVE FOOL harken back to the better Vivid Feature Presentations directed by Paul Thomas. Yet, there is a distinctive style to Robby's pictures, as well as a more convincing execution of the sex scenes which far surpasses most of that produced prior to the new millennium.

THE SMITHS doesn't aspire to be as ambitious and as epic as FLY GIRLS, but there is no doubt that this movie is more cinematic and artistic than his other recent works. Based on the title and an early scene in which Kayden and Mick have dinner across a long dining room table, I believed that this movie would be an adaptation of MR. AND MRS. SMITH (a pretty darn good flick, might I add), starring Brangelina. However, what is presented here is more of a soap opera, in which Mick Blue (playing Dick) is neglected by his hot wife, played by Miss Kross (as Jane, of course). He works at a company which monitors porn sites (given all the hotties which are part of that office, sexual harassment must occur on a constant basis) and she supposedly works for a "numbers document firm." I'm not sure why and how the couple managed to maintain such a chaste relationship, nor do I understand how she kept her actual vocation a secret from hubby. Even more puzzling, how does Mr. Blue keep control of himself with his super-hot sister-in-law, played by Riley Steele, hanging around the same house? However, none of these details really matter amidst the endless teasing and sexual tension. It's amazing that such a "small" film can contain such high erotic quality, and discriminating viewers will find themselves more enraptured by ninety minutes of THE SMITHS than by most two-hour and a half hour gonzo videos.

Instead of assuming a stereotypically strident and bitchy persona, Kayden plays Jane rather sympathetically; she's more professional than haughty, and her warm personality makes her sexual releases exceptionally exciting. Riley Steele dresses like a fuck-doll, and flirts outrageously whenever her brother-in-law is nearby. Along the way, we have supporting characters getting their thrills (Kortney's bathroom affair with Scott Nails is filled with sexual tension which reaches a high point when she gets banged from behind, and Jennifer White's anal tryst with Manuel Ferrara is technically excellent across the board), leading up to the resolution of Dick and Jane's conflict as they indulge in their own carnal needs.

The hardcore scenes are introduced leisurely, with a proper, voyeuristic build-up and lots of slow, carnal provocation. But once the action begins, it comes in like a thunderstorm. For instance, Kayden's scene with Tommy Gunn is initially introduced like a dream sequence, then settles into raw passion and fun, beginning with her lustful oral work and continuing with her bucking and quivering orgasmic reactions when he returns the favor. Her fishnet outfit is hot, but her facial reactions are even more dick-stiffening. I was so impressed by this affair, that I almost overlooked the fact that she doesn't take a facial (Tommy cums on her butt after plowing her doggy-style).

Fortunately, her follow-up scene with Mick Blue does end in an oral money shot, so ardent raincoaters shouldn't feel any sense of disappointment. Few girls can appear in back-to-back scenes without conveying a sense of sameness and repetition. However, Miss Kross is so good, that the movie never loses its sexual momenum. Last year, Kayden impressed audiences and critics greatly as the lead in THE 8TH DAY, surely one of the best adult features ever made and a must-see for all porn connoisseurs and a must-have for all Blu-ray owners. I can't imagine any of her fans not wanting to add THE SMITHS as part of their Kayden collection.

The movie concludes with a "surprise" finale, where Mick is matched with Riley Steele, courtesy of the Missus. They have sex before the cameras, and Riley is on fire here (then again, what else is new?) The frenzied blowjobs, furious fucking and oral finish are just the kind of "blockbuster" finale one might expect from a superior feature video.

The eye-candy in THE SMITHS is absolutely astonishing, and the images shine on Blu-ray. There are many memorable moments of the girls in non-hardcore action which are worthy of an Andrew Blake production: the opening close-up of Kortney Kane's ass wrapped up in an skimpy black dress, followed up later by the far shots of her endlessly long legs strutting in heels as she enters a bathroom stall, were images which struck me like a bolt of lightning generating 1.21 gigawatts of electricity. Equally easy on the eyes were the covergirl close-ups of Kayden's gorgeous face when she first appears in the picture, as well as the medium shots of Riley Steele dressed up in red lingerie. For a sequence which will really grab your attention, skip over to the fifty-four minute mark, for a montage of strobing images backed up by a pulsating score as Kayden prepares for her affair with Tommy Gunn. It's a strikingly creative visual moment, and climactically reveals a hidden secret kept by Miss Kross. I've always been impressed with the film-like texture of Mr. D's pictures, and THE SMITHS maintains the same standards in video and audio quality. To describe it is one thing, but to experience it on a widescreen monitor is another.

My only complaint about this production? I wish it were longer. It's ninety-minute running time is perfect for the tightly edited vignettes and expository sequences, but I wanted to see more of Kayden, Riley and Kortney, with or without clothes. The girls look that good. The entertaining Behind The Scenes featurette offers ten more minutes of fooling around during production, but a few extended photo shoots and glamour pictures would have been even better.

I don't want to overhype THE SMITHS, because clearly, those wanting nothing less than gynecological close-ups of double anal penetration, bukkake climaxes, and CGI extravaganzas will be left wondering what all the raving is about. But for others who appreciate creativity as well as quality, THE SMITHS is a winner inside and out.

The Smiths' core concept is very strong. Two conflicting lifestyles, situational irony, sexual repression manifesting in daydreams/delusions, seizing the opportunity to rebel against norms and call your SO on her crap... it really is a great foundation. Kayden is also incredibly talented and sexy. Manuel's acting chops aren't bad either. The story is interesting and loaded with potential, but the film doesn't take advantage of its resources properly. I've seen Kayden, Manuel, and Tommy be great actors that drive a story in other titles. I've seen them, Jennifer and Mick be incredibly sexy during sex scenes. The sad truth is that the plot is under-developed and the emotions/motivations of characters are under-explored. The sex scene gonzo style is obscurs much of the action and I just feel that better angles, blocking, and directing could have made them so much more enjoyable to watch.

All in all, worth a watch, brimming with potential, but falling short of being truly great.

Poor Manuel...you feel for him...his wife is the ever vivacious Kayden Kross who has one of the absolute most killer bodies in the entire adult industry...and he's not getting any. She won't even fix him a decent meal much less let him blow off some steam. Yet Manuel is a trooper. He is tempted by an office full of gorgeous ladies and taunted by his best friend (played by Scott Nails).

Each scene builds on the one before beautifully until AT LAST Manuel finally convinces his wife that he has what it takes. The scene between Kayden and Manuel is among the best scenes I've ever watched! Kayden is just wired to have repeated orgasms I guess...and she doesn't disappoint here.

My only disappointment was that she did not have any girl/girl action in this one. I put this title as one of Robby D's best films so far.