Beautiful/Nasty

Thought the title and packaging suggest a feature film, BEAUTIFUL/NASTY actually plays like a pseudo-documentary gonzo video. It opens with a statement from Star and Producer Devinn Lane admonishing reviewers from being too critical on any all-girl feature on the basis that said nitpickers often don't regard lesbian scenes as not being true sex scenes. Well, that has never been my philosophy, although it's true that I expect higher degree of passion, beauty and erotic heat in my porn if there isn't going to be any straight sex in it. It's been my viewing experience that with the exception of Studio-A Entertainment, there is an over-reliance on toys and exaggerated conduct in all-girl hardcore, as if the performers and the director were trying to make-up for the lack of active male genitalia onscreen. Thus, titles like DECADENT DIVAS and NO MAN'S LAND have never been my favorites of the genre because they seem hell-bent on demolishing that "feminine" touch. Not so with BEAUTIFUL/NASTY, which seems to strike the right combination of hard action and steaming sensuality, thanks to director Mark Stone and his producer, the lovely and talented Ms. Lane, who happens to be in a majority of the vignettes.

The opening scene with Julia Ann is seductive and full of lusty emotion. Both girls have equally gorgeous faces and spectacular curves, and their scene is just about as good as anything the former Blondage star has ever done with Janine. (However, her icicle dildo scene from HIDDEN OBSESSIONS has yet to be matched.) Like Randy West's I LOVE LESBIAN titles, there is a sense of voyeuristic intimacy in having two babes just go at each other with complete abandon. Now under contract with Wicked, seeing Julia Ann back in full-fledged action is worth the price of this disc alone.

The following threesome with Devinn, Adajia and Amber Michaels is more carnal and moody, set up against a candle lit, gothic backdrop. Truthfully, this kind of scenario isn't my cup of tea, and the dark shadows make the action hard to see. It's good stuff, but not necessarily great. Thankfully, the next vignette takes place by a pool out in the easier-on-the-eyes California sunshine, and involves Charlie and Rene LaRue and Devinn. As far as characterizing the action goes, this scene falls somewhere in-between the previous two, and is highlighted by some extensive dildo action jack hammering in and out of Devinn's two holes.

Lola is given a special introduction (and a lot of compliments and praise during the voiceovers) before here ménage a twat with Julia Ann and Nakita Kash takes place. While the action is good, the segment is a bit too dark and shadowy and does not compare favorably to a similar elevator scenes found in Michael Ninn's DEVIL IN MISS JONES VI and DIVA. Nakita Kash is allowed to a solo spotlight, with black masking tape on her nipples (as was seen during Lola's segment), which looks more uncomfortable than sexy. (A recent Wicked lesbian feature, FLASH! also seemed to take a strange liking to this "accessory.")

The only annoying fault with this flick is the fact that the camera roams around a bit too much, especially during segments where Devinn and Julia Ann are locking lips and tasting tongues, and when Julia Ann, Lola and Nakita share a three-way kiss that is barely seen. Why must the camera pan away when J.A. is sucking on Nakita's tongue? Why can't the camera get a closer look at Charlie and Nakita making out right before the orgy? There were more than a few moments when I just wanted to kick back and drink in the girls just making out with each other without the impediments of distracting angles or ill-timed cutaways. After all, most videos spend the majority of their time focusing on genitalia, what is an extra minute or two watching girls kiss?

The video and audio quality is up to Wicked's high standards. As mentioned above, any problems I have about the picture stem from the original video production, such as angles and editing, and not with the pressing of this DVD. Clearly a labor of love, Devinn Lane has put a lot of work into this movie the DVD production complements her work well. The Special Features have all the goodies one might expect from a Wicked title, with the exception of Behind The Scenes featurette, which is largely unnecessary given the documentary structure of the main feature. BEAUTIFUL/NASTY also features an enthusiastic and involved commentary from principal starlets Devinn Lane and Julia Ann, who are unsurprisingly into talking about their opening scene. Surprisingly, the running commentary is not at all superfluous even though we are given plenty of in-between interviews performed during the sex scenes. There is a casual chattiness accompanying the movie which will make you want to watch the DVD twice over.

BEAUTIFUL/NASTY also happens to sport one of the most stunning box covers I've seen, since the last DVD which happened to spotlight Devinn Lane (take your pick of IN STYLE, or VEGAS OR BUST, or BORDELLO BLUES). This time, she is paired with Julia Ann (both on the packaging and in the first scene of the movie), and the results are striking: the black and white photo highlights the busty beauties gorgeously, and the sly smile on Julia Ann's face is as striking as the distant stare on Devinn's. This disc clearly deserved the 2002 AVN Award for "Best Packaging."

Though not an absolutely, positively, 100% outstanding feature, BEAUTIFUL/NASTY is an impressive piece of work and a definite keeper. Recommended with only modest and the most nit-picky of reservations.

Looking over the cast list, I anticipated a steamy DVD viewing session. This all-girl, all-sex video was produced by Devinn Lane. We start off our viewing by listening to Devinn giving a speech about how the critics shouldn't be so critical about all-girl movies. (Well, I for one like all-girl movies if they are done well. If not, they tend to be terribly boring.) This didn't leave me with that cozy "warm sex" feeling I like to slip into. She then moves into some input about the girls in this movie, which is interesting, but let's get on with the show already.

The intro clips are really nice in theory, but move a bit fast and tend to be out of focus. Finally, we reach the first sex scene. Devinn Lane and Julia Ann are a nice pair-up. It becomes apparent very quickly that there is no background music and the only noise coming from the pair is shared babble now and then. This scene moves a bit slow. Some positive points on this scene are the fishnet stockings on Julia Ann that Devinn licks through and some nasty talk offered by Miss Lane. When Julia Ann starts to work on Devinn, the heat intensifies a bit, but we don't actually get to see very much hardcore action. At the end of the scene, Julia reflects about it for a while with a little insert from Devinn and a good bit of the director's option. This is interesting dialogue, but there is a lot of talking in the background, which is distracting.

Scene two is Adajja, Amber Michaels and Devinn. Devinn leads us in by talking about the girls a bit. This scene takes place in a fetish type of room. Adajja is lying on a black table. Amber and Devinn crawl up onto her and start the kissing and licking. Again there is no music, in fact, practically all of the scenes in this video lack any background music. There is some talk, but not enough to break the awkward silence that we are faced with throughout the whole film. Flares distract from this scene, making the viewing difficult at times. Flares are lights that are caught on the camera lens creating a star or flare-like effect. We do get some hot action from the girls as they eat each other out, but again the actual XXX viewing is obscured by shadows, flares, hair and hands. They do use toys, which makes it fun. Devinn leads a blindfolded girl on to the set. This is Ariel and she is required to watch while the girls continue. This girl is eye candy. The girls use a strap-on with Adajja and then move on to a D.P. on her - which would be very exciting if we could actually see it! Ariel starts her scene masturbating a bit and we actually get some music here....yeah!

Scene three features Renee La Rue and Charlie with Devinn. This scene is set by an azure pool, which makes for a beautiful background. Charlie is as cute as ever. Lots of fingers and tongues in this scene, exploring every inch of each other's body. They start to use dildos and end up with a D.P. on Devinn, but again you see mostly hands.

Scene four's line-up is Lola, Julia Ann and Nakita Kash. This scene takes place in a freight elevator. The girls really do make the most of the limited space. Next, they move to the stairs. Lola is very interesting to watch. The costuming of this scene is a nice change from the ordinary and thank goodness Miss Kash is very vocal.

The last scene is an orgy with Nakita Kash, Devinn Lane, Charlie, Julia Ann and Adajja. This takes place in front of a fireplace. We start off with fingers and a daisy chain in a very relaxed atmosphere. Toys do come out in this scene, but the scene still lacks the passion that it could have. We end this scene with a talk about hygiene and how the girls prepare for sex...really stuff I didn't want to know about, but I'm sure there is someone out there interested in all of this!

DVD extras include: Chapter Selection, Audio selection, Special Features, Wicked Casino, AVN & Wicked DVD Award Winners and Nominations, Free Speech Coalition, Audio Bios, and Company Profile. The Menu for all of this is very difficult to read, due to the special effects. There also seems to be a DVD programming error that takes you to the promotional trailers when you hit the menu button once inside the options. Audio Selection gives you the option of listening to Devinn Lane and Julia Ann's running commentary. Special Features offers a Behind the Scenes Photo Gallery which is automated and gives you lots of pictures of the director/camera guy on the set. Movie Gallery is automated glamour shots (very nice), Promotional Material is the convention trailers, and Wicked Web is the website address and the option of how to get a direct link when viewing this DVD on your computer. Wicked Casino allows you to play a casino game on your computer. Audio Bios has rotating pictures, stats and an audio bio on each girl. There are five girls to chose from: Devinn Lane, Julia Ann, Charlie, Lola and Amber Michaels. Company Profile is an audio and text profile of Wicked Pictures.

Overall, this movie was a real let-down for me and although the DVD extras generally exceed the mark, the movie itself carried little weight. I would recommend this movie to those of you who are looking for an imperfect, voyeuristic view of all-girl scenes. The rest of you should probably select another title for your satisfaction.

Wicked generally isn't very good at releasing all-girl flicks...they tend to be rather boring or they just don't really live up to the criteria. The best lesbian scenes from Wicked usually just come from their regular films that have one or two lesbian scenes thrown in for good measure. This movie changes everything.

This is an all-girl sex video with gorgeous women that are really into the scenes and put on a great show. Julia Ann and Devinn are very memorable. Not only are they the best looking girls on the DVD, but even the cover art on the DVD is generally arousing.

Devinn's idea for an all-girl flick really paid off, and I hope she keeps the idea with more films in the future.

I'm not that into lesbian scenes..I'm very picky about them. They have to either involve Janine, Julia Ann or Devinn Lane.

Well, this one has Julia Ann and Devinn Lane! The first scene between those two is worth the price of admission, alone.

The Devinn/Amber Michaels/Adajja scene was pretty hot, too.

I think that all-girl films have been the weakest part of the Wicked line. However, this movie is definitely the best of its type. Devinn and Julia Ann are really sexy in it and I think it's a lot better than what other reviewers are saying about it.

This is a very standard, single-camera, one-day production. The sex is generally restrained or unconvincing (and certainly lacks intimacy and warmth) and is poorly lit; and the videography reveals all too clearly that simply swooping a single camera around (with a few trims in post-production) cannot create the same effect as a carefully composed and edited production.

It's a bit perplexing to me to see unimaginative (and even crude) exercises such as this touted as cutting-edge erotica, while the highly professional "Flash!" gets panned. If you can't tell the difference, or don't care, this is the one for you.