Bad Habits

Deidre Holland assumes the lead role in John Leslie's shot-on-film VCA production, BAD HABITS, a movie in which the DVD release means I can finally put my bulky, unwieldy, laserdisc to rest. Although released back in the mid-1990s, this title far surpasses most of the videos being made today, despite the fact that gaping anal shots and cum-swallowing scenes are kept to a minimum here. Beginning with the arresting DVD box cover, which spotlights Ms. Holland looking absolutely exquisite in a tight, sheer dress which shows off her perfect, natural body, BAD HABITS is a class act throughout and ranks with some of Leslie's best work (including his features for Evil Angel) he has ever done.

Admittedly, the plot is a bit thin: Randy Spears plays a therapist who takes deliberate advantage of his patients, including featured performer Deidre. The situational set-up is similar to storylines we have previously seen in GOIN' DOWN SLOW and ANYTHING THAT MOVES, so you won't find anything too unusual here. I would rather dispense with the story and jump right into the hardcore, which is hot and plentiful.

Although Deidre is the star of the show, Tiffany Mynx appears in a scene-stealing girl-guy encounter with Doctor Spears. Playing the role of his secretary, Tiffany is directed to undress slowly before getting her hands and knees to crawl and purr around his legs like a kitten in heat. What soon follows is a deliberately measured, teasing blowjob scene which approaches pure oral performance perfection. With camera angles that are a textbook example of how all acts of fellatio should be filmed, Tiffany's lovely face and sexy mouth are in full profile view as she goes to work on Randy's stiff cock. At first, she exercises her tongue to massage his balls, and then pouts her lips to engulf them in her wet, warm mouth. Slowly, but skillfully, she licks the entire length of his shaft to the tip, before withdrawing to re-position herself for some incredible, and unyielding, deep throat action. In my many years as a Mynx-fan, I have seen her perform in some of the most athletic and erotic scenes ever captured for home video, but her appearance in BAD HABITS is by far my favorite. This blowjob has to be seen to be believed and appreciated.

Their coupling continues with some hot cowgirl fucking, and ends with some doggy-style anal action with Randy spilling his load all over Tiffany's glorious ass. Even if viewers prefer Tiffany's other appearances in starring roles like BUTTWOMAN or CHEEK TO CHEEK, I doubt that that anyone would take exception to how great she looks in this scene, stripping down from a tight skirt and blouse down to white bra and panties and white high heels; she is simply captivating. And once again, I must repeat, her expertise in the fellating arts are unmatched by even the heartiest of cocksuckers.

Following a somewhat disappointing straight tryst with Tom Byron early in the film, in which most of the action is deliberately and frustratingly obscured by a plant in the foreground, Deidre Holland shares a sensational scene with Mark Davis, which almost matches the heat and intensity of Tiffany's. Mark gets to eat out and fuck Deidre on a bathroom counter, and her scene is enhanced by generous medium shots of her sexy long legs raised high in black pumps. Whether intentional or not, Ms. Holland always adds a little more visual sex appeal by throwing her whole body into a scene, instead of simply lying there limp and lifeless like which is the norm for other, lazier actresses. Her work in this film easily measures up to her critically-acclaimed performance in John Leslie's CHAMELEONS, which is a modern porn classic that also qualifies as a "must see."

The unmistakably curvy and compact body of Dyanna Lauren makes its memorable mark in a damp and backlit circle jerk shot in an alley. Deriving a similar technique in CURSE OF THE CATWOMAN, director Leslie squeezes Dyanna in a form-fitting vinyl outfit while she sashays and teases her way around several guys who naturally begin to jerk themselves into a frenzy over this very sexy sight. Deidre Holland also receives some of the teasing herself, and although I generally dislike masturbation scenes (especially when it's just a bunch of guys yanking it without any gangbang action), there is no doubt that Dyanna is too hot not to get worked up over. Deborah Welles, a Hungarian import with exotic great looks and a fabulous pair of legs, also makes a cameo appearance here, but her affair is only so-so. The gauzy camera work is generally good, but her scene begins and ends much too quickly to appreciate fully. Recently, I was reacquainted with Ms. Welles in the VCA Classic, VIRTUAL SEX (a terrific little title that warranted critical accolades), so I suggest viewers pick up that movie along with this one under review. Busty blonde Sasha Strange (who sorta kinda looks like Samantha Strong's distant cousin) and the seldom scene Angel Ash also do the wild thing in this movie, but Tiffany and Deidre outshine them all.

Just as VCA has done an excellent job with the DVD transfers of films like ANYTHING THAT MOVES and CHAMELEONS, their release of BAD HABITS looks excellent in the digital medium. My current laserdisc pales in comparison to the DVD, where the picture is sharper and with steadier colors. Again, VCA gives its Classic line somewhat limited extras (a photo gallery and an outdated list of current titles), but I really didn't care; I wanted BAD HABITS on a five inch disc and now I've got it! And once you take a long (and longing) look at the picture of Deidre on the cover of this DVD, you'll want to get it, too.

Randy Spears is up to no good in Bad Habits, as he plays a psychotherapist, looking to make some quick cash off of a famed writer, played by Deidre Holland. This 1994 John Leslie-directed film is another above average classic released by VCA, with a video and audio quality to match the quality of the movie.

The film opens in the office of Dr. Fisher, the therapist Randy is playing. Deidre (who plays Shawn) is in his office telling Randy about this sex club she went to where she watched as another woman (Dyanna Lauren) showed off in front of a group of guys. This first scene is intentionally darkly-lit, and the guys only do a circle jerk around Dyanna and cum on the back of her dress (there is no physical contact between her and the men), so the appeal of this scene depends on how erotic you think the set-up is. Personally, watching a group of guys jerk off isn't my cup of tea, so I wasn't particularly impressed with this opening scene...fortunately, the movie really takes off after this opening, and this less than fantastic segment is just a distant memory by the time you finish watching the film.

One of the guys Deidre meets in the tunnel (and who saves some of his personal dignity by not being involved in the circle jerk) is Tom Byron, who goes back to Deidre's place with her. They make out on the couch, and John Leslie directs the action in such a way, that you are always behind a plant or other obstruction when viewing the scene...this makes for a very voyeuristic feel, but could also be frustrating for viewers who like to be right up on the action.

The best scene in the movie comes when Deidre leaves Randy's office, and Randy calls his secretary (the beautiful Tiffany Mynx) in for some action. Tiffany has some white lingerie on here that looks great, and she gets into some really wild fun with Mr. Spears, including some hot anal action.

The next time Deidre meets with Randy, he suggests that she might be suppressing some past life experience and asks her to submit to some . While in , Deidre remembers a lesbian affair with Deborah Wells, but when she comes out of her , she accuses Randy of being a con-artist and says she doesn't want to meet with him anymore.

Not wanting to lose his most profitable patient, Randy uses Mark Davis (looking very young in one of his early roles) to try and convince Deidre that she indeed has had a past life and that Randy hadn't put those ideas in her head. However, when Deidre finally finds out what Randy is doing, and Mark confessed to her that he was being blackmailed by Randy, the tables turn as the two work to pay Randy back and make sure he will lose his medical license.

Like most of John Leslie-directed classic titles, Bad Habits has an interesting plot along with a lot of interesting sex. The result is a very good adult film that should appeal to both couples and raincoaters alike (and those raincoaters who just happen to be part of a couple!).

The only downside to this otherwise well-made DVD is on the features end, as the only real bonus here is a slide show, along with the regular chapter selection and the option of jumping to a certain actresses scene.