Dark Illusions

The concept for DARK ILLUSIONS is reminiscent of James Avalon's storyline in his modern masterpieces NOTHING TO HIDE, PART 3 and PART 4. Lead actress XXXena plays a recovering victim from a motor vehicle accident who has recurring sexual illusions, which is basically the same thing which happens with Gwen Summers character in the two-part classic. However, Avalon's work (which is based on his own real life events and experiences; see the Empire Interview in the Editorial Archives) is by far more ambitious and more fascinating than the rather pedestrian stuff we get out of DARK ILLUSIONS. Director DiGiorgio breaks no new ground when it comes this story, and his sex scenes certainly don't transcend the clichés.

The majority of the movie focuses on her attempt to get better, and all we do is just plow from one sex scene to another. All the encounters are studio bound in cheap settings and cheesy productions, none of which flatter the performers at all. For instance, just to remind viewers she's ill, we have put up with XXXena wearing a ridiculous band-aid across her forehead for most of her scenes. The final resolution of our protagonist's conflict is done so laughably (even under porno standards) that you're better off forgetting about any pretense to plot.

XXXena is attractive and very sexy, but she looks better all done up on the box cover than under the harsher lights of a video production. She appears in three scenes, including an opening scene with Nick Manning where they go through all the standard positions (missionary, cowgirl, and doggy); a lesbian threesome with Amber Lynn-ish Jennifer Steele and Chandler which is technically well-performed, but not very compelling; and a final threesome with Eric Masterson and Marty Romano, which is strictly by-the-numbers and visually obscured by the dark shadows and uninspired camerawork. Still, if you are especially charmed by this large breasted brunette, then of course this disc should be picked up. However, none of her scenes really engaged me at all. There are too many times when she does little more than lie or sit there while things are going on to and about her. I know every girl can't be as energetic as, say, a Briana Banks (to name another busty sex goddess), but viewers deserve a more convincing performance than this.

As for the other sex scenes, only brown-haired Cherie (who could pass for a long lost sister of Alexa Rae) really had me at full attention when she gets together with XXXena's beau from the first scene. (With the exception of Eric Masterson, I could not accurately identify all the male cast members in the film and the credits are not at all helpful at all). For you female viewers out there, I will say that this guy kind of looks like a long-haired Ricky Martin, so make use of that information anyway you want.

Trim and blonde, Chandler does great oral work on some guy in an office, but her overabundance of tattoos just spoils the visuals for me. (And these tattoos are noticeable even when she is fully clothed and giving head!) She's a fun little performer, and retains enough energy to share a scene with Jennifer Steele (who was so good in WHACK ATTACK #12). But as mentioned above, XXXena really adds nothing to their lesbian scene when she drops by, despite the use of dildos and toys up to the end.

Cute brunette Alex Foxe reminds me of a cross between Ona Zee and Raven. She plays a bartender who gets balled by one of her -guzzling patrons, in what is probably the second best scene in the film. Mind you, it's not outstanding by any stretch of the imagination, but it's above average in the context of this movie. Like the final threesome featuring XXXena, this one is directed with little in the way of imagination or originality. (Incidentally, more astute Empire readers will notice that throughout this review I've been comparing many of these actresses with other pornstars. To me, it's the only way to sustain some sort of interest with most of what's going on on-screen. Usually I try to make special note of a particular performer who happens to stand out in any single film. Unfortunately, there's no one I really care to remember here.)

The bonus materials fall surprisingly in the below average category. The Star Bios are too brief to be useful to fans, and are told by words which fade in and out on her picture, while a menu gives us the chance to "Jump To A Hot Scene." We get three trailers for other DiGiorgio flicks, including THE SOPORNOS, SUCCUBUS and THE SOPORNOS 2. Even those trailers are boring, with most segments being shown in slow motion and edited to some anonymous rock beat. Picture and audio quality on this disc, however, is up to VCA's high standards.

Forget about this movie. Go get NOTHING TO HIDE, PART 3 and 4 (a two disc set, by the way, but definitely worth twice the Empire price) for a more involving out of body experience.