Fetish: The Dream Scape

In addition to his directorial work for Private, Michael Ninn keeps busy running his own production entity called Ninn Worx. Fetish The Dream Scape marks the first release from this company as well as the directorial debut of photographer Laurent Sky. Even though Ninn isn't behind the camera, his influence is felt throughout with the quick edits and an industrial/sci-fi atmosphere. However, it wasn't the Ninn name that attracted me to this disc, but rather the impressive roster of talent; names like Bunny Luv, Ava Vincent, and Aurora Snow will always get my attention.

Despite the alluring cast, it's the DVD presentation that really sets this release apart. While two-disc sets are no longer uncommon, this one makes good use of the second platter offering an entirely different cut of the movie. The first disc contains the "Artcore" version. As you might expect, this is the auteuer's vision come to life, with all the appropriate bells and whistles. This version plays a lot like a music video, with an overpowering music track and seizure inducing edits; most shots linger for no more than four seconds before either dissolving or cutting to the next shot. This will undoubtedly annoy some out there, but the overall pacing works extremely well in conjunction with the up-tempo music.

The second disc offers the "Hardcore" version, which is a bit misleading. This is basically a bare bones version of the footage seen on the first disc. The quick edits are gone as are the music tracks. Instead what's left are the raw essentials of each scene, namely the sex. A somewhat annoying addition to this version is the audio track which contains plenty of background "set noise" as well as verbal direction from Laurent Sky. In other words, this "Hardcore" version is pretty much what you'd have seen (and heard) if you were on the set that day. While the action is the same, the energy and intensity are definitely limited. For this reason, the "Artcore" version is by far the most interesting.

In an effort to remain true to the disc's box cover, Nicole Sheridan kicks off the first scene wearing a black latex outfit. Her surroundings resemble a set from Aliens, with a number of video monitors and plenty of scrap metal scattered about. She sits back in an uncomfortable looking metal chair and plays with herself. Things get even weirder when Voodoo (disguised in torturous head-gear) and a Gestapo officer (complete with monocle) make thir presence known. Nicole and Voodoo literally swap some spit before she gives him some great head. He returns the favor by eating her out, then fucking her pussy and ass; there's a hot pile driver sequence where Nicole sports a nice gape. In classic Ninn fashion, we're treated to two different angles of the concluding pop shot. Nicole manages to catch some in her mouth which she spits out onto her right nipple, and massages it into her skin with her tongue.

Without much of a break, Mia Smiles appears on the screen, dancing and masturbating in slow motion. After thoroughly fingering herself, Chris Cannon comes into view wearing a lame-ass costume. Fortunately, most of the action focuses on a close up of Mia giving him a messy blowjob. While bent over and leaning against a steel wall, Mia takes it from behind as Chris grasps her long dark hair. Chris fucks her in a couple of more positions (reverse cowgirl and missionary) before popping his load, mainly on her left shoulder. But some of his jizz lands on her black leather choker, which Mia promptly cleans with her tongue to close out the scene.

Michelle Michaels takes the stage next, wearing a smoking red PVC outfit with matching fishnets. The costuming is put to great effect in the opening minutes as Michelle teases the camera; this is where Sky's experience as a photographer really shines through. As the scene moves into the hardcore elements, Michelle masturbates with a speculum, thrusting it in and out of her pussy, then using it spread herself open. The weird factor kicks in next as the composition cuts between a trapped (and goggled) Erik Everhard and Michelle seductively eyeing a couple of alien corpses. Fortunately she chooses Erik. He eats her out briefly before she drops to her knees and sucks his cock. While wearing a condom, he fucks her in three positions before he blows his load. But instead of popping on her face, at some point he cums in the condom. To close out the scene, he carefully removes the rubber and milks his juice out of it so it lands on Michelle's face. As the only scene with condom usage, it's good to see that it's actually put into play at the end of the scene instead of mysteriously disappearing.

The requisite girl-girl scene is next featuring Bunny Luv and Ava Vincent. Bunny begins by descending a set of stairs wearing black PVC lingerie and what looks like a transparent rain slicker. She stops at the bottom of the stairs and begins playing with herself, first with her fingers, then with a dildo. When it's Ava's turn, she descends the same flight of stairs and goes through virtually the same routine. The girls finally go at it, with Ava taking the lead, snacking on Bunny's luscious rack before sucking on her pussy. They exchange oral favors for a while, then Bunny breaks out a dildo and goes to work on Ava to close out the scene. This is a nice scene, but the solo lead-ins monopolize way too much time.

If you're an Aurora Snow fan you'll definitely want to see this next scene. Usually seen in gonzo-like productions, it's not often we get to see Aurora all dolled-up with precision attention to hair and make-up. As you might have guessed, the end result is absolutely stunning. Wearing nothing more than a few strips of red PVC and matching red thigh-high boots, Aurora eyes the camera while gently fondling herself. Interrupting this slice of heaven is a sequence where a masked Pat Myne intermittently electrocutes Jay Ashley. Once the boys have their fun, they join Aurora and immediately start fondling and tonguing her. While Jay shoves most of his finger up her pussy, Aurora sucks on Pat's cock. But Jay eventually moves into position for some head, managing to get his cock deep into Aurora's throat. The guys then move straight to her ass, pounding her in a doggy position, immediately producing Aurora's patented gape. She eventually gets some vaginal penetration during a DP setup with Pat in her pussy and Jay in her ass. For the finale, Pat jerks off on a red ball gag while Jay pops his load on one of Aurora's boots. She then licks clean both objects, eyeing the camera until the scene fades out. While this is by no means Aurora's best scene, she looks absolutely incredible throughout; the opening tease sequence alone is replay worthy.

Based on this release, Ninn Worx appears to be a top-notch company capable of releasing high quality DVDs. I would say 98% of this disc features near-perfect video quality. But the harsh editing and strobe lighting effects raise havoc with the transfer resulting in very brief (but very noticeable) moments of pixelation; this is most noticeable in the first and third scenes. Digitizing challenging content like this is difficult, but a bit more effort and attention to quality could have yielded far better results. While the audio is minimal at best on the second disc, the music laden soundtrack in the "Artcore" version is produced with precision and clarity in a stereo format. The music definitely takes center-stage, but in most of the scenes the appropriate moans and grunts can be heard underneath. I usually don't like music in porn, but the selections chosen here match the stylized action perfectly. In fact, truncated versions of each of the five music tracks can be heard on the second disc in the extras; a photo slide show plays on the screen while the music plays.

In addition to the music, photo galleries, and the "Hardcore" version, the highlight of the extras is a behind the scenes montage that runs for nearly 30 minutes. This featurette shows some of the intricate sets and contains lengthy interviews with Jay Ashley, Aurora Snow and Bunny Luv. I've always thought fetish themed videos should contain an audio commentary to help explain some of the weirder elements; something this disc has plenty of. But this one leaves us contemplating the erotic significance of Nazis, dead aliens, and electrocution without any input from the producer or director...maybe next time.

Fetish The Dream Scape provides a nice change of pace, delivering stark bizarre imagery along with the high production values one would expect from a Michael Ninn project. While the material is similar to the stuff Frank Thring and Tanya Hyde turned out for Private, it doesn't exhibit the same degree of edginess. Still, the great cast and Laurent Sky's close approximation to his mentor makes for a memorable viewing experience.

Let's give this DVD some credit... specifically the incredible editing in the "Artcore" version. Top-notch, exhausting performances in all five scenes. Black and red latex, glass dildos on a stick, sci-fi set, erotic music... with beautiful female talent.

This was my first exposure to this director and I was not impressed. I was expecting to get some really great artistic work--like that of Andrew Blake, and was overly disappointed with the editing throughout. It just did not flow. Too many choppy edits, repeats, and the like.