Fade To Black

Vivid Productions' multi-AVN award-winning FADE TO BLACK, starring stunning Taylor Hayes and directed by porn institution, Paul Thomas, certainly lives up to its accolades by offering one of the best acted and written adult films I have ever seen. Borrowing the "film-within-a-film" and "blurring of film and reality" concepts from any number of sources (e.g. "The Stunt Man" (a great film from the 1980's), "Bowfinger," etc.), FADE TO BLACK delivers an absorbing plot (as adult films go) about a young porn hopeful (Hayes) and her boyfriend (Dale DaBone) who become pawns in a game of deception masterminded by a bored, narcissistic adult film director (Thomas).

However, hardcore "porn" junkies, who simply want rapid-fire action to which they can spank their meat like a spider monkey with attention-deficit disorder, may get a bit bored with FADE TO BLACK's intricate plot. Nevertheless, rest assured that the main feature has some solid "entertainment" and, as always, the good folks at Vivid have packed this disc to the brim with boner-inducing extras. Moreover, with its soap-opera-like plot and less-than-hardcore action (i.e. Anabolic fans might want to steer clear of this one), FADE would likely be a great viewing choice for open-minded couples.

Leggy Taylor Hayes ("Tulip"), who looks great (of course), her boyfriend, Dale ("Curry") and their pal Voodoo ("Kyle") are a trio of adult-film wannabes from Hicktown, Oklahoma. Dale hopes to break into the adult film big leagues by directing homemade films featuring Taylor and photographed by Kyle. Dale has no apparent qualms about featuring his girlfriend in his films and we are treated to some of his directorial style as Taylor gets down to business during a filmed suck and fuck with Erik Everhard. Although Taylor is a wet-dream, the constant switching between film and video (i.e. what Kyle is filming), the shaky, off-center, MTV-style camera work and Dale's off-camera shouting and "direction" kills the heat of this scene. Nevertheless, Dale's filmmaking acumen appears to pay off when he and the gang get an invite from top porn director, Paul Thomas ("Trent Morgan") to bring their act to Hollywood. Taylor, Dale and Voodoo load up the van and head west.

Once in Hollywood, the trio bides their time at Thomas' studio while watching the magic of a professional porn set in action. (In a nod to all those films that show Hollywood backlots full of actors dressed astronauts, gladiators, Martians, etc., Taylor and the gang see a Marilyn Monroe look-alike (sans panties) getting her dress blown over her head and watch Julie Meadows, Adaja and a male partner film a scene dressed in ancient Egyptian garb). Julie looks great but spends most of her time working on herself with a dildo, while Adaja accommodates her lucky male partner in both of her waiting holes before the ladies accept a joint consignment of cream on their waiting chests. Again, however, this scene lacks some monkeyspanking potential due to all the off-camera noise and direction (If anything, FADE TO BLACK does offer a sense of how genuinely unarousing and distracting a true porn-set must be with all the noise, equipment and people around (I have a newfound respect for adult film actors who are able to perform so convincingly in such surroundings)).

Taylor, Dale and Voodoo finally meet the enigmatic Thomas and his strange companion, Tony Tedeschi. Thomas, clearly only interested in Taylor, wastes no time putting her in a movie. The fact that Dale and Voodoo are being ignored and she hasn't agreed to any contract or payment terms yet doesn't stop Taylor from giving her all in a scene in a diner with Joey Ray. Taylor, wearing a little sundress, is super-sexy as she coyly teases Joey with some suggestive talk before the two engage in a rousing suck and fuck, with Joey releasing on Taylor's taut ass.

Meanwhile, Dale experiences a slow burn as he watches Taylor and Joey in action and can't get a straight answer from Thomas about what sort of deal he intends to cut with his "team." Dale manages to release some pent-up frustration as he later engages in a 3-way with Taylor and curvy, Taylor St. Clair, a well-known porn star and member of Thomas' inner-circle (St. Clair also receives her share of anal action during this segment).

Later, Thomas reveals to Dale that he secretly videotaped the ménage-a-trois since it depicted "real sex" between "real people" and not that same, boring, staged porno stuff. Angered at how Thomas is using them all, Dale attempts to convince Taylor and Voodoo to leave town with him. However, both Voodoo (who also gets his chance to anally hump the lovely Ms. St. Clair) and Taylor (who gets pounded by the sullen Tony Tedeschi) won't have any part of it. However, before banging Dale (who is slowly coming unglued), Julie Meadows tells him how the depths of Thomas' manipulation goes further than even Dale thinks.

As a result, FADE TO BLACK, goes from being a "Bowfinger"-type story about a director trying to make a reality-based sex film (without his actors knowing) to a psychological drama in which everyone, whether they know it or not, seems to be playing a part in an elaborate puppet show for Thomas' amusement. However, the real question is who is pulling the strings? Although some of the initial plot-driven sex scenes are unsatisfying due to the distractions and off-camera commotion inherent in watching such scenes being filmed, FADE TO BLACK ultimately boasts grade-A female talent, a nice range of action (including anal), top-flight production values and a surprisingly watchable and creative plot. Whereas most "adult films" usually crap out on their paper-thin premise after the first scene, FADE continues to build dramatic steam as it reaches its conclusion.

Taylor Hayes does fine work and if her provocative teasing during her scene with Joey doesn't give you an instant stiffy, someone should check your pulse. Thomas also does a fine turn as a creepy, sullen director bored with life itself (let's hope this performance isn't autobiographical). Of course, like most Vivid offerings, FADE offers loads of quality extras including generous chapter stops, easy menu access, a multi-angle option (which can thankfully be disabled), and plenty of bonus scenes and previews (including some "lost footage" of the amazing Devon). Vivid generously continues to offer the consumer considerable "bang" for the buck and FADE is no exception.

Bottom line, unlike most adult films which make you leap for the fast-forward button between action scenes, FADE TO BLACK is a watchable treat on many levels from beginning to end.

I've seen my share of porn by now as an Empire Reviewer and most of them either have good sex or a good plot and some even have elements of both. In most of them the story is good, but sometimes the sex scenes are awkwardly thrown in during the story, abruptly, and for no purpose in moving along the plot. Usually, I'm thinking to myself: "Geez, just get back to the sex!" "Fade to Black" put an end to these dilemmas in many ways.

"Fade to Black" mixes the two elements of story and hot, hardcore sex perfectly together with a script and story that completely intertwine and intermix in perfect harmony for our voyeuristic enjoyment. Vivid's Paul Thomas expertly directs and produces "Fade to Black" which stars Taylor Hayes, Dale DaBone and a plethora of pornstars thrown into the mix. Even the acting is good and can be compared to that of a daytime soap, which is appropriate for this story full of jealousy, confusion, betrayal, rage, and... murder!

The plot begins with Dale DaBone as Curry, an aspiring amateur porn director who uses his girlfriend Tulip (Taylor Hayes) as his star. He is assisted by his friend Kyle (Voodoo) who acts as the cameraman. Interestingly enough, this scene cuts from videotape and film quality as we cut back and forth from Kyle's point of view and the actual movie being filmed by Paul Thomas' crew. I thought this was nice attention to detail. After performing the scene, which includes Taylor, a soft, pink dildo and Erik Everhard, Curry sends their amateur masterpiece to Hollywood California to acclaimed porn director, Trent Morgan... thus the adventure begins.

Tulip, Curry and Kyle are introduced to a professional porn set by a very artistic scene featuring a Marilyn Monroe look-a-like from the famous "Seven Year Itch" scene with air blowing up her white flowing dress, only this time, we get what most of the men in America wanted to see under that dress: no panties and a clit piercing! Then, after observing a staged Egyptian themed scene in Mr. Morgan's studio featuring Julie Meadows, Adaja and a lot of anal action, director Trent Morgan appears.

It's apparent instantly that Mr. Morgan is only interested in Tulip, (the down to earth, sweet Taylor Hayes) and not the rest of the crew, to Curry's dismay. Trent throws Tulip into a scene set in a diner where she shows off her natural talent for deep-throating and immersing herself completely into sex. Taylor wears a cute, baby doll dress, which quickly comes off as she teases mercilessly in this scene. We can see Curry's jealousy begin to brew as he watches his girlfriend pounded by another man.

The next sex scene is also relevant to the plot, which really made this reviewer a happy girl. We're introduced to the gracious host played by Taylor St. Clair. The two Taylors (St. Clair and Hayes) have a nice lengthy three-way with Dale DaBone and we discover that Trent Morgan is taping the entire tryst with cameras called "C-47's" hidden all around the house. Curry becomes more and more enraged as he realizes that he, Tulip and Kyle are just pawns in a twisted game being played by Trent Morgan and his crew. Trent also reveals that his goal is to capture realistic and passionate sex and shows Curry and Tulip a tape of their three-way extravaganza the night before. Curry, realizing what is going on, tries to get his crew together and head back home to their trailer park in the desert to no avail...

The plot really develops nicely after this, as it is revealed that Trent Morgan's right hand man, Tallon, is more than just a porn-script writer and is manipulating the situations that are happening to Tulip, Curry and Kyle. A barrage of yelling, action, revelations of mind games and violence tie together in the end and make "Fade to Black"'s fusion of sex and storyline come together in an intriguing twist ending you'll just have to check out for yourself!

The extras are abundant as well in "Fade To Black" and feature five fetish rooms with the best sex scenes from the movie, bonus scenes from other Vivid movies, a well-done slide show, and a short promo for Vivid Interactive's website. Even the menu was aesthetically pleasing and very easy to navigate. The film was really high quality, as was the sound throughout "Fade to Black".

"Fade to Black" is a great movie to watch for its sex and its storyline...and it won't leave you in the dark or with dry sheets in the morning!

Why did Vivid ever go away from this? They don't make porn like this anymore, like they did back when:
- porn had a soundtrack
- the actors had lines, and said "fuck" within context, and not (only) during sex
- computer monitors cost $700 (you'll laugh when you get to this point in the movie)
I was pleasantly surprised with the acting of Erik Everhard and (especially) Voodoo, who I assumed never had to act before, based on their more recent work. Aside from the opening scene, every sexual encounter was heavily fueled by jealousy, vengeance, and mind games. The scenes were so hot, the condom usage did not detract from them one bit. I made a point to rent this movie just to get an extended dose of Taylor St. Clair, but also found out that I was a fan of Taylor Hayes as well. If you watch porn, you HAVE to see this movie. Money well spent.

I enjoyed this very much. It was the first porn movie I've seen and supassed my expectations. It opened my eyes to a new genre to look for.

This film is great for fans of Taylor Hayes. What I like in particular is that you get a chance to see the performers actually act like real actors that can talk, not just moan and groan. That's what really separates this film from other adult films. The action, however, is not particularly creative or exciting.

If you walked into the room while someone else was watching this, you'd think that the censors in tinseltown had given in and allowed porno sex into the mainstream movies. The quality and production of this flick is that good! Don't get the wrong idea. Thanks to Taylor Hayes, the action is awesome.

I enjoyed watching the story unfold just as much as I enjoyed the sex. The cast is gorgeous and the extras are plentiful.