America the Beautiful Review

Distributor: Metro Interactive Edition Details: Standard DVD MSRP: $39.95 DVD Release Date: September 2002 Movie Specs: Genres: Feature Film Run Time: 93 minutes Rated: XXX Release Year: 2002 Director: Mike Quasar Written by: Mike Quasar Director of Photography: Mike Quasar (as Quasarman) Cast: Houston, Ron Jeremy, Joel Lawrence, Mark Davis, Alexa Rae, Jessica Dee (as Jessica), Brian Surewood, Nina Ferrari, Tyce Bune (as Tyce Buné), Aria, Paris, Mark Wood, Skeeter Kerkove, Suitcase Jones, Milfshake Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1 Disc: DVD 9 (SS, DL) Special Features: Web Site Ad, Trailers, Photo Gallery, Star Biographies, Behind the Scenes DVD-ROM Special Features: none

Synopsis:
Jennifer (Houston) has been working in the porn industry under the stage name America since roughly the advent of the video camera. In their crusade against the adult industry, the government files charges against Jennifer due to her prominent nature. This film plays out the ensuing court case against her.

Audio/Video:
America the Beautiful has an English 2.0 Stereo track, which is more than adequate given the material being presented here. The majority of the film is either sex scenes or court room scenes, so nothing fancy is required by the audio track at all. All the dialog is crystal clear and easy to hear. No other language tracks have been included on the disc and no subtitle options have been included on the disc.

America the Beautiful is presented in the full screen aspect ratio, 1.33:1, which is the original aspect ratio for the film. The picture, although not reference quality, is in good shape sporting a clear picture. The picture is slightly soft and contains very occasional video glitches, but as far as adult discs go, the picture is nothing to complain about. The colors are good, but slightly on the washed out side.

Special Features:
Although the film was disappointing, Metro has done a good job putting some decent extras on the disc that enhance the viewing experience. The photo gallery contains 18 stills that you have to flip through. There are separate interviews with Alexa, Nina Ferrari and Jessica and although Alexa spends much of her time complaining about the adult company she had a falling out with, the other interviews are rather good. There is a decent behind the scenes piece that is made all the more better by Quasarman's antics. There is an advert for Metro's web site. There are trailers for Les Vampyres 2, Dream Love, Will Power, and Babes Illustrated 11. And last, hidden under the moniker more adult fun are adverts. I didn't notice any of the multiple angles that were mentioned on the box, but I could have missed them.

Navigation:
There are six chapters available from the main menu for America the Beautiful. They are identified by a video clip from the scene that they go to. The chapters are decent for navigation through the disc as long as you are looking for a loose area of the film. There is a time code for the feature film, so time searching is also available.

General Review:
America the Beautiful is the most recent film from Quasarman and although I have enjoyed outings by him in the past, I found too much at fault in the this film to like it. First off, America the Beautiful is a plot-based film, this alone is not a problem, but the plot interferes with the sex. The film keeps flip flopping between being an anti-censorship piece and a porn film, while managing to poke fun at the adult industry itself, which doesn't work. The story is a little heavy handed for an adult film and preaches to the wrong audience.

Since the story is belting you with a massive anti-censorship message the viewer is looking for a break with the sex scenes, but unfortunately they are just as flawed as the story. At least they provide a break from all the anti-censorship messages in the story. Personally I don't find Houston to be very attractive, especially her exceptionally large lips, which hurt the female looks rating as well as the overall film. Bear this in mind if you find her to be attractive when making a purchasing decision. Another aspect of the film that hurt the ratings is that fact that Ron Jeremy has a sex scene in the film unfortunately ruining the lovely Paris's scene.

The sex scenes themselves have almost all the essential elements to be good sex scenes. There is variety throughout the scenes so they don't get monotonous and enough different acts performed to interest most viewers. The only element that the scenes are missing is the heat. For some reason it is missing here and it ruins the scenes. Be it that there was poor chemistry between the cast or the film was shot too fast for the talent to get into the scenes or possibly that the talent was there only for the money. Nonetheless, it just doesn't work in this film. The sexual themes in the film are oral, anal and vaginal sex with lesbianism, anal fingering and DP. For viewers who care about such things, some scenes utilize condoms and others don't.

The technical elements of the film are well done, as per the usual for what I have seen from Quasarman. The film is nicely shot with nice framing for the non-sex portions and some great shots during the sex scenes. Some work went into the sets that were used, especially the court room set which looks excellent, but unfortunately technical merits alone don't make a great film.

Parting Thoughts:
Although I have enjoyed films by Quasarman that I have seen in the past, overall this film wasn't worth watching. The story, which he admits to writing during a drunken stupor, is nothing but a heavy handed anti-censorship piece and the sex scenes lack any heat. I recommend that most viewers pass on this film. Dedicated fans of one of the stars or of Quasarman will probably want to rent this venture before purchasing.

Screenshots:

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