Better Sex Video Series 1: Better Sexual Techniques Review

Running Time: approx. 90 min.

Production Date: 1991

Cast: Diedre Holland, Jon Dough, and a whole bunch of normal people.

Initial Expectations: This series has been around for quite a while, so if it’s making it onto DVD there must be something pretty good about it. Since it’s the first volume, I’m expecting this to be very basic.

Initial Reaction: It’s very basic, but other than being a little dry, it’s very well done.

Audio /Video Quality: The picture is slightly grainy, but it’s to be expected with the age of the feature. The audio is very well done and normally very well balanced.

Music: Although I didn’t expect any, there’s very light instrumental music (think John Tesh or Kenny G) throughout almost the entire feature.

Disc Problems: NO TIME CODE! With how little effort I’ve heard it is to do this, I can see no reason why any DVD should be without one.

Review: Being the initial volume in The Better Sex Video Series Volume 1: Better Sexual Techniques , I didn’t expect too much other than an communicating with your partner. It seems to be the main topic of any sex education feature. There’s probably a reason for it too, as in the United States we are normally taught that sex is dirty and shouldn’t be discussed. End of story. Unfortunately, it isn’t the end of the story, but enough people have been trained that it is that features like this are necessary. Thankfully, The Better Sex Video Series Volume 1: Better Sexual Techniques goes beyond just communication.

The Better Sex Video Series Volume 1: Better Sexual Techniques is hosted by Dr. Judith Seifer and Dr. Michael Kollar, both who happen to be accomplished doctors in the sexual fields. They tell us that basically the couples in the feature are real people and the situations and their situations. Although mostly true, it isn’t completely true. The first couple just happens to be Jon Dough and Diedre Holland. This wasn’t a good thing for me to see right away as I started laughing right away due to such a blatant well, let’s call it an oversight. Most of the couples seemed very real and not from the adult film world, but after starting out with Diedre and Jon I couldn’t help but doubt a lot of the feature.

The feature follows a pretty basic style. There’s a short section where the couples tell a little about themselves (bet you didn’t know that Jon Dough was really a musician) followed by short sequences showing what their sex lives were like before and after they worked things out. During the sequences the couples do voice overs describing what things were and weren’t working. The sex is all handled very tastefully (it’s explicit but just enough to demonstrate and is very clinical), and the couples appear very real. Some of the problems seemed a little exaggerated, but I’m sure that it’s a necessity to get some points across. I’m also sure that there’s a lot of couples out there who are in situations exactly like those portrayed here. The Better Sex Video Series Volume 1: Better Sexual Techniques covers communication, spontaneity, keeping things fresh with different positions, masturbation, and that you have to be responsible for your own orgasms. Most of us know about communication, and although there’s a lot that can be said for it (no pun intended), I’m not going to go into it here. The examples in the feature do a good job of illustrating some problems due to communication.

Spontaneity was handled pretty good, although something seemed to be missing and I’m not quite sure what. It did a good job of showing that sex doesn’t need to be just in the bedroom.

Different positions was handled very well here and gave some basic information about how different positions will help people with different attributes (deeper / shallower penetration and the like). Although there weren’t many positions shown (and those shown were the common positions) the different positions and variations were all shown very well so that those who aren’t sure about them could clearly see what’s going on.

Masturbation was basically handled for women. Apparently guys know all about it, as it wasn’t even touched upon (unless it was in the five seconds when I let the dog in). Maybe guys are more comfortable about trying to masturbate. I don’t know. But it does seem like women are a little more reserved about it. It’s handled very tactfully (just like the rest of the feature) and gives several suggestions about masturbating and how and why it can help with your sex life.

Then there’s being responsible for your own orgasms. Although I didn’t agree with this when it started, I couldn’t help but agree by the end. This doesn’t mean to ignore your partner (as I first misunderstood). It means sometimes you have to lead your partner to what you need and what feels good to you. Sometimes you’re so caught up in pleasing your partner that you end up pleasing neither of you. It’s kind of an extension of communication. Communication isn’t just words, and a lot of times actions not only speak louder but are a lot more fun.

Finally, Dr. Seifer and Dr. Kollar give a little information on what’s in the upcoming volumes of the series. Afterwards, there’s some credits and a lot of information on HIV and safe sex. The information is basic, but it is important knowledge, especially at the time it was first released.

The Better Sex Video Series Volume 1: Better Sexual Techniques is a very good video for people who want to improve their sex lives but aren’t sure where to start. It’s a great video if you think that something’s wrong with your sex life, but if things are going great its still not a bad choice. It’s a little dry in parts, and some parts seemed a little ridiculous to mrs. astro and I. Be that as it may, we both felt it was a very good start and look forward to watching others in this series.

Extras: Chapters and sexual health info. The sexual health info contains information about the Sinclair Intimacy Institute, a definition of sexual health, the history of explicit sexual health films, testimonials from sexual health professionals, and key points from consumer & customer research as well as professional research. For an educational feature, this seems like a great job with extras.

Themes: Educational

Raincoat Factor: Very low, unless you’re one of those people that got sent to the principal’s office in high school for trying to get a wank in during health class.

Overall: Currently, The Better Sex Video Series Volume 1: Better Sexual Techniques can be found online for between $15 and $25 with a couple stores having it for $15 and almost all stores having it for under $20. If you feel at all like this might be for you, don’t hesitate to pick it up. People who are more comfortable and open with sex and their partners won’t find too much new here, but will probably find it worthwhile. I don’t know if there’s enough here to warrant picking it up rather than skipping ahead to the next volume.

Note to Adam & Eve: This seems like a very good educational series. Although this seemed very basic to my wife and I, we’re looking forward to watching more of the series. In the future, please put time codes into these DVDs!

If you have any questions or comments, please e- mail me .