Dark Garden Review

Director: Michael Ninn VCA 1999 115 minutes.

Female cast: Juli Ashton, Nikita, Vicca, Lisa Belle, Lea Martini, Mia Smiles,

Male cast: Kyle Stone, Julian, Ramon, Michael J. Cox, John Decker, Tyce Buné, Jack, Garfield

Awards: Winner for best video, AVN 1999.

Running Time: 115 Minutes

Let me apologize in advance for the length of this review. I’ve edited and re-edited. I’ve considered removing the detailed scene description, and in the end decided to just warn those easily bored to stop reading at "detailed description of scenes."

Who it’s for: Couples, those who prefer features and those who appreciate high rent productions. This sort of thing used to be referred to as “steamy.” I would add to that “glossy.”

Who it’s not for: Gonzo-only people and people who hate music scores

Likes: What I really liked about this movie was the dark sort of edgy feeling of this futuristic story. One that oddly enough incorporates retro clothing and Art Deco architecture. I also liked the sets, the costumes and the music (weird I know, but that’s just me). I especially liked the lighting! I can’t tell you how many times a feature has dragged due to too much bright, or misplaced lighting. This movie, thanks to the lighting, has the atmosphere of a Broadway production of something like - Chicago. Very rich and sexy stuff, indeed. I also like that Ninn does not stay on close-ups of girls who have poor complexions. Not a problem with Nikita but, some girls just can’t stand that close scrutiny. As far as the story goes, it is a very good one. The sex and acting are really well integrated. Set in some future time, people are using mechanical devices that attach to a person’s temples and give the person a fully tactile sexual experience. Problem is, that the devices are addictive (who knew sex was addictive?) and some people have apparently over-dosed – or something.

And, oh yeah, the sex scenes! I list those in excruciating detail at the end of the review for those like me, who want to know what they’re getting before they buy. For those who just want a synopsis, the sex is pretty much of the elegant variety. Long legged women in stylish clothing, who obviously enjoy passionate sex, are featured. There are no facials. There are no ATMs, or DAPs. There are no gagging or smothering scenes, no spanking scenes, no leather, no whips, no dungeons and no toys.

Dislikes: There have only been three ever g/g scenes I can remember I’ve liked. One between Nina Hartley and an actress whose name I don’t remember, in Debbie Duz Dishes; the scene between Jewel De’nyle and Sydnee Steele in Dark Angels, and the three-way with Misty Rain, Jen teal and (I forgot the third girl’s name) in Fantasy Chamber. Beyond those, you can pretty much have the lot. Also, the chapter menu is incomplete, making navigating to a particular scene difficult.

What would I have left out?: I personally would have deleted the g/g scene so that fewer sudden cuts from one sex act to another had to be incorporated. I could see in the extras that quite a bit of b/g sex ended up being edited out, especially from Vicca’s scene.

What would I add?: Possibly, and I emphasize possibly because the theme seemed to be elegance, I might add one no holds barred girl like Jeanna Fine or Tyffanny Million. Vicca and Nikita are elegant, even dance-like in their movements and as sexy as sexy can be, but they lack either the ability, or possibly the desire, to just grab the guy and have at it.

Extras: The extras are really a cut above most as well. I particularly like the interview with Ninn. He compliments his cast and crew, telling a good story about the actor in the first scene with Vicca. Apparently, the guy popped as soon as Vicca’s lips touched his cock. Ninn says it was the look that Vicca gives the camera and the actor. Interesting to know that can happen. More interesting to know that Vicca has that effect even on porn dudes!

There is something called “Star Tracks” where when a camera icon shows near the bottom right of the screen, you can click on it and see a different angle. I didn’t use it after the first try, as I like to see what the director initially wanted me to.

Also included is the ability to listen to the sound track or a running commentary.

Previews for Cashmere, Forever Night and Ritual.

Recommended?: Absolutely. I’d give this one an 8.5 out of 10.

Detailed description of scenes: We open with a crime scene where a man in a robe, laying very still, is being photographed, while men in hats take notes. One detective (Bryce) says the robed man’s temples look like they’ve been burned or something. The detectives find a film projector with “girlie shit” on the loaded spools. A small jewel case is found and held back by detective Johnny. Cut to the dead guy loading the film in the projector and lighting a cigarette. Fade to the guy admitting Vicca whose dressed like a forties fashion model complete with opera gloves. She slinks that silky walk of hers, following the guy to his chair. She then opens a jewel case, then takes two metallic disks from the case and places them on the guy’s temples. She leaves him slumped back in the chair, with the projector running. Okay, we’re set up – kinda.

Part 1 starts with Vicca watching a smoker in a smoky room while smoking. Okay, I think there’s a theme here somewhere. Actually, the movie is full of symbolism, some of which I don’t fully understand. Anyway Vicca (apparently as the guy she attached the disks to) is getting herself off. Then Vicca is laying atop the guy (Jack Garfield?) in a robe before she gives him a nice warm blow job. Note she does this while watching his reaction through the veil attached to her very forties-style hat. She starts shedding her sexy black skirt and blouse, but doesn’t get far before the guy is working up a sweat while licking her trimmed snatch. Next is a standing doggie with Vicca still wearing her black colored hat, opera gloves, high heels and thigh-high stockings. The sound track here is basically heart rate percussion with a bit of faint metallic ringing that enhances Vicca’s moans rather than covering them up (real moans too, unless women get stiff nipples in rooms warm enough to have the guy leaking sweat in torrents). We then see a RC immediately followed by the guy jerking to a pop on her tit.

A short aside: During this scene, Vicca is looking at the camera, as usual. I find that ability to interact with the viewer/camera just short of unique and actually quite erotic. Maybe if Vicca were a tiny bit prettier or had 38 HH boobs, she’d have gotten more acclaim.

Anyway, we cut to Vicca again, getting herself off while the smoker cranks through the projector. Later, we see the guy struggling to get back onto the bed, followed by a cut to daylight streaming in on the guy, the bed and a group of men that turn out to be detectives. We learn that the dead man on the bed is the mayor’s son. We then get to see raw flesh in the form of a circle on the son’s left temple about the size of a quarter. End of scene. Really good sexual performance, great atmosphere, really good acting.

Part 2 begins at the police station with Tyce and Julian as part of the detective corps. And, oh yeah, so is Julie. Tada! Anyway, we’re given some particulars of the case. This part is all acting and story and not bad stuff at all.

Part 3 is non-sex in somebody’s very large, opulent and stage lit office. Two identical twin brothers (Jamie Gillis plays both) with beards and gray hair are talking. More well crafted acting, a well done speech about religion and its possible replacement, some really good effects and music I don’t normally associate with porn.

Part 4 is Julian and Nikita in another dark bedroom with her wearing an ingénue-like set of black lingerie including thigh-highs along with high heels a fetching hat and pearls. She reclines on the bed, touching herself. Julian is on the bed at first, then sitting in a chair with a .45 perilously close to his temple on occasion. Wait! There’s no black garmented girl on the bed after all! Is there? Again, this is a convincing non-speaking performance by Julian as a troubled cop beset by mysterious, erotic images.

Part 5 begins with one of the twins sitting at a Moviola (film-splicer with a small screen for viewing film) looking at a girl using her mouth to play with a chrome dildo. We’re back in the office of part 3. Two women enter after the phone rings. We are told that the taller one (Nikita) is “our best seller…our most requested” and that she is going to perform a DP. The smaller Asian woman is sent to fetch a detective White (Kyle Stone), his unnamed associate (Michael J. Cox), and a small video camera. A sort of Gregorian chant begins and the taller woman stands. The woman kneels before the seated detective and pulls his cock from his pants, then begins to suck him off. One of the bearded twins, the one who had ordered the camera, is now shooting video of the girl while she causes the man to arch his back when she gives him a two-hand job. Then, we switch to a RC, then doggie with her leaning on the couch. Ooops, the hated sudden switch to a DP. Ah well, nothing is perfect. Two extended jerk-to-pops in slow motion from multiple angles ends the scene, with one of the bearded men applauding in a sort of dignified fashion.

Part 6 is more plot development and acting by Jamie Gillis and Julian. Since I’ve no intent to completely spoil it for those interested, I’ll just leave it with the comment that again the acting and environment are dark and believable, the cuts are well timed and introduce interesting angles. This is almost film-like in its overall clarity and professionalism.

Part 7 is Julian and Julie, once again in a dark bedroom with both actors dressed. Julie’s acting is maybe a little obvious here. She’s actually pretty darn good; it’s just that she’s not quite as strong as the others. More plot development takes place. The two are obviously lovers and Julie is interested in Julian’s fate, but that is apparently not as strong an urge as others. So, some really amazing lighting and camera work – including focus, gets us to the sex. Again, Julie actually undresses, rather than just suddenly being nude. Julie is on top ‘till she slides down to begin slurping Julian’s cock. Again, this set could easily be on Broadway. It is dark, yet warm, with the available light changing in both intensity and temperature while illuminating the scene just enough. We get some filter work and even a double exposure. This is just simply lush. After getting Julian ready, Julie stays on top in cowgirl. Her vocalizations are slightly out of synch, but who cares? Again, a low and appropriate music track combines with a light show to give us a really sensual scene. Julie is now in RC, with only colored light illuminating her. A needle spot might have helped show more of Julie’s face, but the existing light is not bad. We have a sudden cut to Johnny (Julian) slowly inserting his cock in Julie’s ass, and we see this from two angles. With Julian standing and Julie kneeling on the bed in doggie, the action heats up. The money shot is a lingering one of a jerk to pop on Julie’s impressive chest.

Part 8 has Julie back in the Police Station. More acting and plot development leads to Julian visiting a prisoner named Ramone who has been calling out “detective White,” and that leads to sex on the cell block! Ramone begins by kneeling in front of a leopard skin clad Lea and eating her while Julian watches from where he has apparently collapsed for some unexplained reason. Switch to Lea, who also makes great eye contact with the camera, squatting and eating Ramone. Switch to Lea bending over and holding the bars of a cell while Ramone plugs her in standing doggie. Julian, at this point is still just a voyeur. Switch to RC with Ramone sitting on a bench, and Ninn getting us very close to the action and Lea’s bouncing breasts. Switch again to another standing doggie, only this time Ramone is in Lea’s ass. Switch to a jerk-to-pop with Lea now laying face up on the bench. Julian leaves the cell block ending the segment.

Part 9. Back in the office. The Asian girl Friday (Mia Smiles) is calling the boss, saying his eleven o’clock is here. He declines to see the appointment instructing her to “give him a blow job, take his dick in your pussy.” She says “yes sir,” explains to John Decker that she is to entertain him and begins to strip. Decker kneels in from of Mia, then Mia kneels in front of a sitting Decker. She gives him a long slow blow job that leads to a standing doggie with her using her desk for support. Decker pounds her nearly bald pussy while she makes great sounds. Switch to RC with him on the couch. Switch to standing Mish with her laying back on the desk. At this point, Decker is fucking her and playing with her clit at the same time. A serious pounding leads to a pop on her belly.

Part 10 fade to Julian in his bedroom calling on the phone to Gillis in his office. We notice a body slumped next to the chair Gillis is sitting in. Closer inspection shows the slumped figure is the twin. When Gillis finally answers, Julian says: “this shit’s not the same you son of a bitch!” Reggie (Gillis) says it is and that Johnny should come over. Julian checks his automatic and heads for Gillis’ office, seeing visions of Nikita along the way. We see several cuts to one of the older detectives holstering a .45 and getting his coat. Fade to Mia’s desk with Julian waiting. Fade to Nikita lighting Lisa’s cigar in front of a metal clad door. Fade to Lisa getting herself off. Fade to Nikita taking off Lisa’s blouse. We see kissing, cigar smoking, sharing smoke. Then Nikita begins sucking Lisa’s tits. Lisa returns the favor. Cut to Nikita eating Lisa. A close shot shows Nikita licking Lisa’s super-sized clit. Then Lisa sucks Nikita, before she fingers her. Then we get the lez-scissors with Nikita on her back on the floor and Lisa more or less on top. Then Nikita goes back to eating a contorted Lisa (I can’t describe it). Finally we have Lisa eating Nikita in several positions. Kissing ends the sequence.

Part 11 begins with Nikita walking one of the most alluring walks in porn, to meet Johnny (Julian) in the receptionist’s office. Nikita finally speaks, and I gotta tell ya, she has a velvety purring voice that puts many of the nasal voices I hear in porn to shame! She tells Johnny he’s not looking too good. He has two “options”: he won’t be here tomorrow. Why not relax and let her finish what she was made to do? “What’s that?” he asks. “To be your first, last and only thought.” She replies. Gillis enters the scene, making a long speech encouraging Johnny to take Nikita up on her offer. Johnny reaches for Nikita and Gillis backs away to lean on the desk. She kisses and caresses Julian’s face, then we cut to the loop of her from the smoker. Fade back to her kissing Johnny. Fade to her kneeling in front of him, giving him a sitting blow job. Cut to a standing mish in front of an ornate, violet tinted glass door. A good slow insertion leads to her making deep throaty breathy sex sounds. Switch to RC. She leans back in a very athletic position, still making those breathy and velvety sounds. Switch to a slow insertion in standing doggy on the steps. Flash cut to Johnny with blood dripping from his nose, then a jerk-to-pop on Nikita’s boobs – again from two angles. Then a fade to a close shot showing her holding his spent cock in front of her face while smiling. Fade again to a shot showing Johnny with the mutilated flesh on his temples.

Part 12 begins with detectives finding Johnny dead in the entrance to Gillis’ offices and deciding to get rid of the body. Speaking of how it saves one of them from needing to “off” him. Fade to Randall (we finally learn the quiet twin’s name) behind his film cutter and the older detective saying to Reggie (the loud twin whose name we also just learned) could have saved a lot of trouble by coming to him sooner. Meanwhile Randall is being comforted by the receptionist (Mia) while he operates his Moviola where an image of detective Johnny has appeared…

Juster@my.adultdvdtalk.com