Lovers Lane (Wicked) Review

Reviewed by astroknight  on  7/24/2005

The Little Details

Running Time: 150 min.

Production Date: 10 / 4 / 2004

Director: Brad Armstrong

Cast: Devinn Lane, jessica drake, Ava Vincent, Jennifer Luv, Kimberly Kane, Makayla Cox, Nadia Styles, Exotica, Evan Stone, Chris Cannon. Randy Spears, Eric Masterson, Talon, Kris Slater, and of course, Brad Armstrong as well as Stormy and tons of others in non-sex roles

The Short Story

Initial Expectations: I’ve heard that Devinn is extremely happy with this one, so I can’t help but have very high expectations for it!

Initial Reaction: It’s very well acted and has a good plot, but the sex is far from great.

Who Should Watch It : Couples wanting softer sex and tons of plot

Who Should Avoid It: Anybody wanting longer and more passionate sex scenes

The Technical Stuff

Audio /Video Quality: The audio is nicely done. It’s clear and nicely balanced. The video, on the other hand, gave me an immediate thought that seems like it’s about the last thought Wicked Pictures would want to put in the viewer’s head. That thought was “Gee, I wish this was a Digital Playground DVD” and it popped into my head right away because if this were a Digital Playground release they would have given the widescreen HD format the anamorphic widescreen format that it deserves rather than going for the non-anamorphic Blue Light Special. I guess that isn’t quite right since from what I’m told it costs nothing extra and is only a matter of pushing a different button to go from non-anamorphic to anamorphic when authoring a DVD. So instead of just being cheap, the video comes off with a look of Wicked not really caring that much about either their movies or the people that watch them. That thought was easily reinforced with the thought that this is supposed to be one of Wicked’s biggest releases of the year and a movie where they should go all out to show why they are, or at least used to be, considered one of the best feature studios out there. It’s like bragging about the street rod you’ve been lovingly building only to pop the hood and show everybody that you put a four banger in it rather than a real engine. There’s a bit of grain to the video, which appears to be deliberate in an attempt to try to capture a film-like feel, as well as some very nice lighting, but there’s a little pixelation in the darker parts of the movie that holds it back.

Music: For the most part, the music is very well done. It doesn’t limit itself to the sex scenes, and seems perfectly matched to the non-sex portions of the movie. For the sex scenes it’s a bit hit or miss. It has a softer feel that didn’t always seem to gel with the style of the sex, but it was normally very well balanced with the performers.

Menus: The main menu is nicely done, and has a nice look that gives a good first impression. The chapter menu, as usual, is extremely generic and lets you choose a scene based on a small clip of each scene and a scene number.

The Feature

Ten years ago, Devinn Lane’s sister was murdered out on lover’s lane. The killer was never caught, and now a string of murders that seems very similar is happening just before what would have been her sister’s ten year class reunion. Devinn is more than drawn to the case as a Sheriff’s deputy, and is none too happy when it’s turned over to Randy Spears and his partner from the FBI. Randy is more than sympathetic, and agrees to let her in on the case.

Scene 1 - Nadia Styles and Eric Masterson

Nadia, a cute brunette, starts things out in a classic convertible getting it on with Eric. They kiss before she breaks out her titties for him to suck and they both play with her bald beaver. Nadia starts up so Eric can tongue her holes before getting back down to take his cock into her throat. She lets Eric fuck her from behind standing up outside the care before getting back in and bending over the windshield for Eric to keep pumping her from behind. Finally, Nadia captures Eric’s cum in her mouth and sucks out the last little bit.

This is a pretty average scene with some things being done quite nicely and others not working for me. On the positive side, Nadia and Eric have very nice chemistry and look like they’re having a pretty good side. The scene takes place at night, and the darker lighting is handled extremely well to create some nice mood. The problem was the pace and the camera work. Although the scene lasts roughly fifteen minutes, there’s only two positions, which makes the scene seem to go very slow. The camera work is also extremely soft, and seems more like it’s being shot for cable than for adults.

Scene 2 - jessica drake and Chris Cannon

Cute bottle blonde jessica gets it on with Chris in his van in the second scene. They start out kissing passionately and groping each other before stripping down a little so jessica can suck his cock. She bends over so Chris can tongue each of her holes before riding him reverse cowgirl style. jessica also bends over for a little doggie action before taking an eager facial from Chris.

This is an above average scene. There’s nice chemistry between jessica and Chris and the scene moves along a little better. The dark lighting is once again handled nicely, and the camera work seems a little better as well. That said, there’s a slightly soft feeling to the scene that makes it feel a little held back, which I think might be due to their only being two positions once again. This is a pretty good scene that feels like it had a little more potential than what was shown here.

Scene 3 - Kimberly Kane and Kris Slater

Blonde Kimberly gets it on with her boyfriend Kris in his car next. She leans over and works him over orally, pausing only to give him some great eyes and a few kisses. Finally, she strokes him into the air in front of her face before getting whatever run around with her tongue.

This is a nice little oral scene. It only lasts three or four minutes, but it seems perfect for what it’s trying to do. It isn’t drawn out and it captures the action very nicely. This is a pretty good oral scene.

Scene 4 - Makayla Coxxx, Jennifer Luv, and Talon

Jennifer joins Makayla and Talon in heading to an abandoned railway car to get some action in. She quickly gets in the middle as they strip down so she and Makayla can work over each other with Talon joining in a little. The girls team up on Talon orally before Makayla lies back for a little missionary work while Jennifer stands above her so that he can tongue her twat. Talon moves up to fuck Jennifer from behind while Makayla eats her from below and sucks Talon’s cock as it’s offered to her. Makayla moves on with a bit of reverse cowgirl anal as Jennifer plays with her twat before the girls share a nice facial.

This is a pretty good group scene. There’s nice chemistry all around, and Talon didn’t give me as much of the feeling that he’d rather be playing for the “other team” as he normally does. The girls do a great job looking like they’re as into each other as they are into Talon, and the scene moves along nicely. As a couples scene it might be a little harder, but Wicked nicely crams it all into one scene to make it easier for couples to skip past.

Scene 5 - Devinn Lane and Randy Spears

When Devinn shows up at Randy’s motel room to pick him up for their working “date” looking hotter than hell, he can’t resist kissing her. She quickly reciprocates and pushes him back on the bed before ripping open his shirt and kissing her way across his chest while groping his cock. She makes her way down into his pants to passionately suck and stroke his cock, including giving him some fantastic eyes and a ball washing with her tongue. Randy goes right after Devinn’s fantastic titties as soon as her dress slides off and lets her go right to riding him cowgirl style rather than eating her pussy. Devinn has some obviously powerful orgasms riding Randy, and even needs to take a few breaks to give her pussy a rest. Randy fucks her from behind next, and Devinn pushes things a little further by playing with her ass while Randy fucks her. Devinn lets Randy spoon her next before rolling on top of him for a bit of a reverse cowgirl ride. Finally, Randy lets go with a nice load across Devinn’s tongue as she gives him that great, enigmatic Mona Lisa-ish look up at him.

This is a nicely hot scene, and sadly Devinn’s only sex scene in the movie. She and Randy have fantastic chemistry and both put plenty of energy into the scene. Between the two of them, the scene is nearly perfect. Technically, though, it left a bit to be desired. To start with, the camera work seemed lead-footed, and often felt like it was stuck in a position where it couldn’t get a really good camera angle. The lighting also seemed off to me. Rather than using the motel room for a brightly lit scene that would strengthen the quality of the overall production showing how it could vary, it stays at a lower level. It’s not as dark as it is in night scenes, but it’s nowhere near what it could have been. Devinn and Randy do everything they should to turn out a fantastic scene here, but they’re held back by those behind the camera.

Scene 6 - Exotica and Brad Armstrong

Brad gets a grudge fuck from dark skinned hottie Exotica in the gym at their ten year reunion. They kiss hard before Brad works his way down to work on Exotica’s pussy with his tongue and fingers. He trades places with her so she can suck and stroke him before letting her ride him reverse cowgirl style. Brad also gives it to Exotica from behind with a few breaks so she can suck her juices off his cock. Finally, Brad spews his seed on and near Exotica’s face.

This is another scene that has the potential to be a great scene. Exotica is darn cute and she and Brad seem to be nicely into each other. The lighting is a bit on the low side and the camera work left a bit to be desired once again, but this time the editing was the major problem for me. I don’t think there’s a single position change in the scene, and it gives the scene a hacked together feeling. It also seems limited by only having two positions. This is an okay scene that seemed like it could have been much better with a few minor changes.

Scene 7 - Ava Vincent and Evan Stone

Bitter blonde divorcee Ava and Evan head out of the reunion to get it on in the nurse’s station. Evan quickly works his way under her dress to tongue and finger her pussy before letting Ava reciprocate on his cock. She strips down before lying back and letting Evan fuck her mouth dominantly before letting Evan fuck her from behind. Ava lets Evan climb up to fuck her missionary style before he pops on her stomach.

This is a pretty good scene. Ava and Evan have great chemistry and put out plenty of energy. The camera work is okay, but often seems afraid of the penetration. Once again, this scene felt like it could have been much better.

Lovers Lane is a good adult feature that ends up feeling disappointing because it had the potential to be much better. Brad Armstrong has long been considered one of the best feature directors in the adult industry, and it’s easy to see why here. The plot is done pretty well and he’s assembled a cast that can act as well as turn out a hot fuck. Devinn Lane said that she thinks this has been her best performance to date, and I don’t think I can argue against that. She does a fantastic job acting in her role and turns out a smoking hot scene with Randy Spears that’s easily the best in the movie. That said, I was even a little disappointed with her role in the movie because in an adult movie that’s really supposed to showcase her she only ends up with one sex scene. Sadly, that’s just the start of the disappointments. My main problem with the movie was that the sex scenes were very limited. With the exception of Devinn’s scene none of the scenes make it to a third position and they all seem like they’re aiming for a softcore style rather than hardcore porn. I guess this is supposed to help it appeal to female viewers, but the main complaints I’ve heard from women on porn is boredom and a feeling that the people were faking it. If that’s the case, they’re probably going to hate the sex in Lovers Lane. I can easily see why Devinn is very proud of the job she did in this one, but at the same time I couldn’t help but feel that Wicked has started to coast when it comes to sex. The plot is also a bit wishy washy at times. It starts off very strong and does a great job with the slasher genre, but three quarters of the way through it the movie seems to lose it’s way as it goes from a slasher movie to a high school reunion movie. For an adult feature to be really great, it should have both great sex and a well done and executed storyline that come together nicely. Lovers Lane has a well executed storyline, but the story seems to get lost here and there and the sex frequently left me wanting.

The Extra Stuff

A trailers for Lovers Lane starts off the extras. Star states are included for jessica drake, Devinn Lane, and Ava Vincent, each of which includes a Wicked filmography, a little personal information, and a link to the star’s scene. The usual DVD-ROM materials, Wicked DVD catalogue and promotional items, and commercials are also included. There’s also bonus scenes, featurettes, and an interview with Devinn Lane. Finally, there’s an Easter Egg lasting about three minutes with a few fun bloopers.

Several photo galleries are included. The main photo gallery lasts almost four and a half minutes. Star galleries are included for the entire female cast, with each gallery lasting between about one and two and a half minutes. In each case you get about seven seconds per very good looking snapshot or full screen photo.

The box cover shoot lasts about two minutes. Devinn starts things out looking hot as can be hanging out of a lacy bra and panty set. She gives a few quick words before the audio switches to all music as she poses for several different stills and has a bit of fun. It’s a nice little featurette, and even if there weren’t a couple little chuckles it’d be worth checking out just for the Devinn Lane eye candy factor.

The interview with Devinn Lane lasts nearly seven minutes. Devinn starts out talking about the movie and her role in it before talking about her sexuality and her specialty being real sex rather than taking advantage of guys with her strap-on. Devinn also talks about some of the safety aspect of the industry and her own preparations for a scene. Finally, Devinn talks about her new Jamaican experience. It’s a nicely done interview with Devinn coming across just as eloquently as one would expect.

All Access - The Making of Lovers Lane lasts twenty six minutes. After a couple quick words with Brad Armstrong and Devinn Lane, things move over to Ava Vincent and Evan Stone having fun in the café. It moves back to Devinn for a few words about her motel fetish before she works on her scene with and on Randy. Devinn returns a few times to talk about more of her fetishes as well as a bit more from Brad talking about what’s to happen in the movie. Evan and Ava also return for a little more fun and sex, and not surprisingly play off each other very well. Kimberly Kane also has a few words for the camera before Nadia Styles and Eric Masterson get a few moments. Devinn Lane and Brad Armstrong also get it on for their scene, and as great as it was to see, it also really ticked me off because the scene never appeared in the movie. At the very least this one should have appeared as a deleted scene or maybe as an optional “extended cut” of the movie. Finally, there’s a bit of jessica drake showing off for the camera and chatting a little before taking on Chris. This is a pretty good behind the scenes featurette.

Bonus Scene 1 - Devinn Lane and Nick Manning

The first bonus scene comes from Tuff Chick and starts out with Devinn and Nick kissing passionately. Of course, Nick has to tell Devinn to suck his fucking cock and to look at him as she does it before having her lay back to get her pussy eaten. Devinn moves up to ride Nick cowgirl style before laying back for some missionary work. They even get in a little doggie style fucking before Nick decorates Devinn’s funbags and lets her suck out the last of his dick droppings.

This scene started off on the wrong foot with me almost immediately. Nick is a very intense performer, and as he’s giving Devinn hard intense directions the background music is nicely balanced with a very soft and almost romantic style that seemed at odds with the action. The camera work also seemed very soft and like it was going for more of a romantic couples feel and the editing was also very choppy and didn’t show much for positions changes. It’s really too bad because Devinn and Nick look like they’re really into each other. This doesn’t surprise me at all, but the conflict between the action and everything else about the scene left me disappointed.

Bonus Scene 2 - jessica drake and Tommy Gunn

The second bonus scene comes from One Man’s Obsession. After he drops her off, Tommy resists jessica’s temptation to go upstairs. jessica gives him a kiss, and when he continues to resist drops down to suck his cock on the street against his car. As she sucks him, Randy Spears walks up and watches without their knowing. Jessica nicely works Tommy over with her mouth and hand, and finishes things up catching his cum in her mouth.

This is a nice little oral scene. jessica works the tease at the start very well, and her naughty little smile is great for making the scene even naughtier than it would be normally. Randy does a nice job with his peeping, but the scene is so quick that it never really develops the voyeuristic aspect of the scene that seems like it’s hanging in the background. Even as an oral scene, this one feels like it would be much better if it were about twice as long.

The Down -n- Dirty Sex Stuff

Themes: Straight, rimming (male > female), oral, group, lesbian, and anal

Raincoat Factor: Medium low

Condom Usage: 100%

The Bottom Line:

Currently, many of Wicked’s DVDs can be found online for between $15 and $30 with many stores offering them for around $21. Rent this one before you buy it. A lot of the movie is very well done, but the sex never seemed up to the same level as the acting. The technical aspects were also wanting due to a non-anamorphic transfer. There’s some good effort put into the extras to fill out the DVD. This is a movie and a DVD that both felt like they fell short of where they should have been.

Note to Wicked Pictures: You used to be able to live up to your hype about being one fo the best feature studios out there. It’d be nice if you’d put in the effort to get there again. Things like giving the movie the anamorphic transfer it deserved and including all the scenes shown in the behind the scenes featurette would be a nice start.

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

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