Nice Guys Finish Last Review

Distributor: Vivid Edition Details: Standard DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Feature Film, Couples Run Time: 75 minutes Rated: XXX Release Year: 2001 Director: Ren Savant Written by: Ren Savant, Eugene Brown Cast: Raylene, Vince Vouyer, Chennin Blanc (as Chenin Blanc), Blair Segal (as Blair), Erik Everhard, Cheyne Collins, Kyle Stone Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround 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: Multiple Angles, Previews, Bonus Scenes, Outtakes, Photo Gallery, Fetish Menu, The Web DVD-ROM Special Features: none

Synopsis:
Raylene (Raylene) gets in a disastrous fight with her significant other John (Kyle Stone) and runs off to be picked up as a hitchhiker by Jason (Vince Vouyer).

Audio/Video:
There are two audio tracks available for the feature film. The original English 2.0 Stereo track is on the disc along with a remastered English 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround track. The stereo track is well done with clear and easy to hear dialog. Although there was nothing much in this film to require the Dolby Digital Surround track I was excited to listen to how good the film sounded with it. The Surround track is a complete disappointment, the majority of the track is exactly the same as the Stereo track utilizing only the front left and right speakers for the elements that were in the Stereo track. The only main difference is the slightly crappy porn music in the Stereo track has been replaced with really crappy music that is downright distracting, in the Surround track. The music does appear to utilize the back speakers in the Surround track. I recommend using the Stereo track when watching the film. No other language tracks and no subtitle options are available.

Nice Guys Finish Last is presented in a full screen aspect ratio of 1.33:1, which is the original aspect ratio for the film. The picture presentation here is perfect with a nice crisp and clear picture. The color levels are set perfectly. The only time the picture isn't perfect is when the picture was purposely altered for the film. It just doesn't get much better than this.

Special Features:
Vivid, as usual, has packed this disc full of extras. Also, as usual, few of them relate to the feature film. There are three multiple angles for the sex scenes. These were probably created by editing footage out of the original sex scenes for the extra angle shots as this is how Vivid has done the multiple angles in the past. There are some short outtakes from the feature film. There is a fetish menu, which allows you to jump to footage in the film containing your favorite fetish assuming that your favorite fetish is blow jobs, spooning, pussy eating, cum shots, missionary, doggie, cowgirl, girl/girl or anal. There is a photo gallery that contains 13 stills from the film on a track. There are some bonus sex scenes included on the disc, four for Raylene from the films Where the Boys Aren't 12, Zoom, Devil's Blackjack, and Speedway and four for Chenin Blanc from the films Housesitter, Tonight, Inside Sex 2, and The Jungle. The Web contains an advert for Vivid's internet presence. And there are previews for Nice Guys Finish Last, Girls Only: Cassidey, Fluff, and Girls Only: Charlie.

Navigation:
There are six chapters available from the main menu for Nice Guys Finish Last. Each one is identified by a video clip from the scene that the chapter goes to and a name for the scene. There are eleven chapter stops in the film itself. There is a time code for the feature film encoded on the disc.

General Review:
Nice Guys Finish Last is an attempt at a plot-based couples film, but it falls short in several areas. First off is the plot for the film. The beginning starts with a well-done opening where Raylene is picked up by Vince Vouyer in a van. The opening is shot in grainy color and generates interest into the story. Unfortunately at this point the story slowly fizzles out to abruptly show back up at the end of the film. Without ruining the ending for those of you who watch the film, let me say that it makes very little sense and will leave most viewers scratching their heads asking, “What the fuck!” Since I can't find an accurate running time for the original video tape, I don't know if the story problems are due to Vivid cutting portions of the film to fit in their extras or if it was just a poorly written film from the start, either way, it just doesn't work here.

The film is shot in an arty style that some viewers may not like. The present is shot in clear color with scenes taking place in the past shot in washed out color with a grainy picture. The style works well for the film only adding to the disappointment when the story goes south. Viewers will be happy to note that sex scenes that take place in the past, although starting with the washed out color and grainy picture, quickly go into the clear picture with vivid color.

The cast looks good, but the sex comes through more as mechanical than pleasurable. The camera work in the sex scenes doesn't help in this matter either as there are way too many extreme close ups of the genitalia. The sex scenes lack variety in their make up as well. As this is a couples film, there are no circus acts performed, but there is little to differentiate the scenes from each other. Basically they conform to the same positions, the only difference being the cast members involved.

The opening lesbian scene between Raylene and Chenin Blanc is a stand out in the film. The sex seems less mechanical here and the two actually seem to be having fun with each other. It's a pity that the sex scenes are so poorly filmed since the plot portions end up looking so good. The sexual themes in the film are oral and vaginal sex with lesbianism and toys. For viewers who care about such things, condoms are used in all of the scenes.

The cast does a good job with the material being presented in the plot portions of the film but since there is such a problem with the story this is all for naught. It's a shame since the movie holds so much promise in the beginning to see it deteriorate the way that it does.

Parting Thoughts:
Nice Guys Finish Last starts out with a bang promising the viewer to be a good plot-based couples film but deteriorates quickly into a below average porn. Viewers who like nasty sex, hate a plot or hate films with an arty style to them will definitely want to pass on this film whereas viewers who like tame sex and porn with a plot should pass on this film but stand the greatest chance of enjoying this film. If you are a huge fan of Raylene you might consider a cheap purchase, otherwise I would suggest renting this title before purchasing.

Screenshots:

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