Peekarama: Robin's Nest / Bella Review

Distributor: Vinegar Syndrome Edition Details: Standard DVD Release Specs: Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 1

Vinegar Syndrome has combined two New York adult films together on this set from 1979. Their main relation to each other is not through director or writer, but both star Eric Edwards and Arcadia Lake, who were lovers in real life. One of the two films, Bella, makes this set worth purchasing all on its own. The other film, Robins Nest, is worth a viewing but probably won't stand up to multiple viewings. Vinegar Syndrome has included two extras on this release for Bella and none for Robins Nest. There is “Carter Stevens on Bella,” an 8 minute piece with cinematographer Carter Stevens, and the theatrical trailer is included as well. Vinegar Syndrome has done an amazing job with both transfers. Both films look amazing. You can jump to the review of Bella or Robins Nest or just keep reading to read them all.

Bella is one of those stunning adult films that will hold the viewer entranced from beginning to end. The film looks stunning, one time director and writer Alexander Kubelka has done an amazing job with this film making one wish he had made more adult films. Cinematographer Carter Stevens has done a great job with this film giving it a cinematic feel that isn't often found in adult films.

The plot is well done and keeps the viewer entertained throughout. Bella (Tracy Adams) finds that her mother Susan (Diana Sloan) has been cheating on her father Bob (Jake Teague) with Tom (Eric Edwards), their neighbor. Bella also begins a sexual relationship with Tom and becomes very jealous of him and decides she wants him for herself, but he won't stop also seeing Susan.

The cast does a great job with their roles. All of the cast members here have shown themselves to be good at not just the sexual parts but with the acting portions of a feature film as well. The sex scenes are well done in the film and very sexually charged. And the film is filled with sex scenes. Despite having the high number of sex scenes the film has, they never get in the way of the plot or feel forced in.

Overall, Bella is an adult film that should be a must see for everyone who likes feature films. The film is an often overlooked gem that isn't given the credit that it deserves.

Vinegar Syndrome has done a good job with this release of Bella. Bella is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 480p. The transfer looks very nice on this release and sports beautiful vibrant colors. The print has print damage, artifacts, and grain. No one should have an issues with this release as I doubt Bella has looked better since it played theatrically.

Bella is presented with an English Dolby Digital 1.0 monaural audio track. The audio track is in good shape with crisp and clear dialog that can be heard throughout. There are some pops that occur from time to time but nothing that would disrupt the viewing experience.

Vinegar Syndrome has included two extras on this release for Bella. There is “Carter Stevens on Bella,” an 8 minute piece with cinematographer Carter Stevens, and the theatrical trailer is included as well.

Robins Nest is an adult film that looks at two lovers, Alan (Eric Edwards) and Robin (Arcadia Lake), who get married. After six months of marriage, their relationship starts falling apart and they separate. Once on their own they start sexually experimenting with other people.

Robins Nest has its amusing moments but the film spends too much time meandering around and on a subplot that has Larry (Paul Thomas), who is getting photographs of Mrs. G (Marcia Zina Mager), who is cheating on her husband, and blackmailing her. Yes, all the characters within the film are interconnected, however, this subplot should have been better developed and worked in to the film better or it should have been discarded. However, it would have been a shame to let the subplot go since Paul Thomas provides most of the comedy within the film and much of them lie within this subplot.

The film features a good cast that does the best they can with what they were given to work with in the script and with their sex scenes. Unfortunately the script wanders too much and never decides for sure if it wants to be a comedy or drama, ultimately not being able to flourish with either one. Robins Nest isn't bad for a one time viewing, but I doubt anyone will view this a second time.

Vinegar Syndrome has done an amazing job with their release of Robins Nest. Robins Nest is presented in the anamorphic widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 in 480p. The transfer for the film is absolutely beautiful with grain and artifacts as the only noticeable defects. Colors are represented perfectly with vibrant hues. Robins Nest looks as it did back when it played theatrically.

Robins Nest is presented with an English Dolby Digital 1.0 monaural audio track. The track sounds good and dialog is clear, crisp, and fully understandable throughout. The only noticeable issue with the audio is that there are times that the audio has a tinny sound, which may not be the fault of Vinegar Syndrome but may go all the way back to the master.

Vinegar Syndrome has put together a good pairing of films with their release of Bella and Robins Nest. Bella is the highlight of the set and is worth the purchase all by itself. Vinegar Syndrome has added a nice piece from Carter Stevens on Bella as well. The second film, Robins Nest, isn't as good as Bella is but one can think of it is a free extra since Bella is worth the price of admission alone. Vinegar Syndrome has done a beautiful job with this release; both films sport beautiful transfers.

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