Satin and Sabotage 1 Review

Distributor: New Era Entertainment Edition Details: Special Limited Edition DVD Movie Specs: Genres: Feature Film Also known as: Johnny Wadd and The Sword of Charlemagne — Part 1, Bob Chinn's Satin and Sabotage, Charlemagne's Sword — Part 1, Satin and Sabotage: Charlemagne's Sword — Part 1 Run Time: 98 minutes Rated: XXX Release Year: 2001 Director: Bob Chinn Written by: Rex Carlton, Bob Chinn (based on characters created by) Director of Photography: Willie Boudevin Cast: Joel Lawrence, Gina Ryder, Diana DeVoe, Monica Mayhem, Hanna Hunter, Star E. Knight, Layla Jade, Jessica Dee (as Jessica), Lee Stone, Herschel Savage, Henri Pachard Release Specs: Audio: English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: none Video: Full Frame, 1.33:1 Video Format: NTSC Format: DVD Regional Code (for DVD/Blu-ray): 0 (All) Number of discs: 2 Disc: DVD 5 (SS, SL) Special Features: Trailers, Behind the Scenes Feature, Main Menus Translated into Five Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese DVD-ROM Special Features: none

Synopsis:
Drake Spader (Henri Pachard) hires Carl (Lee Stone) who turns to private investigator Johnny Wadd, Jr. (Joel Lawrence) to acquire Charlemagne's Sword, a sword from 800 A.D. which supposedly makes the holder invincible, but the trail leads Johnny Wadd, Jr. to danger and murder.

Video/Audio:
Satin and Sabotage is presented in a full screen ratio, 1.33:1, which appears to be the original aspect ratio for the film. The film appears to have been originally shot on video and not on film. The picture is crisp and clear with no noticeable artifacts or pixilation. The color levels are perfect.

The available audio track for the film is a 2.0 English Stereo track. The audio track is everything you can expect from a stereo porn track, not much. The dialog can be clearly heard at all times, but don't be looking for any great audio effects here. There are no other language tracks and no subtitle options available.

Chapters/Time Code:
There are seven chapters available from the main menu for Satin and Sabotage, one for the beginning of each sex scene. This provides decent navigation through the film. There is a time code for this film, so time searching is available.

Special Features:
There isn't much available for special features, but the first one of them is a comprehensive 61 minutes long Behind the Scenes feature, which certainly makes up for the lack of other features that compliment the film. Main menus Translated into Five Languages: English, French, German, Spanish, Chinese is exactly that, just the main menus of disc one are translated, the film itself and the menu of disc two are still in English only. The available previews are for Re-Enter Johnny Wadd and Young and Dangerous.

Review:
Satin and Sabotage is the second film in Bob Chinn's Johnny Wadd, Jr. serial, a reincarnation of his Johnny Wadd serial from the 70s. Interestingly enough, an error on the disc says that this film is a Peter Magnum erotic thriller, a different serial of Chinn's. The story to the film is good. It is fun and not thick enough to hamper the sex scenes, although a few of them seem forced into the story. This film, although part one in a series apparently, can be watched alone without fear of having to watch others for the complete story, as there is a wrap up to what is presented in this film for the story.

The acting is good for an adult film and the cast is good looking. Joel Lawrence is a good lead, as he does a better-than-average job with his material. Herschel Savage is great as always. Lee Stone, in a surprising performance, also does a good job. I have been unimpressed with him in the past at the helm of the Peter Magnum serial as Peter Magnum. I don't know if he had more time to see the script, with a smaller part didn't need as much time to get into his part, or just doesn't have the ability to carry a film, but he does a good job here. The females are nice on the eyes, especially the doe-eyed Star E. Knight (who also gets an entry in the bad name hall of fame — the current bad name hall of fame holder is Pez D. Spencer from Café Flesh).

The sex is well done, the cast seems to be having fun and it shows. However, which will be to some people's dismay, the sex is very tame, making this a good choice for a couples film. Unfortunately, the sex is also very formulaic, after watching the first two scenes, you can predict with amazing accuracy how all the other scenes will go.

The movie is filmed in the current Bob Chinn style. There are some inventive shots mixed in with the plethora of standard ones. The sex is filmed in the current Chinn style, with many close-ups. Unfortunately, the problem with this style is it can disrupt the heat generated from the scene by making the sex look mechanical at times.

The Money Shot:
Satin and Sabotage is a lighthearted film in line with Chinn's earlier New Era films. If you have enjoyed previous New Era films or Bob Chinn's original Johnny Wadd series from the 70s, you will probably enjoy this one as well. If you are looking for nastier sex or hate a plot, this is a film to avoid.

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