Secret Paris Review

Studio
Studio A

Genre
Artistic Vignette

Director
Andrew Blake

Starring
Adriana, Bree Maddox, Monica Mendez, Sophie Evans, Kate More, and Dale Bonet

Running Time
1:26

DVD Format
Single Sided, Single Layer (DVD-5)

Aspect Ratio
1.85:1 (letterboxed)

Special Features
Dolby 5.1 soundtrack, 22-picture photo gallery (mostly softcore), and 18-minute "centerfold" featurette

Typical Watchers
Andrew Blake fans and those who worship the female form

Typical Haters
Anyone who'd rather see a DAP rather than a woman wearing lingerie

Replay Value
Medium

Themes
Eurobabes, elegant pornography, solo masturbation, lingerie, natural breasts, girl-girl, toys, blowjob, 50's style bondage, nude in public

Condoms
None used

If You Liked This DVD, You Should Enjoy
Anything released under Studio A (circa 1996-present)

It's been a while since I've seen an Andrew Blake movie, mostly because Studio A releases are so damn expensive.  But like reserve wine or hand-rolled cigars, it's usually worth every cent.  In the case of Secret Paris, this shot-on-film, filmed in France, glossy tribute to the female form is worth the price--if you can appreciate eroticism without needing to see things in explicit detail.

I chuckle to myself when I imagine a box score reviewer trying to give a play-by-play on this title.  Blake changes the angles, effects, and shots constantly in such a visual kaleidoscope that it almost defies mere description.  The finished result is a highly polished, if sometimes too glossy, bit of pornography that flows from one theme to another without the harsh breaks that we normally call "scenes."

From a sex standpoint, the Andrew Blake bashers of the world hold up Secret Paris as an example of how softcore, boring, and Sapphic Blake's modern offerings have become.  They're absolutely right--but they're missing the point:  Blake is not supposed to be hardcore as we've come to expect from the porn industry.  Why does Playboy still do a booming business by showing all manners of softcore cheesecake?  Because it fulfills a fantasy of elegance, beauty, and sensuality, not one of wanton carnality.  For the same reason that connoisseurs of beautiful women flock to publications like "Perfect 10," is the same reason many of them can appreciate Blake's Secret Paris.

That said, one can expect to see a lot of T&A (and what lovely, natural T's and A's they are), exposed labia without the vulgarity of gynecological shots, lingerie, high heels, elegant locations, solo masturbation, a few shots of girl-girl using toys, and some implied bondage/domination in a 1950's style.   There's also a single boy-girl scene featuring Latin lovely Adriana and Dale Bonet that reminds me a lot of the elegant hetero work that Blake did in his early years.  You'll see hotter sex in a lot of videos, but I doubt you'll see any that's photographed better.  Beautiful Eurobabes and lots of breast play round out my list of enjoyments.

I'm pleasantly surprised at the inclusion of an 18-minute "centerfold" featurette, which is essentially an extension of the gorgeous imagery of the main feature.  Adriana is extensively featured, and while it heavily features solo masturbation, the eye candy is awesome.  For example, seeing one of the ladies lean over and caress her breasts is erotic enough, but seeing her natural features bounce in slow, exquisite detail is jaw-dropping!  It's quite a good bit of film and an unexpected bonus considering Studio A's track record of having little or no extras on their DVDs.

The last thing I'll comment on is the true Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack.  If you're fortunate enough to have a good home theater system, you'll be able to experience the soundtrack in a 360-degree soundfield.  The sound designer seems to have intentionally crafted the music to engage us from different sides of the room, heightening the effect.  Similarly, we hear the echoing voice of a woman or the canned moaning during a sex scene that seems to come from all around us.  Unfortunately, while it's a good exercise of one's home theater, the harsh, dissonant instrumentals--suitable for a science fiction or horror film--doesn't work for a such an elegant adult film.  It makes me uneasy to listen to it, and I'd probably just mute the sound and watch the lovely ladies in silence.

In all, I recommend Secret Paris highly to Andrew Blake loyalists and also to those who can appreciate the female form without feeling the overwhelming desire to see it covered with sperm or plugged in the ass.  And if anyone is convinced that cheap, crappily acted porn is all that the Valley can turn out, I suggest you order Secret Paris to see that there are artists, even in adult.  Just save up your pennies....

- Saki (saki@sakivision.com)