I haven't been able to get my hands on this quite yet, but it looks like this may be Brad Armstrong's award-bait effort of the year.
That's all good, but have you seen the cast? In addition to the usual Wicked suspects, we have Monica Sweetheart, Taylor Rain, Lauren Phoenix, Charmane Star, and my personal favorite Ava Vincent. I love to see features take advantage of the whole talent pool.
Oddly, it seems XrentDVD and ADE have different boxcovers. Neither appears to be explicit. I wonder what's up with that?
The boxcover at XRentDVD looks like what I've seen in the stores, except the plastic over the picture makes the front darker than in the pic. I think Wicked decided to go for the mysterious look, ala mason.
The box covers aren't different...the box has one of those Lenticular prints where you turn it and the picture changes. One picture shows Kaylani's whole face, while the other shows just her eyes.
I snagged a screener for this movie from Wicked a few weeks ago and was completely blown away. It is awesome (and I'm not just saying that because I'm biased). Even Pat (who despises features and pokes fun at most of my movies) loved it and reminded me to grab the dvd so he could watch it again. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Brad Armstrong is the best at what he does! He is incredibly talented and this is one of his best. But more importantly, Kaylani looks delicious and does some of her best scenes...except for the one she did in my move "One Night in Vegas" (shameless plug for me!) If this doesn't earn her a Best Actress nomination, there's no justice in the world!! :) By order of the Princess (me!): Buy this movie and then email Kaylani and tell her how wonderful she is!
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DIAMOND DOG Deactivated User
"Puff Daddy is crap." - Keith Richards 320 Posts 7/04
Posted - Sep 23 2004 : 5:00AM
Stormy -
Would you be so kind as to give yourself an avatar. Preferably topless. It would be much appreciated.
I just got this movie yesterday. I haven't watched it yet but I do love the box cover.
For the record the movie is a two disc set with the following extras:
5.1 Dolby Surround Sound Bonus Sex Scene with Kaylani Bonus Sex Scene with Charmane and Stephanie Swift BTS: Eye of the Beholder Photo Gallery Star Gallery Star Stats BTS Photo Gallery and sex reel Out takes Reel Music Video featuring Kaylani and Charmane Interviews with Brad and Kaylani Commentary with Kaylani and Brad Wicked DVD Catalog Multiple Audio Streams (not sure what that means) Trailer for Eye of the Beholder Trailers and the rest of the usual Wicked Extras
The premise is pretty cool. Kaylani Lei gets a cornea transplant from Charmane Star and starts to see visions that lead her to investigate the cirumstances of Charmane's death. Some of the sex-scene setups are a little too "porno" for my taste -- my constant complaint -- but there's some cool stuff, and it's well put together overall.
There's a Kaylani/Charmane blowjob scene that's pretty terrific. When Charmane "possesses" Kaylani, causing her to suddenly become uncharacteristically aggressive, it's really well acted. And the swapping of characters during the BJ is clever. I'd say that in general Kaylani has never looked better than she does in this movie. There are also good costume choices for regular clothes that she still looks hot as hell in.
Taylor Rain puts in a pretty good scene. And jessica drake comes thisclose to ATOGM from Monica Sweetheart's ass (some teases, then just a little lick).
Favorite funny bits from the commentary:
*Kaylani describing the rigors of reverse cowgirl as "like riding a bicycle without a seat."
*Kaylani saying she doesn't look pretty with a cock in her mouth. Silly girl. How much more wrong could she be? Armstrong does correct her immediately.
*Kaylani expressing shock that Monica Sweetheart does anal (she looks too "innocent."). Wrong again. But her naivete is cute.
I'm going to have to watch this. Unfortunately my wife is less than impressed that this takes its inspiration from one of the best horror films of recent years.
Yeah, I never saw that one, but Armstrong has. In an interview segment, they talk about how he had Kaylani watch it (and two other films they cribbed from) to give her an idea of where he wanted to go with her character.
Thanks for all the input. In short, I'd have to say "What Stormy said!" Having worked with Brad Armstrong in the writing of Falling From Grace I concur that he's the best at what he does, and I honestly think Eye Of The Beholder is his best work to date.
As I mentioned in another post, he's returning to the adult thriller genre with Lover's Lane, shooting now and starring Devinn Lane, with jessica drake and Ava Vincent in supporting roles.
Sincerely, Daniel Metcalf Wicked Pictures
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Kobiatathereviewer Deactivated User
18 Posts 5/04
Posted - Oct 23 2004 : 11:53PM
Edited by - kobiatathereviewer on 10/24/2004 12:13:01 AM
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Kobiatathereviewer Deactivated User
18 Posts 5/04
Posted - Oct 24 2004 : 12:02AM
I couldn't agree with your analysis on this movie. This movie has it all from great acting, great women, and great sex. This is definitely Brad Armstrong's best film to date.
Okay I am still watching this one. But is it just me or did jessica do a little A2M during her scene with Monica Sweethear when she pulled the dick out of Monica's ass?
Just finished the movie and getting a start on the extras. So far, I can't help but agree that I think this is Brad's best movie to date. Two and a half hours, it never dragged, and I as never sure whether I wanted more sex or more plot when watching the movie. Yes, Jessica does look like she takes a little A2M lick.
So far, I think my only real complaint with the entire package is that the movie is presented in non-anamorphic widescreen rather than anamorphic widescreen.
The big review should hopefully be done by the end of the week...
"Vegetarianism for me is about saying ‘yes’ to things - even meat." - Coupling
This was actually one of the first adult features I ever saw, and it actually is one of the reasons that I go back to Wicked all the time. Now reading the thing about Lover's Lane, I'm stoked!
I had only one real problem with the movie, and that has to be Ava Vincent. She can act, I know that from seeing her in movies, but she was just kind of off. Although she did do a good job in her scene with Kaylani. Good stuff, good couples stuff, and entertaining for damn sure.
I loved Ava's scene with Kaylani! I also really like some of the little touches that Brad put in, like having Kaylani feel around on his face when they first have sex after she gets her sight back. Some of the sex was a bit artistic at times, but at least it worked well in the movie. After watching it, I can now agree that Eye of the Beholder deserved to do much better at the AVN Awards! The biggest weakness for the entire 2 DVD set is that it's in non-anamorphic widescreen rather than anamorphic widescreen.
"Vegetarianism for me is about saying ‘yes’ to things - even meat." - Coupling
The premise/plot is lifted directly from the Pang Brothers' THE EYE, an HK horror movie from two years ago available on DVD at Blockbuster, etc. It's even mentioned somewhere in the never-ending BTS.
But credit where credit's due: Hadware, cover "a la Mason"? Sheesh. Wicked's been doing dark, brooding covers since back when I was a reviewer ten years ago, & Mason wasn't even thinking of porn.
I actually have that cover posted up on my door (I have a very large porn cover collage on my dorm room door). That one has to get the most interesting response though, with people standing there, kind of swaying side to side seeing the image change. Very funny stuff.