Movie Review: Defined

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Directors: Chi Chi LaRue, Kris Weston, John Rutherford.
Cast: Matthew Rush, Joe Foster, Eric Leneau, Addison Scott, Arpad Miklos, Robert Balint, Jeremy Jordan, Jason Law, Austin Larsen, Jeremy Penn, Roland Dane.

Talk about high concept! In Defined, three of Falcon’s top directors give visual definitions of words from everyday life. For example, Chi Chi LaRue tackles “Thrust,” “Friction” and “Seduce.” Kris Weston takes on “Power,” and John Rutherford goes deep with “Penetrate.” Don’t worry, the video is better than the concept.

In LaRue’s first sequence, “Thrust,” Matthew Rush and Joe Foster perform in a definitive Falcon scene. It’s all there—the vibrant colors, gorgeous videography, fabulous lighting, smooth models bordering on perfection and that old beat-up pickup in the background. This scene is a stunner, and so is Rush, more beautiful than ever and displaying an energy and commitment that was lacking in some of his earlier work. LaRue also does nicely with Robert Balint and Jeremy Jordan in the “Friction” sequence, though these two are more the definition of opposites. The beefy Balint nearly overwhelms the tiny Jordan, but somehow their pairing works. Jason Law and Austin Larsen aren’t a great match either (the younger man/older man thing), but they do flip-flop nicely.

Weston’s “Power” scene features a great threeway as Addison Scott and Arpad Miklos take on Eric Leneau in a boxing ring at the gym. There is some sweaty, manly action here, and once again, the visuals are eye-popping. John Rutherford’s “Penetrate” scene is more ordinary, with Jeremy Penn and Roland Dane making it in a tasteful bedroom. Penn, looking more mature and surprisingly soft, starts off the scene stating that “nobody fucks me,” but that doesn’t last long as great Dane tops him for much of the scene. There are some intense penetration shots here, and Dane delivers a terrific pop shot, but those anticipating Penn as a bottom might be disappointed as he spends too much time telling Dane to take it “slow.”

Defined doesn’t bring any new meaning to these words, but the accomplished directors provide typically fine Falcon fare, and the first-rate models are certainly fun to watch. (Falcon Studios)

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Movie Review: Stiff Security

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Director: Max Julien.
Cast: Edmundo Castro, Julio Vidal, Roberto Aguilar, Ivan de Morais, Hugo Toledo, Emerson Prata, Alfonso Ribeiro, Sidney Sampaio, Jorge Rios, Renato de Giorgio, Chang Ling.

Who said making porn is easy? As if undependable talent, big egos and a small budget aren’t bad enough, the fictional director in Stiff Security, the latest from Max Julien and Marcostudios, also has to deal with muggy weather, bugs and security problems. Shot entirely on location in Brazil, Stiff Security has the director (played with comedic skill by Chang Ling in a nonsexual role) solve one of these problems by hiring straight guards to patrol his locations. (Turns out that the gay ones caused too much trouble on his last film.) Little does he know that these guys are about as straight as Ricky Martin.

Anyway, throughout the video, the director offers his narrative in voice-over (there are also subtitles), telling exactly what he had to overcome to get the scene done. First, three hotties battle mosquitoes on the set, but luckily “an aggressive top and a hungry bottom” save the day. This scorching threeway sets the standard for the rest of the video. Julien has once again found the hottest men Brazil has to offer, and their sex together is gritty and realistic. There’s even a juicy cum facial.

In the second scene, the director confides that he decided to pair a newcomer with a veteran star, but unfortunately, the vet turned up in not the best shape. The guy looks fine to us—he’s a big, hairy bear type—and the scene winds up being fun and diverse as the models flip-flop and shoot nice loads. By scene three, the guards are getting turned on by all the sexcapades surrounding them. One guard slips off for a liaison with a couple of the models. Next, two depressed guards (one lost his job, the other his woman) need some release, so they decide to jack off together, but they are accosted by two men with a gun who force them to suck and fuck each other. The guards manage to turn the tables and force the interlopers to do the same. This is an entertaining scene with many big cocks and copious cum shots.

Finally, when the beleaguered director decides to throw in the towel on his film, the guards come to the rescue and star in the movie themselves—after hearing how much more money they will be making, of course. Stiff Security is a witty sex comedy that will appeal to those in search of hot ethnic men and a few laughs. The scenes move along at a brisk pace, and creative editing keeps things interesting. It offers a look behind behind-the-scenes hype. But more important, the sex and men are hot! (Marcostudio/IMD)

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Porn Star Interview: Doug Jeffries

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Doug Jeffries is making his mark on the porn industry—both in front of and behind the camera. Since his debut in 1996 in All Worlds Videos’ Why Marines Don’t Kiss, the 37-year-old screen stud has appeared in more than 350 films. In 2000, All Worlds gave Jeffries the opportunity to direct his own script, Untamed. Then last year, Studio 2000 signed Jeffries to direct movies for them. Now prepping Working Stiff 2 as a director and appearing in John Travis’ Stiff as a Board as a model, Jeffries recently took some time out to speak with us from the Studio 2000 offices in Los Angeles.

How did you make the transition from model to director?
[All Worlds Video owner] Rick Ford and I go way back. He even named me! Rick asked me to direct. I had been writing scripts for some of Chi Chi LaRue’s movies for Vivid. I wrote a gay script called Untamed. Rick really liked the script, and he said, “Direct it.” I said, “Let me think about it.” He said, “No, direct it!”
What made you hesitate?
I didn’t think I had the skill to direct. I had assisted Chi Chi on set, and being in so many movies, I learned a lot from seeing others direct. But it wasn’t until I worked with Scott Masters and John Travis at Studio 2000 that I felt I really started learning the technical side. I knew I could do the personality part, dealing with the boys, but the other part made me hesitate.
How did you get into the business originally?
I had been working as a teacher in Boston. Then I moved to Las Vegas. I came to L.A. and [porn star] Logan Reed saw me. He introduced me to an agent.
Had you considered porn before?
I was toying with the idea of doing porn. Then this opportunity came up. It was thrown in my face, so I sent pictures to the agent.
And the rest is history!
It was sort of a roller-coaster ride. I almost didn’t do it. I was sitting in the airport, waiting to go do my first movie, and I thought, “I’m not gonna get on that plane.” I never thought it would blossom into what it did and extend even further.
How did the Studio 2000 deal come about?
Scott Masters saw Untamed and called me at the All Worlds Resort in Palm Springs, where I was working, and offered me a job. I said that I was loyal to All Worlds, and he understood. Then I left there and moved back to L.A. and was free to accept his offer. I have directed four movies for Studio 2000. I just did one in Spain called Deep Plunge for our international line. And now I am also publicity/promotions manager.
Was that a tough job to tackle?
Not really. I already knew everyone I needed to from when I was roommates with Chi Chi.
Tell us about your relationship with Miss LaRue.
I met Chi Chi through working with All Worlds. She cast me in a movie for Mustang. I stayed at her house. It was a crazy time. Sometimes I was doing two movies a day! I was in all her movies, then she asked me to be her assistant. I made all those connections through her.
Were you influenced by her directing style?
Totally. A lot of my style is similar to Chi Chi’s.
What do you like about being a director?
As a model, I loved seeing my image on the screen. Now, as a director, I love seeing my vision transformed from the page. I also appreciate the entirety of the project—the editing, the music. Seeing the finished product is such a thrill! I get an inner excitement and energy when I am directing. I can’t contain myself.
Do you still want to keep performing as well?
There are projects I still want to do. I mean if a fisting movie comes up for Hot House, then I am there. I still like the hard-edge stuff. And I love doing personal appearances. I was an actor/singer/dancer before porn, so I love stripping, signing autographs, meeting the fans.
After 350 movies, how do you keep it fresh?
I just did a 3-D specialty video with Michael Zen, and I’ve done fisting movies with Steven Scarborough. Those are experiences that are exciting to me and where I can learn a lot from other directors, and I am so thankful to Studio 2000 for this chance. Learning still turns me on. That is how I keep it fresh!

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)