Movie Review: The Innkeeper: Hotel Italia 2

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Director: Lucas Kazan.
Cast: Matthias Vannelli, Sasha Byazrov, Vilem Cage, Max Veneziano, Giorgio Salieri, Eric Flower, Mamo Vallicelli, Paolo Tarantino, Michele Luppo, Matt Van Dorn.

Director Lucas Kazan returns to Italy for a stunning sequel to Hotel Italia. This time around, gorgeous hotel owner Sasha Byazrov has his pick of some equally pretty guests. Filmed entirely on location at a beautiful Italian location, The Innkeeper offers five excellent scenes with an impressive cast. Supercute Matt Van Dorn (on loan from Studio 2000) bottoms nicely for hunky Matthias Vannelli. Beefy Vilem Cage and Max Veneziano get busy on a stairway—sucking, fucking and delivering juicy cum shots (though we could do without the gum-chewing!). Byazrov witnesses some sexy doings at his place, but the one man he desires (Michele Luppo) is oblivious to his charms. (In one hysterical sequence, Byazrov attempts to woo Luppo by doing suggestive things with a log. No wonder he fails to win him with these ridiculous moves!) However, Byazrov eventually entices the man of his dreams, but lucky for us he soon dumps him for Vannelli, which makes for the video’s hottest scene. Vannelli has an amazing physique, and he fucks like a dream. The lovely lighting and expert videography only enhance this dynamic duo. The great picture quality makes Kazan’s already attractive men look even more delectable. We can only hope a third visit to Hotel Italia is in the works. (Lucas Kazan Productions)

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Movie Review: Out at Last 4: Bazaar

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Director: George Duroy.
Cast: Mark Aubrey, Denis Aysner, Pascal Babey, Lucien Barré, Sebastian Bonnet, Henry Bresson, Roman Chaykin, Jeff Daniels, Ion Davidov, Josh Elliot, Joe Koslowski, Pavel Luknar, Brandon Manilow, Robbie Martin, Matt Phillipe, Mirko Polakov, Ken Russel, Danny Sarandon, Andre Sorel, Dano Sulik.

The latest Out at Last from Bel Ami offers another crop of rejected scenes straight from the cutting-room floor. And according to Bel Ami head George Duroy, it’s sort of like a bazaar, because there is something for everyone. Bazaar’s 10 scenes offer the usual assortment of beautiful boys with big uncut cocks, frolicking in the sun and water. Most of the deleted scenes were intended for one of the Frisky Summer videos or SummerCamp, and it is always interesting to see what Duroy deems unworthy. In the onscreen notes, he writes that one episode was rejected because the film was overexposed, but thanks to the miracle of color-correction, we get to enjoy it here for the first time. In another, Duroy says that model Robbie Martin was too clumsy. Well, the boy might be a bit overeager to please, but hey, that’s no reason to deprive the world of his beauty! Jeff Daniels and Danny Sarandon were supposed to film a flip-flop fuck, but some “condom problems” caused that plan to be abandoned, so we only get to see Sarandon on top of things. There are also three lost blowjob sequences and the final footage of superstar Ion Davidov, looking more gorgeous than ever and displaying great chemistry with Dano Sulik. Some unrevealing documentary footage is also inserted in their scene. As usual, the picture quality is great, and Bel Ami devotees will not want to miss these treasures. (Bel Ami)

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

On the Set Report: Strangers of the Night

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT


Porn entrepreneur Michael Lucas is known for shooting in New York City, and his 22nd film, Strangers of the Night, is no exception. Last fall, Lucas brought his porn sensibilities to a landmark hotel in Chelsea to shoot some of this dark and twisted tale of nocturnal New Yorkers. In a large suite on the sixth floor, Lucas and his crew set up their equipment to film, among other things, a threeway starring newcomers Nicholas Bardem and Adrian Pena, and Lucas himself.

As the late October day begins, videographer Andre Adair is standing on a chair with his camera. A couple of lights with umbrellas are surrounding one of the two beds. Sitting at a table nearby, an on-set photographer, a makeup man and a production assistant peruse a stack of porn magazines as the models begin the oral portion of the scene. First, the two newbies suck off Lucas, who takes part in the scene but also occasionally calls out directions to the crew and whispers instructions to the cast.

After a busy morning of oral sex, Lucas asks for a break. Speaking in his trademark Russian accent, the director immediately shifts gears and starts discussing the relaunch of his Web site and the distribution of his films, all the while naked and hard. Talk about concentration!

Within minutes, Lucas resumes shooting, this time the penetration. First, Pena fucks Bardem. This goes on for about 10 minutes before Lucas says, “Okay, we got it!” Then he is back in the scene, demonstrating the position he is going to be in, while the videographer adjusts himself accordingly. Then Lucas asks for condoms and lube, calls for action and begins topping Pena while Pena sucks Bardem. As the bed begins rocking, Lucas mops his brow and reaches down and does the same for Pena. After a while, he looks at the model and says, “Okay, now you are gonna cum.” Within moments, Pena complies with a nice pop shot.

But the scene isn’t over yet, as Lucas turns his attention to Bardem’s butt. He starts pumping him, then pulls Bardem’s foot, which is already in the air, up to his mouth and begins sucking his toes. When he is done, Lucas takes Bardem’s wet toe and aims it toward Pena’s butt. This scene will be popular with foot fans for sure! After Bardem shoots, Lucas lies on the bed between the models and jacks to climax.

“Very good, guys,” he says when the scene is over. After toweling off, Lucas begins planning the next scene, which will feature Carlos Morales, Andy Hunter and Mario Ortiz, who have already arrived and are filling out their paperwork. The models and crew relax and eat pasta, salad and bread. After lunch, they head up to the roof to shoot the opening-credit sequence. With a beautiful setting sun behind them, the models pose. Off in a corner, Bardem and Pena, fresh from their scene, do an interview that will be used as an extra for the DVD release of Strangers.

The second day of the five-day shoot features a scene with Lucas exclusive Marco Rochelle and newcomer Danny Hunter. This time, the crew has gathered at a duplex apartment in Chelsea and set up in a small bedroom, which is tastefully appointed with books. A fish tank gurgles in the background. As the cast prepares, Lucas absentmindedly taps the glass. “Okay, guys,” he says, “let’s get going.” Rochelle and Hunter start to make out. They are both wearing jeans without underwear, per Lucas’s wishes. As they kiss, he watches the monitor and directs them. Their clothes slowly come off, and Lucas steps in to reposition them, telling Hunter, “so that we can see how big your dick is.”

The models move on to oral and 69. “Okay, lots of foreskin play now,” Lucas commands. During the ass-eating sequence, Lucas tells Adair to get closer, “but don’t lose the focus.” Hunter has a trick up his sleeve. Moving into self-sucking mode, he and Rochelle share his oversize cock. “Yes, that looks beautiful,” Lucas encourages. Realizing that this is a rare opportunity, he asks for plenty of coverage.

Following this, the guys take a break. Hunter sips some water and stretches. “People don’t realize it takes hours to do a scene,” he says. “Before I was in the industry, I thought two guys just had sex and they filmed it!” Now he knows better, and it’s back to work. Hunter fucks Rochelle in two positions before the cum shots fly and the scene is done. It is almost six hours later.

With the day’s filming complete, Lucas takes a moment to explain the origins of Strangers. “My screenwriter, Alex Poole, had an idea for a movie that would be kind of like Alfred Hitchcock meets David Lynch,” he says. “Alex was definitely influenced by films like Vertigo and Mulholland Drive. I liked that idea. Aren’t we all just strangers of the night?”

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Movie Review: Class Reunion

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Director: William Higgins.
Cast: Lance Whitman, Blade, Robert Score, Paul Michaels, Ryan Andrews, Aaron Gage, Davin McNeil, Brett Simms, Brian Jeffreys, Giorgio Canali, Ron Howe, Mike Dean, Tim Richards, Lee Stern, Leo Ford, Michael Christopher, Derick Stanton, Cory Adams, David Greyson, Brian Thompson, Scott Roberts.

What porn fan can forget the famous poolside daisy chain that closes William Higgins’ early ’80s video? Thankfully, it is in tact and looking better than ever in this new DVD release. A huge cast of 21 hot men gather for a reunion that turns into one of the most memorable orgies ever captured on film. Superstars Leo Ford, Michael Christopher, Giorgio Canali and Derick Stanton show why they went on to become icons of the early gay-porn industry. And the picture quality of this pre-condom classic looks fresh and bright, probably because the original was shot on film as most movies of that era were. This pioneering epic will have you longing for studs and days gone by; Photo Gallery, Bonus Scene from CatalinaVille featuring Cliff Parker, Cole Tucker, Steve Rambo, Tony Zerega, Antonio and Max Grand. (Catalina Digital)

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Porn Star Interview: Jeremy Jordan

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Jeremy Jordan may look young, but he knows his way around the porn industry. The petite (5 foot 8, 135 pounds) 24-year-old has made more than 20 films since he first started working for Falcon Studios in 1999. After two and a half years—and such hit films as Hard to Hold, No Way Out, Thrusted and Out of Athens (which won him a GAYVN Award for Best Group Scene)—Jordan walked away from his exclusive contract with Falcon and began working for other top studios. Recent projects include The Scout Club and SuperCharge for Studio 2000. He also took some time out to meet and date his porn-star boyfriend, Jason Hawke (pictured, above). Together, they star in Falcon’s latest epic, Deep South: The Big and the Easy. Although Jordan lives in Hollywood with Hawke, we recently caught up with the smooth, blond-haired, blue-eyed cutie when he was taking a much-needed break in his native Canada.

Jeremy, you look so young and innocent. How did you end up in this business?
Well, I never wanted to become a porn star. I just needed money.
You are originally from Canada?
Yes, I was born and raised in Canada. But some things in my life weren’t going the way I wanted, so I moved to Kentucky to be with some friends. It was definitely different there. It was like living with hillbillies! I was there for less than a year. While there, I needed money, and a friend said, “Why don’t you do porn?” I had thought of it before.
Really? At what age?
I was living in Toronto, and I thought of it when I was 17. I was just a horny boy, but I never thought I could get into it. I didn’t think I was good-looking enough. Then in the U.S. I learned more about it. I called Falcon and sent some pictures, and they called me a week later. I didn’t have an interview or anything. Falcon just flew me out to San Francisco and put me in my first movie, Hard to Hold.
Those must have been some really good pictures you sent!
Well, they were some nude pictures. (laughs)
Who took them?
My ex-boyfriend took the pictures, but he didn’t know what they were for.
Was he supportive when he found out?
Kinda. He wanted me to strip and be a dancer, but I didn’t want to be a stripper.
Were you nervous about being in a film?
I was so nervous, I was shaking. When I got on the set, I was very quiet. And because I am so little, I looked about 10 years old! Everyone was staring at me. The guys in the scene were all huge!
Tell us about the scene in Hard to Hold.
Well, there was a French guy, and he was huge! I was horny and looking for a good fuck that day, but I almost passed out. He and another guy fucked the shit out of me. It was fun, but hard work too. After the first scene, I thought, if they want me back, I will do more. I enjoyed it. Once I got into porn, there was boys and sex everywhere. There were lots of dick around me, which I like.
Have you always been a bottom?
Well, before porn, I didn’t really know what top or bottom was. I had had sex, just not that much anal.
When did you start having sex?
When I was about 14 with guys.
And when was the first time you bottomed?
I guess when I was about 16. The first movie I made though, I knew I was gonna get topped. I was scared. I didn’t know the process. I had never been naked in front of that many people before! But it went really well. It was hot. Falcon is great in that they really take care of their models.
Then you worked with Billy Brandt in No Way Out. He has a bit of a reputation as a bad boy. What did you think of him?
Billy was nice, and I think he liked working with me.
And he even bottomed for you in that movie. How did that come about?
[Director] John Rutherford asked me to do it, and Billy agreed. They never used the scene though until No Way Out came out on DVD.
And now you are back with Falcon for Deep South. How was that?
We had a good time filming that one. I am in three scenes: one group scene, one threeway with Josh Weston and Jack Ryan, and I also did a solo scene.
How did you like shooting in New Orleans?
New Orleans was so freaking hot and humid, but we loved it. Jason and I went to a bar there and met these strippers, and we ended up sucking them off in the bathroom. The boys there are dirty! (laughs)
Is there a certain type of guy that turns you on?
I like young guys, between the ages of 18 and 30. I like smooth or trimmed bodies, but sexually, I can be dirty. I like all kinds of stuff.
What is your favorite thing to do?
I definitely like to bottom. I get off on getting fucked.
Have you always been a porn fan?
Yeah, I have watched all kinds of gay porn.
You’ve done a lot of group scenes. Do you enjoy doing them?
I have done so many that I can’t even count them! I feel they are easier. It’s more like real sex. The spotlight isn’t just on you. You can get more into it because there is more to do—you know, you can grab a dick here, grab a dick there.
Had you had group sex before?
No, I was pretty young and naive in Canada. I was 20 when I left, so once in a while I would go to Toronto for fun, but on camera was the first time I had group sex. I thought it was hot.
Are you comfortable with your twink image?
No, I don’t like the twink image. It’s all good for the viewers, but I don’t consider myself a flaming twink queen or anything.
How does your boyfriend, Jason Hawke, feel about your image?
Well, he doesn’t really like it.
How did you guys meet?
We met on a porn set. He had heard about me a week before and said he wanted to fuck me, so Chi Chi LaRue set us up to do a scene in The Violation 2: Surrender. She was our matchmaker. The second Jason walked in, from that moment, we were together. We talked until two in the morning; we didn’t even have sex! We just hit it off. I thought, this boy is incredible! Since then, we have never left each other.
And how long has that been?
We have been together for two years and four months.
Is it tough with you both being porn stars?
Well, there are always people calling. It does take its toll, but we talk everything out. We tell each other everything. I know what he likes and he knows what I like. We are both young, so we don’t put limits on ourselves.
And are you monogamous off-screen?
Well, we try to be, but I have had a couple of adventures while I was away.
Tell us about one.
Okay, so I went to an adult bookstore back home, and the kid behind the counter was so cute. But he was straight, I thought. But he was looking at me. It was just before closing, so I rented my movie and we talked. He asked where I was from, then he asked, “Do you want to see my shaved pubes?” and he pulled down his pants. I didn’t know what to do! I just touched his dick and said it was nice, and I left. I called Jason and told him what happened. He said, “No one gets an opportunity like that! Go for it!” I said, “Well, I had to ask you first.” Anyway, I went back to the store and the guy followed me to the back. Then, he just grabbed my arm and pulled me down, and I went down on him. He jerked off on the floor, but before I left, his girlfriend called! (laughs)
Do you think he knew who you were?
No, he didn’t. After we had sex, I showed him one of my box covers and he couldn’t believe it was me.
Is Jason your favorite co-star?
Of course! (laughs) I love working with him.
Think you’ll continue in the industry?
I am having so much fun doing porn. I feel like I have done it all, but I still want to keep working. In the future, I hope to choose more projects that I like. We’ll see.

Reprinted from All-Man magazine (2003)

Porn Star Interview: Rod Rockhard

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Originally from: Las Vegas
Age: 30
Height: 6’ 1"
Weight: 185
Distinguishing features: “I am a kind, compassionate guy who has lots of love to give—and no attitude.”
Tattoos/piercings: “My right nipple is pierced with a gold ring, and I have a band tattoo around my right arm.”
Penis size: 11 inches, uncut
Sexual orientation: Gay
Ethnic background: African-American
Education: High school
Relationship status: “Single for the moment. Know anyone?”
First adult performance: Packin’ Loads (Raging Stallion Studios)
Subsequent performances: Take It Like a Man (Raging Stallion Studios)
What did you do before getting into porn? “I worked full-time at one of the casinos in Las Vegas.”
How did you get into the industry? “I was vacationing in Los Angeles, and I met porn star Michael Brandon, who got me an audition with Raging Stallion. I owe my debut in porn to him.”
How did you get your name? “Rod is part of my real name. As for Rockhard, boys always referred to my thick dick as being hard as a rock. It’s a name that describes me perfectly.”
What’s the dirtiest/sexiest thing you’ve ever done? “I was in a mall, and I saw this hot guy with his girlfriend. I stared at him and watched him leave her to shop. The guy followed me to my car. This white dude took all of my black meat. I loved giving him what his girl never could. He married that girl and still calls me!”
Most memorable on-screen performance: “I loved watching Michael Soldier choke on my big dick while filming Take It Like a Man.”
Most memorable on-set performance not captured on tape: “Winning first place in a contest on the Mutiny and Mayhem Cruise for having the biggest cock.”
Favorite co-star? “All of them are memorable and special.”
Favorite sex act/position: “Face down, ass up!”
What are your long-term goals? “I want to continue making movies and becoming more well known in the industry. I hope to direct and produce hot porn in the future and have my own production company. I already have a name picked out; it’s gonna be called RodRockhard at Large.”

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Porn Star Interview: Zach Jayden

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Originally from: Boston
Age: 27
Height: 5’ 10’’
Weight: 155
Distinguishing features: Besides his perfect butt, Jayden stunned director Michael Lucas by delivering a whopping five cum shots in his first scene.
Tattoos/piercings: “No tattoos, but my belly button is pierced.”
Penis size: 7 inches, cut
Sexual orientation: Gay
Ethnic background: “I am part Greek and part Irish.”
Education: “I have a B.A. in business.”
Relationship status: Single
First adult performance: Hunt and Plunge (Lucas Entertainment)
Subsequent performances: Sexpload (Enrico Vega Productions)
What did you do before getting into porn? “I worked in landscape construction.”
How did you get into the industry? “I had always fantasized about being in a porn movie, so when I saw a casting ad for Lucas Entertainment, it seemed like the perfect chance. I went to an audition, got naked and got my first movie.”
How did you get your name? “I always thought that Zach, the kid from Saved By the Bell, was cute. I kinda had a crush on him. So that is where I got the name Zach, and Jayden just came out of the blue.”
What’s the dirtiest/sexiest thing you've ever done? “Well, one time in college, I got fucked in the quad by two lacrosse players. Now that was hot!”
Most memorable on-screen performance: “Definitely my scene with Chad Hunt. That was a lot of fun.”
Most memorable on-set performance not captured on tape: “Well, I don’t want to give away too much, but prepping for that scene was also a lot of fun.”
Favorite co-star? “Who else? Chad Hunt, an easygoing guy with an amazing dick.”
Favorite sex act/position: “Bottoming is my favorite—and getting it from both ends. I would love to be double penetrated.”
What are your long-term goals? “Oh, who knows? Just say that I’m in it for the fun!”

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)