Can you believe how quickly the summer flies by? It seems like just the other day I was talking about how much I looking forward to summer. Now I'm peeking at travel sites to plan the final vacation of the summer. I'm also looking back at that "can't wait" part of that column and wishing I hadn't gone down that road. Chances are no matter where you are reading this, you've had one hell of a steamy summer. With record setting heat covering most of the Western United States, Porn Valley seemed to be as hard hit as anyone. As if being the center of the porn industry isn't enough, the mercury topped out at 118 on one particularly sweltering July day. If only the product from Porn Valley was as hot as the temperatures have been.
As usual the porn world has seen plenty of player movement. In just the past month we have seen a handful of on screen and behind the camera talent change locations. Shy Love has signed a deal with Hustler, locking her into one of those short-term deals that will put her in some high-profile flicks. John Strong will continue to direct for PXP and Red Light, but has announced that his on-camera services are available to other companies. The veteran meat slinger will likely keep himself very busy. One of Strong's former company-mates, Jake Malone has made the jump over to the Evil Empire. It is a huge upgrade for Malone, but another interesting sign for EA. After years of housing only the best of the best, the recent Evil Angel expansion has ballooned their roster, nearly doubled their release schedule and perhaps hastened the recent departure of Jules Jordan. Known for his rough sex movies, Malone adds another genre to Evil's family and could blossom in the new environment. Jewel De'Nyle is also back. Not as a performer, but she has changed companies and has a new directorial deal. She will bring her catalog of movies over to 5th Element and will also direct a handful of new projects for them. Another industry vet, Kylie Ireland has parted ways with DVSX. She will continue directing for other companies and like Jewel, has no plans to be in front of the camera. Adam & Eve also added a new contract girl this month. Sexy Ava Rose joins Carmen Luvana and Austyn Moore as the company's cream team.
NBA player Eddie Griffin apparently really loves porn. Loves it so much in fact that it caused him to get into a traffic accident last month. When police arrived to investigate the late-night fender bender, they found that not only was Mr. Griffin possibly intoxicated, but also was busy watching an adult DVD on his in-dash player and apparently pleasuring himself as well. I firmly support people engaging in this activity because it is the primary purpose for adult DVDs, however stroking while driving is probably not a good idea. Who wants to bet that some lawyer somewhere will sue the porn industry for not issuing a warning with their DVDs? Do we really need to inform people that driving with your eyes on the video screen and your hand on your unit is not a safe way to operate a motor vehicle? There has not be any confirmation on just which adult title had him so thoroughly entranced, but the burning question in my mindwas Mr. Griffin driving a stick?
The VSDA rolled into Las Vegas last month. While it certainly isn't the big porn event that it used to be, it was still well-attended and featured another shining moment for Digital Playground. To the surprise of no one, "Pirates" took home the honor as the top adult DVD from the VSDA. Nearly a full year after its release, Pirates keeps adding trophies to the collection, but the end is in sight. Eventually we will run out of awards to give it and have to find a new movie to gush over. (Just in time for Pirates 2 probably.) Of course with the R-Rated version of Pirates now available, it is possible that the Academy will recognize it.nahhhh.
Everyone is always looking for the next big thing and it may be just around the corner for stroke-happy smut collectors. Over the years the internet has already made it easier for people to view adult material in the privacy of their own homes. The convenience and privacy offered by the net allows fans to view movies at home, but what about the hard core collectors? The latest crazy for collectors could the "burn to own" option. JM Productions is the first to offer this on their new releases. It works essentially like a VOD, but gives viewers the right to burn their own DVD copy of the movie for their collection. Another trend to watch out for is the "Burn Your Own" DVD kiosks that could be popping up in smut shacks near you. These machines offer freedom of choice for the customer who can select up to five scenes per disc at five dollars each. That might make for a pricey compilation DVD, but depends on which adult companies participate, it could be well worth the cost. After all, if you really love sayAurora Snow, wouldn't it be worth 25 bucks to have a collection of her best work? If these work well, then I would expect leading adult web sites to also offer scene by scene download-to-own options in the near future.
With the next big thing just around the corner, I am sad to announce the end of an era. When I started reviewing adult movies in 1995, no one had even heard of a DVD player. I had a personal collection of nearly 500 porn tapes and thought that they would one day over-run my entire household. 12 years and over 2000 VHS reviews later my days reviewing adult tapes have come to an end. No, I'm not hanging it up, no by a long shot. I am switching all future reviews to the DVD format. (It's been 35 DVD to 5 VHS for over a year already.) I suppose I might find an old classic to dig out, but the last of the scheduled VHS reviews has been written.
That's about it everyone. When I write the next column the summer will just about be over. At least four new performers will have found new homes, two new companies will have sprung up and the flavor of the week today will be "old news" in the fast paced world of porn. Don't you worry about it though, I'm here for that. You just enjoy the beautiful weather, the beautiful women and most of all, spend time with the ones you love. (Even if they are two-dimensional images on your screen.) Enjoy these final few weeks of beaches, bikinis and cold brews. And if that thought depresses you, just remember that football season is right around the corner.
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