Visionary Awards
After watching hundreds of porn DVDs, it's become clear to me that while there's a ton of adult material out there, there are few truly exceptional discs that are "must-owns." Plenty of people have asked me for recommendations over the years, and it's always been off the top of my head that I mention DVDs of particular merit. So I decided to create the Visionary Awards to provide a spotlight on DVDs that show vision or excellence in the field of adult DVDs. There's no money, awards show, or glamour -- just my nod of approval.
Recipients of my Visionary Award excel in one or more of these four areas:
- Sexual Content - The sex is the most important thing to consider, since that's why I watch adult movies (and presumably you too). Visual and auditory appeal, eroticism, inclusion of specific fetishes that I enjoy, and replay value are all important elements.
- DVD Extras - I love DVD extras on both mainstream and adult titles. In some cases, great extras can turn a mediocre movie into a DVD worth owning for the supplemental material. I agree that it's very important to have the main content presented in the best possible way, but it's definitely possible to present extras and maintain high standards for the audio and video information.
- DVD Quality - Truly outstanding examples of audio and video mastering, innovative packaging, and creative DVD menu design should be recognized when a vast majority of adult DVDs are still thrown together without any concern over the end product.
- Story/Concept - If you've watched porn for any length of time, you know that a good plot is hard to find and an original idea is a rare thing indeed. So if a script, group of acting performances, or a creative take on porn catches my eye, it's bound to be recognized here.
To receive a 'Visie,' a DVD does not have to be "the first" or "the best" at something, just that it exceeds my high expectations in at least one of the categories I just mentioned. In general, Visionary Award recipients must score overall at least four stars out of five ("very good"). They are titles that I would recommend with little or no hesitation to someone who has similar tastes as I do (to see what those tastes are, click here). Please keep in mind that I think there are a lot of good adult DVDs out there, but the Visies are the best of the best that I have seen so far.
| The Better Sex Guide to Anal Pleasure (2003) | Studio:
Sinclair Intimacy Institute Director: Mark Schoen |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and Story/Concept |
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Most instructional videos are too tame or too much like an all-sex video, but this informative introduction to anal sex is neither. Several couples demonstrate everything from solo anal play (including male) to couples play to intercourse--tastefully but absolutely hardcore. Although the running time is a bit short, it's a well-made, comprehensive sex-ed vid for adults.
Read the Review (4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Flesh Hunter 4 (2003) | Studio:
Evil Angel Director: Jules Jordan |
Visionary for: Sexual Content |
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Just about any of Jules Jordan's much-acclaimed Flesh Hunter series deserves a Visie, but FH4 is one of my favorites. It's a great mix of beautiful girls, fun sex, and nasty action--without being gross or misogynistic. From Natasha's flashing and public sex to Cris Taliana's first scene to Amee Donovan taking on three cocks with abandon, Flesh Hunter 4 is a must have for gonzo fans.
Read the Review (4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Devon Stripped (2002) | Studio:
Digital Playground Director: Nic Andrews |
Visionary for: DVD Extras |
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This is one of the best overall Digital Playground titles with some very good extras for adult DVD enthusiasts. In addition to the fun group audio commentary, there's audio outtakes, bloopers, a behind-the-scenes featurette, casting videos, and more. The film itself almost rated a Visie for Story/Concept because of the good acting performances and the solid couple's feel. But its rather unoriginal plot, vanilla sex, and excessive girl-girl scenes diminished this otherwise excellent movie about the rise and fall of an exotic dancer.
Read the Review (4 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| No Man's Land 18 (1997) | Studio:
Video Team Director: Wesley Emerson |
Visionary for: Sexual Content |
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One of my favorite girl-girl videos of all time, this one has a clever plot and really hot sex. If it wasn't for the piss-poor acting abilities of the ladies, this one would be nearly perfect. No lipstick lesbianism here, and nearly all of the girls are really attractive. Look for Stephanie Swift as a wheelchair-bound hottie, Jade Diamond as the rock star who gets it on with a fan, and Alexandra Silk and Roxanne Hall who look great while going down on each other by the pool.
Not Yet Reviewed (4 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| The Fashionistas (2002) | Studio:
Evil Angel Director: John Stagliano |
Visionary for: Sexual Content, DVD Extras, DVD Quality, and Story/Concept |
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John "Buttman" Stagliano, known for his gonzo videos, shows his feature directing talent in this very intense BDSM feature film. Bondage, latex, humiliation, and domination, are crafted wonderfully in this high-budget and award-winning movie, presented in a special edition collector's set of three DVDs and a soundtrack CD. It's not for the faint of heart, but if BDSM is your kink, there's not a better DVD out there.
Read the Review (5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Euphoria (2001) | Studio: Wicked Director: Brad Armstrong |
Visionary for: DVD Extras, DVD Quality, and Story/Concept |
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Brad Armstrong's opus for 2001 becomes the strongest adult DVD for 2002. The extras package and DVD presentation (including anamorphic widescreen and Dolby/DTS 5.1 sound) rival mainstream discs. The sci-fi script is intelligent and definitely a cut above most feature porn.
Read the Review (5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Insatiable (1980) | Studio:
i-Candy Director: Godfrey Daniels |
Visionary for: Sexual Content, DVD Extras and Story/Concept |
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One of the most famous adult videos of all time is one of my all-time favorites as well. Scorching Marilyn Chambers puts on her best performances, especially in her scenes with Davis Morris and John C. Holmes. It's also one of the best classic DVDs available with a full-length commentary by Gloria Leonard. A must-own!
Read
the Review (5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Crossroads (1999) | Studio: Wicked Director: Brad Armstrong |
Visionary for: DVD Quality and Story/Concept |
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This shot-on-video feature proves to be much more substantial than we might expect from its two-day shooting schedule. It's a genuine couple's film both in terms of safe sexual content and interesting plot. The quality of the presentation is so good that you don't even think about how excellent it is and instead lose yourself in the movie.
Read the Review (4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Private: Millennium (2000) | Studio:
Private Director: Various (compilation) |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and Story/Concept |
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This 3+ hour video is more than just a compilation of Private's movies, it's also a complete survey of what Private's all about and a historical record of the evolution of Private videos from 1990 to 2000. Millennium is the place to start if you've never seen a Private DVD. Even if you have, it's still the best adult compilation out there and a must-have for all Private fans.
Read
the Review (5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Zazel (1996) | Studio:
Metro Director: Philip Mond |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and DVD Quality |
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| New Wave Hookers 6 (2000) | Studio: VCA Director: Antonio Passolini |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and Story/Concept |
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The sixth installment of the legendary New Wave Hookers series transcends all of the previous movies with hot, nasty sex presented with a comical twist. A technically solid DVD with a lot of extras, combined with good acting, original music, excellent editing, and of course the twisted hardcore style of Antonio Passolini makes this one of VCA's best discs.
Read the Review (4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Justine: Nothing to Hide 2 (1993) | Studio:
Metro Director: Paul Thomas |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and Story/Concept |
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Paul Thomas is one of the leading directors in the couple's genre, and Justine: Nothing to Hide 2 is his best movie. Superb character actor Mike Horner and the lovely Roxanne Blaze deliver top-notch acting AND sexual performances in this story about a girl who comes between a father and his son. It's a little dated in style, but still very sexy.
Not Yet Reviewed (4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Ritual (1999) | Studio:
VCA Director: Michael Ninn |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and DVD Quality |
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Michael Ninn is one of my favorite directors, and this dark and twisted movie is a perfect example of why. In addition to having nearly reference quality audio and video, the look that Ninn brings to X-rated movies is unmatched. While Ninn has been compared to Andrew Blake and Cameron Grant, he trumps them and other artistic directors with his no-holds-barred hardcore. How's cumming into a bottle of milk and then having the girl drink from it for no-holds-barred?
Read Review
(4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Pin-Ups 2 (1999) | Studio:
Studio A Director: Andrew Blake |
Visionary for: Sexual Content and DVD Quality |
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Either you like Andrew Blake's style or you hate it. Personally, I love most of Blake's work -- it's classy, erotic, and beautiful to watch. It may not have the hardcore action and raw sex that many expect nowadays, but there's something to be said about the art of the tease. This is one of Blake's best movies, and it's probably the best adult DVD in terms of audio and video quality available. This one is a visual and audio masterpiece.
Read Review
(4 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Tanya Hyde's Twisted Dreams (1999) | Studio:
Private Director: Tanya Hyde |
Visionary for: Sexual Content |
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This irreverent, fetish-filled video
delivers extremely hardcore action in music video style. Sex with
cops, nuns, and maids are just the tip of the iceberg. Even though
it's a few years old, it's still one of the best Private videos ever.
Read Review
(5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| Fashion (2001) | Studio:
Private-Penthouse Director: Antonio Adamo |
Visionary for: Sexual Content |
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Antonio Adamo, former fashion photographer turned porn director, crafts a hot adult movie with gorgeous models, based on the competitive fashion industry. Now Private has made a name for having either beautiful women and mechanical sex or hot sex and average-looking girls, but not both at the same time. Fashion has both in abundance and proves that Private movies can have style and substance.
Read Review (4.5 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| The Private Gladiator 1: Limited Edition (2002) | Studio: Private Director: Antonio Adamo |
Visionary for: DVD Extras |
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Private is well known for it's epic adult trilogies, but this limited edition set is one of the best DVDs and best packaging they've produced. There are lots of high-quality extras (which are also found on the regular DVD edition) and the limited edition trifold case with booklet is on par with Private's superb print publications.
Read Review (4 stars out of 5 overall) |
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| The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1975) | Studio:
VCA Director: Henry Paris |
Visionary for: Sexual Content |
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This is one of the top adult movies of all time in my book -- it exemplifies everything that the Golden Age of porn was known for: a film with a fun plot, top stars, a beautiful ingénue (Constance Money), and raw, volcanic sex. It's a must own for all classic adult fans.
Read Review (4 stars out of 5 overall) |
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