6.9 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
A young director is a struggling filmmaker making hardcore features for the mob. His latest feature, he hopes, will be his big break into the world of "mainstream" film-making, but will the mafia allow him to realize his dream?
Starring: Sharon Mitchell (I), Jamie Gillis, Colleen Anderson, Herschel Savage, Dory DevonErotic | 100% |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.85:1
English: DTS-HD Master Audio Mono (48kHz, 24-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (1 BD, 1 DVD)
DVD copy
Region A, B (C untested)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Writer/director Gerard Damiano has long strived to bring some sense of artistry to his early adult entertainment, even testing the limits of darkness and sophisticated storytelling. With 1978’s “Skin-Flicks,” the helmer creates a commentary of sorts on the creation of erotica, writing a scattered but pointed assessment of life in the trenches of adult cinema, where psychological abysses are everywhere, money men remain in control, and a pure creative vision is impossible to achieve. “Skin-Flicks” isn’t a cheery overview of the business, as Damiano purges a few demons with the work, which grows increasingly hostile as it goes.
The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Skin-Flicks" hasn't been exhaustively repaired, as wear and tear is a common sight throughout the viewing experience. Speckling is frequent, as are scratches, with a couple of larger emulsion gashes as well. A few skipped frames are found here and there, and judder is present. Roughness aside, clarity is strong, with marvelous detail on faces and full-body action, supplying a full sense of skin as it marches through stages of arousal. Costuming is textured, with period sheerness and style on display, and interiors are sharp, making decoration easy to study. Colors are proper, with strong primaries to bring out the 1970s of it all, reaching up to the flashiness of disco lighting. Skintones are natural. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is slightly heavier but remains film-like.
The 1.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix also shows signs of age, fighting slight muddiness with dialogue exchanges. Performances retain their intended emotionality, but clarity is a challenge at times. Scoring is acceptable, moving from softer piano playing to heavier disco selections, which handle with heaviness to maintain the beat. Sounds of eroticism are satisfactory, bringing out a range of sexual responses.
Damiano captures the stomach-churning feel of frustration, and it's interesting to watch an adult movie spend time between coupling scenes identifying performance anxiety. There's a refreshing honesty to the work, but eventually more traditional antagonism comes into view. Perennial creep Jamie Gillis returns to the shadows as Norman, a fringe player who grows possessive of Susan, using the threat of violence to make her fulfil his desires. Harry doesn't have an ending for his film, and either does Damiano, with "Skin-Flicks" eventually stopping without closure, but, to be fair, there's not much of an introduction either. The feature connects with almost random depictions of industry angst, adding a semi-biographical element to the endeavor, permitting it atypical grit as it seeks to provide a turn-on.
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