Pillow Talk 1
Reviewed by Gaystoryman
Copyright © 2006 ? All Rights Reserved
General
In the Twink Niche they say that Bel Ami is the leader and is heads and shoulders above all the other studios out there. For the most part they may be right, but you know, this particular DVD certainly wasn’t one of those that set that standard. I mean to me, Bel Ami does set the bar pretty high for gay porn movies and models, but this video left me feeling a bit disappointed.
I liked the premise though. I mean the concept of seeing two hot Bel Ami boys and their bedroom experiences is inspiring. I mean a lot does go on in a person’s bedroom despite the antics of the Religious Right. So it sort of makes sense to make a movie revolving around that premise. Hell it inspired my Bedroom Chronicles anthology series I have kicked off here. Still I was left a bit disappointed.
Scene 1.
I enjoyed the opening to this scene. It showed the two models cavorting together in a carnival setting. I loved the smiling, the camaraderie that was shown between the two actors even. It sort of felt inviting as you get a bit of a feel that these are just normal guys with some pretty good looks thrown in. You sort of see the friendship as well which makes it more personalable.
The talk among the actors wasn’t stilted either. It appeared far more natural than one is used to in porn movies. It made you totally believe that you were spying in on these two as they made out on the bed.
The lighting, the camera angles were all excellent. It was a true Bel Ami scene in that you had good shots of the whole penis, and of the penetration. It didn’t come across as fake and I suppose for me, the biggest enjoyment was watching these two actors enjoy their performance.
They didn’t look bored or over the top either. The use of decent camera angles helped as did the attention to showing the whole action. The added use of filming the action as seen in the mirror was a nice touch. It was clear and different enough to impress.
I also enjoyed the simple fact that neither of the actors seemed to be complacent. They both were touching, kissing or something that implied real sex, not the boring ‘let’s get it over with’ type many videos seem to have. These guys actually made you believe it was fun. It made the fantasy work.
On the downside, some of the moaning was a bit overdone. Course there are some who really do moan that way and I suppose he was one. However it was a bit over the top and you might tend to think it was a bit more of over acting than real. Still it wasn’t enough to ruin the dream.
The use of props was interesting. The filming through the bed netting was not a hindrance either. It sort of helped with the fantasy too. Course it was a nice bedroom layout and the creaking bed just sort of made it all real.
Again, that is what Bel Ami has become known for. They put effort into the filming. They don’t rely on one stage layout. They make it different enough to separate their themes or scenes and it works for me. Sure it might take more money to do, and even more time, but overall this is what makes a video worth watching and owning.
Scene 2
Now here things get different. I don’t know but in viewing the credits I noticed that it appears to have been a collaborative effort on the producing. This particular scene didn’t have that George Duryov touch to it.
It was introduced with the two stars on the beach in Speedos. Nice but no real good close ups to get you thinking either. The action wasn’t fluid enough between the two. Now maybe it simply was that these particular two models weren’t close, or familiar enough with each other but it just didn’t make me feel like they would be sharing like in the first scene.
Overall, this particular scene just didn’t take off for me. It was too stilted and not what I have come to expect from Bel Ami or from Bel Ami boys. The sex sounds were too unreal or overplayed for my tastes. They rang false and that usually turns me off immediately.
They weren’t animated enough either. I mean frankly they looked bored with each other which really isn’t a Bel Ami trait. They simply didn’t pull it off despite some good camera work.
The cutting of the scene to where you saw the action on one side, and then the same action being reflected in a mirror was unusual and well done. It would have been better if the two actors had been more animated, more aroused. Now yes they were hard, but they just didn’t excite me.
Simply put, if the actors aren’t excited, how am I supposed to get a hard on and all?
There was a lot less kissing, fondling of each other too. It sort of made me think that one was merely a pick up boy for the night. I mean there was no passion, no spark between the two that one is used to in Bel Ami productions. No humour or wit.
Nice penis shots, and as usual the cum shots were good. Still it fell flat for me on the whole.
Scene 3
The Market scene was a nice touch. It was totally on target with the actors too. The by play with the flower vendor was great. It made the two actors much more life like, more real. It certainly was a good set up too. I mean it made you think of the premise more, and let your imagination go wandering. It sort of made me think of walking downtown with my own partner.
Part of what helped is that there were good close up shots. I mean you could see the smiles and the teeth. Not to mention you could see the feeling reflected not just in the Actors faces, but in their eyes too. It was what was missing in Scene 2.
The whole scene hooked me too. I mean it didn’t seem forced or faked. The sound effects were believable and what can you say, the camera angles covered it all nicely. Despite the cavorting actions of the two actors, the camera seemed to capture it all in good crisp clear detail. Good edit job for certain.
It was a good sex scene too. I mean the close up facial shots only re-enforced the action being shown. It was evident by the facial muscles and sounds that these guys were enjoying it all. Maybe it was just superb acting, but who cares. One believed it and isn’t that the mission of an actor? To make you believe in the role they are portraying?
The rim job was good. It showed what it should and it was done with class, style too if you will. The groans and facial expressions of the actor receiving the rimming made you believe in it. If you have had that pleasure, you know what I mean because it is a very hot and arousing sensation to experience. Its not for everyone but well documented in this scene.
The way these guys moved around wasn’t like the first scene, but close. It was totally realistic and nothing was missed by the camera either. Again the foreplay action was enticing, and enjoyable.
The switching from one position to another was done with style and seemed real. It didn’t come across as staged which is another plus. Downside was that I found some of the moans a bit overdone, over played even. But I can forgive that because the action and clarity all helped with the fantasy.
I enjoyed seeing the expressions on the actor faces. It made me believe in the action more, as did the constant movement. The kissing, touching was back in this scene and it all added to making this a good scene. Hell it got the wife shooting so it had to be good. After all she rarely shoots before the last scene of a video, but this was time number 2 already. Had to be a good sign.
Scene 4
The introduction was on a huge pool and fountain. It was different with some good shots of the surrounding city/town. Unfortunately not very good close up of the actors. Not easy to distinguish them in this intro, unlike scenes 1 and 3. Kind of made me think this would be like scene 2 and not your typical Bel Ami scene.
I was right too.
The actual action between the two stars just wasn’t up to what I perceive as the Bel Ami standard. It lacked the emotion, the style, at least in the beginning. However it was one of those scenes that sort of grows on you. There was a lot more dialogue going on between the two, which was a change. Unfortunately this movie had no subtitles and so the conversation fell flat.
I assume that if one knew what was being said it might have added to the overall impression. However, without that knowledge it sort of took away from my enjoyment. The stilted beginning sort of tainted it for me as well though it had some good bright spots along the way.
The putting on the condom was a nice and good touch. Again that was a bit more like Bel Ami. The attention to those little details. Too bad they don’t expand a bit on just how erotic it can be to put condoms on nice stiff dicks. Would do a world of good for promoting safe sex.
The edit of this scene was a bit disjointed. It didn’t have the flow I expect and so it too took away a little from enjoying the action. Nice camera shots of the cocks and of the penetration as well. Still it was choppy in moving from angle to angle and so I wonder who was doing the edit work on this scene.
It was also a bit more rougher than I am used to in Bel Ami videos. The horseplay was bordering a bit on the kinky side, which you know, was rather a nice change of pace. Again something I would expect from Bel Ami. I am not sure if I liked this scene or not. Not as much as perhaps the last one or first, but in its own way it was enticing. I like that word by the way. Says a lot.
The ending of this scene or ending portion was much more realistic than at the start. It made up for that in a way, though not totally. Too bad they hadn’t started off this way and continued, but then maybe the dialogue set it up. Hard to tell when you haven’t a clue as to what they are saying.
Scene 5
You have to love Bel Ami who gives you not just quality, but decent content as well. Five scenes maybe though is a bit much at times. The wife had a sore dick as he was stroking himself (yes with some help) through the entire video. However, this scene was set up with the actors on a balcony. It had some good close ups and the horseplay was nice. Though in all honesty it wasn’t exploited like the others. It was one of the shorter introductions to the bedroom action.
Still it had that Bel Ami style where it was different than the other previous scenes.
If anything this particular scene had more humour in it. There was laughter and good natured fun happening between the two actors. It sort of was a light scene which was rather different too. I mean you can’t just be totally into fucking and sucking, you do have some moments of fun when engaged in sex. I know I enjoy it more when the wife and I laugh and horse around. Tickling the wife is great fun and boy does it get him excited too. So this scene sort of fit for me.
Again more dialogue that wasn’t subtitled. It perhaps is the one sticking point about Bel Ami. They aren’t in English so it is either subtitled which can distract you or it isn’t which is also annoying. I mean damn it, I want to know what sexy things those studs are saying to each other. They have some damn nice sounding voices and it does add to the fantasy.
The music was okay but the motion, the animation of the actors is truly what helps make this a decent film to watch. I hate it when they just lie there and with Bel Ami they sure don’t. The constant touching, fondling, kissing, is all part of the dream. It makes it real and for this premise, it is even more important. After all if this is about guys in their bedroom, you would hope they wouldn’t be bringing in strangers. That notion kind of suddenly makes me wonder more about the two scenes I wasn’t thrilled with.
I mean sometimes we do bring home one nighter’s. When we do, they aren’t all that animated either and are more mechanical. So maybe those scenes were deliberately toned down to add to the illusion of the video theme? Hey, its possible given that this is a Bel Ami production.
Overall
While I am not 100% impressed by this video, for a pay per view or rental its not bad really. I suppose it depends on just what is it you are seeking in your video entertainment?
The wife likes to see cum shots, to get him off on and Bel Ami certainly has some of the best cum shots I have seen. Their photography is top grade and for the most part, their models are pleasing to the eye as well. The build up to the final cum shots are generally good, though in this movie I was not impressed in all of it.
The premise was great. It just fell short for me as I thought some of the introductions to the scenes didn’t quite make it. They fell short as did some of the action, but in thinking about it, I sort of wonder if that wasn’t by design? I do acknowledge that not everyone we bring to bed is a close friend or such, so the action would be muted. However it just didn’t come across like that so for me it was a turn off, or maybe just a disappointment.
Bel Ami certainly does a good job. They don’t have a ton of added bonus features either, and do push their membership site quite a lot. Fine but not adding value to the video in my mind. Another mark off I think for that, as I’d love to see a few stills of the actors. Josh Elliot comes to mind as one.
Overall it was better than many of the movies I have seen over the years. Still it wasn’t what I’d label as the best. Who knows, maybe there just isn’t a best for me, but I am going to enjoy the job of searching for it.
