Title: X2 Studio: Studio A Entertainment Director: Andrew Blake Cast: Elena Rivera, Jennifer Dark, Bianca Sweet, Melissa, Faith Leon, Chiane, Ashley Paige, Natasha Nice, Ann Marie, Jelena Jensen, Aria Giovanni Genres:: All Girl, Exhibitionism, Toys Condoms: No Reviewer: SexHerald Staff

Rating:

For those of you who are not familiar with the directing style and production of Andrew Blake, this review may lose you. The uninitiated (and other newbies like myself) will find Blake’s view of pornography mirrors the views of independent filmmakers (I now view Blake as the David Lynch of porno). Now, if all of this does not sound like your cup of tea, I totally understand. However, if you are an adventurer of everything adult (like me) then you may find yourself pleasantly surprised and turned on by Blake’s production X2.

I admit that this is a very difficult review to write.  Blake’s style is like no other.  My initiation into X2 was merely the images from the box cover.  These images alone are beautiful for their use of lighting and the positioning of the women; needless to say, I was very excited to view the film.  The opening scene (which has a small review on the box) is the longest and features the most women.  As I alluded to before, I really can’t explain what’s happening; it’s almost up for your own interpretation.  The segment is titled “contempt.” Contempt is a powerful word so it was only natural that this scene was longer than all the others.  It almost plays out like a dream where beautiful, dark-haired women are in control but also submissive.  A perfect example is when one of the models is slowly walking down the sidewalk, towards the viewer, as her panties sit around her ankles constricting her leg movement.  Sure it’s a simple image, but it plays out in a way that can be very empowering for the viewer; the woman has become an object of contempt to the cameraman or to some extent, you—the audience.

However, my favorite segment is Melissa at Venice Beach.  Melissa walks down from an apartment wearing only a tight tank top and shorts.  As she’s walking down the stairs she’s pulling down her shorts for an exhibition-style segment.  Blake pulls no punches here as Melissa is out in public, pulling her clothes off as oblivious pedestrians casually walk by.  Here, Blake’s arthouse film style takes a back seat to the excitement of pure public exhibitionism.  There’s also something about Melissa.  Wearing sunglasses the whole time, she seems mysterious and highly sensual, while constantly maintaining a look on her face of pure seduction; simple, yet highly effective.

I could sit here and praise X2 for some time, but it does come with its faults.  For starters, the special features section is completely gone.  No slide show, no trailers, nothing.  Does it affect the actual film? No, of course not.  Does it take away from the idea of a more bang for your buck?  Yes, in a sense it does.  The other issue that you must know about is that Blake is a filmmaker, plain and simple.  He just happens to make films about adults, for adults, with style elements inspired by indie and arthouse films.  With that in mind, don’t expect to pop this flick on and see crazy arthouse sex; Blake’s not like that.  Toys, oral, penetration… yes it’s all here, just not how you normally view it. 

X2 is a beautiful adult film; there’s just no other way to say it.  From his lighting and editing to the jazz-infused industrial style soundtrack, Andrew Blake has shown the world of adult entertainment that there’s more to a good porno than just straight-to-the-point sex.