(1993 Video)

User Reviews

Review this title
2 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
6/10
I don't see no books
Wolfgang_Rodenbach17 December 2009
Warning: Spoilers
Considering the subject matter of this film (an unsuccessful bookstore is turned into a thriving sex shop), it's funny how this video starts with a long complaint about censorship in the USA which is followed by the surgeon Generals' accepted guidelines for Safe Sex by VCA Pictures (this last part is amusing because of all the extra-marital sex in the picture).

Amanda (Ashlyn Gere) has to sign some documents for her lawyer but finds her bookstore still doesn't generate enough money to get through the month. Then he proposes she starts selling pornography instead. Note that he gives her a couple of magazines (the dirty books of the title) for perusal, but she ends up branching out into videos and sex toys the moment she opens the shop. The magazines turn Amanda on to such an extend that she gets right down on her knees to thank her barrister for his suggestion. She also explains that her hubby Todd (Mike Horner) only feels the urge for sex on Saturdays and Tuesdays, as if that makes everything alright.

That evening in bed she scolds Todd for never selling one of his scripts. And even though it's Tuesday, she refuses to indulge him. Wait a minute, if today is Tuesday, couldn't Amanda have waited a few hours longer? Oh well, a week later her bookstore has been renamed "Center City Books & Novelties" to Todd's dismay. First customer Tiffany Million steps into the previews booth with a tape and a couple of dildo's to has some solo fun. Some time later Todd calls Amanda and wants to make it up to her hard. His words manage to arouse his wife enough for her to rush home, leaving Tiffy still enjoying herself in the booth. Back at home they go at it but Todd objects when Amanda introduces some of Doc Johnson's toys into the bedroom. Will they ever see eye to eye in the bedroom again?

Ona Zee is signing videos at the store as "Vanessa Zanora", the 'biggest star in adult films'. After Amanda introduces the actress to her husband, Vanessa asks Todd if he's ever done any collaborating on scripts. She's got an idea for a mainstream script about a classically trained pole dancer and asks him for some help. While Todd is being seduced by candle lover Vanessa at her place, Amanda hires a blond cashier. This girl, Diane, claims to be doing research for her book on 'Human sexuality in the Nineties'. Naturally her research includes thanking Amanda carnally for the job. Meanwhile, having likewise persuades Todd to listen to her story pitch, Vanessa tells him to be faithful to Amanda in the future. All the characters in this picture speak in contradictions and useless exposition. They should have let Todd look over the script if he's such a good writer. Anyway, as he returns home, his wife and Diane are still busy with each other and insist he joins them for a threesome.

But that turns out to be just what the doctor ordered to get Amanda & Todd's love live back on track: trying out new experiences. With business booming for both of them and a busier love life than ever, we leave the couple happy and satisfied in each others arms.

6 out of 10
1 out of 2 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Strong women in porn
lor_5 July 2022
The pompous yet insipid prior (and sole) review posted here demands a rebuttal, and I'm glad to oblige.

Ashlyn Gere's "Dirty Books" is a quality production from VCA Platinum, which holds up extremely well 30 years later. The talented screenwriter Rodger Jacobs contributed an extremely functional script -not pretentious like so much of the so-called "award-winning" (via payola) porn of its day but quite clearly giving female characters agency for a change, not just submissive roles.

Starting with Gere, the movie presents her right from the first scene as a Rosalind Russell (right to the '40s shoulder pads) strong-willed woman, having her way and self-reliant. She not only holds her own with her snotty lawyer Jonathan Morgan, but instantly seduces him while also taking his advice. Completely in-charge.

And the clientele of the newly revamped store begins with Tiffany Million, not a bunch of cliche sleazy guys or dirty old men. She also takes charge, is shy but still acts on her interest in porn in a very hot masturbation solo scene in the store's private room.

Finally, Ona Zee in a smooth, very convincing performance, plays the porn star role again with strength, suggesting more of a self-made character a la real-life role models like Candida Royalle, rather than a plastically beautiful bimbo. Horner, perfectly cast as a casper milquetoast husband (Gere is the family breadwinner), falls for Ona and yet also gets a significant career boost via her contacts.

I can understand how a prude could react to the movie's Pollyannish approach to the world of porn, but to overlook the video's consistently positive message, including a still mighty relevant (in these dark days of America turning toward extreme right-wing rule where the Supremes will certainly turn to outlawing porn later on in their social re-engineering agenda, in effect bringing back those days of the '50s when dirty book shops were (other than mail-order) the sole source of porn for the interested consumer) message of opening up to sexual freedom, is proof of narrow-mindedness.
1 out of 1 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed