Spellbound

Brad Armstrong's large-scale productions get the attention, but I prefer his simpler features like "Spellbound", where craftsmanship and artistry are seamless.

That's not to denigrate this video's special effects -they are put in their proper place for a change. Armstrong has two scenes requiring movie magic, and both are simply and artfully done: one a comedy speeded-up motion in which Alexa the lazybones cleans up the heroines' apartment in fast-motion, unaware she is under a magic spell from her roommate; and a brief but effective levitation scene as the girls try out their new trick.

Simple storyline has Devinn Lane, convincing as just a regular girl, not glamorous, running an old-fashioned bookshop which (understandably back in 2000) is suffering financially as small businesses and book stores in particular take a hit. Her landlord's flunky Herschel Savage, delightfully just sleazy enough with gold chains and "wonna da guys" manner, puts the pressure on her for overdue rent. In a typical fit of sluttiness Alexa later corrects that situation by putting out for Herschel.

An old guy (Ron Vogel, veteran crew member) sells the bookstore some old tomes at a bargain price, and Devinn's friend Temptress (quite a stage name, not quite fitting but she sure is attractive) discovers a magic book among them that really works.

The girls' adventures with magic smack of the Alyssa Milano TV show "Charmed" which likely inspired Brad to make this video. All three leads are charming and beautiful and their acting chops are quite good. Alexa was a pleasant surprise for me because I had associated her, as Alexa Rae, with later gonzo assignments for Jules Jordan and others with pierced nipples dominating. It's a shame that genuine careers as actresses have morphed or now been entirely replaced by all-sex performances with the market for storyline porn evaporating.