This BDSM series by Kayden Kross is what I would call "Glossy Gonzo" porn, basically taking the all-sex format and packaging it as pretentious, intellectual dramas. It reminds me of soft porn back in the '60s era when artists like Alain Robbe-Grillet innovated in film erotica as an extension of their literary work.
Epitomizing KK's approach is "Sire", starring Lena Paul as an investigative journalist intrigued by the story of a dom who has gained power of a legion of femme clients who dig his brand of B&D, rewarding them with "Rings of Sire". She takes her husband Dante Colle along on the interview with dom Seth Gamble and we're treated to ridiculous and pompous dialog from Seth espousing new, freer forms of communication centered around sex. He easily (and not credibly) mesmerizes Lena with his blather while weakling husband Dante caves in unbelievably quickly to a gonzo threesome, identified as "spitroasting". No ring for Lena, just hot sex as the link between KK's almost satirically dumb writing for the scene setup and the concluding XXX action is phony.
Keisha Grey is the next instant sub on the program, giving in to music instructor Mick Blue in a cello lesson. Her fans are rewarded with Grey's sexual talents, now featuring her at a more mature age than her heyday a decade ago, gussied up by KK's pretentious introduction. Mick Blue's wide-eyed overacting as the taskmaster who blindfolds Keisha and abuses her reminded me of the stupid movie "Whiplash" with J. K. Simmons in a similar one-note musical meanie role. It's time to fast-forward to the sex, with KK switching arbitrarily to black & white footage as part of the artificial "artiness" she seeks.
Vicki Chase provides a treat for gonzo fans with a two-parter titled "Mouths of Babes" in which she's blow-banged by a horde of random studs. Story hook is her incarcerated in an insane asylum, with staff watching on CCTV as she's subjected to demeaning sex action. Poorly directed (if that's the word) by KK, it doesn't besmirch Vicki's unquestioned status as one of Adult Cinema's best actresses, just proving here that she can do the sex worker part of her job description with great skill. Part 2 has her "saved" by the staff who immediately step out of character to treat her to airtight porn action while KK uses cheery music to satirize her own concession to grinding out crappy, gutter-level porn to make a buck.
