I don't have to sound like a broken record this time (stuck in that locked groove) for "Kendo's Merry Christmas", a brand-new stocking stuffer (or stick it wherever) that delivers high-quality eroticism instead of showy artiness from the prolific British pornographer. Ironically, it proves far more artistic than his dozens of earlier misjudged and self-conscious attempts at artistry.
The maestro's technique reminded me of a great jazz improviser's approach to a standard, take the supreme example of this -Dexter Gordon. Many a show tune or movie theme or ballad of the '30s and '40s would get a mellow but virile interpretation from Long Tall Dex, making the experience of listening to him live in a jazz club uniquely satisfying. Kendo takes the schmaltziness out of Xmas and substitutes not merely the expected XXX but some contrasting, very moody grace notes.
The daring! media group, back releasing some new features after a quiet time (in these trouble times for video porn) is extremely sloppy here -omitting any opening credits and appending to the film the wrong end credits. The cast and crew of Kendo's daring! video titled "Explicit Milf" are shown on screen but I was able to recover the correct ones from the handy DVD box cover.
It's a cast of relative unknowns, with sexy newcomer Amirah Adara and Eastern European Carla Cox standouts. They are languorous and sultry, and not the usual huge-chested ladies of British porn, and are all outfitted with Christmas-y outfits including red Santa caps. Each sex scene is shot in front of a blinking lights Christmas tree, and the mood of bluesy, after- hours persists throughout. The music is similarly moody too and in a minor key.
Now is Kendo trying to broadcast that Christmas is not only the season of merriment but also, sadly, a time for suicide? No, but he does drain the sickly treacle out of an entertainment themed to Yuletide clichés, and I was quite pleased overall. (Even when "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" is played on a piano it is in a minor key.)
Shot in Budapest (there are minor transition shots, but the action is all warm and safe indoors), it's a winner and hopefully not the last from Ken.
