The Playground of the Mind: An Overview of Shaun Costello's HOT DREAMS

Reviewed By: Heather Drain

Movies have been one of the strongest forms of escapism since the days of the beautiful, ghost like image of famed belly dancer Little Sheba tantalizing/horrifying curious viewers on a Nickelodeon. Art is the safest way to explore facets about your own humanity and all of its murky little corners. With this, it only make sense for numerous directors working in the 70's and 80's to incorporate themes of adult fantasies in film. This concept is front and center in Warren Evans aka Shaun Costello's 1983 film, HOT DREAMS.

Lisa (the great Sharon Mitchell) seemingly has it all. She's beautiful, lives in a nice and roomy loft in New York City and is a successful beefcake photographer. The problem? She's married to a total schmoe, in the form her of her businessman husband, Bob (Michael Bruce). The film opens with the two in bed, all lovingly framed and lit, including some nice, tight composition. Soon, Bob starts rubbing her side, initiating what I like to call “the international sign of your partner waking you to get nookie” maneouver.) She's very receptive but just as things start getting good for Lisa, Bob finishes without making things equal. Even worse, his neglect is excused with him saying he has to get ready for work but then takes, like, 15 minutes to shave his non-facial hair. What?

Movie Review: Same Time Every Year (1981, DVD)

Review By: Rob Sibley

How about that, when I finished watching this 80's porn flick I was surprised to find out that Fred J. Lincoln was the director. If the name sounds a bit familiar it's because the man played "Weasel" in Wes Craven's (Classic?) Last House on the left. Sadly Fred passed away earlier this year (R.I.P. bro). But looking further into Lincolns resume this flick wasn't a one off. He actually made quite the career directing adult features. He's actually made over 300 of them, that has to be some kind of record right?  Also a quick note, I think that gal on the cover of the DVD...she's not in the film, she's actually modern day porn actress (retired? Come on they never stay retired... just sayin') Temptress. 

You gotta admit a fan or not, vintage porn is pretty damn charming. Could be the nostalgia factor, the copious amounts of bush, bad acting, worse music and story lines that were more likely then not written on a cocktail napkin. Some retro flicks of this ilk shot their wad a bit further with intentions of artistic grandeur.  Radley Metzger was one of those filmmakers who'd actually deliver a solid film even if you removed the sex. This film though? Nah, it's not art house in the least. But so-what? Most people don't pop on retro-erotica for the thrilling story-lines.