Pentax

Nicky Ranieri's 1995 adult film, 'Pentax,' is a perverse journey into the dark underbelly of sex and blackmail. It's a twisted tale of a hotel receptionist and his accomplice, who drug unsuspecting women, abusing them while they're unconscious and capturing their shameful acts on camera. This Italian production, also known as 'Atraccion Sexual,' aims to arouse with its erotic storyline and the participation of European porn superstars. However, it falls short, delivering a confusing and morally questionable experience. We give it a lukewarm 5/10.

The movie fails to impress in terms of creativity and consent. The premise is disturbing, to say the least: the main character, aided by his friend, drugs women and takes advantage of them while they're passed out. The intention is to capture compromising photos for blackmail, a theme that might be intriguing in a different context, but here, it just feels wrong. This is rape, pure and simple, and it's a disturbing trend in Ranieri's work.

However, the film has its moments of eroticism, thanks largely to the presence of European porn stars Erika Bella and Kelly Trump. In terms of explicit content, "Pentax" does not shy away. The sex scenes are explicit and varied, catering to a range of tastes. However, while the scenes are well-shot and choreographed, they sometimes lack the emotional depth that would elevate them from mere spectacle to truly immersive experiences. The chemistry between the actors is inconsistent, with some pairings falling flat despite the film's best efforts to create a charged atmosphere.

Technically, the film has its merits. The cinematography is decent, with good camera work that captures the beautiful Italian locations and the eroticism of the scenes. The production values are noticeably higher than many other adult films of the era, and the storyline, though twisted, is at least an attempt at something more complex than the standard fare.

Overall, 'Pentax' is a confusing mix of decent production values and a disturbing lack of ethical boundaries. While the presence of Bella and Trump might attract fans of European adult films, the movie's questionable themes and confusing message leave a sour taste. It's a shame, as with a more thoughtful approach to consent, this could have been a memorable erotic thriller.