By far the best solo film to be released thus far by Pacific Sun Entertainment is the new John Summers Production directed by Trevor Hawke, Playing with the Monster. In it, seven equally handsome, equally toned, equally well hung young hunks (who run the gamut of types) get into some serious self-pleasuring. In many ways, this collection harkens back to producer Summers' award-winning Rockhard and Morning Ritual series. Like these earlier collections, this one is, for solo fans, essential viewing.
Six of the scenes, all shot in the same bedroom and adjoining bathroom, are neatly and simply webbed together by the presence of the unbilled Tommy Saxxe, who leaves his skate boarding to sprawl on a couch and leaf idly through his photo album. One by one, the stills therein come to life and prove to be such a turn-on that he soon whips out his own thick piece and works right along with them, thereby providing the seventh and final solo that brings the hour-plus Playing with the Monster to its splatter-shot conclusion.
First up is blond Tom Byrd, who possesses a classically beautiful countenance highlighted by ice-blue eyes, full lips, a golden stubble and two enticing, beauty-mark moles on his left cheek.. His rockhard, helmet-headed erection points skyward throughout the entire scene, and he keeps it there with a variety of strokes and rhythms. Soon, he begins to play with his shaved asshole and, in time, to slide a string of luminous blue anal beads in and out of it, all the while watching himself in a full-length mirror. By far the most interesting moments of the sequence focus on his obvious fascination with his own reflection and in his narcissistic delight in kissing it. Unfortunately, the seemingly endless money shot is somewhat undercut by the tight close-up - the cock slips out of frame just as the first spurt is released, but the gaffe is quickly corrected. Otherwise, this is just about as perfect as solo scenes get.
The second performer, Matthew Wolf, is a friendly faced brunet whose nervous smile only enhances his performance. He whips his already rockhard erection out of his jeans and goes at it with a tense enthusiasm. Once he moves into the bathroom, he begins to relax in front of the camera and tackle his oversized rod with both hands. The heat rises as he begins to fuck his greasy grip and watch himself go at it in the mirror. The double image is captured particularly well here, and the one brief kiss he allows himself instantly detonates a fountain of spooge. The sequence is short but sizzling.
In third position is a willowy brunet with an eager-to-please manner, Jarod Paul. He is first seen in the bathroom, stripping out of his tee-shirt and shorts to reveal his crotch (completely shorn of pubic hair) and another long, thick erection. Standing under the shower, he too uses a variety of techniques from a double-time, full-grip stroke to a gentle thumb-and-forefinger ring just under the plum-crown of his shaft. His money shot is presented in slow motion from a low angle before he towels down, redresses and leaves. This, too, is a very short scene, barely six minutes in length.
The next happy onanist, Damon Rex, is a lean, blond with mousse-spiked hair, a sunburst tattoo around his navel, heavy, unshaved balls, enviable meat and a focused intensity that reminded us of the legendary Chris McKenzie. The scene is both the longest and the strongest in the video, marred only by occasionally overexposed footage here and there throughout. First seen in a white undershirt and briefs, he soon slips out of them to fuck his hand in a tight, choking grip. The sequence reaches its apex as he watches himself in the mirror - clearly the most narcissistic of the lot - and truly begins to make love to his reflection. Watch the way in which he meets his own piercing stare, the way he seems mesmerized by both his own dick and its reflection, and the way he delivers a no-handed money shot. This is over-the-top stuff.
Fifth to appear is a cute little Hispanic, Ricky Prinze, first seen strolling waterside with the Los Angeles skyline in the background (the only outdoor footage of the film). Back in that familiar bathroom, he begins a slow, sensual strip to reveal a perfect bubblebutt and a dark, foreskin-wrapped cock. He too works himself with a full, firm grip, and when he adjourns to the bed, he demonstrates his ambidextrous skills while planted on his knees. He also delivers a no-handed climax and ends the scene with a sensuous shower in which he seems to caress every inch of his smooth, compact bod.
The final photo-come-to-life is box-cover boy Peter Proud, a laid-back gym bunny with short brown hair, a pair of pirate-loop earrings, a barbed-wire tattoo around one upper arm and the greatest pecs and abs of the film. He is clearly an exhibitionist who works the camera from the moment he pulls his hard dick out of his shorts, works it ambidextrously and delights in flaunting it freestanding. He works his way to climax with a confident smirk and in time produces a creamy river of ooze before taking a long, luxurious shower - largely for the camera's benefit.
Playing with the Monster ends as if began, with Mr. Saxxe. Throughout the production, he has provided a great counterpoint to the various scenes, but his final turn seems much too brief, given his talents, his equipment and his striking good looks. Of course, they always say, "Leave 'em wanting more," and that's just what happens here.
All seven of the men, without exception, are glamorous narcissists who seem truly to delight in their own bodies and who (no doubt through considerable practice) have perfected the art of whacking off. And if the simple, low-budget settings are less striking than those we have come to expect of Summers, the performers are certainly up to his standards. Playing with the Monster (subtitled All American, Volume I) is handjob heaven.
- Jerry Douglas