Wicked Pictures' "Delilah"

There's a lot of history that comes with director Michael Raven's new movie, Delilah. For one thing, Raven discovered the movie's star, jessica drake, when she was dancing at bars in Texas and convinced her to move to Los Angeles and take the plunge with him into the world of hardcore pornography. The two of them worked exclusively under contract to Sin City at the time. Years later, it has all come full circle and here they are again, both now under contract exclusively to Wicked Pictures, working together again on a regular basis just like it all began.

Except these days they're both much better at what they do, having honed their skills movie after movie, and now they team once again for what could possibly be the epic masterpiece of their careers, if not certainly one of the best of the year.

Of course, there's other history that goes into Delilah too. It's a modern day twist on the biblical story of Samson and Delilah. Raven excells at his religion-meets-pornography flicks and takes more pride in it than any of his other work. You can tell a lot of time went into Delilah before the cameras even started rolling. Raven wrote, edited, directed and even scored the movie.

Drake is a shoe-in for a Best Actress nomination, both for her sexual performances that steal the rug out from every other performer in the film, as well as her acting prowess. Drake's thespian chops are tested in a bathroom stall scene that sees shades of Rebbeca DeMornay's breakdown in The Hand That Rocks The Cradle. It's equally eerie thanks to her emotional involvement and Raven's incredible direction of the truly visceral moment.

Why Wicked Pictures has a harder time lighting their sex than most people I still don't understand but Raven does a better job of it than anyone else over there on the director's roster. Though Hillary Scott's scene is a bit dark and hard to see (but my Lord, is she more stunning than ever in her career and a damned fine actress, too!), Kaylani Lei's is bright as day and crystal clear as she gives it up to Randy Spears.

Spears along with Herschel Savage carry the male counterparts of the flick. You can do no wrong with them in the acting department, really. When you're looking to make porn that leans closer to "art," they're the ones you hire. There's also a Drake romp with Sammie Rhodes for good measure.

But it's Raven that somehow remains the hidden star of the feature. His thumbprint is just all over the place and you can tell it's his baby from opening to end credits. The work paid off. Delilah's brilliant script leaves you totally engaged and the sex leaves you thoroughly turned on. It's the best movie from Wicked yet this year. Probably the best "feature" I've seen from any company in quite some time.

BUY IT NOW!: Wicked Pictures' Delilah is now available on DVD at 16% OFF! in the Curious Corner Store.

WATCH IT NOW!: Wicked Pictures' Delilah is now playing in the JC Theatre!

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