“Family Secrets” – Vivid Entertainment – Director – Kimberly Kane – Cast – Penny Pax, Kimberly Kane, Claire Robbins, Princess Donna, Kylie Ireland, Steven St. Croix, Danny Wylde, Richie Calhoun, Tommy Pistol.
Kimberly Kane is one of the most talented females in porn. Not only is she a fantastic performer sexually, but she is also a terrific actress, a great writer and a very solid director. In this chilling mystery revolving around who killed Vicky Valentine, you get see all sides of the extremely talented Ms. Kane. When the body of this girl is found on the beach it starts a vicious circle of deceit, lies, depravity and family secrets that were hoping to never be unlocked. But to find the truth about Vicky Valentine, everything and everyone must be exposed.
Even before the opening credits, the film’s beginning will grab your senses right away. It is late at night, very dark, and Vicky Valentine (Penny Pax) is on the beach having fun by herself dancing and prancing against the onrushing tide. There some figures in the distance but it is too dark to make them out while one keeps coming closer and closer. Then you hear the screams and voices along with the pulsating music. Now it is the dawn and the camera focuses on a foot covered in seaweed in the sand as the tide continues to rush in. So begins the saga of who killed Vicky Valentine and why?
From that opening the scene shifts to a bedroom where we see Detective Jean Carver (Kimberly Kane) and Detective Jim Valentine (Steven St. Croix) engaged in some steamy bedroom fun. They go through all the positions, swapping oral pleasures and ends in a very vocal pop, and we mean pop, shot from St. Croix. Then there is some passionate kissing and then the “after sex” cigarette in bed. They are partners, he is married, and they are having an affair as he has a wife to go home to. When he gets home his wife Lynn (Kylie Ireland) is sound asleep, he goes into the bathroom and something, we don’t know what, doesn’t seem right. He quietly slips into bed so as not to disturb his wife and look of worry and thought on his face. Then the scene shifts back to the beach in broad daylight and the crime scene with the dead girl’s body covered by a sheet as the investigation into this killing begins.
As Carver is going over the scene with her crew, Valentine shows up and she quickly tells him not to go look, she will. When she pulls back the sheet to reveal the dead girl’s face, the look on his face is shock and horror filled. It is obvious he knows the dead girl, but how and in what way is he connected to her? Carver walks him away from the scene, as the camera pans to the rushing waves beating against the shore, the Golden Gate Bridge in the back ground. Now the scene shifts into the city and one of the townhouses where we see Lynn aimlessly wiping the kitchen counter when she receives a phone call. From her reaction and screams it is obvious it had to do with the dead girl. Now the question is how is she connected to this girl. We do find out next that the dead girl is Lynn’s daughter and Valentine’s stepdaughter. Carver tells him cannot, in good conscience, be a part of the investigation, but he won’t listen. She tells him he has to do what’s right and he tells her he’ll worry about what’s right or not.
At the police station Carver is interviewing a friend of the dead girl, Donna (Claire Robbins), to try and get answers. They know the girls were at a club called Dante’s with a couple of guys Jesse Valentine, her brother (Danny Wylde )and Rick Sweeney (Richie Calhoun) having a fun time. Now we get a flashback scene with Donna and Jesse dancing, and Vicky and Rick dancing. Soon another woman (Princess Donna) lures Donna away to dance with her whiIe Jesse and Rick concentrate on Vicky. Soon Donna is taken to the ladies room and she and Princess Donna get into one freaky, all out girl/girl. Now back to the police station and the questioning that leads nowhere. Next Rick, a known hood, is questioned and Carver is convinced he was the one who killed Vicky, but he swears he didn’t do it. Once again we get a flashback to that night at the club and what took place outside when Vinnie (Tommy Pistol) enters the picture and she goes off with him.
There is so much that goes on and takes place as this story unwinds, leaving you to scratch your head. Just when you think you might have it figured out, nope! So with that in mind I am going to let you enjoy this movie from start to finish and not give you any more of the story, plot or details. I will tell you it is not as clear cut as you might think and there are some unforeseen twists and turns that take place, and an ending you won’t expect.
In summary, the cast is absolutely tremendous in every single role, thanks to a group that can act and portray a character with total believability. Great to see Kylie Ireland in front of the cameras again in a stellar non sex role.The direction by Ms. Kane is superlative as she keeps you guessing and wondering pacing this mystery perfectly. The on location setting of San Francisco just adds not only to the exterior beauty, but the overall look and feel of the film. Congrats to Kylie and Andy Appleton for the great art direction and settings. The music score sounds like it is right out of Hollywood’s mainstream and the cinematography from Eli Cross is simply outstanding catching every nuance with superb visuals that capture the essence of the characters and the surroundings. Come awards time this could very well be up for several nominations. Lastly, the writing by Ms. Kane and Rex Owens is very solid, very real, and leaves the viewer waiting and wanting for whatever comes next. It is an excellent couples friendly film and I very strongly recommend getting “Family Secrets” from Vivid Entertainment. It is our very worthy “Friday 5 Star Feature here on AAN.
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
