Thinking XXX (Extended Cut) Review

Thinking XXX (Extended Cut) Feature
- Award-winning director and art photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders brings viewers onto the set of his newest photo shoot and into the private worlds of the top porn stars in the country in this unusual and provocative documentary. From Savanna Samson to Nina Hartley, Sean Michaels to Lukas Ridgeston straight to gay, legends to newcomers. Thinking XXX offers a clothed and unclothed look at some
First things first: Yes,
Thinking XXX features adult film stars. No, the HBO production is not a porno. Nor does it include any clips. The documentary instead offers an introduction to the biggest names in the business, like Gina Lynn and Lukas Ridgeston. For his book,
XXX - 30 Porn-Star Portraits, celebrity photographer Timothy Greenfield-Saunders shot the stars both clothed and unclothed. In the film, they talk about their work while getting their hair and make-up done, posing for pictures, playing with their pets, etc. They're presented as real people rather than actors (which just may destroy the fantasy for some fans). In the print edition, 15 writers, including author Nancy Friday, musician Lou Reed, and filmmaker John Waters, contribute their thoughts on pornography. They also appear on screen (fully clothed, of course). Some are quite critical. The biggest revelation isn't the nude bodies, readily available via videos and calendars, but what they have to say. Unlike
Star 80 or
Inside Deep Throat, there are no horror stories about physical or verbal abuse, but the talk is still frank and uncensored. Sean Michaels, for instance, opens up about race, while Chad Hunt discusses homosexuality. Interestingly, cover model Jenna Jameson doesn’t utter a single word, possibly because she has already told her life story in the bestselling autobiography
How to Make Love Like a Porn Star.
--Kathleen C. Fennessy
Studio: Hbo Home Video Release Date: 06/13/2006 Rating: R