Request: reviews of our DVDs

[Abby]

Hiya

I'd like to offer a small prize to anyone who'd like to submit a review of our video titles (ie, on DVD or VHS). These will appear with the products we sell on our shopping page. The prize is two weeks free membership, for each review - write four reviews, get eight weeks free sub!

Of course, you'll also have the undying gratitude of use her at AW HQ.

The reviews do need to be a few paras long - a one liner does not cut it!

Please email them to abby@abbywinters.com. Thanks!

abby

[cuttysark]

Hi Abby

Just came across the reviews post..I'd love to be the "site" reviewer, so to speak.
I already wrote a review for Intimate Moments on the Lex Love site..which i think you commented on previously.
Can I have the joyous task?

Cutty

[Luxman]

As far as I can evaluate right now (I’ve got them today), the DVDs’ are well made and the quality is correct. The navigation is very good and optically very attractive, nice menus with a pleasant music. The videos are well chosen and the editor did a pretty good job.

Unfortunately the 16% less vertical resolution due to the conversion to NTSC is visible (in PAL-land) and the 96 lines are missing. Anyway: To see the videos on a big TV screen without that unlucky but necessary MPEG-1 compression for the downloads is quite impressive.

My first impression: it worth the money to buy the DVDs’, I'm not disappointed at all. Girls Night Out is my favourite, very good production. When I'll find the time (maybe never) I’ll try to write the requested reviews, but I don’t promise anything.

lxm

[Vid Dude]

The whole NTSC conversion thing is an annoying necessity. But I'm used to NTSC movies, I buy DVDs from America all the time.

[Luxman]

The whole NTSC conversion thing is an annoying necessity...

Maybe a silly question, but anyway: We are able to view NTSC DVDs' on our PAL systems, is the reverse thing, viewing PAL DVDs’ on an NTSC system impossible? Because I only work in PAL I never had the opportunity to think about that. Perhaps you can tell me.

lxm

[Vid Dude]

No, they can't very easily. There are a few DVD players that will convert, and TVs that can handle it, but they're expensive and not very common.

[paleorchid]

When do you want the reviews, Abby? Maybe I could write a review of the videos, but first catch the hare.... For members in the UK, is the AW shop the best place to buy them? (It's probably the wrong place to ask this question, and my apologies if the answer is already on the board.) Post from the US is usually quite quick, but paying import duty and VAT on postal items can be awkward if there's no one at home to pay the amount due - our postal delivery times are unpredictable. Any advice from other members?


jumellea

[Abby]

paleorchid, "catch the hare"? Huh?

I'd like the reviews whenever you have time to write them.

The DVD's are cheaper from us here than anywhere else (both for the DVD's themselves, and postage). The time taken for delivery is the same.

I am surprised ou have to pay import duty on personal items (I thought that was only for commercial entities?), and VAT on imported stuff, but there you go. I know we have sold a bunch to people in the UK, so we should get an answer about that. We'll bring it up in Friday's update if we have not heard by then.

abby

[Roops]

I purchased 3 dvd's last year from Lezlove, USA (the only seller available at the time). The discretely wrapped items arrived via the normal post, no import duties, no VAT to pay. You are quite safe.

[Roops]

Ahem, I should add that the dvd's in question were all aw.com products, and excellent they were to. Abby should take this as a compliment as I have never bought porn vids/dvd's in my life. I have always relied on pirate jobs via our gardner. Incidently Mrs Roops has bought "real amateur home made" stuff from Europe and the USA and there has never been a problem. (Except of course when one of our daughters mistakenly thought we had taken delivery of another "Thomas the Tank Engine" vid and proceeded to rip open the packaging in front of my Mother-in Law who was child-minding at the time).

[Roops]

hmmmm....I'm intrigued, "paleorchid", "Jumellea" (a type of orchid) do you grow orchids ? You don't have to answer that, just thinking out aloud.

[paleorchid]

Whoops! Sorry, Abby and Roops. I blush palely for not using my nickname. Shouldn't use family sayings in discussion boards, either.

"First catch your hare" is a (mis)quotation from the recipe for jugged hare in Hannah Glasse's book "The Art of Cookery". It became a cliché used when you've got a vital first step still to take before the task ahead can be started. The correct quote, BTW, is "Take your hare when it is cased (skinned)....".

Thanks for the advice about Lezlove - much appreciated.

paleorchid

[Luxman]

I am surprised ou have to pay import duty on personal items...

Yes we have to pay taxes. I've paid 3.50 Euro entry tax for the European Community and 15.53 Euro VAT, so a total of 19.03 Euro (around 23 US$). Every postal package goes to the customs and is opened. To get it you've to pay your taxes.

The only way around the customs (most time) are postings done by FedEx, UPS or DHL.

lxm

[Jorinel]

...paying import duty and VAT on postal items can be awkward if there's no one at home to pay the amount due - our postal delivery times are unpredictable. Any advice from other members?

I bought a job lot from the AW shop & had a note from Royal Mail through the door a few days later, requiring me to pay duty (VAT I think). I had to go down to the local sorting office (Coventry) to queue to pay & collect the goodies. Since Roops had a different experience, I guess it depends where you are & how diligent the local posties are.

Jorinel

[Luxman]

Every postal package goes to the customs and is opened

So it's a quite bad idea to send cannabis products by post, the taxes could be terrifying.

lxm

[Roops]

Ok, HM Customs & Excise rules are that any imports abroad outside the EU where the goods are valued over £18.00 ($44.22 Aus, $31.93 US, €26.68 EUR) are liable to Customs duty and VAT. (For travellers arriving from outside the EU the duty free limit is £145.00)

Now in practice it is impossible for Customs to scan every parcel coming into the UK, so I guess Jorinel was unlucky. Now I can't speak for the aw.com shop but when I purchased from Lezlove, the dvd's were in a thin flexible plastic sleeve and were packaged in a padded enevelope and therefore came by normal Royal Mail letter delivery rather than Royal Mail Parcel Force. Letters from abroad just cannot be scanned for import duty due to the sheer volume involved.

Under International postal agreements, the sender must make a Customs declaration on a form which, in most cases, will be attached to the package. The declaration includes a description of the goods, their value and whether they are gifts or commercial items

[Abby]

Thanks roops. We are very similar to LLV in these regards; mailers, customs dec form, etc.

a

[Roops]

Abby and Roops

I'm sorry, I had to do this as I guess this is the only time Abby and I will be seen and addressed as a couple.

[Roops]

Abby and Roops

I'm sorry, I had to do it again.

Abby, doesn't this make you tingle all over ?

To all the others that have professed their love for Abby - eat your hearts out.

[MrVideo]

Under International postal agreements, the sender must make a Customs declaration on a form which, in most cases, will be attached to the package. The declaration includes a description of the goods, their value and whether they are gifts or commercial items

This is not exactly true. If a Global Priority envelope is used (States origination), the contents can weigh less than a pound and therefore not require a customs sticker.

I had a postal clerk that gave me a hard time about it and even threatened to have my mail delivery withheld as a result of my sticking by the regs. That pissed me off to the point that I finally had to complain to the Postmaster of my area, who ultimately verified what I read in the regs with Postal Headquarters in Washington, DC. The clerks were to no longer give me a hard time about it. They can ask me about it and mention that I am mailing it at my own risk, i.e., it could be returned.

Every package that I have sent that has weighed < a pound has been delivered timely, unopened and customs free. I've been doing it for years.

[Roops]

This is not exactly true. If a Global Priority envelope is used (States origination), the contents can weigh less than a pound and therefore not require a customs sticker.......................Every package that I have sent that has weighed < a pound has been delivered timely, unopened and customs free. I've been doing it for years.

The "less than one pound rule" for Global Priority Mail - according to the United States Postal Service - only applies if the contents are less than value of US $400.00 and not potentially dutiable, that is correspondence, business papers and non-dutiable printed matter and even then the sender has to be registered as a "known mailer". Such mailpieces still must bear the ISAL/IPA (International Surface Airlift/International Priorty Airmail) service endorsement. Otherwise senders when posting abroad from the USA must affix PS form 2976, Customs Declaration CN 22 - Sender's Declaration (green label) to the outside of the package.

I hope this clears this up.

Now rhubarb, what's the best compost for this much maligned fruit (though strictly speaking it's a vegetable) Don't want to use a peat based compost as this is now not eco-friendly. Any suggestions ?

[calliope]

(though strictly speaking it's a vegetable)

But is it a petiole ,or a stem.?

[Roops]

The plant is a vegetable. The part harvested for eating is the petiole, that is the stem of the leaf ajoining the main stem/root.

[blaggard]

I bought "intimate moments" when it was released and I think that overall the quality is very good. I would, like most people using PAL prefer it to be a native PAL format but I can live with it. I'm a little disturbed by the trend to release the contents of the DVD on the website though, I think with the new Gabrielle release this makes three? is there any point in buying the new DVD other than getting to see them earlier?

[Luxman]

I'm a little disturbed by the trend to release the contents of the DVD on the website though, I think with the new Gabrielle release this makes three? is there any point in buying the new DVD other than getting to see them earlier?

Don't forget the quality my friend. Except the new one (yet), I own all the AW releases on DVD.
Compared to the downloadable vids, the image quality is awesome.
The downloads are ok, but the DVD's are great to see on a large TV screen.

As soon as the second new DVD is released, I'll order the 2 I don't have.

Lxm

[Vid Dude]

Apart from the increased quality, the clips on the website are also only 6 minutes long, when each on the DVD is about 15 - 20 minutes long. They are meant as teasers, really, but also are made available for those people who continually complain to us that they aren't able to view porn on their TVs at home due to their living arrangements, or because some laws don't allow their importation. Amongst other reasons.

We can't be all things to all people, but we try to be sympathetic where we can.

Also, the newer IM DVDs won't have any clips released from them for at least six months, maybe even a full year from release.

[Luxman]

I copied this post from the Gabrielle thread to put it into the reviews thread.

Intimate Moments DVD - a review

The DVD (media) is made in professional workmanship, in best possible quality.
There is a nice gradient violet background and a portrait of Molly on it. It’s very attractive.

When starting the player you’ll see a well made intro / teaser and finally you’ll arrive on the main menu.
It’s a picture of Molly that is pretty impressive on a large TV screen and there’s nice guitar music.
You may choose here between playing the entire disk, select a girl or watch some previews.

The DVD features 6 girls: Petra, Molly, Megan A, Gabrielle, Violet & Kim and has a total playtime of 75 minutes.

Petra: Playtime: 8 minutes, the download is an excerpt (5 minutes).
Molly: Playtime: 12 minutes, the download is an excerpt (5 minutes).
Megan A: Playtime: 16 minutes, no download yet available
Gabrielle: Playtime: 11 minutes, the download is an excerpt (6 minutes).
Violet: Playtime: 14 minutes, the download is an excerpt (5 minutes).
Kim: Playtime: 14 minutes, the download is an excerpt (5 minutes).

I think it's not necessary to tell you the story, just have a look at the downloadable videos.
Just don't forget that the playtime on the DVD is a lot longer (75 minutes versus 26 minutes) and, very important, everything happens in real time.
There is no truncation, and you have the entire sequence to enjoy.
And, yet more important, the picture quality is really awesome, hey, it’s a DVD.
Watching it on a TV set is like being in the room with the girl. Grrreat!!

The stuff is very erotic. In my eyes there’s nothing more erotic than watching a girl masturbating in front of you.
You can feel that, in this case, it is real and no fake. I love it, and I can recommend this DVD with a clear conscience.

Lxm

[Luxman]

Girls’ Night Out DVD – a review

Before getting to the main menu, you’ll see the intro / teaser. It’s the same I’ve already described in the “Intimate Moments” review.

The main menu contains a photo of Susie & Melissa, with Susie’s wonderful breasts to the fore.

Choices for the viewer: play movie, chapter select, previews, an intimate moment.

Let’s have a closer look at the main movie.

Girls Night Out – the movie – 36 minutes
First part of the movie is the famous rope jumping scene with Susie, Melissa & Danny. The rules are simple. A girl jumps rope, and when she get’s caught by the rope she has to remove a piece of clothing. It doesn’t take very long to complete nudity. Funny thing: the girls have to hold their breast while jumping to avoid knocking themselves out (it's a joke, I know that 'cos of inertia the breasts can hurt while jumping or running). The finish with the water hose is pretty wet, and it seems being cold.

Before going out, Melissa colours her hair in vivid red and takes a shower. After dressing, the girls go out to a disco and heat up the mood of some guys there. I think one of them didn’t understand what was going on when Susie first pressed her bum against him and then kissed Melissa.

Back home. Pretty fast Susie and Melissa land in the bedroom and start a very hot girl-girl play. Caressing, kissing, touching, licking, all over the entire body. Both girls get their satisfaction. The sequence is captured in an erotic manner, with a good mix of close-ups and normal views. You can see that the girls enjoy, and I think they forgot the camera and the people around.

Finally the ladies are exhausted and tired and start to sleep, in the nude of cause.

Images of Susie & Melissa.


Tuesday Afternoon – 2nd movie – 32 minutes
What can two girls do when they have time and nothing else to do? Have sex of course. Monique and Lee show in an impressive way what a nice pastime it is to get naked and do lots of naughty things with fingers, tongues and intimate parts.

It’s a nice pastime for the viewer too. The girls are beautiful and natural, and what they’re doing, even more. The bed makes pretty much noise, but not only the bed.

Images of Monique & Lee.


An Intimate Moment – bonus movie – 13 minutes
This video is in the style of the other Intimate Moments clips. You can see an exerpt here.

Conclusion: This DVD is well made and a great value for the money. The trailer can be downloaded here.

Lxm

[spiderboy]

"Girls Together" was my first DVD purchase from AW, and having just finished watching it (it took me four sessions to get through the entire disc), I am pleased to report that my money was well spent.

The videos are hot; there is no doubt about it. The girls are cute and sexy and real looking-- Abby's trademark. They don't look posed or directed or 'professional' at all. More than anything else, they look like attractive young women having a good time enjoying each others bodies. At the same time, the production quality is very high, and the camera work is quite professional. The result is a very good looking disc.

The disc consists of two separate videos. The first video stars Bridget and Seranda, and is roughly 50 minutes long. The girls are both very pretty; Bridget is shorter with short dark hair, and Seranda is tall with long hair (what do you call that color of hair? brunette? red? auburn? oh well...) and larger breasts. They seem to have an intense genuine mutual attraction, and quickly seem to get over any self consciousness about being on camera, and get into each other. The video starts with the girls applying lotion to each others feet and legs, and quickly evolves into a make out session. There is A LOT of kissing and breast play. The passionate way they kiss and touch each other is incredibly hot. It is a slow, steady, very sexy build up to girl sex that left me (and, I would imagine both the models) literally begging for some pussy action. By the time the panties come off, one is so turned on that one can hardly stand it. But that is the point, isn't it? The girls chat and banter quite a bit throughout (sometimes unintelligibly), which I found quite fetching. (ie "Thats not fair? What? I've got juice all over my face!") The oral sex looks as fun as it is sexy, which is saying something indeed. The 69 scene was very nice, although it seemed to illustrate the problem with 69 (in my humble opinion) which is that it's hard to do it well or for too long; whats going on between your own legs is just too distracting! My favorite scene was where the girls scissored, mashing their pussies together. ("It's like doing a jigsaw puzzle") It just looked so hot! I do wish that there had been a bit more of a climax to the scene (orgasmically); but perhaps that is just the guy way of approaching sex. I would, as always, have loved to see a little anal play; at one point during the 69, I was literally begging Bridget to touch Seranda's cute little arse-hole, which is winking just inches from her face. But when it comes down this is just Girls Together, having fun and doing what they want to. The kissing and touching and obvious enjoyment of both the girls made this one of the hottest scenes I have ever seen.

The second scene starred Miranda and Stephanie. It is roughly 47 minutes long. Once again, both models are very attractive, in the next-door-neighbor sort of way that I do love. Stephanie is a blonde, and (how to say this without sounding at all negative?) non-skinny. In a very attractive way, I have to emphasize. I must say her shorn pussy was particularly attractive; she possesses lovely folds and a very pretty vagina as well as a nice pair of breasts. Miranda is also blonde, and more petite, with a cute smile and wicked looking eyes, and a t-shirt that proclaims "I have issues!". The scene starts slowly, without a premise; just a lot of passionate kissing on the couch, building up in intensity with touching and breast play, and the removal of first shirts then bras. (I appreciated Miranda having trouble with Stephanie's bra clasp; haven't we all been there?) There is a brief toe-sucking scene which I was a little surprised to find (not being a foot fetishist of any kind) incredibly honest, cute, and sexy. Miranda has the cutest rainbow socks, which match her panties.

When the panties do come off, some 27 minutes into the scene, the girls both look delicious. The action looks both genuine and fun. The hottest part of the video, for me, was where Miranda gives Stephanie a butt massage, caressing her pussy and kneading her ass cheeks. Made me drool! After the movie was complete, that was the scene I skipped back to to watch again. Miranda seemed just as fascinated with Stephanie's parts as I did, and Stephanie's parts, bent over Miranda's lap, looked very nice indeed.

It seemed like there was a little less of a natural chemistry between Stephanie and Miranda (not that they didn't look like they enjoyed the scene, no not at all, they both looked like they were having good fun). Maybe it was me, but it seemed like Meranda was more into it than Stephanie. There was surprisingly little oral sex (and most of that was Miranda licking Stephanie), and little if any penetration. Of kissing, stroking, touching and caressing, there was, however, plenty (I wonder if the look in Miranda's eye at one point might mean something like 'damn girl, stop tickling my nipples and get down there and suck my clit!'; but I may be reading way too much in...). The kissing was especially plentiful, and clearly genuine. Stephanie and Miranda were hot and steamily sexy together; clearly unrehearsed and just beautiful. Taken as a whole, the scene was erotic, lovely, sexually charged, and beautifully shot. Ultimately though, it was a little less satisfying than 'Bridget and Seranda'.

In summation, the two scene disc was a delicious treat, a good value, and will inspire me purchase more from Abby and co. I will definitely recommend this title to friends (both male and female) who like good hot explicit honest porn. This is the kind of DVD you could watch with your significant other and not feel like, well, a creep. It is amazing how beautiful pornography can be when it is done well, and when the participants and viewers are treated with respect. More and more, it seems to me that this is mostly found in female-managed operations, and Abby is an example of the best of the best. Sex, more than anything, should be fun. And in Girls Together, it is.

(I hope that I haven't switched the names of the girls. It was a little hard for me to tell which part of each couple belonged to which name.)

[Questa1]

Now in practice it is impossible for Customs to scan every parcel coming into the UK, so I guess Jorinel was unlucky. Now I can't speak for the aw.com shop but when I purchased from Lezlove, the dvd's were in a thin flexible plastic sleeve and were packaged in a padded enevelope and therefore came by normal Royal Mail letter delivery rather than Royal Mail Parcel Force. Letters from abroad just cannot be scanned for import duty due to the sheer volume involved.

Under International postal agreements, the sender must make a Customs declaration on a form which, in most cases, will be attached to the package. The declaration includes a description of the goods, their value and whether they are gifts or commercial items

At least they don't just steal them these days like they used to. I remember ordering a very softcore magazine from holland many years ago, only to receive a letter warning that I was being cautioned for the importation of "indecent and obscene" material! Many porn companies classify all UK shipments as "Gifts" to avoid them being opened. Some packages are never opened - eg those from a large online bookstore.