Two Moon Junction

Columbia/Tristar | minutes | | | Standard DVD reviewed by: Fusion3600

When it comes to movies, most people think of two types, mainstream movies and adult movies, each of which have their purpose and serve their followers. In the past however, a new genre of movies has cropped up, one which I feel deserves it's own category, which many rental houses give it. These movies are "hard R," the type of movies that air late at night on Cinemax or Showtime, but some of them manage to garner a theatrical run. Speaking of Showtime, the network run a television series called "The Red Shoe Diaries," which is presented by Zalman King, who many consider to be the master of "hard R" or "soft-core porn." King certainly has enough experience in the genre to stake that claim, with 9 1/2 Weeks, Wild Orchid, and The Red Shoe Diaries all to his credit. But I feel his greatest contribution to the soft-core genre has to be this movie, Two Moon Junction, starring Sherilyn Fenn and Richard Tyson. While the storyline is a little shaky at times, I think this is closest thing to a soft-core mainstream movie, with graphic sexual scenes as well as some success with character and plot movement.

With a movie like this, you don't really expect a complex storyline, and this movie doesn't have one, so you'd be right. What it does have is a simple one, which manages to tell some traces of a story between flashes of naked flesh. Oh, the naked flesh...you don't even have to wait long, with a shower scene right toward the beginning. There is quite a bit of nudity here, both of male and female persuasion, but by some standards, it is a little tame. But you get what you asked for with this title, plenty of naked bodies and a decent attempt at filmmaking. The story's a little light, but still has some movement to it. April (Fenn) is as refined as they come, and she is two weeks away from her marriage to a wealthy upper class man. While her exterior seems refined and reserved, inside she is about to explode, whether having masturbatory fantasies in the shower or getting all juiced over some carnival worker (Tyson). That carnival worker isn't just a passing fantasy for long, as he and April begin a passionate, sexual affair, in which she tries to quench her undying sexual desires.

Sherilyn Fenn (Just Write, Boxing Helena) is no stranger to taking her clothes off, so she seems right at home in this role. She does have some signs of real acting, but most of her dialogue calls for moans or grunts. I am not sure Richard Tyson (Three O'Clock High, Kingpin) could carry a mainstream flick, but he manages to do a decent turn here. Sure, his biceps and other muscles are called on more than his line delivery, but hey, that is expected in this genre. When you think of an unusual mixed bag of a supporting cast, this is just that. With Burl Ives (East of Eden, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof), Kristy McNichol (Dream Lover, The Pirate Movie), Don Galloway (Rough Night in Jericho, The Big Chill), Louise Fletcher (2 Days In The Valley, Cruel Intentions), and Millie Perkins (Wall Street) all on the roster, you've got all the bases covered. As a special bonus, two cult icons appear, Screamin' Jay Hawkins (Dance with the Devil) and Herve Villechaize (The Forbidden Zone).

Two Moon Junction is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, with a full frame version on the flip side of the disc. The colors are very subdued, due to the natural spectrum used, but the flesh tones look warm and natural. The contrast levels are sharp, but some scenes are a little too dark, which obscures detail level somewhat. The disc is free from compression errors as well.

The disc uses a stereo audio track, which gives a very nice experience, much better than I expected. The dialogue is clear and consistent, never overshadowed by other audio elements. While not a memorable track, the audio is well presented overall.

The only bonus material is some production notes inside the insert booklet.