One of the primary problems with the current practice of shooting adult films directly only videotape is that so little of what's being done is original or innovative. Sure, good video quality can add a certain immediacy to a sexual liaison. But that's all it's been used for so far: fairly simple, straight-on sex. That this relatively new method hasn't spawned anything ground-breaking yet is a disappointment.

Fantasy Follies tries very hard to be different – even ground-breaking. There's more going on in this program than in any number of shot-on-video efforts put together. Unfortunately, two questions remain after viewing this kaleidoscope of offbeat sexual activity: what is going on and why?

A collaborative effort between porn veterans William Margold and Drea and producer Peter Eastwood, Fantasy Follies serves up two acting pros, the voluptuous Kay Parker and Eric Edwards, as narrators of the piece. Sort of. Actually, Edwards and Parker are dining in a fashionable living room. As they get through their salad and wine, they begin philosophizing about the X-rated industry. Their rap session turns into a series of dream-like thoughts which come alive right before our very eyes. This opening conversation serves as a thread for the various dream sequences, which, for the most part, are funny but, well, cloudy.

One dream segment stars a tuxedo-clad Ron Jeremy as the proprietor of "Dildoland," a pleasant hamlet where dildos of every shape and size are collected. Another fantasy sequence involves a strip poker game where participants put their clothes on. Another vignette presents a variety of porn actors, including Herschel Savage and Jeremy, making love to a group of women in a balloon-filled room. Serena and Tiffany Clark are the stars of other fantasies, which are as off-the-wall as the rest of the stuff.

All of the sexual proceedings are well shot, apparently utilizing state-of-the-art equipment and well-chosen camera angles. But none carry any sexual potency. Surprisingly, the finale that finds parker and Edwards making it – simply, on a sofa – is the sexual highlight of the film.

It seems as though Drea and Margold are attempting some sort of surrealistic statement on the porno business. But whatever they're trying to get across is never clear. In the end, two men in white suits come and take Edwards and Parker away. Could the point be "Isn't porn a wild and crazy business?" My shoulders are shrugged, too.

Happily, there's a lot of creative juices at work in Fantasy Follies, but not all mix well. Next time, I suggest tomato juice straight up, instead of V-8. Good try, folks.