Video

This "heartwarming tale of four runaway models," The Bad Luck Betties, is a wacky but loving homage to pinup icon Bettie Page and the period in which she thrived. It's alt porn with style, humor and good-looking babes.

The '50s and '60s in downtown Los Angeles are evoked through clips from public domain films (which are included whole on the extras disc). There are deliberate echoes of L.A. Confidential, Chinatown and other film noir favorites.

The girls, played by Smokin' Mary Jane (as the ringleader, Sally), Marie Luv, Mika Tan and Bianca Dagger, hang out at Transaction Junction, beneath a freeway bypass - "Betty territory" - where contraband is traded.

The story - not exactly linear - involves their attempts to foil a corrupt mayor (Alec Knight) whose new freeway project will get rid of the Junction. Eventually, downtown crime is, supposedly, eradicated, and the Betties are exiled to the Valley.

The sex scenes are well-shot and mostly arousing. Sally picks up stripper Paige the Rage (Paige Richards), who dances for her. They have a catfight that turns into grudge sex, and Sally puts the stripper in Irving Klaw-style bondage.

Suzy (Mika Tan) poses as a Vietnamese hooker to ensnare the Von Dukes (John West and Cheyne Collins), leaders of a rival gang. Their double penetration three-way, shot like a luridly lit stag film, is long and nasty.

Skillful art direction, evocative videography, sexy retro costumes, and, best of all, great music from L.A. bands. A soundtrack CD is part of the package.

Pre-noms: Best Sex Comedy. Best Director: Octavio Winkytiki. Best Three-way Sex Scene: Mika Tan, Cheyne Collins, John West. Best Videography. Best Art Direction. Best Music. Best DVD Extras. Best DVD Packaging.

Retailing: Alt porn with a wider than usual appeal.