VE is light years ahead of Richards' other recent release (Femalien), although the credit could largely be attributed to a cinematographer with professional chops and an art director with a sense of imagination.

Whatever the case may be, VE is a pleasing collection of fantasy romps which occur in the virtual reality headset of Elizabeth Kaitan, a beach movie veteran who's traded in her string bikini for a shiny spandex outfit —au courant for the fashionable couch potato.

Essentially, she plays a repressed lady exec who can't quite make it with her frustrated boyfriend (Rob Lee). His birthday present to her is an exclusive club membership for techno-sex. Behind a VR helmet, Kaitan's imagination is stimulated with scenarios set in the jungle, a bondage dungeon, and a pole-dancing stage. Not exactly a visual feast on the order of Altered States, but diverse enough to compliment the sex, which is virtually non-stop and usually top-notch.

Among the writhing, glistening bodies, canny viewers will spot adult performers Tricia Yen (with a nipple ring, munching carpet) and caveman Vince Vouyer doing an Alley Oop number with Jill Kelly. Plug in, tune on, bliss out.

For info on all Surrender titles, contact Rick Phares at 213-341-5959.