Tech Quality: AAAA

Jett Blakk is a true gem in the world of gay porn. In films like Nasty Nasty and The Bombardier, he has shown his love and skill for complex thrillers, stories that could work without the sex. He has also shown an ability to get the best from his models. (His interviewing and chatting skills in the In Touch Auditions series helped make some of the solo sequences he filmed even hotter, getting the men to open up and get horny.)

The director shines again in both aspects in his new suspense tale, Canvas. Not only does it provide a highly interesting story, it demands solid work (acting as well as sex) from its stars. Viewers may be taken by surprise when they actually find themselves genuinely interested in the storyline-not because Blakk hasn't done it before, but simply because entertaining stories are so rare in sex films.

Jason Ridge plays an ad man struggling to come up with a successful campaign for an unhappy client. A visit from his wife's mysterious brother (Rob Romoni)-an artist with a promiscuous past-creates a homoerotic tension that confuses Ridge. Secrets and suspense follow, and the three main players (including Kylie Ireland as Ridge's wife) convincingly pull off their roles.

The energy between Ridge and Romoni, who slowly seduces his brother-in-law with knowing glances, touches, and suggestive words, is a joy to watch. Just look at Ridge's reaction when he realizes he has an audience while changing his clothes (a scene that also shows how simple camera shots can be so effective). Ridge shows an ease with dialogue and expressions; there are no false notes or "porn star acting." The same can be said of Romoni, the shady man who plays one killer game of seduction. Whether whispering in Ridge's ear, giving him a backrub, or just staring into his eyes, Romoni's character is straight out of vintage Hitchcock.

The sex is killer too. Nick Capra (Ridge's boss) could charm the pants off anything with a pulse, and his energetic attack on Tony Scalia (the unhappy client) in the opening scene is another hot game of seduction. Capra shows why he is one of the most watchable men in porn; just watch his face during the scene and see how much he loves having sex. When his suit finally comes off, Capra uses his tie to rope Scalia's face onto his dick before fucking him.

Chad Hunt gets to full-mast for Michael Knight in the next scene, as Ridge and Romoni jack while watching from afar. Hunt gets Knight moaning as he fucks him, and the jacking voyeurs love every second of it.

The Sebastian Jaymz/Alex Leon pairing loses a little steam, but the closing scene-where the two leads finally fuck each other-is another winner. Ridge insists he's not gay, but to Romoni it doesn't matter. "Anything can happen in the heat of the moment? it's all about mood, timing, need? " From Romoni gulping down Ridge's boner to Romoni getting his entire dick inside Ridge's ass, this scene is the perfect climax to the story.

Fans will also love the entertaining and intelligent full-length commentary by Blakk and Ridge on the DVD version, a fun listen that hits on many aspects of making the film, from graphics to music to sex. It's adorable to listen to Ridge drool over Capra during the first scene, as well as hear Blakk discuss the casting problem that arises when casting Hunt.