Literally shot over a year's time Essentially Juli is essentially the definitive Juli Ashton vid.

"Essentially, this is a year in my life," the pretty ex-schoolmarm tells us early on. and as one might expect, Ashton spent a good part of those twelve months doin' the nasty with a healthy cross-section of smutdom's A-list.

But it's not the mere novelty of the tape's concept that earns it Editor's Choice status. It's that the finished product is infused with such a winning combination of raw energy and infectious fun on Ashton's part that the vid easily becomes one of the most memorable gonzo efforts of the year. Add to these qualities is generous seven-scene, 141-minute running time, and Essentially Juli is practically a lock to get a nomination eight months hence for Best Gonzo Video.

The opener is an extended gash-a-thon in which Ashton is soon frantically fingering Taren's Steele's pussy until the squirts again and again and again all over our star's face. Steele soon returns the favor, friggin Ashton's cunt and bum until she cums. The girls then break out the hardware, riding a double-headed ding dong 'til they blow yet again, after which Steele reams Ashton with a butt blaster 'til Juli climaxes one last time.

Scene two has Ashton watching a videotape of herself seated in a chair, sporting a leather hood, being serviced by a string of sexual messengers, including Serenity and the venerable Veronica Hart. While it's a conceptually imaginative arrangement, the stop-start nature of Ashton's running commentary tends to put a damper on the scene's heat quotient.

Until, that is, Sean Michaels drops by and - allowed by the editor to engage in some sustained boffing - ravages Ashton's pussy and crapper, then blows off on her bush, fucks her some more, and shoots a second time.

Next up is video virgin Gayle Powers, a hot brunette living out her fantasy of fucking Ashton and Peter North simultaneous. In no time, Ashton is reaming Powers' ass and cunt with a butt plug and a vibrator, after which the newcomer dons a strap-on and turns the tables. North then fucks Ashton for a bit before massively hosing down both girls, who swap his scum with their tongues.

Scene four is a sizzling sapphic stampede featuring Ashton, throaty Shayla LaVeaux and another dirty darlin', a fetching blonde named Cheyenne, who shows no freshman jitters as she holds her own with the two veterans.

Fifth is the vid's only Ashton-less scene, a Missy/Mickey G. coupling, which, while energetic, is a somewhat familiar act by now.

Ashton, delectable-looking in revealing PVC garb, returns for a little S/M light action in scene six, wherein she torments a blindfolded Vicca with an ice cube and a whip before slipping into a strap-on and fucking the shit out of her.

The vid's grand finale is an energetic group grope accentuated by gorgeous Nici Sterling, who's more animated than usual as she frantically rides hubby Wild Oscar's took while Ashton tongues his nuts. The scene ends with Sterling jacking her spouse off onto her comely kisser, long, thick strands of his goo dripping from her tongue.

"Well, that seems like plenty for this year," a beatific Ashton tells us. "But just wait 'til next year. It's gonna get even better."

While Essentially July will be a tough act to follow, we anxiously await the sequel.