Max Hardcore, feeling heat both from within the industry and from a recent article in the national magazine Icon for his rough, misogynist tactics, is actually a talented guy.  One of the successful videomakers of the new generation, his material is very well-shot and often has a nice look.  That his tapes are so popular says more about our jaded culture than it says about the man himself.

That said, Max World 12 begins with some self-indulgence (interviews from the East Coast Video Show) that viewers will probably want to skip.  But when Max comes upon Marylin Star on the Atlantic City boardwalk, something special happens.  Star is very much Max's equal.  Not a young, naive girl desperate for money.  Not a "stupid cunt," as Max likes to refer to his unassuming "partners."  No, Marylin Star wants to get fucked, very roughly and in the ass.

In Max's hotel suite, Marylin does get anally screwed.  But the verbal abuse is directed at Hardcore, from Marylin.  "You're a fucking dog," growls Marylin.

"Do you know who you're talking to?" he asks.

"Yeah, you're a fucking dog.  Now fuck my ass."

He double-penetrates her with his dick and a dildo and Marylin's really not satisfied.  Max pulls out that stupid lighted speculum (I never understood why anyone would find such an apparatus erotic) and opens up her pussy, again fucking her ass.  "I'm scared," she laughs.  She's kidding: She's got this guy under control.

"You jerking off to my cunt hole?" she asks.  "Fuck my ass a little harder.  What are you scared of?"

So Max puts a lighted speculum in her ass.  Far from fazed by the gynecological instruments stretching her pussy and ass, Marylin seems amused that he's looking into her asshole.  Max jerks off.  Again, I don't get it.  Whatever.

The rest of Max World 12 is usual Max Hardcore fare.  Outside Las Vegas he picks up a hitchhiker, describes her alternatively as "retarded," "on drugs," and "a stupid slut" before getting a blowjob in the car.  It's a bad scene.

An adorable, petite blonde named Oceane gets fucked and double-penetrated (dildo in the pussy) in Barcelona, and her face and mouth end up loaded with cum.  This turns out to be a fairly hot segment and the girl is really cute.  Thin, blond Sinderella is practicing roller skating in the park as Max picks her up.  She swallows Max's cock and chokes before loads of cum gush from her mouth.  In a basement, Sinderella lets him fuck her in the ass on what looks like a heater.  Pretty hot stuff.

Because the marketplace decides what works (and as long as we're dealing with consenting adults), I'll stand by the First Amendment.  But the scene with Marylin Star is great, because she's not some inexperienced, desperate girl doing a scene for the money, motivated by the rent being due.  She challenges the very nature of Max's attitude, thereby raising the erotic level tenfold.  It's rough sex, very consenting, and you know Marylin's up to the task.  The new/inexperienced girl/"stupid cunt" shtick has worn thin.  Max should show his considerable talents in a different light.