The latest entry in Femme 's Star Director Series, Rites Of Passion, is yet another classy production suitable for singles or couples viewing. The production, filming, music, lighting and editing are all first rate, and the acting is better than those involved seem to truly understand both sensuality and eroticism rather than simply how to film a good sex scene.

In the first story, "Shady Madonna," Scott Baker portrays Mr. Morality, a TV Evangelist waiting to preach his word at a TV studio. Nina Hartley and Robert Bullock are employees of the studio who are stalling for time as technical problems are corrected. Frankly, this story has been done before and probably better. The extent of the seduction here is nothing more than

"You ever watch yourself make love?" You want to?" Written and directed by Veronica Vera, it's pretty much standard stuff but still somewhat entertaining.

The second feature, 'The Search For The Ultimate Sexual Experience", is based upon "A true story from the life of Annie Sprinkle", and unlike just about anything else in adult video. You've heard of new age music, new age spiritual crazes, and assorted other new trends? Well, how about new age porn? That's what this seems to be. It's the story about how Annie (as played by Jeanna Fine) finds complete sexual fulfillment. Opening with a sexual encounter involving a refugee from the movie "Road Warrior" (Roger T. Dodger) and an army-sized box of adult toys, she realizes she "just wasn't feeling anything." Then, appearing magically before her, stands (on his head) Jamel, her "spirit guide, sorta like a guardian angel." He teaches her to become more in touch with herself through health foods, exercising, breathing techniques, crystals, singing and dancing. When she is ready, they join together floating over the waves, trees, flowers, stars and the like which is superimposed with the lovers. The scene is very well made, and director Annie Sprinkle certainly knows how to tell an enjoyable story. This segment is perhaps the best from this outstanding series to date, and therefore highly recommended to the adult video connoisseur.