The strangest anomaly of all is when a crude unpolished production like Bus Stop Tales proves to be one of the mosts erotic tapes to come along in many months. It's a video verite that appeals to the lowest, chauvinistic sexual impulse in the male mind —the pickup encounter.

Edward Powers actually rides around Los Angeles combing bus stops for women he can take back home to his makeshift studio, where he convinces them to peel their clothes, and eventually have on-camera sex with him. This is the real thing, folks. I don't know what is more astonishing: the fact that women trust him enough to get in his car in the first place, or are attracted to him enough to let him screw them (repeatedly!).

The material is raunchy, spontaneous, and very exciting. I am all at once apalled by the lack of fundamental video expertise on Powers' part (the lighting and camerawork is atrocious), yet intensely fascinated by an encounter with a real pickup. Lisa, the shapely Korean woman whom Powers cons, is a dizzy, horny little piece who warms up to the idea of being center stage very quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if she asked for money when it was all over, but I doubt if she's a pro.

Powers as director leaves much to be desired. He leaves in far too much small talk between the sex, and usually the camera is too far away to effectively cover the goings-on, but with only himself for the crew, what else could be expected? It's a mystery how he maintains an erection while operating the camera but that's show biz.

Recommended for people and stores who want something very different.