Cecil Howard's Firestorm is too good a movie to be called simply "porn." Like last year's Scoundrels(winner of the 1983 AVNA Award for Best Picture), this perfect blend of sex and story features fully developed characters that you will really care for.

I must admit a certain fondness for Cecil Howard's films, so perhaps my opinion is a bit tainted. Neon Nights, Scoundrels, and Babylon Pink (co-directed with Henri Pachard) rank in my personal Top-20 of all time. But this film seems to be the most satisfying kind of adult movie —enough story to keep you glued to the screen (another wonderful script from Anne Randall) and laced with some of the most erotic sex scenes ever filmed.

Kenny, played by Eric Edwards, a writer of dime-store novels and purveyor of dime-store sex, moves into the mansion of a loaded, notorious wife of an oil baron (Kay Parker) in order to write her biography for big cash. She also wants his body, but he becomes captivated by her beautiful, blind daughter (Joanna Storm) while rekindling his wild sexual relationship with Victoria (Tina Marie), who now works in a strip joint.

What ensues is a strange and captivating triangle that obsesses the viewer in much the same way Edwards becomes obsessed with Storm. And as in most Howard efforts, all of the characters pay dearly for the actions they take.

Eric Edwards and Joanna Storm, both firmly established in the adult film mainstream, give the performances of their respective careers in Firestorm. One of their steamy sex scenes takes my award for most realistic encounter of the year. Kay Parker is her usual wonderful self as the overbearing Magda, while John Leslie  turns in a short, well-executed turn as the oil magnate who goes insane. Also, look for pretty newcomer Rikki Harte in a short, but welcome stint.

In addition, I must make mention of victoria Jackson (Tina Marie) who really should choose one name, but who sparkles in what was her first screen role as Edwards' sleazy girlfriend. She's great —both in the sack and out (she has recently retired).

Production-wise, everything in Firestorm is top-notch, from the moody lighting to J. Black's creative edits to some decent original music. This film should be seen by anyone who takes their porn seriously.