I Like To Watch/Sorority Sweethearts — I Like To Watch/Sorority Sweetheart(Blu Ray & DVD)
Both films here I Like To Watch and Sorority Sweethearts were filmed back to back in 1982- though in his filmography the latter appeared in 1983, with the first & lead film appearing in 1984. Between 1981 and 1987 Mr. Vatelli directed 35 films and produced 29. Sadly he passed away at the young age of 33 in 1986 from complications related to AIDS. Both films here certainly show he had a talent for making well-paced adult films, that featured skilfully choreographer & filmed fleshy encounters, good enough acting, groovy soundtracks, and a well-balanced mix of storyline, different settings, and of course sex.
First up we have I Like To Watch- this tells of shy & inexperienced Laura (Bridgette Monet) who lives in a city mansion with her business-like & no-nonsense fashion designer aunt. The film begins with Laura watching her aunt getting it on with her lover from the shadows of the doorway, and from here on we get around half-an-dozen encounters where Laura or some else is watching. Also thrown into the mix is her boyfriend Mike- they’ve been going steady for three months, and no action as he playing the gent. Older lush and her well-proportioned boyfriend, a German maid, and a few others. Each encounter is well filmed, with a great grooving-to-moody soundtrack that slips between mellow sax touched instrumental 80’s pop, synth-funk, and more atmospheric fare. The blend of story and sex is done well, and the whole thing moves along at a good enough pace. Memorable scenes taking in a women-on-women session between Lauren & the older lush, which is been watched by her cigar sucking & whiskey-drinking boyfriend- with a great switch between mellow & tuneful pop jazziness for the ladies, with more moody throbbing synth craft for the watcher. There also a nicely mock spooky walk around the mansion to gothic piano & moody synths, as two models lay in wait to bounce on their mustache & creeped out male prey
Second up we of course Sorority Sweethearts- and once again Ms. Bridgette Monet is back in the lead role, this time she plays Cindy- a bookish, shy, and romantic novel obsessed student who dreams of been swept away by a knight in shining armour. She lives in a Sorority house, where pretty much all the film takes place, with a selection of characters like constantly bonking Sugar & Sorority mother who lost her air force husband ten years back & is in an unsatisfying relationship with a marred man. As well as Monet there’s a lot of returning cast from the first film- so we get some familiar faces & bodies. This film is a little less story-based, and towards the end, it forgets about any storyline for flesh bound encounters. Once again the action is filmed well & professionally, and if you’re after more sex forward 80’s hardcore film you won’t be disappointed- as we get male-on-female, female-on-female & solo action. The soundtrack is good and worth a mention again- we kick off with a great slice of early 80’s disco female sung theme tune, and then throughout the film, we get a good blend of instrumental funk & 80’s easy listening fare. I found this the lesser of the two films- due to lack of decent story & change of location- but once again you get some rewarding editing/ filming- like for example the film pretty much opens cutting between male & female encounter scored by pumping synth-funk, and a solo female bath action with gliding harmonic ambient.
Moving onto this new duel disc set- and the print looks the best on I Like To Watch, where the colours are nice and bright/buoyant, and it looks largely unmarked. Sorority Sweethearts features a little damage & grainy play, but once again the colour looks good & bold. The only extra here is a trailer for I Like To Watch.
So in finishing- good on VS for uncovering & reissuing these two slices of 1980’s hardcore- as Vatelli was certainly a skilful & talented adult director, and it’s great to see these two films available for reassessment by sleaze fans.