Wild Cactus

Wow, the unrated version of this sexually rare thriller was odd but amazing. Wild Cactus stars David Naughton and India Allen playing a young couple stranded out in the desert when they cross paths with a vicious ex con (Gary Hudson) and his girlfriend (Kathy Shower) who have on their minds some odd sexual games. Paul Gleason was good as Sheriff Brenner, his usual mean tough performance was perfect, even though he isn't involved in any of the sex scenes which to my knowledge has some of the most hot steamy scenes I've seen since Two Moon Junction or Wild Orchid. Recommended for the fans of the adult/softcore genre.

Okay, "Wild Cactus" is supposed to be some kind of escaped convict hostage drama. At least that's the film-makers' story.

And that's why we watch it, right guys?

Yeah...as long as it has a lot of female nudity, kinky situations and creative use of maple syrup.

Allen (once and future Playmate) shows her acting talents as Naughton's wife and what a wife; she'll go to any lengths to help spice up their dormant marriage (any kind of relationship with Allen would have to be anything BESIDES dormant, wouldn't it? Oh well....).

Anyway, Hudson (yeah, one of the Hudson Brothers) has just been released from prison and is looking for a little excitement. After hooking up with a nicely unbalanced Moffett and killing two ex-girlfriends, he looks for new avenues to travel and finds them when Naughton and Allen happen into view.

I can't believe that I actually bothered to describe what passes as a plot here. Guys, listen - women get naked, there's simulated sex, low-budget intensity, a blonde putting on a strip show (YOWZA!) for Hudson and the obligatory traveling salesman who comes to the wrong door at the wrong time. All the while Gleason (from a lot of John Hughes movies) slums as a local sheriff trying to solve the murders.

Anyone looking for real plot and motivation, look elsewhere. This was made by Jag Mundhra, who is not exactly a character-motivated director. But at least he knows what sells: lots of rampant well-proportioned female nudity.

Now THAT'S entertainment.

Six stars. Actually, I think that the title, "Wild Cactus", is explained somewhere along here but for some reason, I was distracted.

A pure trial of a movie with D-grade actors that act like they have no business being near a movie camera. A young married couple (David Naughton and India Allen) come into contact with a crazed ex-convict (Gary Hudson) and his bi-sexual girlfriend (Kathy Shower) in a desolate desert in the deep southwest. Naturally Naughton is disposed of, or so Hudson thinks, and he has deviant plans for Allen. Of course Naughton is not dead and decides to try and save the day. Paul Gleason is boring and unwanted as usual as a local sheriff who is better at catching chicken thieves than stopping hard-core criminals. India Allen had a little bit of fame in soft-core adult films and then hit the national spotlight for a short time in the mid-1990s due to her mysterious relationship with O.J. Simpson and his late wife. Her life is more interesting than her films and "Wild Cactus" is no exception to the rule. Turkey (0 stars out of 5).

Philip and Alex Marcus are struggling in their marriage. Philip gets a research grant to spend 6 weeks in Black Rock Springs, Arizona to study desert plants. Randall Murphy gets out of jail for assault and is tracking down his ex Celeste, who put him in prison, to Arizona. He's a cold-blooded killer and picks up wild hitchhiker Maggie on the way. They rob a local gas station. Randall rescues Philip at a dive bar and he gives Randall his address. After Celeste, Randall and Maggie show up at the Marcus place.

This is not horrible as far as these 90's erotic thrillers go. The acting is second rate although Gary Hudson is a solid villain. India Allen's best assets have nothing to do with acting. There is the prerequisite nudity. There are plenty worst movies out there but I wouldn't call this good.

This was plain trash, sex, drugs, bad acting, but hey, at least that's watchable trash!