Let me start this review off by stating that I also just published a review on Tristan Taormino's The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women, a book that I now consider one of the leading resource guides on the subject. I was impressed by Tristan's obvious research and knowledge of anal play and intercourse, so when I saw this instructional video and realized this was another one of her projects, I decided it would be a good idea to review both of them at the same time and see how they compared.

However, I will admit to being a little disappointed with this video guide, especially after having been so pleased with the book. Granted, I understand that they may have been working with a very strict budget where this feature is concerned, but the delivery was still a bit more amateurish then I was expecting. It's obvious that everything is rehearsed and parroted back. Even the so-called candid interviews with the adult film stars featured in this feature seem scripted.

The information offered in the film, although a good beginning to someone's introduction to anal play, did not get as in depth as it could have. Every time Tristan would touch upon an important fact, I would wait to see if she would further expand upon it, only to be disappointed nearly every time. I was also not happy that some of the most critical information, such as practicing safe anal play was not included in the actual film, but rather in the extras.

Which makes me wonder how many people watched the feature, but didn't bother to watch the extras, and therefore missed out on arguably the most important facts about anal sex. I understand that the adult film stars featured in this film were going to be filmed performing the different aspects of anal play without the use of dental dams, gloves, or condoms, but still… I think more emphasis should have been put on the importance of protection against STDs and infections then there were. And I know Tristan takes this seriously, as its importance is repeated time and time again in her book.

Although the first thirty minutes of the film had the bare bones of a decent introduction, the rest of the film was mostly watching the two heterosexual couples featured act out the various types and positions of anal play and intercourse. I will admit though, to not really being the least bit turned on by the sight despite the explicit nature of the scenes. The first couple didn't really seem to have that much chemistry, and they were rather disconnected from one another.

The second couple seemed to be a little bit more into it, and they did provide a better understanding of certain positions, but when an instructional video on anal sex has a lengthy segment of just the girl giving the guy a blow-job, I admit to being a little perplexed, especially when the feature is only 1 hour and 20 minutes in length to begin with. In my opinion, that is valuable time wasted that would have been better served actually on the topic at hand.

I did feel at one point while watching this feature that what was supposed to be a visual and instructional guide on anal sex crossed the line into just straight up porn that wasn't even shot very well. I didn't have a problem so much with the graphic “bird's eye” nature of the scenes, as I was fully expecting and even hoping for that when getting this DVD. As great as the book was, all it offers is some black and white illustrations and I did feel that a DVD would be something that would serve as a great companion to the book for those who would appreciate a more “visual” introduction.

But my problem with this feature's delivery is that there were plenty of opportunities during the vivid sex scenes for some voiceovers by Tristan Taormino offering more info. Far more then she actually did. She could have easily offered a lot more suggestions and facts and still wouldn't have crossed the line of “information overload”. And even when she would mention something, she wouldn't explain the reasoning behind it or expand upon it and that became increasingly frustrating as the feature went on and the missed opportunities continued to rack up.

So, if I didn't care that much for the Expert Guide to Anal Sex, then why didn't I give it a lower rating? Well, the reason for this came to my attention later while discussing this film with a male friend of mine. Even though the book is far better than this video, and will always be my first recommendation to anyone looking for a resource guide on anal sex, this video still serves a purpose. There are men out there that would never take the time to read the book, even if their significant other actually asked them to. Whereas they would sit through something like this and maybe, just maybe, that was Tristan's point all along with this feature.

Now, personally, my response to someone who would refuse to read the book for whatever reason – even though they wanted to start practicing anal sex yet had no experience or know-how on the subject – would be … rather colorful. But that's just me. But if another woman in that situation had this video to offer in place of the book, I seriously doubt any man interested in anal sex would turn down the opportunity to watch this film, especially given its explicit nature. And if that's all he did, then it would still be enough of an introduction that he would come away from the feature with more “know-how” then he would have started out with, which, in the end, can only benefit his partner. That alone earned this feature an extra couple of stars. Because, in the end, that's what these types of instructional movies are for. Instruction. Knowledge. So if someone comes away from watching this DVD more educated then when they started it, then it has at least served some purpose.

I also think that despite its short-comings, it does serve as a good companion to the book The Ultimate Guide to Anal Sex for Women. Just NOT as a replacement.

If you are on the fence, and don't know which to get but only want to get one, then by all means go with the book. But if you are willing to splurge for both, then go ahead and get both as it will provide you with the visual of what is described in the book. Just remember that I highly suggest reading the book first before watching the film, so that way you will already have a broader understanding of anal play than the video contains.