Playboy's annual video calendars succeed or fail based on the women featured and to a similar extent their scene choices. Which typically means a very much up and down affair. '2009' was notable for me because it was the last year they put out these titles and it had three ladies back to back that I thought were pretty damn good. However '2002' blows that out of the water as you can't ask for a better start than the first five months hitting the spot.
"January" is Nichole Van Croft - Oct 2000 - a busty blonde stunner. She drives a muscle car, appears clothed or naked in front of a huge American flag, laying on a blanket and again the American flag and even a red, white & blue bikini for quite a patriotic start. Her follow-up getting out of a black bra & panties on a couch listening to music, drinking wine isn't bad - plenty of closeups - but her opening high energy number was fantastic (6 mins). "February" is Neferteri Shepherd - Jul 2000 - a black beauty I first became familiar with because of Wet & Wild's 'Slippery When Wet' sequel. She starts out complete nude in the desert that features a moment of her bouncing, wet/oiled up and plenty of nice shots of her body as a Sting-like background track plays out. Her second scene moves to a bedroom where she alternates stripping out of clothes (with no panties) or out of a bra & underwear providing even more nice shots of her body (trimmed bush) and a relaxing music track as well (7.5 mins).
"March" is Shannon Stewart - Jun 2000 - a lady I've always been fond of since her appearance in the same title with Neferteri. Her opening bit as a nurse on a white background stage delivers many nice shots particularly when she's bent over in white stockings or laying down. She's got an attractive face, enhanced bust, all around nice petite body. Her second scene is in olden times dressed up with dark eye liner on before a young man arrives and she strips, poses on the bed for him and then you find out she was a vampire the morning after (7.5 mins). "April" is Miriam Gonzalez - Mar 2001 - one seriously good looking naturally busty brunette. She first gets naked in a back yard with leaves and on a couch looking fantastic from head to toe. Her second scene is really similar to her appearance in another Playboy video 'Hot Lips, Hot Legs' as she slowly eats pastries, fruit in closeups of her mouth and the juices sometimes shown dripping down her boobs, body. It's some really pleasing sights especially when we get tracking shots as Miriam is done up glamorous only shame it isn't longer (4.5 mins).
"May" is busty blonde Buffy Tyler - Nov 2000 - who definitely has a tight body. She tries on some cowboy boots after shopping then gets naked on a swing as closeups are given out but shame it's not longer. Her second is a romantic boy/girl that involved whip cream & a playful attitude. Buffy looks great, comfortable during it which helps out in addition to some nice full pans over her body (7 mins). "June" is Cara Michelle - Dec 2000 - who's either nude or in a purple thong bikini standing, on a couch or up against a huge ruler to highlight she's tall (6'2). This is followed by her taking off a long sleeve shirt, socks and posing standing or in bed (5.5 mins).
"July" is Crista Nicole - May 2001 - and a heap of goodness at the beach in & out of different bikinis. She has a great figure - boobs, butt, etc - and sun, sand, water is always a winning combo in my humble opinion when put together with a beautiful woman. She appears to be oiled up in select shots which is a bonus too. Her second segment takes on a medieval feel as she has her hair curled up and in a colorful red dress infatuated with a mythical sword before retiring to a bed and getting naked offering many pleasing sights (6.5 mins). "August" is Kerissa Fare - Sept 2000 - who first takes to a swing indoors both clothed and naked and then is shown on a bed. Now it's a fancy get together at a mansion as a bunch of gentlemen play pool and she catches the eye of one. The rest exit as she takes him on 1 on 1 which of course ends up with her naked and them making out, having sex including on top of the pool table (7 mins).
"September" is Summer Altice - Aug 2000 - first outdoors nude or clothed and a few words in voiceover from Summer. It felt a little too artsy with not a ton of nudity going for more style. Now it's a strip / showoff for her boyfriend as she records herself trying on different clothes and getting out of them. Again the nudity doesn't come in prolonged doses until near the end. You get some naughty closeups so it's not a total write-off, but I think they could have shown her off better (8 mins). "October" is Irina Voronina - Jan 2001 - in a voiceover she talks about being from Russia and they play that up a little bit. She's shown clothed, naked in various states on a white stage as a Soviet Union flag makes an appearance and she has a shot of Vodka. Now it's a sensual strip from a dress as her man is either blindfolded or tied to a chair (7 mins).
"November" is Lauren Hill - Feb 2001 - this opening would be right at home in a Cheerleader themed video as she is shown in the uniform, pom-poms included and does a bunch of high flying jumps / poses. Now it's a solo strip in the bedroom that gives some fleeting decent shots of her, but it never gets red hot (7 mins). "December" is PMotY 2001 Brande Roderick and the video goes out a patriotic note much like it started. As a U2-Bono sounding track plays, Brande is joined by a bunch of friends at the beach and even plants the flag in the sand much like Iwo Jima during WWII. The issue is it doesn't spend enough time on just showing her sans clothes. Another medieval themed segment thankfully picks up the pace by showcasing her on a bed reading a book of 18th century literature and getting turned on. It takes a little while to get going and the story element stays with the scene throughout, but Brande is shown much better with a dose of atmosphere (9.5 mins).
'Playmate Calendar 2002' doesn't have any awful moments, no big wastes of time. Five of the months are average - YMMV - but that still means seven are above average and that's pretty good. If you're a fan of these particular Playmates - Nicole Van Croft, Neferteri Shepherd, Shannon Stewart or Miriam Gonzalez - they get shown off extremely well in my opinion. This was my favorite video calendar from Playboy so far.
