'2005' had moments I looked forward to seeing but also an element of unknown. From their start in 1987 to the end of the road for these big yearly Playboy titles in 2009 had seen some real highs and real lows. It might seem silly rating beautiful young women getting naked in videos from a critical standpoint, but they weren't all made equally. This one has no mile-high moments, but remains mildly pleasant.
"January" is Stephanie Glasson - Jul 2004 - who leads off running along the beach as her enhanced bust bounces in a bikini making for a nice visual. Then it's a mix of her stripping or laying in a hammock showing off her tanned body. Follow-up naked in a mansion or an alleyway can't match the sun 'n surf start (5 mins). "February" is Sandra Hubby - Mar 2004 - shown as leaves fall or inside in states of undress. A staple of these videos - memories of a past relationship - supplies a strip now, but both parts don't give as many looks as her as you may want (6.5 mins). "March" is Divini Rae - Nov 2003 - and has this American blonde now living in Australia play up the outdoors as she quickly gets down to being shown off sans clothes. A few good closeups highlight this part along with a pleasant vibe. Good news is her in a sauna next as words are bounced off her body has more tasty closeups (5 mins).
"April" is Krista Kelly - Apr 2004 - and plays up the Canadian roots for this pretty brunette. The set-up is basic and largely fueled by a country flag, but you get a lot of the right shots of her too. Naked in a high-end house has a fancy look to it, but more extended looks at Krista would have made it better (6 mins). "May" is Luci Victoria - Sept 2003 - with her English roots via an accent as she strips in a field near a lake. Shots in a white bra, panties and stockings are nice before those come off and she's in all her nude glory. Playboy always loved it's blondes and when they look like Lucy you don't question why. Trying on clothes for a date gets her naked and climbing into a bed per usual and isn't bad, but doesn't compare to those outdoor sights. "June" is Colleen Marie - Aug 2003 - nude on a basic set playing up the color red. Most noteworthy thing to mention is she's pierced down below and you don't hear from her until the second part. A standard strip in bed next where oddly her kitty is no longer pierced, but the visuals are a slight step-up as she poses or rolls around (6.5 mins).
"July" is Tailor James - Jun 2003 - another Canadian beauty and it's the first time I remember two being featured in one Calendar. In front of a house or on a rooftop has nice views particularly when it goes for those lovely full body pans head to toe. Getting naked in a phonebooth next is a hot concept, but the result is merely average (5.5 mins). "August" is Hiromi Oshima - Jun 2004 - the first Japanese Playmate and I gotta give this edition credit. They went outside the US more than usual. First she's shown off in and out of a top, skirt then down to an orange bra before nothing at all. She's got a great body and a winning smile. Setup on a set is again basic, but that didn't take away from her. They play up her Asian heritage naturally for the second piece via flowers, tranquil music, but she's naked throughout and you can't ask for much more (5 mins). "September" is Audra Lynn - Oct 2003 - playing up her farmer's daughter roots in a barrage of outdoor footage either in a summer dress, nude or horseback riding. Cowboy hat, boots and even jean shorts make an appearance. On a set now she's quickly naked and getting wet, but it ain't as fine as her first outing (5 mins).
"October" is Pilar Lastra - Aug 2004 - as it jumps between her in the street and in a warehouse both clothed and naked in too brief shots. A beachfront condo strip the morning after a date fuels the visuals now. It's another one of those decent fantasy concepts that in harder stuff would lead to round two or a flashback if not the lady herself having an energetic self-pleasing session. As-is you settle for sparse nude shots until things kicks up a notch when she has an outdoor shower (5.5 mins). "November" is Nicole Whitehead - May 2004 - a cutie with an all natural body that is shown off naked on a set first. Then it's a pilot themed strip at a desk out of a black bra, panties. Kind of scene that isn't bad, but likely won't raise your temperature (7 mins). "December" is Carmella DeCesare - PMotY 2004 - which if you didn't already know she tells you right off the bat. A strip outdoors as guys snoop on her is standard and while she has a nice body the scene didn't really move the needle for me. Even though it featured her taking an impromptu bath and the wet 'n soapy look is usually a winner. Sharing a cab with a man harkens to her solo stripping out of black lingerie at a mansion. It's well shot, she continues looking good, but again it wasn't my fav. Quickly back to the cab where hiking up her skirt signals getting turned on and more solo stripping, lite boy/girl. She gets the honor of getting oiled up and a visual of the guy necking on her, feeling her boobs and buns is a winner (13.5 mins).
'2005' really highlighted how my knowledge of Playmates dipped after the early 2000s and a lack of big names, big surprises means it's not an absolute scorcher. Still if you're like me you'll find moments to soak up and enjoy featuring a nice mix of foreign ladies & a bevy of American blondes. Nowhere near the top yet also not one of their worst.
