tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39824127730409077022024-03-18T12:05:45.602-04:00Movie Reviews - Gay ThemedStarted in 2007 to keep a track of gay films that I watched, this blog has come much further than I had planned. There are tons of movies that I need to watch and review here. Through this blog, I want to give you genuine, my personal heart-felt review of the films that I see. These are my personal thoughts and opinions about the films and I would love to hear your thoughts on these films as well.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2613125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-7802237349675142962024-03-18T12:04:00.002-04:002024-03-18T12:04:48.042-04:00Kiseki: Dear to Me (Taiwanese Sereis)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXSpjbTHYW5f2_07EHBaMvVEbijGigSXuZfDf8Y3nkWsvhCqmz19tEBU8kIlFSFW-MY4I63MBwwJQvVt2mo3KFqHQtz2HMMf_6qam_6IMStcxR7FBt1VnKhVcnaVk85CcaHZBGYjptwHyvzsqnrAPT5xMDeBfWuPa2CvQX-sZC0v8ATQj0Na8p78TPcU/s1365/RBePrr_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLXSpjbTHYW5f2_07EHBaMvVEbijGigSXuZfDf8Y3nkWsvhCqmz19tEBU8kIlFSFW-MY4I63MBwwJQvVt2mo3KFqHQtz2HMMf_6qam_6IMStcxR7FBt1VnKhVcnaVk85CcaHZBGYjptwHyvzsqnrAPT5xMDeBfWuPa2CvQX-sZC0v8ATQj0Na8p78TPcU/s320/RBePrr_4f.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>This series started off really well, especially given the sizzling chemistry that the leads have and the situations that lead to their first meeting and eventual spending time together. Things go on fine till episode 8, but oh man!! what a nosedive after that. The show completes different route from there on and it feels like I was watching another show altogether. The focus suddenly shifted on many other things and it felt that the main couple was sidelined only to be brought back in the last episode. I am not sure what happened there. Anyway, with 13 episodes of about 24 minutes each, at least it goes by fast.</div><div><br /></div><div>Bai Zong Yi, a 17 year old exemplary student has dreams of becoming a doctor and he works hard for it. One day he finds an injured stranger Rui, who literally forces himself on Bai to help him out and nurse him by getting bai's fingerprints in the knife. Bai's medical knowledge helps Rui's recovery and somehow he starts falling for Bai (or maybe just flirting, we don't know). Bai and Rui grew close after living together for a while. Despite Bai's grumpiness, he treats his tenant with kindness. Rui also brings a lot of cheekiness and playfulness to the relationship. Over time, their interactions become increasingly affectionate. A heartfelt connection genuinely forms. Now Rui actually comes with a gangster background. We see that he had got injured because of an internal fight and now he needs to go underground to find who is smuggling drugs into the school. In a random twist, he shows up in Bai's school as a teacher to find this out. Bai has no idea what Rui really does in life. But one day they both are walking and are attacked. This is when Bai finds out the truth about Rui. Rui's boss (or father or grandfather, I was so confused) gives Bai an option to walk away from Rui's life, take blame for one the murder or something random like that and in return they will support the heart surgery and full recovery of Bai's father. He agrees. Few years later, suddenly we are told Rui has lost memory (or is at least pretending), Bai has shorter memory loss. Bai has given up on medicine and has now opened a bakery shop making only strawberry cakes that Rui loved. Eventually dramatically everything falls in place and Bai and Rui are back together. In between all this, there is parallel story of a young gang member of Rui's gang who gets almost 40% of th show's time footage and this weird thing of way too many male couples.</div><div><br /></div><div>The whole gang aspect and what's really going was so damn confusing. I tried my best to understand but eventually gave up. Also there are lot of easy routes that this show takes and gives us situations which are likely not possible. Showing up in school a a teacher and a student, sudden gang fights, clumsy time transitions, bizarre love stories; the list continues. The narrative doesn't flow smoothly, omitting crucial details or failing to offer clear explanations. And as I mentioned, the later episodes disintegrate into senseless chaos and bewildering melodrama and made me wonder if this was the same show which I was enjoying watching till an hour back. The gangster aspect goes into al kinds of different directions with various characters introduced at multiple times and somehow still not adding value at all. We see these gang leaders with their right-hand man, and somehow all of them have some sort of gay love story going on. It just did not make any sense. On a brighter side, the way chemistry between Rui and Bai works and grows in first 5-6 episodes is done well (minus the whole gang angle). They are both hunky looking with great physique which they display in numerous shirtless scenes. The camera loves highlighting their bulging biceps, broad shoulders, sculpted pecs, and washboard abs. The guy playing Rui is absolutely hot. This is true of the secondary couple as well although, even after the shows end I am not very sure why they behave so abusively towards each other. Also the sudden twist of one the school members being theban person leading to Rui's attempted murder.. WTF!!! The show keeps getting weirder.</div><div><br /></div><div>Like some of the Thai dramas , this BL series tries to merge crime genre into a BL love story but somehow muddles it all. If you focus on just the growth of love story between the leads in the first half, it is nice and heartwarming. However, I can't excuse the outrageously nonsensical plot, which hinders most of my enjoyment. In each episode, I'm baffled by the story's absurdity. So , by the time the show ends, you are left bewildered and disappointed overall. <b>(4.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-39971129287338927522024-03-17T11:29:00.001-04:002024-03-17T11:29:32.006-04:00Ossan's Love Returns (Japanese Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGp_Uw_lXRnQqVNP3YCbdZj-_rV1O7OmCUD702LRKEbfjWsoD2i7Rv0eeTN31d7LbX08mn4D_58pqyMcjpXF-2FhJVnbHFW-gnIosOyXT9bWVOfSwrOmgDPaHbOD8v5zGNLwTGFpPm5stEGyjC3Lh4SpnOpShaE1vC0bQZUvSxMka_69MfhyphenhyphenmoHN14Xw/s1199/0w061Y_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1199" data-original-width="848" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGp_Uw_lXRnQqVNP3YCbdZj-_rV1O7OmCUD702LRKEbfjWsoD2i7Rv0eeTN31d7LbX08mn4D_58pqyMcjpXF-2FhJVnbHFW-gnIosOyXT9bWVOfSwrOmgDPaHbOD8v5zGNLwTGFpPm5stEGyjC3Lh4SpnOpShaE1vC0bQZUvSxMka_69MfhyphenhyphenmoHN14Xw/s320/0w061Y_4f.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>And we are back in the world of Haruta and Maki. I was so excited when I saw the first episode came out. This was definitely a show that I have enjoyed watching multiple spin offs , not just within Japan but also the Thai version. Although I guess since they came in quick successions, somewhere the novelty had worn off. I am glad that this well deserved sequel came after a gap, where people like me had started to miss the characters. And man this show doesn't disappoint.. In fact, I will say that the show has grown with the characters and in many surpasses the original. This 9 episode show of 45 minutes each was so much fun to watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>Haurta and Maki have now been married for sometime and Maki is returning from his stint in Singapore. The couple will finally get to love together and experience each other's company. But with increased work pressure, how do they maintain. Enter the chief (remember him, the guy who was and still is madly in love with Haruta). Chief now runs a cleaning, cooking service , almost like a one man army. Maki is not sure to hire him but they eventually give it a try and of course it helps them immensely. Maki now works in head office while Haruta is still in his old one. He gets a new trainee under him who ends up living as his neighbor. There is something suspicious about him and we soon find out that this guy used to have a lover who looked exactly like Haruta, when he was in secret services. While all this is going on, we also see a couple of episodes of Haruta and Maki dealing with each other's parents and making them part pf their life and becoming part of their life. We have almost everyone from the original season reprising their role and in their own way becoming a part of life Maki and Haruta and completing it. We have the new station chief, who used to have a crush on Maki an dhow is he dealing with his single life. We have chief's ex wife who is now married to the younger guy and their life. We have the bartender / restaurant owner who still experiments with his cooking feeding his friends and more. Haruta and Maki bring tenderness in their fun ways. As husbands, they have dealt with and overcome so many problems, thanks to pure love and faith towards each other. Towards the end, there is another hilarious episode(s of chief getting health scare, how he makes everyone emotional and how it is all false. The show is just so unique in presenting us with such comical situations.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we have talked before, the humor style of the show is unique and different. For people like me who have seen something like this before, it is awesome. For others, it will take time. The over the top, showing your feelings through expressions and loud humour just somehow works for this show and Haruta and the chief are clearly the two main experts of this genre. Each episode is a true work of craftsmanship with its chaotic plot and, to top it all off, a satisfying ending. Every time I think that the entire cast, both technical and artistic, cannot surpass the last episode, they do it effortlessly in the next one, reaching greater heights. There are so many things happening here. We are focussed on Maki and Haruta and their love and so many people around them but somehow you also feel that proper attention is paid to almost every character. The importance of friends and relationship is something that is a lot more emphasized in this season. I love how many genres they mixed in together, without it ever seemingly like too much. They covered every possible theme they could, from loss, to acceptance, spanning every kind of relationship and bond, narrating stories of confusion, happiness, satisfaction, anger and so much more. Each episode is chock full of thought and tear provoking quotes and at the end of the nine episodes, you come out feeling like a part of the family. The characters are so much more lovable, the conflicts as silly or as serious they are get resolved fairly quickly, respecting that all the characters are adults who can, more or less, communicate and solve their issues.</div><div><br /></div><div>My one issue with the show is that between Maki and Haruta, their relationship feels more platonic and companion. There is no hint of sexual compatibility or closeness, which I have noticed in other Japanese shows too. Maybe this has to do with censor restrictions, but despite that I still appreciate how they grow as a couple. Watching Haruta and Maki figure out their lives together, what it means for them to be married, how to balance their personalities, talking to each other’s parents, where they set boundaries, what they want from a family together…it all felt very heartwarming and domestic. Even the chief's relationship with Haruta and Maki develops in a much healthier way, still being competitive to Maki, which is even addressed directly here. The last two episodes of the show were near perfect. How all the characters are brought together, respect each other for who and what they are the emphasis on this made-family over boron with family. I guess this is a goodbye to the series for good. But oh man, what a show. This is the perfect dose that can bring smile and contentment to one's face. Highly recommend. <b>(9/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-89879064389144507772024-03-16T09:03:00.001-04:002024-03-16T09:03:15.966-04:00Swallowed<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d0oIplF202yf-v5MT0qZblym97k11HakJdB-hHmYdaV7AKeI7KHwXeA_7SzvuXpQzK2lD_rNH4HvODjOWc_d4zsQat_yVG8eLAVpAwBjd-ks-hmog-llRTymJvjrGwj7ZQs9XAV9urfxFmBXY_uzz5xlXDqhSK5_G6GjZVKND3UV-Lx6wOy9JOVW2eU/s1170/Screenshot%202024-03-16%20at%209.02.42%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1170" data-original-width="834" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6d0oIplF202yf-v5MT0qZblym97k11HakJdB-hHmYdaV7AKeI7KHwXeA_7SzvuXpQzK2lD_rNH4HvODjOWc_d4zsQat_yVG8eLAVpAwBjd-ks-hmog-llRTymJvjrGwj7ZQs9XAV9urfxFmBXY_uzz5xlXDqhSK5_G6GjZVKND3UV-Lx6wOy9JOVW2eU/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-16%20at%209.02.42%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="228" /></a></div>Swallowed, a very low-budget sci-fi/body horror with an out-and-proud gay angle, although I would still not call it a film that belongs in the LGBTQ+ genre. The film starts well with potential but somehow just goes downward hill. On a bright note, the lead actor is gorgeous, but sadly that can only take one's interest so far.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is Ben's last night in town. He is moving to LA to become a gay porn star. On his last night, he parties with his closest friend, Dom, a straight guy who loves Ben in a profoundly platonic way. But Dom is also bit of a mess. He wants to send off Ben with some cash, so due to poor judgement from Dom, they both find themselves involved in smuggling of some dodgy looking parcels (that they are made to swallow) across the border. Turns out that the little slug-like thingies the boys swallow are not conventional drugs but living bugs that have aphrodisiac properties if harvested correctly, but which cause grave harm if they hatch while inside the couriers’ bodies. They find this out the hard way when they have an altercation with a gay bashing redneck who just hits Dom in stomach making one of the packets burst in his stomach. The du call for help to their supplier who forced them to do this and she takes them to her boss Rich's house, an older creepy man who will help but maybe after Ben gives him a taste of him. But the night turns out a fight for survival. Dom is in agony in pain with a hard dick and is being almost posted by Ben on force to get remaining packets out. Creepy Rich has eyes on Ben and when Alice tries to help them, they get shot. Now it's upto the simple yet hot Ben to save the night and get his friend out.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I mentioned before, IMO the film doesn't strictly fall in the gay genre, but the makers very smartly add queer fantasies at every step. While Dom is straight, he also deeply loves Ben, who is secretly smitten with him. Both men get naked, but not in a sexual way. Not in a sexual way, but Ben can't help when Dom has a raging erection because of the worms, or even later when he has to pull things out of Dom's ass. The mandatory creepy older guy leering over Ben's hot body completes that cycle. The film is less horror , more thriller but this is genre that personally I am not a fan of. Ben and Dom have an amazing chemistry as friends and you a feel the sexual tension, but you also see how Ben needs to think quickly to save them out of this tricky situation. Sadly, the plot has plenty loose ends and how I wish the makers maybe reworked the script a few times. Characters continually do things that don't quite make sense, while the setting itself raises questions that go unanswered. Those expecting a more straightforward horror movie with gnarly body horror will likely come away disappointed. The film eventually becomes one of those campy gory thrillers, who have 'wannabe' written all over them. <b>(3.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-46115231907682705152024-03-15T12:08:00.001-04:002024-03-15T12:08:00.120-04:00Abu: Father (Documentary)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD_-UvQKKSd5g9A-_yzrOg5auLGwEy8KRrCZvarmzdaZ2kB7jsdUQBC3p2vR_b9tetrlory7A5_zswyeps7jLMkKsPaHUZ31NW0VR39lwCeDMxyQv1C5D3Ho8rTSxbQOHgBPT9mVuEl7jimo0nmHdydNwBrpcLyqaxAu8_HLRLnD4-LPsNZhBMA0vhqA/s1204/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20at%208.09.11%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="812" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiD_-UvQKKSd5g9A-_yzrOg5auLGwEy8KRrCZvarmzdaZ2kB7jsdUQBC3p2vR_b9tetrlory7A5_zswyeps7jLMkKsPaHUZ31NW0VR39lwCeDMxyQv1C5D3Ho8rTSxbQOHgBPT9mVuEl7jimo0nmHdydNwBrpcLyqaxAu8_HLRLnD4-LPsNZhBMA0vhqA/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-14%20at%208.09.11%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="216" /></a></div>Abu (father) is an autobiographical film about a gay son’s relationship with his devout Muslim father. Arshad Khan, the filmmaker and subject, examines how his father ABU went from an open-minded man to a devout Muslim and breaks down the reasons for such a radical change in personality. Issues of psychological, sexual and physical abuse, and the pangs of rebirth through migration and through coming out, are laid bare using over 30 years of archival family footage that give a glimpse into an extraordinarily well documented family.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story of the Khans begins around the time of Partition. Arshad Khan’s father, orphaned, comes to the newly formed Pakistan with his siblings. Under the care of relatives, he gets educated, enrolls in the Pakistan Army, gets married and has a brood of children. He is among the few in his social circle to own a video camera, and he records picnics, home parties and festival celebrations. And many of the footage from these home videos is used. We are told how Arshad was sexually abused as a child, leading to anger and self-loathing. As Arshad grows older, he begins to understand that he is gay. He finds love as a teenage which lasts too short. Meanwhile, his father resigns from the Army and launches a string of businesses, some of which work and some of which don’t. The family emigrates to Canada in 1991, but their problems only seem to be beginning. Arshad Khan’s father struggles to make a living, while Arshad Khan battles homophobia and racism, conceals his sexuality from his parents and branches out in the opposite direction in terms of his career. But this cant be kept hidden. Slowly he comes out to his siblings and friends and eventually his parents also find out. But by this time, both his father and mother have gone to the deep end of religion. The story ends with Arshad finding a loving partner and with the death of his father having filled his wish of religious pilgrimage and taking his last breath in his home country of Pakistan.</div><div><br /></div><div>This documentary is like a meditation on his troubled relationship with his father, given Khan’s identity as a politically active gay Muslim and his father’s turn to an increasingly conservative relationship with Islam. Through the usage of many home videos, interviews with his mother and sister, many hindi film songs and though Arshad's own narration we are deeply involved in this family. It was interesting that the film maker doesn't hesitate to show how his mother still to date doesn't approve of his sexuality. There are times when the home videos – usually of birthday parties – feel a bit repetitive, and Khan’s narration is a tad too deliberate. But these are quibbles in an otherwise well-made documentary that manages to charm you. It does get dark at various places but tries to humour you at places. The film’s straightforward confessional style won’t be everybody’s cup of tea. In 80-minutes, Abu compresses the arc of a man’s entire life’s story — the love, conflict, and final absolution — and lays it bare for the world to see. The story’s details may be specific to the Khan family but Abu’s themes will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to fit in — and hopefully, even those who haven’t. <b>(6.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-67952273762624362032024-03-14T13:20:00.002-04:002024-03-14T13:20:00.136-04:00The Revival<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8FgTvTl2lb_BUFhvVt5nBQCa9avC_L3fveTyzpvgK7e8NNvyF8rEV5XRuBP_553s4Xse5ZzzS782YI5MTLb7lJ7Z-BLJrU7yUrMJa6G_RbY1OxM8l8N49tXhufgu_HLtUQoSRQNJVuU11wbu21aQBTWVqwhzjC-s0GyIZOmJDsNtiveMrI_Cim1-KcM/s1180/Screenshot%202024-03-13%20at%205.21.12%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG8FgTvTl2lb_BUFhvVt5nBQCa9avC_L3fveTyzpvgK7e8NNvyF8rEV5XRuBP_553s4Xse5ZzzS782YI5MTLb7lJ7Z-BLJrU7yUrMJa6G_RbY1OxM8l8N49tXhufgu_HLtUQoSRQNJVuU11wbu21aQBTWVqwhzjC-s0GyIZOmJDsNtiveMrI_Cim1-KcM/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-13%20at%205.21.12%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="220" /></a></div>We have seen a few films that looks at a person's inner turmoil when it comes to balancing religion with homosexuality. Some all these films have christianity as the religion. I cant remember many other films where a similar theme has been tackled. So in that sense this film is not breaking any ground. But in its own subtle way, it tries to tell a story at the excruciating inner tug-of-war between a preacher's homosexuality and his religious devotion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Eli, a young educated preacher has recently returned to his hometown with his pregnant wife to take over services at his late father’s struggling church, where he delivers cerebral sermons intended to “bring progressive thinking” to tradition-bound parishioners. Since he needs to compete with more modern churches, at the insistence of a pushy alcoholic man, Eli agrees to host a revival to help boost attendance and fill the coffers. One day in church, he meets a homeless drifter Daniel. He is dirty and looks homeless but you a still appreciate his chiseled face and body and can tell he is handsome. The flirting is very obvious between two and you can tell Eli falls hard and fast for him. He provides Daniel shelter in a secluded cabin out of town that he owns. After a couple of meetings, Eli cant hold back anymore and they finally start having a full ons sexual affair. Soon, it becomes hard to carry on and someone takes pic of them together and sends to his wife. He promises that he will give up on this affair. But Daniel will have none it and he shows up at church confessing he is gay. Father Eli pretends to 'heal' him which causes Revival's tickets to sell out. His wife urges the alcoholic man from congregation to beat up Daniel. When Eli finds Daniel unconscious, he burns the cabin down and the film ends with him giving the sermon at Revival.</div><div><br /></div><div>The film is unexpected, bold take on the hypocrisies of Southern Baptist Christianity and the dangers of sexual repression. It is even more relevant being set in a small southern town of US. But having said that, these kind of films used to be lot more desirable back in early 2000s. I feel as a society we have moved on. I could be wrong, but at least in terms of subject, we definitely have. And when you have an ending like this, it is essentially showing sexuality in a bad light IMO.The film is more interested in advancing arguments about the hypocrisy and oppressiveness of religious orthodoxy than in presenting plausibly fleshed-out people and situations. Daniel is a sign of temptation into whom the preacher gives in, but sadly we could have used more moments of them together. The climax feels rushed and we honestly never get to fully see the struggle preacher faces between sexuality and religion. As soon as the wife finds out, he is ready to give it all up; which didn't make much sense to me. As a character, it would have been nice to see more of the inner guilt and also not have the religion win over. I am definitely upset about the way the climax is handled. <b>(5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-56592115292634852532024-03-13T10:13:00.004-04:002024-03-13T10:13:00.240-04:00I Can't Reach You (Japanese Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuZIQI1JkhCVnIMtcdXK22O10UOdfAWxk2fbF6LTnk8m0pv9ODda3spB_G-LGsxlADeBKCu-832KJADjR76SQNMJ1MEoxAGis6gzT1HpAvuVAASMbY5GTcNzuyO2QSZPC52Owu73rsvjwLmlqWUM-anGmD2cvwykEa3fo2y33mAdca0Gg0UuyWYgy4yQ/s900/WP11gO_3f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="505" data-original-width="900" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPuZIQI1JkhCVnIMtcdXK22O10UOdfAWxk2fbF6LTnk8m0pv9ODda3spB_G-LGsxlADeBKCu-832KJADjR76SQNMJ1MEoxAGis6gzT1HpAvuVAASMbY5GTcNzuyO2QSZPC52Owu73rsvjwLmlqWUM-anGmD2cvwykEa3fo2y33mAdca0Gg0UuyWYgy4yQ/s320/WP11gO_3f.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Childhood friendship urning to love can be a fascinating story if done right. The names escape me, but I am sure I have seen many in the past that fall in this category. This show started off really well. Our protagonists and their friendship had some amazing chemistry. Clearly both care and love each other but neither can make up their mind or muster the courage to confess to the other which leads to indecisiveness and erratic mood swings. All the time spent in weird drama could have been instead channeled into romance which is barely there towards the last episode. The show is standard 8 episodes of 20 minutes each, so thankfully it is an easy watch.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story is extremely simple and straight forward. Yamato and Kakeru have been childhood friends and are in same class. Yamato is a brilliant student, is a good athlete, is gentle and soft and good looking, so naturally all the girls are after him. But besides Kakeru, he can barely manage to chat with anyone else in the class. Despite their connection, Kakeru has a drastically different personality. From terrible grades to athletic ineptitude, he doesn't share his friend's talents. Yamato often helps mentor his buddy in their school assignments. But Kakeru is extremely outgoing, has many friends. When one of the friends invite the two to a couple's mixer, fir the first time Yamato loses his inhibition, but that is also the time he feels jealous that Kakeru may end up liking some girl. Turns out Yamato has feelings for Kakeru for a while now but he is very hesitant to say anything because that will disrupt their friendship big time. When one girl likes Kakeru, Yamato almost confesses but backs out. Since this incident Kakeru starts wondering if his friend likes him romantically , but he cant ask because again this will jeopardize their friendship. This state of confusion fo both of them last for full 5 episodes when one day Yamato finally kisses Kakeru , who is shocked and doesn't know how to react. Anyway, with the support of Yamato's sister and a very cool and considerate group of friends who try to bring these friends to lovers together, the duo finally realize and accept that their feelings for one another goes beyond the boundaries of friendship.</div><div><br /></div><div>The two guys playing the lead roles here were just perfect. Guy playing Kakeru was too good. He brings a lot of giddiness, enthusiasm, and funny responses. There's a bright spark to this young actor's charisma. He reminded me of the character from Ossan's Love. There is something about Japanese drama's 'awkward' acting that makes the scenes authentic. They have definitely mastered this art. This is how we are in real life, and the way they talked to each other makes you really feel like you are watching the blossoming of love, the coming of age, raw and somewhat unscripted. Yamato on the other hand is definitely good looking but somehow lacks the charm and the 'it' factor. Anyway, the show starts with some amazing and cozy moments of their friendship. You root for them and it warms your heart to see them together. I enjoyed th scenes where they share lunch and the silence with each other. But the facet of neither of them saying what's going in their head for fear of breaking friendship, even though makes sense, goes on for way too long. Each time Yamato appears on the brink of expressing his feelings, he backs off. His perpetual cycle of self-pity and indecision is tedious. I also grew tired of the discourse around his relationship troubles. Other characters encourage him to reveal his secret crush, but he'll mumble some pessimistic excuse. The relationship only really evolves mostly in last two episodes by which it is already little late. On a brighter side I did enjoy the friend who literally would use every opportunity to push the two friends together and make them see that they just love each other so much. I guess the message here is how important is to communicate and why it is really important to express your feelings sometimes. Nevertheless, the hidden teen girl inside me still enjoyed the fun short show. <b>(6/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-52342809840316256422024-03-12T10:26:00.001-04:002024-03-12T10:26:00.129-04:00Mary & George (UK Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqnXzF1mMV9F1SeeLmbc7ucD-TSzKelO7imtnqLK3gM0otvec6Dmh3Xss65WdiVE4pmDBFy6NwWyggbhyphenhyphena2kPkY3vHTidD5GkkvOgGUE8lLWfvphUUK21ds_SWB4U7hsU2e34X9wpJPJB5MppT4Q92AQhNQfqQ2FJC5GP8hJ1xfYVR0WmgbcK93alTNE/s1500/MV5BYzk1Y2FiZDgtMTVlMC00MDYzLWJjMDAtMzFkNmEyMjE2ODM2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTkxNjUyNQ@@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqnXzF1mMV9F1SeeLmbc7ucD-TSzKelO7imtnqLK3gM0otvec6Dmh3Xss65WdiVE4pmDBFy6NwWyggbhyphenhyphena2kPkY3vHTidD5GkkvOgGUE8lLWfvphUUK21ds_SWB4U7hsU2e34X9wpJPJB5MppT4Q92AQhNQfqQ2FJC5GP8hJ1xfYVR0WmgbcK93alTNE/s320/MV5BYzk1Y2FiZDgtMTVlMC00MDYzLWJjMDAtMzFkNmEyMjE2ODM2XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTkxNjUyNQ@@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>When the synopsis of a show reads "The Countess of Buckingham who molded her son to seduce King James I and become his all-powerful lover, through intrigue, becoming richer, more titled and influential than England has ever seen", anyone who enjoys historical drama and bring in the gay angle; this is gold! So I was totally sold on watching the show as soon as I could. This mini series is 7 episodes approximately 50 minutes each. Sky’s new miniseries Mary & George takes on the flamboyant and outrageous reign of King James I and his ‘favorite’ the Duke of Buckingham. The result is a funny, debaucherously and riveting tale, bolstered by a fantastically catty Julianne Moore.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story is about Mary and her family. After the death of her husband, the family is in financial stress and Mary decides to take matters in her hand. She sends her meagre, feeble son George off to France to learn how to become a gentleman. Meanwhile, she attempts to cling to financial security by marrying a rich widowed suitor. . As George garners the confidence to seduce and conquer, Mary sets her sights on him seducing King James I, and to rise the family up the royal ranks. King James was famous to have lot of male lovers, of which one was always prominent. We see episodes focusing n how eventually George manages to get attention of the king, how multiples cat and mouse games and political plotting is done, primarily by Mary, to up herself and her family in ranks. All this while, George has to try to get the kings attention away from his very manipulative and smart current lover onto himself and him becoming the One. This eventually happens, but Mary's hunger for power and money knows no bounds. She has other unwed boys (one of them mentally unstable) and she would go to any lengths to secure their future. Also, rising tensions from Spain threaten to destroy all that Mary and George have built.</div><div><br /></div><div>First things first, let's talk about the two standout actors from the series. Julian Moore's performance is impeccable. She spits out profanities and ultimatums in a clipped, crisp accent, wearing a series of increasingly to-die-for costumes and never faltering in the face of those above her on the societal ladder. She maintains a sense of fear and vulnerability about her precarious state as a woman without money, and her need to overcome that, meaning Mary never really comes off as a villain despite her many dirty deeds. And her son George, played by Nicholas Galitzine (the star from Red, White and Royal Blues) also fits his role to the T. At the start of the episode, George is cowardly but quickly becomes the confident lord of the manor, who equally delights in his mother’s devious schemes becoming the sexually confident seducer that the series is building him towards. His chemistry with the king is strong, flitting between pure passion and quiet tenderness.</div><div><br /></div><div>The show has a uniquely dark and twisted sense of humour. Right from the first scene, the newborn George is immediately dropped on the head by his nurses. There is sharp wit, violence, seduction, lot of F bombs and also plenty of sex and nudity. The story moves at a brisk pace, although I do feel that many a time when a new episode would start, it felt as if some time has passed and we are expected to assume what happened. Also on a flip side, there are too many characters to keep a track of and as hard as I tried to pay attention to all the plotting by multiple characters, it was really hard to keep up after a certain time and I just gave in to just simply sit and enjoy. There are multiple parallel storylines of King James current lover, George's elder brother and efforts to try to get him married, Marys' lesbian lover relationship with a brothel owner, a priest, king's ministers and many other folks. Who cares if there is any truth to any of this, at least the characters taken are real life. The way the show has been modernly handled will remind you of films like The Favourite or shows like The Great, but the formula works well for this particular story. It might not break new ground, but the results are deliciously entertaining, despite it going off the rails at many points and also if you overlook the convenience with which Mary is able to put everything and even execute it. <b>(6/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-41481679129660625382024-03-11T12:56:00.001-04:002024-03-11T12:56:00.133-04:00Boy Culture: Generation X<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-3GnvVHZLnweYFy4cXLs57HmaqAio12XBk3YocQOVMk8fQ7mmgFvi2biRpnazofQ4I_N2A02Wqc6_dxAmEsScGvjoFGSV2wGXlKpCy4Mlt1gWgc1h1FDEqDMUKj7S1Tq5-diyN7E0TJOEaaufRTsXnlJZ6m82Wb-dYBgkkxvbeb_X1hyphenhyphenNkpAB3ODL0w/s1060/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%2012.59.34%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1060" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-3GnvVHZLnweYFy4cXLs57HmaqAio12XBk3YocQOVMk8fQ7mmgFvi2biRpnazofQ4I_N2A02Wqc6_dxAmEsScGvjoFGSV2wGXlKpCy4Mlt1gWgc1h1FDEqDMUKj7S1Tq5-diyN7E0TJOEaaufRTsXnlJZ6m82Wb-dYBgkkxvbeb_X1hyphenhyphenNkpAB3ODL0w/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-10%20at%2012.59.34%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="226" /></a></div>The 2006 film ‘Boy Culture’ returns for a TV series sequel, and original stars who played X and Andrew are back to reprising their roles all these years later. I had to go back and remind myself what the film was about (blame it on my age), memories came back and then I was excitedly looking for this sequel. This on-again, off-again couple, now both 40, broken up and tensely sharing a home out of financial necessity go through the changing dynamics of the gay world and especially escorting.</div><div><br /></div><div>X and Andrew are now no longer a couple. So X decided to get back into the escorting business after more than 10 years, but he’s in for a rude awakening. He’s no longer the flavor of the month, and the entire industry has been transformed by changing attitudes, online platforms, gen Z thinks. We meet a young Twink Chayce, who surprisingly became friends with X at one of the tricks house and who takes on upon himself to guide X back into the business. As X keeps his aging body fit, and his unusual roster of kinky clients happy, he’s also dealing with the realities of still living with Andrew, who’s aiming to move on from their former romantic entanglements. The film (combined version of the series, which is what I saw), shows us Chayce guiding X through today's gay world, while also dealing with the realities of still living with Andrew, who’s aiming to move on from their former romantic entanglements.</div><div><br /></div><div>I actually thought the series/film was done surprisingly well. Sure, the central conflict is of an aging escort and how to stay relevant in the business, it's the sass that Chayce brings which is a game changer. His words sound harsh, but they are so true and applicable for today's world. With reservations, X deals with his guidance (also known as pimp), but sees the benefits of it. He guides him through pearls of social media, branding yourself and making an effort. So these scenes are fin to watch. But what is different and nice here is that with every client that X meets, the makers have tried to deal with various themes including race, age-gap issues, safe sex, bisexuality, gay nerds and social media. The actor playing X continues with the character as grumpy, confused, and with frustratingly deadpan looks; which actually works for the character. On e a flip side, the paper-thin arc of his romance with Andrew is just touched upon. I guess the idea was to not focus on it but rather explore what happens when escorts start aging. It may not be the best thing out there, but with its slightly campiness yet honesty, a great character of Chayce and some well meaning socially relevant topics it tries to address, it is still worth giving a shot. <b>(6/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-12700666709473740682024-03-10T10:41:00.001-04:002024-03-10T10:41:00.152-04:008 Años (Spanish) [8 Years]<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtQSI9MXzvSeoSM1WJe5e_9_gFXisGFbjcISae9w2AKwDUU-CBpQaorhSUSPisY9s6ZPAGxFf7fZrmxFqwmf8FkoqEPqQSRyx33Be-6soD_WYy3OYuyizVKd3ggGEYv69dsimvnyEey1m_YdDjpgQnix2HF9N_0aDdphTV5HZ5ote00cgMwmULUCe0mM/s1234/MV5BOWRjNjgwZjEtNDA0NC00OGJkLWIzY2UtYzQwMzIzNDU5NTQ1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTE5MjYyNjU@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1234" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtQSI9MXzvSeoSM1WJe5e_9_gFXisGFbjcISae9w2AKwDUU-CBpQaorhSUSPisY9s6ZPAGxFf7fZrmxFqwmf8FkoqEPqQSRyx33Be-6soD_WYy3OYuyizVKd3ggGEYv69dsimvnyEey1m_YdDjpgQnix2HF9N_0aDdphTV5HZ5ote00cgMwmULUCe0mM/s320/MV5BOWRjNjgwZjEtNDA0NC00OGJkLWIzY2UtYzQwMzIzNDU5NTQ1XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNTE5MjYyNjU@._V1_FMjpg_UX1000_.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>Almost always, there is a reason that people in relationships split. Some try to get back together but very few are successful at that, but overnight, as humans, its hard to overcome the differences that must have led to the split in the fist. But maybe both parties don't feel the same and this is different. And this is what probably this film is trying to show. How to overcome your love and move on. Different people react to these situations differently, even though sadly the outcome is gonna be the same eventually.</div><div><br /></div><div>José and David used to be a couple but then split. 8 years after they first met, they decide to spend together in La Palma island where they met, to see if they can give their relationship another shot. Immediately falling into bed together, José and David naïvely believe that they can rekindle what they once had but a wild few days tests their relationship and stirs up past issues. They meet their lesbian couple friends and it's not too late that the cracks start showing up. You can see the José is desperate to get back together while David is trying to take it as it comes. We see their various shenanigans on the island. Things change with entry of Raul, a confident and handsome sexually fluid party boy. A wild night with Raúl including a threesome leads to some poor drug-induced decision making that turns into jealousy and anger. Somehow this is when it goes onto a whole another trip. Anyway it's hard for José to get over jealousy when he sees David kissing another man. After a series of events, it turns out that David had slept earlier with Raul and that he tried but he doesn't love Jose anymore. This is hard to digest for him, but eventually he has to accept the reality.</div><div><br /></div><div>The film has an interesting premise but it does go off the rails at many points. It starts focusing in this interesting chemistry of its lead couple and if the story had kept on track, it would have been an excellent film. But then it goes to this trans club, the drugs, the acid trip and the violence and I wasn't sure what the point that the film is trying to make. I guess they wanted to show how small things are thrones that define whether a couple is truly compatible or not, but I dont know. At one point I was like, can we focus back on the main couple and their dynamic please! While the film does make a valid point, and reaches a conclusion that feels inevitable, I would have loved it to dig much deeper into the central couple’s original relationship. We see none of it. It would have given more context to understand why the two men have so much difficulty rekindling their relationship. Also, the way it is shown, José comes off as a free spirit person, very possessive and clearly someone who wants to stick with David all the time. Personally, I find such people full of drama and I would wanna stay away from such folks who are not even ready to give you a breathing space. In fact, it is like he is in form of paranoia all the time. Sadly, the film just doesn't give any such details that could help us understand the psyche of these two individuals better.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a brighter side, the film is visually stunning. I like the films where the location becomes a character and it literally makes you wanna visit the place asap. La Palma is now added to the list of places I would like to visit in my life. But as a film, it does leave a lot to be desired. Two gorgeous hunky men who are also good actors can only do so much when it's the script that needs some help. Having said that it was refreshing to an attempt to do something different. <b>(5.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-54159391623579974592024-03-09T13:19:00.000-05:002024-03-09T13:19:00.235-05:00Sort Of: Season 3 (Canadian Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H0Jn17_Y8VaueEJlvqECLB8X82AkMXwewZW9uPUti1oL3cen2vkhegbUvw6rAhc0Q-D4sC9kqd-LCuMbHGNxwKjozngReBE4xY3e99O3uDaQ-onSILHcyHXdAng0VCuzwFIWcb1DKhvKEG6Fcy2gUqbdLTqedPQXGQAnebnnrpvcv-Srls0paGxaGuM/s1214/Screenshot%202024-03-08%20at%203.05.04%E2%80%AFPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="816" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H0Jn17_Y8VaueEJlvqECLB8X82AkMXwewZW9uPUti1oL3cen2vkhegbUvw6rAhc0Q-D4sC9kqd-LCuMbHGNxwKjozngReBE4xY3e99O3uDaQ-onSILHcyHXdAng0VCuzwFIWcb1DKhvKEG6Fcy2gUqbdLTqedPQXGQAnebnnrpvcv-Srls0paGxaGuM/s320/Screenshot%202024-03-08%20at%203.05.04%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="215" /></a></div>I just finished watching the third and final season of this dark comedy drama. As I had mentioned in my previous post, thatches kind of situational and sharp comedy may not be everyone's cuppa tea and I know this, because I recommended this to a close friend of mine who cannot sit beyond the first two episodes of the show. But after the first two seasons, which personally I enjoyed quite a bit, I was looking forward to the final chapter. This. Time also the show is 8 episodes of 20-24 minutes each.</div><div><br /></div><div>The season starts with Sabi still reeling with two incidents: their father's death and the kiss with former boss/complicated friend Bessy. As always Sabi mean is good at keeping all of their complicated emotions bottled up and ignoring Bessy and her entire family. Life is people around them also is show in detail. We see how the father's death has changed some family dynamics. Sabi's sister decides to move out and later in the season becomes pregnant, adding more to the drama. Sabi's art club with best friend 7ven is still starting to take shape and they have their own issues. Sabi and Wolf are trying to figure out what their newfound relationship is and where it will take them. While all this is going on, Sabi also finally decides to take the plunge of gender transition and decides to tell no one. When their longtime family doctor questions their timing, they admit that it's just easier to take these steps when the person whose reaction they’d dread most is no longer around. Back to Sabi and Bessy, they try to sort out what happened, but it becomes even more awkward. Sabi's interactions with Bessy's husband, who has always been a good friend of Sabi also becomes interesting because Bessy tells him what happened. Eventually, with everything going around and Sabi going through transition, they take the biggest decision of their life and book a one way ticket ticket to Berlin to see what life has in store for them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Sort Of has always been a show of uncertainty. Sabi was a nonbinary protagonist who could never quite commit to a decision. And so there’s something quite touching about watching Sabi make this one big decision — and to see how making this decision frees them to start making others. Also, I feel this season gives a good breathing space to all the characters that were introduced and are a part of this show. Sure, it's still primarily about the creator, actor Sabi, but the way screenplay has been written this season; it feels a lot more matured. The way some emotions and situations are handled, I absolutely loved it. Give these sub plots proper time and space to grow, both as story and as people, worked big time for me. Every single actor playing their roles does a fantastic job. I feel the big strength of show is not just the crisp writing, but also the casting person, who has mangled to assemble some perfect actors for their parts. </div><div><br /></div><div>The series has been groundbreaking for its nonbinary representation. Beyond Sabi, many of the show’s supporting characters are also queer. The show beautifully finds the balance between showing a rich tapestry of queer characters, while also allowing each character to be more than their identities and not putting labels on them. By the end, the series leaves Sabi and all of its characters with just the right balance of having some kind of “closure,” and inching into a new chapter of their lives, with all of the uncertainty that comes with it. Only this time, they’re all better equipped to deal with that uncertainty. Isn’t that what personal growth is really about? <b>(7.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-26813746961521188322024-03-08T13:20:00.001-05:002024-03-08T13:20:00.270-05:00Perfect Propose (Japanese Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFFopu0HIH69-E7bEfCU1ruHu7MlccQZ_IJybmEX4F_Bc_DdA-fu3r0U4S7fgDCz15t4vssROPe1xKs-JOFE8lz5ySf3FXrlRl68dajQ5vIHP9t5dBXhyphenhyphen1YNgSHHfAwyy1EVBXaHfbvlqfg643-bIJ6ZlFP4hVQOtOnfBltBZNCmyzPmM_edpvkWXaNE/s1600/Z81n1k_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFFopu0HIH69-E7bEfCU1ruHu7MlccQZ_IJybmEX4F_Bc_DdA-fu3r0U4S7fgDCz15t4vssROPe1xKs-JOFE8lz5ySf3FXrlRl68dajQ5vIHP9t5dBXhyphenhyphen1YNgSHHfAwyy1EVBXaHfbvlqfg643-bIJ6ZlFP4hVQOtOnfBltBZNCmyzPmM_edpvkWXaNE/s320/Z81n1k_4f.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>There’s very little that sets “Perfect Propose” apart from the dime-a-dozen romantic series out there, and the pace of the show is quite flat. Still with only 6 episodes of about 24 minute each, it did manage to hold my attention. Yes, things get repetitive with very little focus on romance and more on one of our protagonists workplace madness; but still I would look forward to the genuine interaction between two friends who are lonely in their own ways and are looking for company but wont admit. My brain says the show is strictly average but I was still able to cherish it. Having said that, I will not remember much of it in a few weeks time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hiro works in an IT company is grossly overworked. His manager continues to give him more and more work Hiro endures all the workplace abuse, lacking the courage and motivation to defend himself. One night suddenly a guy named Kai enters his life. Turns out Hiro and Kai were briefly friends as kids and Kai used to joke that he will marry Hiro. They have not seen each other for 10 years. Kai explains that the restaurant he worked for, his owner has taken ill and he needs a place to stay. Kai brings up their engagement in the past, a memory that Hiro didn't take seriously. Kai also reveals he's gay, shocking Hiro. Hiro lets him stay and in return Kai returns the favor by cooking delicious meals for him, which Hiro had forgotten all about given his over work. Hiro slowly realizes that he enjoys Kai's companionship. Since moving in together, he doesn't feel as depressed anymore. Even though Kai keeps telling him that he will hopefully ignite romance in Hiro. Day pass and Kai still loves Hiro and would like to know if Hiros feelings have changed. Eventually as you would expect, Hiro comes to realize that there is more to life than just work and he also realizes how much he crushes Kai's presence. We finally have a happy ending.</div><div><br /></div><div>Workplace toxicity is areal thing and this series shows a mean boss who is always on his team's case. It was nice to see how the story portrays emotional and psychological struggles of Hiro, illustrating the nuances of occupational burnout. His monotonous life changes with arrival of Kai. But how I wish we knew more about these individuals. Sure, Kai's father died when he was young leading to him being a loner. But why does he think of only Hiro when he doesn't have a place to stay. If he was so much in love within, why didn't he try to connect with him earlier? These questions and more are not explained. But to be honest, I didn't care. It is like Kai enters like a miracle in Hiro's life to make his life better. Although eventually we fid that in their own ways both Hiro and Kai are helping each other out. But since both these boy shave subdued and reserved personality, their romance doesn't develop fast enough (despite Kai offering to keep Hiro a handjob so he can sleep better on the second day itself, which by the way was a nice funny scene). I think the show demands it, but the spark between the leads was missing and as shown , it did feel like an arrangement of convenience. This again is one of those shows that uses food as a common pint to bring two lonely souls together, but how I wish there was more of romance involved this time. Despite its shortcomings, personally the show kept me engaged with its short episodes. <b>(5.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-71815705312640358562024-03-07T13:34:00.005-05:002024-03-07T13:34:00.239-05:00Twins (Thai Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzxzBIG342GVOb71yiHYNmMdQo65oN_vg1bRfpWU_U8e_1UV32LwsxkuZDAsesmLAcd7ssTpyStFbwPMOKEcLJCIvyK1MgDxB2foUl8ehMEgy7QEu4ARyeTUHIk4__r-zBK1xeerWcBHMBaJG37w2FcQmf0jANDZUvb3oXSKlkI5M5ZSeDa73svPPIGI/s1274/2wdQ22_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWzxzBIG342GVOb71yiHYNmMdQo65oN_vg1bRfpWU_U8e_1UV32LwsxkuZDAsesmLAcd7ssTpyStFbwPMOKEcLJCIvyK1MgDxB2foUl8ehMEgy7QEu4ARyeTUHIk4__r-zBK1xeerWcBHMBaJG37w2FcQmf0jANDZUvb3oXSKlkI5M5ZSeDa73svPPIGI/s320/2wdQ22_4f.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>I really tried and hoped that I would like the series. I had heard some favorable reviews of the show and hence was hoping to see something nice. But the show just did not click with me. The premise of twins taking each other's place is something we have seen before (albeit not in BL world), but in this series one person has to take up dual identity which makes the story more interesting. But sadly, the BL content and romance is minimum and occasional scenes of muscular physiques and steamy encounters of other characters can hold your attention only so much. Plus the series is 12 episodes of almost 50-60 minutes each. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sprite and Zee are identical twins, separated at childhood after their parents divorce. Zee is now a star volleyball player while Sprite trains in his university's jujitsu club. Zee doesn't get along with the others. Everyone else hates his arrogance and alienates him from the group. The only friend he has is the girl Salmon, the team's manager. Another star player First holds the biggest grudge against him since he sees him as a rival since childhood. One night Zee is mistaken for Sprite and gets attacked and is hospitalized. Zee's mother is upset and together her, Sprite and Salmon decide that Sprite will pretend to be Zee and continue playing on the volleyball team until Zee's full recovery. As. You can imagine this creates plenty of funny, awkward, suspenseful scenarios. Sprite now has to live a double life and also learn volleyball and get good at it while continuing his own jujitsu love. Salmon helps him get used to his new role. However, the other teammates notice Sprite isn't as mean or arrogant as Zee. They also think his volleyball skills have worsened. For some reason, Sprite (in Zee's avatar) takes a liking for First and their flirting starts while everything else is going on. We also have 3-4 other couples besides these main characters but I could care less about them. When Zee is healthy, he is upset to know what Sprite is doing and asks to go back, but Sprite tells everyone that he likes First and wants to pursue. Zee and Sprite alternate their days, which confuses First because some days he gets a lot of love from Zee and other days he doesn't. Eventually more drama happens, truth comes out in a small group, Sprite apologizes to First and the duo are together. Meanwhile turns out Zee has had a crush on Salmon and they both make another couple.</div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned before this show has interesting premise that could lead to many comical situations, which we do see. We see how Sprite struggles to maintain double identity playing two different sports and dealing with new friends. But sadly this gets repetitive and somehow failed to captivate my attention. Also there are many side characters, whose love stories, flirtations etc keep coming in between. I know this is now a norm in BL shows but somehow in this show it was even more glaring. On a positive side, all these characters are hunky with amazing bodies and there are plenty scenes with them shirtless. There's a constant display of sweaty torsos, muscular arms, and bare thighs. We also do get a couple of steamy locker room and bedroom sex scenes although they last barely any time. But then the dream keeps getting convoluted and boring. I understand that Sprite wants to continue to pursue First, but there are better ways to do that rather than continuing the charade of deception. Also the sevens which lead to Sprite, as Zee, making his enemy teammates to now friends is also a bit clunky and hard to swallow. </div><div><br /></div><div>The actor playing the lead is really good and does a good job to separate the two characters. This is a good opportunity to display your acting chops. Sadly, First barely has any characterization and comes out as very dull. IN contrast, the girl Salmon has more appeal and charisma and better role and another reason for me to be confused whether it's truly a BL show at heart. Overall, it's hard to overlook the many problems that this series has. If you are looking for a proper BL show, I'd not recommend this since the romance part is very minimal here, but yeah there is enough eye-candy.<b> (3.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-64351110655133351332024-03-06T14:44:00.000-05:002024-03-06T14:44:00.134-05:00Want To See You (Vietnamese Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_36fVXtQwePRoUvpAJAUcCMM2bhv5t7VsTRGfTv8TQ8rAi_M31ABz6z67m8_3hANGNqfFjTTezyv6e-ig-P_sfQZIKdfRYaKJ155Wf-sUEwTEGaP5iVlaqEAoxi3RvcHabLPGOErEWFIRaH-WZmb0F8Rm2l5lXoFnkWQ21f1IxMch8JirPetReDEqIK0/s1629/MV5BMmI5MGZjMWEtNmMxNi00YWM3LTkwMzItOWY3YWM1YjI1MmZhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTI3MTYyMTkx._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1629" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_36fVXtQwePRoUvpAJAUcCMM2bhv5t7VsTRGfTv8TQ8rAi_M31ABz6z67m8_3hANGNqfFjTTezyv6e-ig-P_sfQZIKdfRYaKJ155Wf-sUEwTEGaP5iVlaqEAoxi3RvcHabLPGOErEWFIRaH-WZmb0F8Rm2l5lXoFnkWQ21f1IxMch8JirPetReDEqIK0/s320/MV5BMmI5MGZjMWEtNmMxNi00YWM3LTkwMzItOWY3YWM1YjI1MmZhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTI3MTYyMTkx._V1_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>Another one of those Vietnamese series which has all kind of toxic traits, stereotypical characters, predictable storyline and you , as an audience keep wondering why was the series made. The plot is outrageous, most side characters are despicable and totally hate-worthy, not that our lead character is any better; and worst of all the editing of the show is so bad that at many places you just keep wondering what and how did that random scene pop in between. Also at 14 episodes of about 20 or more minutes each, this is stretched beyond it needed to.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thach is a wealthy restaurant owner who lost his eyesight in accident. His ex-girlfriend Linh checks up on him and pretends to show concern. However, she only cares about going after his fortune, especially his restaurant chain which Thach vehemently refuses. She then hopes a caretaker Phuc, a university student to take care of him (so far sounds like a recent Thai series that I saw, but trust me, the similarities end here). Phuc has a lousy first impression of his employer, who is sullen, stubborn, and prideful. Thach tends to walk around naked, with attitude and the duo dont get along. Despite their spats, Phuc is good at his job, attending to Thach's needs responsibly. The two slowly start to warm up and out of nowhere Thach starts to flirt with Phuc on all sorts of way. His younger brother comes to live with him and then another girl, who apparently is in love with him but he treats her as a sister. She plays all kinds of weird mind games other than first get Linh out of house and then later forces her love on Thach. But by now, for inexplicable reasons Thach is totally into Phuc. It is never clear if Phuc is also into his employer but somehow after 10 episodes they do end up sleeping together. This is when Thach's mother intervenes and asks both of the guys to go their separate ways, since Thach father is a politician and his son being gay will not go down very well. Thach moves to us. 6 years later, he gets surgery, gets his eye sight back. Now he is looking for Phuch whom he has never seen, but is also right in front of him. Finally, he figure out that Phuc is the same guy whom he fell in love with and despite their previous rocky relationship dynamic, the lovers reunite (now that the mother is no more).</div><div><br /></div><div>A love story with a blind protagonist is a bold, intriguing concept but sadly the show just doesn't utilize the premise properly. When the shows focuses on Thach's newly found life of being unable to see and getting use to his new routine, including his work, hobbies, and romance; the series shows promise. But instead, it decides to focus on trashy subplots. Gold digger ex-girlfriend, a girl plotting all her moves carefully since she is almost obsessed with Thach, despite his younger brother longing for her. By the way, I also cannot figure out when the younger brother can clearly see how manipulative this girl is, he still decides and wants to be with her. This is one of the worst decisions any human can make. Also, not very imaginative slurs are said against gay couples and that was also odd. Thanks to the extremely shoddy editing, each episode is messier as its previous one. Thach and Phuc have decent relationship moments, sharing sassy banter, sweet exchanges, and sexy encounters. The actors also have chemistry and make an attractive couple. The problem is that Thach comes across as a raging asshole. I tried sympathizing with him because of his condition, but this guy is belligerent, condescending, and disrespectful. He doesn't treasure his love interest or treat him as an equal. Phuc deserves somebody better than him. The actor playing Thach, I have seen him now in a lot of shows, but its Phuc whose handsome face, and smile caught my attention. But all this cannot save the fact that there is so much of melodramatic nonsense in the show and it makes no sense. Its like a series was made just for the sake of it and I'm sorry, the is unacceptable in todays time. Despite upscale and good production values, the series just doesn't manage to hold your attention. <b>(4/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-35405367267882010272024-03-05T13:15:00.002-05:002024-03-05T13:15:11.749-05:00After School (Taiwanese)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLT-09JtxbIOMCeYSuCAO3yEczUi3hFyq3ecj19jYwGAsGvHR8vyCIycUXvE_BBaENpDsEiJkMonueOJd2mpDJurduFA4fr9GblMWLVuFp9r1IC35dX8SNG5V2vNM_ADgFOB0WyIqI8HgVV3rK5FqtHgaJvUpV3ZNr3RyCNIBX2YHxMK2uNE2yKmwX4k/s1350/eYgEJY_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCLT-09JtxbIOMCeYSuCAO3yEczUi3hFyq3ecj19jYwGAsGvHR8vyCIycUXvE_BBaENpDsEiJkMonueOJd2mpDJurduFA4fr9GblMWLVuFp9r1IC35dX8SNG5V2vNM_ADgFOB0WyIqI8HgVV3rK5FqtHgaJvUpV3ZNr3RyCNIBX2YHxMK2uNE2yKmwX4k/s320/eYgEJY_4f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Let's start by saying that this is NOT a gay themed film. If anything, this falls more in the category of coming-of-age movie about students and friendship with a very significant focus on the LGBTQ+ aspect of people, life and things and hence it deserves to be reviewed here. It tries to deal with various spectrums, what is love etc and evokes a sense of nostalgia, capturing the whimsical adventures of youth. It may not be trying to say anything new per se, but I think the way the screenplay is set and the interactions between the friends is shown, I found myself quite enjoying the film.</div><div><br /></div><div>The setting is a cram school in 1994 where not so brilliant students are coached to pass the university entrance exams. We meet friends Cheng Heng and Cheng Hsiang, who are just treble makers and do not focus on studies. Cheng Heng wants to study film making but his family is opposed. The friends live together since Change Hsiang comes from a very poor background and Heng's family essentially treats him like their own son. They are also close to the son of the director of the school Ho Shang, who is very shy and occasionally is bullied. Then there isa girl in the mix whom Cheng Heng likes very much. A new substitute teacher arrives in school who is very different from everyone else. He doesn't impose his authority on his students. Instead, he brings refreshingly progressive views to the classroom. He is open about sex education and encourages his students to think liberally. Teacher is also a budding filmmaker. Due to their similar interests, Cheng Heng feels a kinship with him. We witness various shenanigans between all these individuals and this is what makes the core of the film. But doing the course we find out that the teacher is gay and is teaching just to save money to go abroad. While the students hang out with the teacher, slowly Cheng Hsiang comes to realize that he is actually in love with his best friend, who unfortunately doesn't reciprocate his feelings. After a brief misunderstanding, the two talk it out and patch up and decide to be lifelong friends. Cheng Heng finally also proposes to the girl. Meanwhile Ho Sang has been dealing with his secret of wanting to dress like a girl and be one. Through the support of the teacher, how each of these students come of age and be their authentic self. The film starts and ends in current times where they have all grown up, exactly how they wanted to be and they are meeting each other to celebrate their teacher's life who taught them to Love, like you've never been hurt and Live, like today is your last.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is something very positive and reassuring about watching this film. The way it shows and captures the nostalgia of growing up in 90s is funny and adventurous to watch. Many of us relive the moments when the protagonists play pranks, indulge in playful banters, wild shenanigans. It al reminds you how carefree our youth pre internet and social media age was. Friendships were for keeps. The chemistry between Cheng Heng and Cheng Hsiang is so so believable and real. They act goofy and silly but are true friends forever there for each other. From schoolboy banter to rowdy mischief, their easygoing rapport amuses me. I like how comfortable they are with each other,. It feels like this may have been a semi-autobiography for the director, but I am not sure since he sort of gives a tribute to his real life mentor. It does feels like a sincere tribute to his him also focusing and honoring the LGBTQ+ themes that defined the teacher's career. I appreciate the movie's sentimental value and social advocacy. I appreciated how the themes of gay man's love for straight friend was handled maturely (even though I believe that this is not the easiest), and also how the trans themes were explored.</div><div><br /></div><div>For people expecting a gay love story or anything will be disappointed. It's at best a story of bromance between two of its actors but again done really well. We do get to see just one kiss but thats it. The story in itself is nothing new. It feels like an attempt by the director to honor his mentor, which he does a good job of. I am a sucker for positivity and the film does that with sincerity and cheerfulness. If you keep expectations minimum, you may find the film decent enough to give it a go. <b>(6/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-31645882243118878482024-03-04T11:31:00.003-05:002024-03-04T11:31:39.741-05:00Gemmel & Tim (Documentary)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_gC_YqCZzy2L7NmZffyPKw5vwo4pEZYJFFkGfMf5zBWYdB7KonPxWfF3nCbnxgCUWGULoxTPgiL2CwYiuP4MAM6tb3QkTbnBWovAffLZxvfUWifpDuMIcRhh2qMKq_NOeMj7YfLSJztbjfpogLPhIRe2mnzlDocvBSqVPjmU5Ir7AEh0EUj95lBBiMY/s2823/MV5BNmE2Y2U0NDYtYzBhYi00OGU2LWIyZDktOTQ4OWQ1Y2ZjN2ZhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODYxNjY5NDA@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2823" data-original-width="2000" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_gC_YqCZzy2L7NmZffyPKw5vwo4pEZYJFFkGfMf5zBWYdB7KonPxWfF3nCbnxgCUWGULoxTPgiL2CwYiuP4MAM6tb3QkTbnBWovAffLZxvfUWifpDuMIcRhh2qMKq_NOeMj7YfLSJztbjfpogLPhIRe2mnzlDocvBSqVPjmU5Ir7AEh0EUj95lBBiMY/s320/MV5BNmE2Y2U0NDYtYzBhYi00OGU2LWIyZDktOTQ4OWQ1Y2ZjN2ZhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyODYxNjY5NDA@._V1_.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>Gemmel & Tim is a documentary about Gemmel “Juelz” Moore and Timothy “Tim” Dean, two black men who died of methamphetamine overdoses, administered by political and LBGTQ activist Ed Buck in his West Hollywood apartment. First of all, I am almost embarrassed to say that I had no clue of tis case so far till I watched this film. And secondly, it's a shame hen you realize how some marginalized sections of the society have to go through all kinds of hurdles to get justice. This meticulously researched and moving documentary is almost a must watch for folks out there. It is a true crime documentary done really really well.</div><div><br /></div><div>We start the documentary by knowing that Gemmel and Tim does in 2017 and 2019 respectively. They were both young, gay, Black men who lived in the West Hollywood area of Los Angeles, and whose paths crossed with a man named Ed Buck. Buck is a well-known donor to the Democratic Party who would invite young Black men to his apartment and give them drugs. Gemmel and Tim went to Buck’s apartment numerous times, and they both died there from lethal drugs overdoses. Gemmel and Tim are basketball players, ballroom enthusiasts, friends, hikers, and more. This documentary ensures that their stories are more than the circumstances of their deaths. Interviews with friends and family members seek to give real personalities to these men, and it succeeds admirably. Journal entries are read, and friends choke up at the memories of these men and what they went through. They were more than just troubled drug addicts. They were men who were cared for by people who fought tirelessly to bring Buck to justice. Even after Gemmel’s death, Buck was allowed to continue his habit of inviting young men of color to his apartment unabated until his September 2019 arrest. In addition to being a cautionary tale about drug abuse, this is also a story of white privilege, racism and homophobia. This documentary is about the tireless efforts pit in by his friends and family and community to get these men the justice they deserved. </div><div><br /></div><div>Ed Buck is currently serving time in federal prison for his crimes, but the documentary rightly doesn't focus on him. Instead it examines what makes Gemmel and Tim such unique humans in the West Hollywood community. Through intimate recollections of their lost friends, each interviewee exposes their own personal journey in dealing with grief and this is what makes this film extremely powerful. Using stunning hand drawn animation, the makers bring life and color to the memories of Gemmel and Tim in a way that celebrates these men and the multitudes they contained. While the filmmakers had access to some actual footage of Gemmel and Tim, the animations allow the audience to truly memorialize the lives of these men. The film organically shifts from celebrating chosen families, to the grieving process, to activism, all while keeping these men at the forefront. The survivors bravely sharing their stories about dancing with the devil helped finally bring justice for those no longer alive to share their testimony. This country's justice systems needs to change. These two young men should not have died. Ed Buck took that privilege away, but this extremely well made documentary will hopefully take their legacy alive and also teach men within the LGBT+ community how and why to stay away from the evils of drugs especially meth. <b>(7/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-51696348522004737252024-03-03T09:00:00.003-05:002024-03-03T09:00:36.189-05:00Bake Me Please (Thai Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzA6HpminR-0SO58A0P15EPpBIpTmgbGYNXlWX6o2LmfjtGLqzE57h4fQQ2DuOXkmM8u_Y4T7XPKsv91RooaWN2u4wb9W3K3fSP0DFMDMolE4wj6Re3EkPfrJCRRsfz6RynEANoQIhtO0LzxLNEchxDr8MJ_bDbLPf8sl0UUKQsPupcYvbEl7R221sX4/s1349/d04J6W_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1349" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyzA6HpminR-0SO58A0P15EPpBIpTmgbGYNXlWX6o2LmfjtGLqzE57h4fQQ2DuOXkmM8u_Y4T7XPKsv91RooaWN2u4wb9W3K3fSP0DFMDMolE4wj6Re3EkPfrJCRRsfz6RynEANoQIhtO0LzxLNEchxDr8MJ_bDbLPf8sl0UUKQsPupcYvbEl7R221sX4/s320/d04J6W_4f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I think I mentioned before that food based BL shows are the new genre that I have found enjoying myself, so with a title like this, I was looking forward to it. And honestly the first two episodes were rock solid. The character introductions were nice, their chemistry was good and the way they go from enemies to friends to possible lovers was done really right. Their sweet and delightful flirting has a touch of sentimentality. But as happens with most nice things, the makers had to mess it all up by creating conflicts that were so forced and just so ridiculous. Also why focus on a toxic trait of one of the leads making him so dislikable, I don't understand. Anyway, on a positive note, the series is only 6 episodes each lasting almost 50-55 minutes long.</div><div><br /></div><div>Peach is a baker who sells homemade cakes with his grandmother at low price to keep customers happy. He dreams of running his own restaurant someday. At the same time we meet a bakery Temptations, who head chef Shin makes his specialty cake and sells only 20 pieces every day, along with other items as well. So naturally the bakery does well. But the chef has attitude and doesn't talk nicely to anyone. Around this time, Peach's friend Atom arrives with a job offer. Atom invites him to work as an assistant at his older brother's bakery. He can learn from Shin, a talented patissier. Atom, a recent graduate, will also begin working at the family business as an employee. Initially they both get rejected by Shin but when Peach challenges him on testing his bakery skills, he gives in and agrees to Peach being his assistant, but the constant belittling of every effort really infuriates both Peach and Atom. One day Peach find out that the secret customer who buys all their cakes every month to distribute Amon orphan kids is none other than Shin, and the reason is that it was Peach's grandmother's cakes that used to comfort him when he lived there. Peach starts to understand Shin's pov and after some drama they do start to loosen up and in fact start dating. Grandma is happy to know about it but Shin still prefers to not let people at work know. A stupid conflict gets thrown in when suddenly, Atom's elder brother, and the bakery's partner confesses his love to Shin. This is around the same time when an ex chef of this bakery tres to pursue Peach but he sees him only as a friend. Shin acts very immaturely to the whole situation and despite repeated attempts made by Peach to clear up the situation between them, Shin continues to act as an asshole. Peach leaves the job, and soon the customers start slowing down. This is when the ones reach out to Peach for help and Shin also realizes that eventually it is love that matters.</div><div><br /></div><div>As mentioned early, when the show started I thought I am finally going to get to see something interesting. Even though the situations and scenes were cliched, but the delightful camaraderie between all characters was fun to watch. I appreciated the fact that how through simple stories we are told why shin possibly behaves the way he does and eventually Peach understands his Pov and the whole things brings them both closer as friends and lovers. But the clunky conflicts out of nowhere made no sense at all and it just annoyed me very much. From dumb misunderstandings to petty reactions, each scene is needlessly infuriating. Worst of all, Shin's character development regresses as he behaves disrespectfully and becomes a toxic lover. It tries to salvage itself by the end, but by this time the damage is already done.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's talk about actors here. Peach is so cute and man that dazzling smile. The actor infuses the role with dignity, and warmth and cheerfulness. In the opposite is Shin, who though, does have a towering personality but his character is all over the place. His moodiness and trying to insult almost everyone in his path is just unacceptable. What I surprisingly enjoyed were all scenes that had Peach's friend Atom in it. His characters is supposed to be goofy but the way he interacts with peach is extremely natural. There are only a handful of scenes with him but I think this is the closest I have seen in BL shows where a character acts hi age and is goofy and not formal all the time. I liked that. But guess what, the real should have the show in this one is the endearing grandmother. She is heart and soul of the show who imparts wisdom to her grandson is her own ways through various gestures. her presence offers a constant supply of sweetness. Sadly, even her presence cannot salvage how the show goes a strong nosedive in last 2 episodes. How I wish! The show had continues enforcing its positive vibes and feel good optimism and that would have made this show so much better. For now, we have to live with this. <b>(5.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-40107891751708149292024-03-02T09:43:00.000-05:002024-03-02T09:43:34.683-05:00In Bed (Hebrew)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyeOgxsEEqbRkpb98Lx9k1iNklZZNa2SFJ2Obw0Li0b37bzdEvHsSOVNCgiqWN_fXh89pWQEcXhBZclCzRb_tXemk9B7wNrGQwY7AUISoKWWISJ0zYMLIjC7fnpPhX_KMX2ioDXz7WkNKVTNihxtR5AnuLhikjOcv64nXCrrBJQPKVlFry0IrgYhIs20/s741/in-bed_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="741" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyeOgxsEEqbRkpb98Lx9k1iNklZZNa2SFJ2Obw0Li0b37bzdEvHsSOVNCgiqWN_fXh89pWQEcXhBZclCzRb_tXemk9B7wNrGQwY7AUISoKWWISJ0zYMLIjC7fnpPhX_KMX2ioDXz7WkNKVTNihxtR5AnuLhikjOcv64nXCrrBJQPKVlFry0IrgYhIs20/s320/in-bed_poster.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>Sex, Drugs, partying, love and anguishing the aftermath of a shooting on the pride parade day. This is how one can try to attempt describe what the film is about. I am not sure if there was an attempt tp tell a concrete story here, but it feels like the makers were going for a realistic depiction of the reality of use if excessive drugs within gay community. the feeling of being high, reaching for fantasy, the distortion of reality, and loss of control; are all here with the kind of ending that you leave you confused between reality and imagination.</div><div><br /></div><div>The story, yes there is a little, is basic. Guy and his best girl-friend Joy are all set and ready to enjoy the pride parade, when their bliss is abruptly put to an end by a deadly shooting. Fleeing the scene into the safety of Guy’s home, they take in a fellow pride parader, Dan, who seems in shock and is crying on the stairs of Guy's building. They calm him up , let the drugs wear off and Dan decides to leave. Afraid to go out, and glued to TV to find out of the shooter was caught, Joy and Guy keep doing drugs after drugs, get high and talk about this shooter with a light paranoia kicking in. She eventually leaves after a failed attempt to have sex with Guy. Guy then finds Dan on Grindr and invites him over. Almost 45 minutes of the film are about their attraction for one another, they both encouraging each other for more drugs and sex which continues all night. When Joy shows up in the morning, she is high too and in no position to help. With the gunman still at large and stories about continuing incidents, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense, leading to a weird, almost scary chemistry between these three primary characters.</div><div><br /></div><div>The film nicely captures the uncertainty and fear rippling through the characters, especially as seen through Guy's substance-filled nerves. He is under heavy influence of all kinds of drugs, is dealing with werird paranoia of possibly having seen the shooter, his family situation etc. Events spiral unexpectedly, taking some dark twists and turns when neither Joy or Dan (both also super high on drugs). This is accompanied by sexy romantic interaction, both physical and in soul-baring conversations between Guy and Joy first and later between Dan and Guy. Both these pairs have electrifying chemistry but is it because of drugs or something else. The intimate and claustrophobic setting is perfect for exploring the fear and anxiety associated with the gay community existing in places where hate crimes and homophobia are commonplace. Also all these characters go from being strong to emotionally vulnerable almost broken individuals. Guy is dealing with family issues, Dan has his own secrets of hiding sexuality, while Joy is melded blend of strength and weakness, as well as a fierce loyalty. The film is a dramatic thriller with ample skin show and both the leading actors not shying away from spending almost all the time shirtless and also walking around naked. Actor playing Guy is super hot and actually does great acting of a person with underlying insecurities within a young man who enjoys his aimless life but knows there should be more to it. Dan is interesting too because as audience, you are also never sure of he is someone you should be careful of, is he trouble or is he just what he is. The premise touches on some big topics, from the ubiquity of drugs and sex in the gay scene to the threat of violent bigotry. But it's the edgy relationships that make the film involving, especially Guy's feeling that nobody cares what happens to him. Sadly, even though it's interetspngto watch, it feels like an opportunity missed and this could have been more. <b>(6/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-15172248035375040232024-02-28T07:27:00.002-05:002024-02-28T07:27:47.270-05:00Gay Short Films : 110<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAeOLbgA59g7p05YAx9vx8Q0EPdpbYLFeKoW3aX5vUg0ZudjSql0cMBQOvVDd7OHAEfzYMb0x6oKaqxTvgZ0vxeotUtQeC0cnNs2GOpvuCH6nanV6LAS-Eu1jTUcJiqk-mpWQt8p4Ulmux06IehMcjyUobnOVdWBNmLCxXSbsoIcUT7rl5Tu67vsrF48/s1174/Screenshot%202024-01-28%20at%204.47.40%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="804" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYAeOLbgA59g7p05YAx9vx8Q0EPdpbYLFeKoW3aX5vUg0ZudjSql0cMBQOvVDd7OHAEfzYMb0x6oKaqxTvgZ0vxeotUtQeC0cnNs2GOpvuCH6nanV6LAS-Eu1jTUcJiqk-mpWQt8p4Ulmux06IehMcjyUobnOVdWBNmLCxXSbsoIcUT7rl5Tu67vsrF48/w137-h200/Screenshot%202024-01-28%20at%204.47.40%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="137" /></a></div><b>17 (USA)</b></div><div>A 17-year-old boy struggling to find intimacy at school or at home seeks it through a gay hook-up app. A profound beautiful crafted film, reflecting, in precise, fair, honest manner the steps of a teenager for what he feels as happiness after a moment in high school yard. Simple short 11 minute film.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN-yJBx9ZJSAm0JSS8efzmAfPyYTj38n4fgzISUtpdlvdRExyg0QQij3LTJ9XMePWxicqj09wDu-9-dDJkkHy49A82Fwo8HHbVi48-v33r1NP7nOjKXM65C26Qd7d4xbOZEd45aEF6LighASdJIPzC9mijcRLdw1HOAYP66XtK98SkB-fxTS_Onv7bXM/s2592/MV5BODYyMjFiZTYtYzY0NC00OGQyLWEyMjctYjk0MmQxYTAzZDJmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDkzMjM3Ng@@._V1_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2592" data-original-width="1728" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidN-yJBx9ZJSAm0JSS8efzmAfPyYTj38n4fgzISUtpdlvdRExyg0QQij3LTJ9XMePWxicqj09wDu-9-dDJkkHy49A82Fwo8HHbVi48-v33r1NP7nOjKXM65C26Qd7d4xbOZEd45aEF6LighASdJIPzC9mijcRLdw1HOAYP66XtK98SkB-fxTS_Onv7bXM/w133-h200/MV5BODYyMjFiZTYtYzY0NC00OGQyLWEyMjctYjk0MmQxYTAzZDJmXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMDkzMjM3Ng@@._V1_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b>Hippopotamus (USA)</b></div><div>Left alone to caretake a gay nude resort closed for the season, a man finds himself confronted by what he can see and what he can't. When everything is visible, when nothing is hidden, it's not just what you see - but what sees you, too. Weird yet sexy.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSzdxDnjBAJjuo_XrBrdPek8qkQQOv2cWYv3wRvYJ48Wyn0JH6vAG1BM3dwJ8dUqB9wOAS6DLFROcx9p0n426N3UMTsahko7V_EhRoothGJxt6zIgS-acj-b2DYevSlO1VWVooO68BfCP0XsUNwFXQp_guPaExdD7DP-6oZoSptfuQpYJGRQ3CMVPQaU/s5400/MV5BYzQ5MWE3YzItMTI5OS00NTgxLWFmZjEtOWVhNTNmZjg2ZjUzXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTg1OTI2OTA@._V1_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5400" data-original-width="3600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMSzdxDnjBAJjuo_XrBrdPek8qkQQOv2cWYv3wRvYJ48Wyn0JH6vAG1BM3dwJ8dUqB9wOAS6DLFROcx9p0n426N3UMTsahko7V_EhRoothGJxt6zIgS-acj-b2DYevSlO1VWVooO68BfCP0XsUNwFXQp_guPaExdD7DP-6oZoSptfuQpYJGRQ3CMVPQaU/w133-h200/MV5BYzQ5MWE3YzItMTI5OS00NTgxLWFmZjEtOWVhNTNmZjg2ZjUzXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTg1OTI2OTA@._V1_.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b>Steam! - The Musical (USA)</b></div><div>A contemporary Western about the conductor of a tourist steam train who thinks he’s going to find excitement ditching his boyfriend for an outlaw… but of course, the reality is something much different. I wanted to like this film but somehow didn't connect with me.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G2UqAl3LRs4sDn1vT6z94sTHNXQ6ljk59EZiUfoBHQwzhWYbIQX3H968xWO6lcfnvZ4-3AqnpJfh8xEOFEZxhNnTk5DutoAcChjyczHWalDNXpQrm0HvRY8asZYGg1BPWCNxkYDNLL3r5ib4kMQg5C28NquCX5XefEKLxy8ZLEy2EycfSYVf_u6Xo-A/s1180/Screenshot%202024-01-28%20at%205.06.19%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="808" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1G2UqAl3LRs4sDn1vT6z94sTHNXQ6ljk59EZiUfoBHQwzhWYbIQX3H968xWO6lcfnvZ4-3AqnpJfh8xEOFEZxhNnTk5DutoAcChjyczHWalDNXpQrm0HvRY8asZYGg1BPWCNxkYDNLL3r5ib4kMQg5C28NquCX5XefEKLxy8ZLEy2EycfSYVf_u6Xo-A/w137-h200/Screenshot%202024-01-28%20at%205.06.19%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="137" /></a></div><b>Dominant Species (USA)</b></div><div>A group of alien energies come to Earth and inhabit male human forms. Under the guidance of an unseen mentor they learn how to be "male" in order to be able to successfully impregnate women. This film is weird AF. Also, the film is marketed as a queer film and somehow I fail to see the relevance.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7kzigDy6utGqJO9mrhriBhJ8PF3B-qrQw6azdP1as1LqW57GZWNbVUbgnSszsabE1XiKIih17TkqrT_M9Fzn0-7anxxjRh6E4iKMtNAs4GUHQLtwCPUqNN5vZoymNugLy6ghYj6jGhwp4fYeWIXLYBcfI2lUgnimDJK-K0FnlS8Om7fYY1nQoHmb5ZU/s1598/MV5BNTA5NmM0ZWUtYzBmMy00ZTE5LThhYTgtN2EyNGQ0NmFhMDU3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE1MDM3Mjg5._V1_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="1030" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW7kzigDy6utGqJO9mrhriBhJ8PF3B-qrQw6azdP1as1LqW57GZWNbVUbgnSszsabE1XiKIih17TkqrT_M9Fzn0-7anxxjRh6E4iKMtNAs4GUHQLtwCPUqNN5vZoymNugLy6ghYj6jGhwp4fYeWIXLYBcfI2lUgnimDJK-K0FnlS8Om7fYY1nQoHmb5ZU/w129-h200/MV5BNTA5NmM0ZWUtYzBmMy00ZTE5LThhYTgtN2EyNGQ0NmFhMDU3XkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTE1MDM3Mjg5._V1_.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><b>Beyond The Green Mountain (China)</b></div><div>Leaf, 16, lives with his grandparents in a beautiful fishing village by the east China sea. His childhood friend suddenly returns to the village for the summer. The two boys have not seen each other but they immediately reconnects. They wander around the tea plantations, beaches, and roofs of the village watching sunsets, talking, and letting time pass by. Their connections grow deeper each day till one day they kiss. Can their youthful minds figure out how to deal with their youthful hearts?</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eH6GoBGONNp_R0ch6PRnW9GEWAnK9TA0rNOaXWD_xkogtdCPfJGEbmDqNhEYhUGxhlot2ib8t9aQVezlJQnzGsRhXjCm7eE_aJfWBwNgOQYVTxVkVBQpM0C8of4HZO9L6MJia-h-XC-XOUH2iG_4tOwHMWLhiLlNyh_PasRVpn1eKwPGndAChGEO32A/s1180/Screenshot%202024-01-28%20at%205.28.06%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="852" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3eH6GoBGONNp_R0ch6PRnW9GEWAnK9TA0rNOaXWD_xkogtdCPfJGEbmDqNhEYhUGxhlot2ib8t9aQVezlJQnzGsRhXjCm7eE_aJfWBwNgOQYVTxVkVBQpM0C8of4HZO9L6MJia-h-XC-XOUH2iG_4tOwHMWLhiLlNyh_PasRVpn1eKwPGndAChGEO32A/w144-h200/Screenshot%202024-01-28%20at%205.28.06%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="144" /></a></div><b>L'anniversario (Italy) [The Anniversary)</b></div><div>Rosa celebrates the anniversary of her engagement with Roberto. While she waits for him for dinner, she spends the afternoon in the pool with her younger brother Angelo, who is also having an affair with him. They begin to comment on a news story happened a few days earlier: the body of a boy found in a field a few km from the city, and somehow the murder/affair could become public. Roberto arrives before they expected: the glances between the three become enigmatic and restless. I feel like the film needs little more elaboration.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPDt4jLFzVfnPcJJPBIBugPrr3217qT0ZZxWVX5M5R2AjCHRE5SgnLcR6B21s_8-kyIBGyzFWrvh4zwa6yJYE1ssqaEu8tmywf5MWbVOlBpJQ6BCR8COaQ1fCnvtWcbtymC6NHdKWouB5fzJ3EzC4Rit02Rzthdu0CXkSjgMVrRVi9R5fwE6Te8fSGK0/s1200/MV5BNTllZDgxY2MtZTJmYS00ODNmLWIzYjgtMTZiMzkwN2VlNTVhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTMwNjQxNDU1._V1_.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="848" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNPDt4jLFzVfnPcJJPBIBugPrr3217qT0ZZxWVX5M5R2AjCHRE5SgnLcR6B21s_8-kyIBGyzFWrvh4zwa6yJYE1ssqaEu8tmywf5MWbVOlBpJQ6BCR8COaQ1fCnvtWcbtymC6NHdKWouB5fzJ3EzC4Rit02Rzthdu0CXkSjgMVrRVi9R5fwE6Te8fSGK0/w141-h200/MV5BNTllZDgxY2MtZTJmYS00ODNmLWIzYjgtMTZiMzkwN2VlNTVhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTMwNjQxNDU1._V1_.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><b>Séptimo (Sweden) [Beast]</b></div><div>Vincent has a secret that forces him to stay away from the people he loves. But when he meets Gustav, love strikes Vincent like a stake to the heart. As their love grows, so does his fear of letting his secret destroy their burgeoning relationship. It's the age old werewolf story in the gay context.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKhhcGpoPUwTY7aQD_gtK3gHABOG3GJL10A5N6zPf7OZhDEbxD5Mq2P2bhao2wbqhL3l2kSomB_y55VtgeMtQwILpmuy-Ny1HhoT_potzSNkv86fyXMOvXnJrUYvfgv2TXJFAH7ZnXwAv6N8DpuQ7mxcM9Ili3AQISCchCPtdnz8Rdv-7_48RD2XviH4/s900/qYOlr8_4f.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKhhcGpoPUwTY7aQD_gtK3gHABOG3GJL10A5N6zPf7OZhDEbxD5Mq2P2bhao2wbqhL3l2kSomB_y55VtgeMtQwILpmuy-Ny1HhoT_potzSNkv86fyXMOvXnJrUYvfgv2TXJFAH7ZnXwAv6N8DpuQ7mxcM9Ili3AQISCchCPtdnz8Rdv-7_48RD2XviH4/w200-h200/qYOlr8_4f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><b>Beside You (Thailand Mini series)</b></div><div>This 3 part min series each of about 12 minutes is absolutely ridiculous. A gay couple lives together with thier cat. They decide to break up and the guy left behind wonders if he will find true love. Lo Behold, th next day his cat turns into hum and the two fall in love. Super low budget, with a 10% plot and almost 905 focus on various product placements. Just bad.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnjEZq6HOlpPoJzwwfe2wTrg_7sMODFsT7Vvr9WSC276ei1AEITsNDzSMrjOpNNKgeRk4rssqH5tO23LOLoUuPUU5HkDjONxq8S6kz7HcG5JnDTtrTMVu9J02MNDqubotdtA4nZPoiRT-Gio_Rk3cfchhpelwYNODPlN7I9BGj7YmdGt0bkbbnla7IcA/s1070/Screenshot%202024-02-06%20at%202.47.42%E2%80%AFPM.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="854" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnnjEZq6HOlpPoJzwwfe2wTrg_7sMODFsT7Vvr9WSC276ei1AEITsNDzSMrjOpNNKgeRk4rssqH5tO23LOLoUuPUU5HkDjONxq8S6kz7HcG5JnDTtrTMVu9J02MNDqubotdtA4nZPoiRT-Gio_Rk3cfchhpelwYNODPlN7I9BGj7YmdGt0bkbbnla7IcA/w159-h200/Screenshot%202024-02-06%20at%202.47.42%E2%80%AFPM.png" width="159" /></a></div><b>Aikane (USA)</b></div><div>A valiant island warrior, wounded in battle against foreign invaders, falls into a mysterious underwater world. When the octopus who rescued him transforms into a handsome young man, they fall in love and an epic adventure begins. An Animation gay love story set in Hawaii from back in the day. This was great fun short film to watch.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kKnSY40jUdRiKD9AGNG70y-QUFVuwHfDIOnmqjuM5o_Y4NSzbocZsPCm-1XRCLRACPcb_wIRaPdSTyRvovFD8jkJRBX2qb9OZN0Brcb5rS7b_p03NAUsc6LDSPWEUhaKoIkIKPPsyqe4v_mpqopKZDHGiBnaHbDzpLTOPVv30l4Pj6_ZxiNeLJ0OUog/s1600/ca4083d396579676fd702a7cc2d7325a52b62174a017403f6908c5281e238c9e.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-kKnSY40jUdRiKD9AGNG70y-QUFVuwHfDIOnmqjuM5o_Y4NSzbocZsPCm-1XRCLRACPcb_wIRaPdSTyRvovFD8jkJRBX2qb9OZN0Brcb5rS7b_p03NAUsc6LDSPWEUhaKoIkIKPPsyqe4v_mpqopKZDHGiBnaHbDzpLTOPVv30l4Pj6_ZxiNeLJ0OUog/w150-h200/ca4083d396579676fd702a7cc2d7325a52b62174a017403f6908c5281e238c9e.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><b>Finnemans (Netherlands) [The Finnster]</b></div><div>15-year-old Finn's life is relatively uncomplicated until he one day comes home to find his father Roelof in his mom's dress. Following Roelof's confession that he wants to become a woman, Finn struggles with feelings of shame, love and loyalty, as he examines his father's identity and his own. The film is almost 50 minute and really needs to be trimmed to be under 30. An interesting watch, that focuses on how the kid reacts to a transitioning parent.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIdSPWyTnmhPQOqiHvKvjwO-dHUpCMGfcHgspOh1VmFfd8KAt1gx4AL0isjz09FBKlE8pVd2invOWDIjK1ECVbXcS59P_3n4oFqqOUaPaWAzGr5kQdK4gTnlXT71DSdIpd5lmYmve8iOZYjEliJVZO7yfeV2oUnb7TqFllA-ZQiIcFZKCKF1nOJxkST8/s278/6f8a3qn33aR69zwclBhx3vUDzze.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="185" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilIdSPWyTnmhPQOqiHvKvjwO-dHUpCMGfcHgspOh1VmFfd8KAt1gx4AL0isjz09FBKlE8pVd2invOWDIjK1ECVbXcS59P_3n4oFqqOUaPaWAzGr5kQdK4gTnlXT71DSdIpd5lmYmve8iOZYjEliJVZO7yfeV2oUnb7TqFllA-ZQiIcFZKCKF1nOJxkST8/w133-h200/6f8a3qn33aR69zwclBhx3vUDzze.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><b>24H</b></div><div>A short documentary about film makers voyeurism to a sexy man over 24 hours over which he shakes his ass, undress on couch, take a shower, play around, do his rehearsals. Maker sees sun bursting on the skin. A dialogue free, clearly showing a man's obsession tribute to another man's beauty.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PaPKe8RG3saz9q8gB4Yt-pd1540rzQwMiqP4cjdtRygcyuNvixzCm2UKiAMsKC5cMIS1cAC4_OkfZtOugY66BpMIRr3Xkc-lT0MMnaO7n8OAMWhM5hfj4SWjfasAr3wMIMuFa-gw58HtLTqDbuQHcWMMRQ7H_MeJLqm208qermhXgEU4HIJkfUKC1yc/s754/Screenshot%202024-02-28%20at%206.04.35%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="538" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5PaPKe8RG3saz9q8gB4Yt-pd1540rzQwMiqP4cjdtRygcyuNvixzCm2UKiAMsKC5cMIS1cAC4_OkfZtOugY66BpMIRr3Xkc-lT0MMnaO7n8OAMWhM5hfj4SWjfasAr3wMIMuFa-gw58HtLTqDbuQHcWMMRQ7H_MeJLqm208qermhXgEU4HIJkfUKC1yc/w143-h200/Screenshot%202024-02-28%20at%206.04.35%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="143" /></a></div><b>Guy Next Door (India)</b></div><div>What happens when the demons of the virtual world becomes real? On a lazy Sunday evening, Aditya is reading a book when he gets a chat message from an ID called "guy next door". What happens next is quite unexpected. A creepy film, that could hav been slightly better.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogaBkYVa3qGMrlf429j2RkleqQHxiZJh26ydYzhneQXufpgH60n33TC24LnkyuSN5B1Xjf6njfnsAfRIA9u8d5yXJmQVNG4TBBNU4Xi0DCOcVh0Lrd7qMvwBchnH4K8mPrXeqrexk42k6m5Hnu_Qb_BULx46mMl6eoaQ_uZpF66Wx7xdVN37ikqjYvtY/s1178/Screenshot%202024-02-28%20at%206.19.03%E2%80%AFAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="856" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjogaBkYVa3qGMrlf429j2RkleqQHxiZJh26ydYzhneQXufpgH60n33TC24LnkyuSN5B1Xjf6njfnsAfRIA9u8d5yXJmQVNG4TBBNU4Xi0DCOcVh0Lrd7qMvwBchnH4K8mPrXeqrexk42k6m5Hnu_Qb_BULx46mMl6eoaQ_uZpF66Wx7xdVN37ikqjYvtY/w146-h200/Screenshot%202024-02-28%20at%206.19.03%E2%80%AFAM.png" width="146" /></a></div><b>Chacho (Ukraine)</b></div><div>Yanush grew up in a conservative Romani community in a small Ukrainian town. He is about to get married, just what his parents want. However, Yanush is gay and he is in love with another young man, Pasha. Together they decide to sneak away from the wedding and leave town, but can Yanush really do it?</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84qIuG-YwF9SByQ6-7DAlGi3EgIvrP-Gu8xlPNsVV1GxkDgK2KRhFRR8Gdthwqo5eLCHIKy_pmMiBe_CtffBWXUff2HoF_-SxvyZZashLh-ApP6Cbq8D7O9Ur_4ZPchBhGTLrOlGZLpqWCgMsct25azkguZJ19tpWTRjYyZIrZ9mKLTtejm05yHIEPmY/s2048/17880309_246232229179204_5882218086295275009_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84qIuG-YwF9SByQ6-7DAlGi3EgIvrP-Gu8xlPNsVV1GxkDgK2KRhFRR8Gdthwqo5eLCHIKy_pmMiBe_CtffBWXUff2HoF_-SxvyZZashLh-ApP6Cbq8D7O9Ur_4ZPchBhGTLrOlGZLpqWCgMsct25azkguZJ19tpWTRjYyZIrZ9mKLTtejm05yHIEPmY/w141-h200/17880309_246232229179204_5882218086295275009_o.jpg" width="141" /></a></div><b>Shehnaiiya (India) [The Clarinets]</b></div><div>A young man from the suburbs comes to the city for some shopping. He misses the last train to home and roams about. Suddenly he meets another man, who offers refuge for the night. Over the course of night, both men will navigate through their feelings and the struggle to do the right by themselves and their family. A decent film in Bengali language.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENFYWha_T_KJMJ9WUo_8FC3_hQS-tkuqCwNveY4lWW4RVDQxSjdcJG3QUYx1Fr-fal3TDpL33V16KmsLMNF4YTlgvSZqiczIMG2qqYc4D7OtZeEKqjG6Q7FRy3yZf7Pc2rPcw57WiBXLlzrgAjwkq00u4guymTsl02rBN1KjesGsgLFZM5REBRR9KXX0/s1196/MV5BNzY0ZWEzZGUtN2NiNy00YWVhLTkzM2EtMWJiNzdiNWI1MTFhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQ0NjIwMzg@._V1_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1196" data-original-width="893" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENFYWha_T_KJMJ9WUo_8FC3_hQS-tkuqCwNveY4lWW4RVDQxSjdcJG3QUYx1Fr-fal3TDpL33V16KmsLMNF4YTlgvSZqiczIMG2qqYc4D7OtZeEKqjG6Q7FRy3yZf7Pc2rPcw57WiBXLlzrgAjwkq00u4guymTsl02rBN1KjesGsgLFZM5REBRR9KXX0/w149-h200/MV5BNzY0ZWEzZGUtN2NiNy00YWVhLTkzM2EtMWJiNzdiNWI1MTFhXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyMTQ0NjIwMzg@._V1_.jpg" width="149" /></a></div><b>The Red Tree (Documentary) (Italy)</b></div><div>A powerful and poetic short film that tells the little known history of Italian gay men being arrested and exiled to a remote island during Mussolini’s Fascist regime. An elderly man returns to a remote island of the coast of Italy where 60 years before during the Fascist era he was imprisoned with hundreds of other men for being homosexual.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-52312317263974654102024-02-27T09:29:00.002-05:002024-02-27T09:29:00.135-05:00Happy Merry Ending (Korean Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbPVYkKtjRGao00RRy7f7-dcaks1RfmnZEATZOXiKfBOE9gAE4wsoRwooLa-B6xs6ooISquon2ZRRohl7js3rmZIiJFLIqbrQf1J5VXeOsXBrecumEsiUed93b9wBv1TZkNPigOOiqd6ibWBPqxKWPKZVVEbYAt8kaXnrhgln100xbHcqGbqaUbaNIIY/s1286/d02VOb_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1286" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghbPVYkKtjRGao00RRy7f7-dcaks1RfmnZEATZOXiKfBOE9gAE4wsoRwooLa-B6xs6ooISquon2ZRRohl7js3rmZIiJFLIqbrQf1J5VXeOsXBrecumEsiUed93b9wBv1TZkNPigOOiqd6ibWBPqxKWPKZVVEbYAt8kaXnrhgln100xbHcqGbqaUbaNIIY/s320/d02VOb_4f.jpg" width="224" /></a></div>This is a simple love story between a man with a troubled past relationship who occasionally gets panic attacks and a guy who tries and helps him to get over the insecurities. At the surface this may seem like yet another BL series, but there were facets of it, that I appreciated and we will talk more about that a little later. And also, with just 8 episodes each of about 15 minutes, some may think that this doesn't give enough time for character building; but IMO this was perfect. Anything longer would have tilted the impact. Sure, the makers could have done with slightly less characters and could have focused more on the leads, but it's all good.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seung Jun is a vocal coach and also sings at weddings. But he has a very shy personality and takes medicine to manage his anxiety. He only has one closest friend who lives in the same building as him and possibly also has a one-sided crush at him. During one of these weddings, Seung Jun meets pianist Jae Hyun, who owns a coffee shop and only plays the piano for fun. Jae Hyun is one of this outgoing personalities who invites Seung Jun to come out for meal with the group. Jae Hyun wants to be close to him and be friends, but Seung's anxiety doesn't allow him to do that. He confides in his best friend that this new guys makes his heart beat but he can't forget what happened with him. We are then told that 5 years ago, Seung Jun was a wannabe idol and was doing good and approached by a young CEO who made him fall in love with him. But he was also a player, fooling around with other band members. Later he undermined Seung Jun's confidence and sabotaged his career. The young singer was left with little self-esteem, and since then he has been in this situation. Eventually with the help of Jae Hyun , he is slowly able to overcome that and the two start to fall in love. But the evil returns, throwing Seung Jun's life once again in turmoil and he asks him and Jae Hyun both to just leave him alone since he cant deal with all that. Story shifts one year later, where we see that Seung Jun has worked on himself and is starting to record songs and music. After his first single is out, inspired by his life story and love for Jae Hyun, he meets him again and the two start where they left off.</div><div><br /></div><div>Look, I like the fact that we had a flawed lead. He has trauma from a. Taxi relationship that has badly impacted his self-confidence. The show doesn't spoon feed us, but its I not hard to relate to a young boy, who has never had a family, he gets love from someone, he puts down his rail guards only to be cheated on by and his skills being completely undermined. Anyone's confidence can get shaken up. So I was able to relate to the situation, his new love and how and why does Seung Jun hesitate for anyone to come close to him. Unfortunately, on not a positive note, a lot of narrative is a bit dry. The emotional depth is lacking in many scenes even though you do see sparks here and there. For example there is this scene when Seung Jun is so frustrated that his toxic ex is back in his life and Jae Hyun tries to stand by him, he totally rebukes him saying that he is just the same and he is making his life miserable. Jae Hyun quietly just walks away after that scene. Somehow I thought that scene was very powerful and shows what kind of individuals these two were. In fact, that one scene gives us an idea of Je Hyun's true feelings and respect for Seung. Unfortunately all we get after that is a one year jump. The series doesn't take time and focus on trying to build a romance. It would not be easy for anyone from a traumatic previous relationship to start trusting anyone new and this could have been a brilliant theme on its own. If the makes had focused on that, I can see this show becoming memorable. Instead, they rely on regular process where they bring in the ex , trying to won back the person and lets audience see the impact. As actors and character Seung Jun is written very well, but we hardly get to know about Jae Hyun. We are literally told nothing about him and why is he all over Seung. His motivations and intentions are never clear, even though you know he is the nice guy. Also can we please stop making the good best friend character also being secretly in love. Why can't folks let friends be friends? We would have loved to see how Seung Jun eventually overcomes his anxiety and comes to become this popular singer. Now that would hav been interesting to see rather than a basket one year jump. Having said all this and despite its many flaws, I somehow still enjoyed watching this tiny little series. It doesn't stretch unnecessarily but sadly it also fails to execute at multiple levels. Still, far better than other crazy stuff being belted out there. <b>(6/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-51765330056901816342024-02-26T09:57:00.004-05:002024-02-26T09:57:00.238-05:00Bagan Beginning (Burmese Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c1D6iusebAHZqIrIhg4kpVrFhbt8drYYmz-_AZiiDhWrUCen0LzMNayn1kKbq9TAjNObvQNxGPboEs7Bry5SyFn0Ev-feU6-79gPZldU9N4HRURFdRV8SLiYNxCFYtcnNPh_rhpGbU9MCYBo8x8MnCYCxjFMTDYV_zTnDtsB8I9aUBntY8ulOBUzuxs/s1024/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="724" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6c1D6iusebAHZqIrIhg4kpVrFhbt8drYYmz-_AZiiDhWrUCen0LzMNayn1kKbq9TAjNObvQNxGPboEs7Bry5SyFn0Ev-feU6-79gPZldU9N4HRURFdRV8SLiYNxCFYtcnNPh_rhpGbU9MCYBo8x8MnCYCxjFMTDYV_zTnDtsB8I9aUBntY8ulOBUzuxs/s320/unnamed.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>Myanmar is not really known for BL content, but following the footsteps of its neighboring countries, here is a 8 part series that is a decent first step in the BL story direction. The episodes lasting 27 minutes each are sometimes slow but are not only trying to tell a story but are also a travelogue of sorts to showcase the rich cultural history of Bagan. As a first attempt it is decent, but there is so much obvious product placement and tourism focus that sometimes the core of the story gets lost somewhere in between. More on that later. The show started in Dec 2023 and ended in Feb this year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mani and Lyan are two friends who have grown up together and forged a close bond and they spend a lot of time together. Mani is a tour guide and there is a new client Sam who has specifically asked to use his tour services to explore Bagan. He is originally from Bagan but moved very early to US and is now here to search for his biological parents. His real name is Walar and has a boyish charm about him and a very alluring face as well as smile. The first many episodes focus on these guys exploring Bagan area and the pagodas, during which we are told that Walan is gay and broke up with his boyfriend but also flirts with Mani, who actually starts to enjoy that, even though he has never considered himself to be attracted to men. Meanwhile Mani and his friend Lyan, spend every evening together and turns out that Lyan is secretly in love with Mani since forever. But he is being forced to marry by his mother. When one of their trans friend is back in town, she makes them both realize how much they are possibly in love with each other. Towards the end there is this drama os Walar, uncle kidnapping Mani since his father was responsible for Walar's parents death (which is not really explored properly) and with a very strange twist in the last couple of episodes, the show just goes downhill. Although because of that both Lyan and Mani realize how much they actually love each other and can't imagine being without each other.</div><div><br /></div><div>When the show starts, a good time is dedicated to giving us history of Bagan and its temples and surroundings and history in great detail. You feel as if you are watching a travelogue, but slowly the story starts to unfold. The story suddenly shifts on Lyan, his unrequited love for Mani, which his mother finds out and forces him to marry a girl. Meanwhile the trans friend makes Mani realize that this sudden realization that Mani could be attracted to boys (thanks to advances by Walan) could be his feelings for someone else i.e., Lyan. Lyan's longing for his friend is shown in a good light, but the sudden twist, the kidnapping in the last episode and how it ends is questionable in my mind. Also the sudden change of heart of Lyan's mother comes out of nowhere. If you are expecting any physical intimacy, you will not see it; but actually the way love is depicted here is unique and different. The love does not have to be noticeable either. It may just be the image of two young men with love in their eyes and a contentment in the knowledge that for the rest of their lives they can look at the setting sunset together, holding each other. </div><div><br /></div><div>Having said these things, there are many problems with the show. To begin with it cannot decide what it wants to be and feels as if it keeps changing genres. Starts of as a travelogue, moves to a love story and ends with a thriller. It was all very hard to digest. Also the ads and product placement gets jarring after a while. Whatever candy that sponsored the series, it I annoying to see Mani, unwrapping the candy in almost every scene and eating. Other medicine and products are also blatantly being promoted, which I understand are needed to fund such shows, but I wish they were used subtly. A lot of time is also spent on people just eating. I wonder if the idea was to showcase the food just like Bagan's surroundings to promote tourism. It was although, quite interesting to see all those temples that I had visited few years back just before covid. So a lot of memories came back for me. The actors do a. Decent job, although this will take time for them to grow. The big problem with the show is screenplay itself. It should have been a good love story of two young adults coming to terms with their sexuality, friendship turned love and how their families react; but the makers decide to add so much stuff to it unnecessarily, they end up confusing. Hopefully things will start to get only better from here. <b>(5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-58305446745652456802024-02-25T11:04:00.001-05:002024-02-25T11:04:00.124-05:00Shoulder Dance<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGrbCSrROtT2YKu5mNbCHhOUu3sZyDyFA2G6zCOpxmLI0SyHIbQPxScieUlFkX3mTvWbTLfnA1hSnxIshzIJN9DdXqdgoxVeQ3oE0aBWkN9Pj6hlIVmoX9gcEzu-fCCbi7UhQC9hNvKFd2sFKjfYLLN4Bhy_jBZin433GrGDpeWw7cHrg2ID5PcnL_VY/s1000/71hiTP7b+hL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="708" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipGrbCSrROtT2YKu5mNbCHhOUu3sZyDyFA2G6zCOpxmLI0SyHIbQPxScieUlFkX3mTvWbTLfnA1hSnxIshzIJN9DdXqdgoxVeQ3oE0aBWkN9Pj6hlIVmoX9gcEzu-fCCbi7UhQC9hNvKFd2sFKjfYLLN4Bhy_jBZin433GrGDpeWw7cHrg2ID5PcnL_VY/s320/71hiTP7b+hL._AC_UF894,1000_QL80_.jpg" width="227" /></a></div>This film had an interesting premise to show us a modern take on friendship and relationship, but the film ultimately falls flat due to an abundance of issues with the story, script, and production of this film. There is a lot of talk talk talk, which really adds nothing to the eventual plot of the film. It's like watching two couples spending a weekend together and hearing to their jibber-jabber with awkward acting which feels very very rehearsed.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ira and Josh have been a long term gay couple for almost 10 years. Ira is an agent in entertainment world and Josh is wannabe actor and since his career is not doing too well, he has become almost a home carer. Its weekend and they decide to spend it in they holiday home. We get a hint that Josh is not very happy since Ira is always busy and doesn't appreciate the efforts Josh takes to keep things together. This weekend Ira surprises Josh by saying that his childhood best friend Roger will be coming over for a visit. They had been estranged for 24 years and now since his mother just passed away, they reconnected. Josh is confused because he has never heard of this friend. Loud mouthed and touchy feel hot Roger shows up with his girlfriend Lily. Together the two couples eat, drink, smoke, and have drugs over the course of one hour 40 minutes where we wait and wait for something meaningful to happen. It is obvious that Ira had feelings for Roger when they were younger, but he was straight. Eventually during the course of the night, they do get an opportunity to talk about it and Roger kisses Ira, also confessing that if Ira had asked him for sex, he would have done it for Ira since he has always been there. They have sex while Josh and Lily are out partying. Next morning Roger makes Ira understand that Josh really loves him and he should appreciate what he has in life leading Ira to propose to Josh.</div><div><br /></div><div>Seeing Roger make Lily pressure Ira into taking drugs so Ira could loosen up and be comfortable around Roger was just… it was creepy as heck. And then Roger proceeded to use Ira being high and all up in his feelings to hook up with him. Like, WTF?!!! The weird thing is that both Lily and Josh were completely aware of the vibes between Ira and Roger. And yet they didn’t do anything to try and handle the situation. I don't understand that. The film has toxic traits all over. Both Josh and Lily are the type of people who were okay with ignoring the red flags in a romantic relationship because they prioritized the so-called benefits that came with staying in said relationships. And then there is this friend of Josh, whose character could have been completely eliminated but the duo keep getting in gossip all the time. Coming to acting, as I mentioned before, it didn't seem natural at all. The leads had no chemistry and there was a total lack of emotional bonding between either Ira and Josh or Ira and Roger. In fact, every emotional scene felt stunted and awkward, as if the actors weren’t even sure where in the script and emotional journey these scenes fell. I mean, it was awkward watching those scenes because you wait for something to happen, but literally nothing does till very later. The story moved so slowly, and took multiple of these senseless scenes to make a new point which towards the end we see this repressed feelings that Roger and Ira have had for each other, which is also weird since 24 years is a bloody long time to get over anyone. Also given their age and time they have been apart, some of the undertones that they talk about feels just nit possible. The film drags on forever and really tests your patience. This one can easily be missed. It feels like on of those boring one act stage plays that was then converted to a film keeping all the boredom intact. <b>(3/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-86563647796704377162024-02-24T12:06:00.001-05:002024-02-24T12:06:05.758-05:00Pit Babe (Thai Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUHkXGPqcPosOOLASG-pHA7WsvPukpaHEbI_v4CG7k7ywo7PF6iSRIefax-kFT1yR2XbcawI-W3hn-BmgH8VVG8jfB-47EHSiQg41x0jzpegiiH_NaJVS4XL__t-7IRzVknXRe0GUFvzZ7qFpUmqtP_TZaVd_mx7pHcHepFxv4TQF875Dvtua7xjk9Ps/s1112/QJKLXA_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1112" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUHkXGPqcPosOOLASG-pHA7WsvPukpaHEbI_v4CG7k7ywo7PF6iSRIefax-kFT1yR2XbcawI-W3hn-BmgH8VVG8jfB-47EHSiQg41x0jzpegiiH_NaJVS4XL__t-7IRzVknXRe0GUFvzZ7qFpUmqtP_TZaVd_mx7pHcHepFxv4TQF875Dvtua7xjk9Ps/s320/QJKLXA_4f.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>Only if sleek production value could make a good series, this show would have been up there. But this show is all over the place. The convoluted narrative in the second half of the show takes it to whole another level, except the level only goes down. It started ok with fast race cars, steamy love making scenes (even though the premise was very far fetched), but still three episodes into it, and I sort of knew that this is a show I am not going to like very much. And ended that happened. Also with episodes lasting almost 50-60 minutes each, it does take up a long long time to sit through the show. </div><div><br /></div><div>Babe also known as Pit Babe is a famous race car driver who can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch with remarkable intensity. This ability gives him a competitive advantage during races since he can react to the track and his opponents quickly. He has a winning streak with many championships. Him and his group of friends work together as the pit crew including Way, his best friend from childhood who has a secret crush on Babe. Babe is player and likes to sleep around. Enter Charlie, a fanboy who wants to borrow one of his car. Babe asks him to sleep with him and would agree only if he is satisfied. Before you know tithe two are having a steamy affair, because it turns out that Charlie has all qualities Babe needs in his sex mate to be successful. And then the crash comes. A villain comes into picture, an uncle of sorts who man who nurtures and eventually makes money of kids who have special powers like Babe. Turns out Charlie is also her eon some weird mission to keep an eye on Babe but also protect him. He gets into illegal business of race cars with sheer intention of bringing Babe down. And from here the show gos completely downhill. There are all kinds of weird twists and turns, people changing side, almost everyone having some incredible super powers. I dont even know how to go one from here. The show becomes just too much to handle from here suddenly turning from a BL steamy love affair show between a racer and his fan to this weird family feud blah human trafficking slash over the top story genre. Not that it was great to begin with in the first place.</div><div><br /></div><div>Tehs how begins with a bang straight away. Within first 20-30 minutes we are introduced to Babe with fun story and also the fanboy Charlie. By the end of first episode the two are having a steamy passionate sex scene. Each episode brings new conflicts, compelling drama, and psychological warfare. But still somehow the show was just not engaging enough for me. Rather than being amused, thrilled and excited with every twist that was being thrown, I was getting more and more frustrated by the absurdity of the whole thing and situation. The actor playing Babe is hot, although same cannot be said about his acting which could use some work. But as a lead who is supposed to be vulnerable yet arrogant and hot, physically he does fit the part. Charlie is strictly ok. There are quite a few sexual scenes, but none of them really excited me. In fact they seemed forced. And as I mentioned before, the second half just take a nosedive. Ever since the villain joins the race car business and his motivation and everyone's back story and how it comes to a culmination is all so laughable. The narrative spirals into senseless chaos, and I just could not wait for the show to end. It is a shame when as audience you really dont care about what is happening in front of your eyes. This is clearly an indication of a bad show. Then we have all these side couples, who, by now we know that most BL series have this habit of keeping a main couple and three four side couples to keep teenage audience happy, but even in this, none of them was exciting enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thei show has too much going on with almost nothing moving at the same time. Trying to deal with topics like mafia, human trafficking , trauma, racing, family issues, playboys; you name it and it is all there. This show is a mess, and I maybe one of the few ones to dislike it since I can easily guess people getting all swayed by the posh production and hot steamy sex. But at the core, it is a big mess and wasting almost 13 hours just seems unpardonable. In fact, even writing this review here feels such a sheer waste of time. <b>(3/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-57969001397488916902024-02-21T14:30:00.001-05:002024-02-21T14:30:00.145-05:00I’m a Porn Star: Gay 4 Pay (Documentary)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwPwQ7txai40F4eJi5joaqKB4PwGjQXBryg1mwgBY7AEyw6o9lFK5dJm0tjnXfat2zP5FXw-UzGe0oK-oOyYtXKYwD0id5zSY8viMfPREk6AnGxCk8LqnLMs7yiNzVn2YEwOna4H39CA-xVTy1FHUpNuRXIvBlDeleaUgZN6pqkKDoN6vypaIhQf1orY/s942/gay4pay-poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="942" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxwPwQ7txai40F4eJi5joaqKB4PwGjQXBryg1mwgBY7AEyw6o9lFK5dJm0tjnXfat2zP5FXw-UzGe0oK-oOyYtXKYwD0id5zSY8viMfPREk6AnGxCk8LqnLMs7yiNzVn2YEwOna4H39CA-xVTy1FHUpNuRXIvBlDeleaUgZN6pqkKDoN6vypaIhQf1orY/s320/gay4pay-poster.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>I think most gay men will admit that having sex with a straight guy is something that they find very exciting, so it comes as no surprise that there is a disproportionate percentage of men working in gay porn who identify as straight. This documentary from few years back takes this fact and tries to get answers to some of the questions that we may have been thinking for a while now. Why would a straight man do gay porn? What motivates him to try this or make a career of it? But more importantly, why is the consumer of the gay porn so interested in knowing the personal sexuality of the actors. And why do we skew the numbers towards them so much that the percentage of straight men in gay porn is higher.</div><div><br /></div><div>This documentary interviews many gay4pay performers who themselves explain from their own experience their point of view what means and feels to be a straight man in the gay porn industry, and how it affects their own lives. For the "straight" men, they talk about what motivated them to go into the industry. Its fascinating to hear them talk about their lives outside of porn. If they still consider themselves straight even though they have sex with men, if their families and significant others know about their career & if they did know, how did they react. One of the performers go really deep on how this all affects his married life. Also this was probably sponsored by Sean Cody since the name was mentioned more than a handful times. Part of me wanted to like this documentary but honestly it was slow moving, monotonous and narratively flat. The topic is interesting and could make for an engaging watch, but somehow this was just not. All the "straight" guys sounded dumb in their interviews and the actual gay guys were average. Honestly the street interviews were way more interesting than the porn performers. All the people's answers were exactly what you expect and what you already know, so in that sense this documentary really doesn't present anything new at all. This one can easily be skipped. <b>(2/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-15174138056396234072024-02-20T17:52:00.000-05:002024-02-20T17:52:00.727-05:00Love Mate (Korean Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprtfEs2KtoLaID-7EwBJOx8OcKLxpuySBRyJnEa2BHd0ciM2wqImA93l_1_8LCWQNNGyIQgFgwHsDX61J7YJYqsn1cqX2wRuk0vnRUu4uil6qBrmQmiAUQz_UWDaYK-_qGv9SH0cGBYEOCdu0j48cLkHIC8Qu_0tgUAuuN_2Me5LYkdVaKfw_SOQA16E/s1273/BdBgXb_4f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgprtfEs2KtoLaID-7EwBJOx8OcKLxpuySBRyJnEa2BHd0ciM2wqImA93l_1_8LCWQNNGyIQgFgwHsDX61J7YJYqsn1cqX2wRuk0vnRUu4uil6qBrmQmiAUQz_UWDaYK-_qGv9SH0cGBYEOCdu0j48cLkHIC8Qu_0tgUAuuN_2Me5LYkdVaKfw_SOQA16E/s320/BdBgXb_4f.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>This show falls in one of those categories where you have to define the line between a cute office romance or a workplace harassment situation. Our guy cannot take enough for an answer, but then this stupid and cheesy flirting also becomes sort of addictive after a while and you enjoy it (maybe because it is so bad). The plot is the same done to death of romance, ex showing up, back o love, just using a different inspiration. This series has 8 episodes ranging from 15-20 minutes each.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lee Jun totally doesn't believe in love. However, he does go on a blind date every day, just so that he doesn't have to eat alone and then firmly blocks them. He believes love is an unnecessary, uncomfortable, and unpleasant emotion. He advocates for single life, going against traditional norms. In his company, he proposes an idea of a show highlighting single life, but is vehemently opposed by a new hie Ha Ram. A hopeless romantic, he is not afraid to say thatches is a bad idea. As expected Lee Jun hates the guts of this guy and tries to avoid him, only making Ha Ram more resilient to change Lee's perspective on love. He is a string crush on Lee Jun and even confesses it but get declined. Ha Ram starts flirting with Lee Jun at every opportunity and eventually they decide why don't they date for a month and then figure out whether it works or not. They have great time together, and we are later told that Lee Jun's previous boyfriend broke up with him over a text message and once then he has been wary. Finding themselves in a bit of a push-and-pull relationship, Lee Joon and Ha Ram begin to understand each other better, as they slowly learn about each other’s past and present struggles. As expected, the ex boyfriend shows up in the scene. He is a famous model who is being considered as a model for the new show. He tries to charm up Le Jun again, but thanks to full support from Ha Ram, they realize he is just playing. The two lovers are strangler than ever and decide it's time to move from temporary date to permanent boyfriends. </div><div><br /></div><div>The big problem with this show is that it is so predictable. You know exactly what would happen. Still the cute flirting and Ha Ram's infectious energy salvages the show However I also think that his actions account for borderline harassment. The series pretends these exchanges are comical and lighthearted, yet I feel deeply disturbed by his creepy misconduct, but hey when have BL shows ever shown boundaries. Also Lee Jun's switch is so random and sudden. Firstly, I do not agree of the reasons for his being so opposed to love and then suddenly after many flirtations from Ha Ram, he then just gives in. It is never really obvious why these two people would fall for one another. But, I believe the trick here s not take this show seriously. Thankfully I realized that very soon and the cringy and corny dialogues and situations were actually not all that bad then. As expected, when the show could have ended in 6 episodes, the introduction of the ex happens to add to the conflicts. Unfortunately, his character brings a tedious love triangle conflict that bogs down the final stretch of the narrative. I mean there is not even one big showdown to show the guy his place. It is all very quiet and meek. Overall, this just ends up being a very ordinary show with nothing new or special to say. You will not remember one bit of it after you are done watching it. There are a lot better Korean shows out there. <b>(4/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3982412773040907702.post-43073056926565452382024-02-19T07:30:00.002-05:002024-02-19T07:30:18.067-05:00The Reason Why He Fell in Love With Me: Season 2 (Japanese Series)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wasybHb6mplv3GThy89pkoi7OCvEsAiB96tHPD24CKqjnUovwTCHCdxpqPWQWlK1ldL5wm59O7Ki44ALSmfhsJ6r-eZAWcDzd-ZIq_RbldCLsLNaltgOZ985PYlD2F46hnfr6UjuHXbHPFCX9lsWDRgxg44lF9Qno1inbLRRCtgQJZSX2OYMI3CKBt4/s500/51kz-t5xvMS._AC_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="357" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-wasybHb6mplv3GThy89pkoi7OCvEsAiB96tHPD24CKqjnUovwTCHCdxpqPWQWlK1ldL5wm59O7Ki44ALSmfhsJ6r-eZAWcDzd-ZIq_RbldCLsLNaltgOZ985PYlD2F46hnfr6UjuHXbHPFCX9lsWDRgxg44lF9Qno1inbLRRCtgQJZSX2OYMI3CKBt4/s320/51kz-t5xvMS._AC_.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>You know when I saw the first season of this show, it felt decent. It was just 4 episodes, had pretty straight forward-ish episode and Masumi's Over the top reactions were priceless. So the makers came up with a special episode after season 1 and I guess maybe they got decent response leading them to make a season 2 of this show. This season is 10 episodes of 40 plus minutes each (so a significant change from the original season). Sadly, the show doesn't hold up to the potential and promise it came up with. In fact, I would say that it's probably one of the worst sequels made.</div><div><br /></div><div>A quick recap of the special episode between two season. We are told that it didn't workout between Masumi and Toru and it's been three years since they have been separate. Toru is now a qualified lawyer and he eventually falls in love with one of his colleagues following similar pattern of love at first sight. Now in this season we see that this new couple is happy and almost open about their status. One day Masumi's mother comes to there office with a case that Masumi is being harassed by a new teacher in the school , thereby impacting Masumi's morale and even forcing him to quit his job. Being the nice guy that Toru is, he decides to take up the case, which means that him and Masumi have to spend more time together. When his new love finds out this, as expected, he is uncomfortable with idea. The case is eventually solved, but now Masumi again has these resurfaced feelings towards Toru and tries his best to get him back. What follows a weird situation where two men are trying to get Toru's attention, which also is slightly confused himself; but eventually he makes it clear that he has no feelings for Masumi and his new love is his real love now. The show should have ended just here, but in the last episode, a new suitor comes into picture and gets totally attracted to Toru because of his simplicity and niceness and openly flirts within. The episode ends in a hangover giving us apotential threat for season 3.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's start with basic problems with this season. First of all, of the every episode that lasts almost 45 minutes, almost good 10-20 minutes are sometimes spend in just recap of the previous episode, which was annoying while I was watching the show. But in hindsight, now that I am writing this, my suggestion to anyone who still ends up watching this is, maybe just watch the recaps in every episode and trust me , you would not have missed anything. IN fact, I would highly recommend doing that. Secondly, they changed the actor who played Masumi is season 1. To make matters worse, the new couple of Toru and his colleague; they have like zero chemistry. It feels like such a forced couple. There are also many random characters, like the teacher who bullies Masumi and his back - story. I was like, I don't fucking care man! We have some family members making appearance and focus on randomest of people. This was a classic case of makers not knowing what they wanted to do so they were going in 100 different directions. This season, if it does have a story, would have been incoherent, even f this was made as a short film. At least, it would have been slightly better had they kept the original Masumi actor. As of now, this should just be skipped. <b>(1.5/10)</b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0