Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

A time loop drama with BL love; wow!! You can't deny the fact that this is something brand new in the BL world. The story is complex, the setting medical. And instead of a straight forward romance, the proceedings are complex because the main character is stuck inside a time loop. The two leads go on an extraordinary adventure with time manipulation, mystery investigation, and epic romance. The show is 13 episodes with each about 45 minutes long. Tin is a resident doctor who works in an emergency room. One night, two men arrive in critical condition. A young drunk driver Tol and another victim on whom Tin focuses more because of severe injuries. Sadly they both die at 10:55 PM. The superior boss Dr. Sak suspects that Tin is partial to treating drunk truck driver because his sister died in the same emergency room few years back. Tin goes to sleep and when he wakes up, he finds himself in a familiar time loop. He has been transported to the previous evening for some inexplicable reas...

This is a feel good road movie about two mismatched Roman teenagers spending a summer in US. To be honest , from a story perspective there really isn't much that's happening here. The film is about friendship, coming of age of two teenagers who end up spending their summer with a gay couple and unexpected friendships develop. Marco is about to graduate school when he gets 3000 Euros for accident compensation. At his friend's suggestion, he decides to take off to California to stay with someone whom his friend recommended. To his horror, his friend also made the same promise promise to Maria, a good girl from school, whom he can't stand. Marco and Maria are to stay with the gay couple Matt and Paul in San Francisco for a couple of days till they make their next move. Maria makes her displeasure about them being gay, but the couple takes it ok. Over the period of time, we hear the story of how Paul and Matt got together and how Matt was bisexual. Also Paul is unhappy in h...

This 2 part mini series of about 22 minutes each was an extremely easy and fun watch. A slice of life comedy, this show reminded me of the Man who Defies the BL world for its over the top, yet very funny, humor. With his overactive imagination, the lead actor makes up quite bit of outlandish scenarios that can title your funny bone. The plot is simple. Hibiki works as a bartender and is a secretly obsessed fundashi (boys who enjoy romantic or sexual relationship between two men), who likes to draw BL, watch anime etc. But at work he pretends to be your regular run-of-the mill guy. While working, he loves to day dream about real life people in front of him in various BL scenarios. When the first two customers arrive, he has funny day dreams about them. Hibiki’s overactive imagination often misconstrues their innocuous interactions as romantic connections. He gets overexcited about his fantasies, often lost in his own world. This continues when his older boss' male friend comes to me...

Few years back, there was a time when I used to watch a lot of gay themed Italian films. I feel they have found a way to mix comedy and drama and to send a message. Surely, these movies cannot be taken too seriously, but from an entertainment perspective, they provide a good fun viewing where you can forget your stress for a short while. From a politically correctness point of view, many people may take issues with this film, but I was just happy laughing hard at quote a few places. Serene Bruno, a woman in 30s has an extremely successful career as an architect in London, but one night when she terribly misses home, she takes the big decision to move back home. The situation at home is not very promising, and Serena must adapt to designing funeral mausoleums for rich imbeciles and working as a waitress in a Rome restaurant managed by the handsome Francesco (who is gay but not out at work). One day she comes across a contest to big for renovation of a old building. She realizes that bei...

It's after a while that I am actually seeing a thriller/action movie with gay characters in the leading roles, it is also to be said that the fact they are gay is almost incidental. This could have been a straight couple and nothing would have had to change. BU the fact that central plot is around a couple who is gay, makes the film more fun and redeemable. Had the film been done with straight couple, I can't see a reason why anyone would watch it. With the setup above, the film can sometimes get goofy, something that you an't take seriously but you also want to believe in. John and Paul are a successful gay couple who are about to adopt a child, the son of Paul’s best friend; a victim of cancer. One day when buying milk John witness a brutal mafia murder and escapes home, but is seen by one of the baddies. To not risk their adoption (because the final decision is in two days), he choses not to tell Paul about this. But things change when the mafia tracks him down. A weird ...

Even though you can see it coming right from the very first episode, There is still a fascinating story embedded in this Taiwanese show. This show taps into everybody’s insecurities in the LGBT community, the part of ourselves that might not comprehend why we’re born differently. The show goes one step deeper and also address some born chromosomal disorders which heighten the anxiety of self acceptance to another level. At 12 episodes of about 25-30 minutes, its a good watch without any unnecessary fillers. Le Chien works as a part time chef along with his childhood friend, a girl named Yu He whose brother knows the cafe. This duo had another friend Wen Wen, who moved away form the town when they were all very little. Wen Wen and Le Chien were almost in love with one another as kids. Meanwhile Yu He has always harbored a secret crush on Le. Le along with another one of his close friend Ching Lung, who has a boyfriend of 4 years and they share a very warm and lovely gay relationship des...

This film was probably made on a shoe string budget. Definition of happiness is different for people and the way we all deal with grief is also different. This film is about 2 individuals, who come together and somehow influence each other win ways more than either of them could have imagined. An overweight middle aged bank employee lives with his mother, suffering from Alzheimer's, taking care of her. While he works during the day, he gets help from a caretaker named Daniel. One day the mother locks Daniel in balcony and goes out of home. In the evening Sven and Daniel search for her together and this is when we see the first time Sven lightly flirts with Daniel. When Daniel returns home, his wife kicks him out because she thinks he is having an affair. He comes to Sven's home and the trio have a wonderful evening together. They platonically even sleep together. Next day the mother dies and Sven is all alone but a slow mysterious relationship starts between Sven and Daniel. Sv...

I can't remember the names, but I have fir sure seen similar films about marriage of convenience. The fact that this film came back in 1992 (almost 30 years ago), is what makes it very special and interesting. Sure it doesn't take sides or even give you a satisfying conclusion, but thats understandable given none of the protagonists is really right or wrong. They all have their individual issues and they are trying to fit in the moiety in their own way. Mutsuki is a successful doctor and has a boyfriend Kon. Shoko, a girl coming of marriage age,  on the other hand is a translator but is also an alcoholic and also has been released from hospital (we are not told the exact reason). The duo meet through their parents and tell each other their secrets and still get married. A marriage of convenience is of course not a magical solution to their problems. Kon is understandably not happy about seeing his boyfriend getting married and moving in with another person. Shoko is also feelin...

Why? Why? Why? This show is almost a rehash version of Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding but minus the comic fun elect from the show. We know the premise of a man pretending to be a woman and marrying another man could lead to lot of funny situations. Unfortunately, this series take this concept and drama too seriously with extended back stories of characters and too many sub plots. The show at 16 episodes of 30 minutes each is way too long in the first place. To top it, its just not fun to watch. This show is a good example on how to bore your audience. A slave boy is trying to run away from his master but saved by an older nobleman. He convinces him to pretend to be a girl, his daughter from an illegitimate wedding. He does that to save his life. After few months, nobleman somehow convince him to marry a man who has fallen for this girl. Then we have another  man who comes into the picture who was apparently either friend or master of this boy (girl) and was in love with him. Somehow I am n...

This comedy documentary follows two young Australian gay comedians, Joel Creasey and Rhys Nicholson, as they put on a show in a rural Australian town Colac known for its homophobia. In fact, last time Joel was there, he was chased to his car by a group of 20 teens hurling anti-gay abuse at him. With Rhys for back up, Joel is heading back to the town to live there, sell some tickets, get to know the locals and work out how homophobic this town really is. When Joel had the incident, the mayor of the town of Colac city against accusations of homophobia, which is one of the reasons that Joel along with Rhys decides to give the town one more chance. They reach the town and meet the new mayor who welcomes them into the town and admits that smaller towns often need a while to “catch up”. Then the pair travel around the town, trying to sell 700 tickets to their upcoming show. Most of the people they met along the way were very welcoming. During this time, they try out working at a factory, bar...

The couple from the series 'Country Boys' is back with this 2 part series of 30 minute each, with a new story that continues to follow the pattern of a simple love story based on real genuine feelings, unpretentious attitude, and honesty. Just like with their other films, the budget and probably the production house had basic minimal budget. A simple story combined with basic budget tries its best to convert the emotions but sadly it fails short of anything memorable.  The film starts with Nueng and Ten fighting for the same girl's attention who ditches them both for a third guy. Supposed to be enemies now. Nueng happens to be sitting in a restaurant owned by Ten's mother. Initially not wanting to serve him, his mother forces him to, as he is now a paying customer. The two start to talking and slowly realize that they may have more in common than they think. They begin to know each other and as they do, they become from very good friends to having feelings for one anoth...

This was such a cute little delightful romance story and that too not set in a university. Set in an office environment, this is a love story of grown up men, who both have feelings for one another , but are too scared to act on it or even say it. The two handsome leads address pertinent issues of aging, work pressure, social norms etc and yet continue to charm us with their charismatic performance. This is one of those mature sophisticated stories, that should have been made long time back. And at 5 episodes of about 25 minute each, it never ever drags and stays on course. 39 year old Nozue is good at his job but prefers his dull and monotonous routine including his work. He is too afraid to take a promotion. He is loved by his team particularly his female colleagues. And then we have the 29 year old Togawa who works directly under Nozue, who is like a role model for him. We see that how Nozue encouraged him after he interviewed for the company and somewhere Togawa feels that led to h...

This feels like an indie film with minimal budget discovers a kind of queer Petri dish of Army wives left to make “adult play dates” with each other while their husbands are stationed overseas. I am really not sure where this movie was headed because it felt in the realm of fantasy and surrealism. Although the film is supposed to be set in a military base, it feels more like a summer camp with grass and greenery and long distance huts. The film starts with Roger, who is raising his daughter Roxy while his husband Frank is out in Djibouti for 6 months at a military base of Fort Buchanan. He has raised their daughter pretty much by himself. He hasn't had much sexual connection with his husband and has ben on his own. Then there are about 4-5 other wives of military men who advise him that he should go outside marriage and have sex because that is how they save their marriages. One of them even demonstrates by seducing Roxy. There is another man George, who is gay (I think his husband...

Not every story idea that sounds good on paper translates well on screen. The series, which did promising was so bad in acting, direction , editing and just about everything. The only saving grace was the decent job done by the lead actor but even that couldn't save the mess of a series that this show is. Thankfully 8 episodes of about 10 minutes watch doesn't make it stretched beyond its welcome time. And don't get fooled by the poster. I don't know why the makers gave a sci-fi feel to the poster and the guy is not even half decent looking as it seems in the poster. Elmo has just returned home from US to visit his twin sister Sarah after breaking up with his girlfriend. Once home, Sarah tells him that she has been dating two guys at the same time and she would need Elmo's help. He will need to dress up and pretend to be Sarah and be with Nathan, while Sarah spends time with other guy Jessie. The condition is to not kiss or have sex and if such a situation arises, t...

The following set of short films are not really gay films, but more of homoerotic and teasing films with nude men and a slight hint of queerness. I'd just stay away from these. Strangers (Israel) A short story of two strangers meeting in a train journey, not knowing that something stranger is coming their way. Studies On Hysteria (Germany) In a naturist community, a young man discovers a pair of jeans in the woods. Wearing them, the revolt of neighbors is the answer. The expression of his revolt has as consequence the hanging death. A comedy and satire on the naked truth of life , quite literally. Homophobia (France) A man who don’t like gay people – afraid to be gay himself – live a strange experience of unreal proximity. Argentina (Brazil) A Brazilian guy. A globetrotter hosted by the Brazilian. A birthday party, a mattress , the beach, a couple confused scenes. And , sure, the silly end. Yes, the title too, so bizarre than it becomes the basic pillar of a not solide building. Ch...