Darkroom - Tödliche Tropfen (German)

The timelines in this film is all over the place. The film constantly moves around between 2201, 2003, 2009 and 2010. Non-linear format is not something new and we have seen it before, but here it just happens every so 5 minutes that after a while, you start questioning that whether this non-linear narration was even necessary. I am guessing this is based on a true story or something but I am not sure. From the subject perspective, the makers definitely had something interesting but the weird execution falters to a large extent.

Lars and Roland are a couple living in Berlin who have been together for over 6 years ago. Film starts with Lars in jail and a case going on him for murder of three young men and attempted murder of two. Through multiple flashbacks, we find out what really happened and also our perspective of what really the truth is. Lars and Roland had met in a small town many years back along two of other Roalnd's friends who are not very friendly with Lars. The couple, now in Berlin, has an open relationship and they have sex with other men. When one of the friends of Roland suddenly disappears from their lives after his boyfriend is diagnosed of cancer, we see how cold-bloodedly Lars kills him. We see two other such incidents. Then through various court proceedings, we also find out how his father was opinionated, how his grandmother was a towering figure making sure Lars doesn't turn out to be gay. But when she finds out the truth of his sexuality, she threatens to cut him of her will. So possibly, Lars killed her also. When the murders are proved, Lars shows absolutely no remorse or guilt. But he keeps telling Roland that he truly loves him making Roland question how he could not have seen that his boyfriend was some sort of a serial killer.

The execution of the film is actually quite messy and the editing is really bad. I am sure the makers didn't have big budget but ample use of bad green screen doesn't help at all. Lars' performance is all over the place. He is good sometimes but there times he is so over the top. Roland thankfully does a better job. Film keeps moving between a love story, a murder mystery, coming out and is not sure what it really wants to be. It thinks that they are trying to portray a neutral viewpoint but clearly it has string opinions. The judges were alll made to look caricatures for some odd reason. The film does not know what it wants to say. The subject could have been far more interesting with decent direction and editing. I think this one can easily be skipped. (3.5/10)

Comments

The Shortest Distance is Round 3: Fallen Flowers

Continuing with the weird trilogy of "The Shortest Distance", I am so glad that finally I am done with part 3 and won't have to deal with this again in future. Thankfully, as of now the makers have not announced any further parts; which will save all of us on this earth from the embarrassment of watching this in near future. After the first 10 minutes are used in sort of recapping bits of first two parts, the story moves forward. Haruto is now starting to have feelings for Ruka, the mysterious pole dancer from second part. In a fit of rage, Ruka ends up killing the goat man and to save him and Haruto, Shibahara asks them to go underground. Meanwhile Shibahara continues the search for Seiya (the guy who had cut off Haruto's penis). It turns out Seiya is now also taking care of the original club owner from part 1. Both of them were released after they had informed Shibahara of Aoyama's secret location. Shibahara tortures Seiya's boyfriend leading to Seiya killin

One Summer Night (Korean)

I really wanted to like this film but for non native speakers, these movie leaves a lot to be understood and the way scenes were unfolding in front of me, I wasn't sure many times what was really going on. The story had potential button getting any back story on any of the characters limited my ability to empathize with any of these actors. Film starts with two North Korea military guys Yong Joon and Jae Sung having sex and they are caught red handed and they run. Three years later we see Yong Joon in Seoul leading a very mundane and poor life. He has a boyfriend Tae-Kyu, who is a weird guy. He is carefree, doesn't do any work and is completely emotional and financially dependent on Young Joon. In fact, even Yong Joon will go to any lengths to protect him , fend for him and taking care of him to the extent of even taking up prostitution. Suddenly one day Jae Sung appears in their life again. His motivation is not clear but it is obvious he wants Yong Joon back in his life, who

Ultimate masturbation: Shigoki no yama (Japanese) [The Ultimate Masturbation]

I would never know what was the point behind making this film. Was it supposed to be a comedy, cos it wasn't. It wasn't even porn. It was just a silly attempt at making something absolutely senseless and ridiculous. The story, as well as direction is equally shoddy. You could laugh for having seen something so bad, but I wouldn't call that comedy. An old man runs a camp about gay masturbation. The explanation given is that gays masturbate for pleasure unlike straight men, for whom the act is seen as shame or because they can't find a woman. One day a straight man shows up and wants to join the camp for his thesis. After discussion, he is allowed in. Rules include that you can masturbate together, you can masturbate one another, but there is no fellatio or anal sex. Some students of course breaks rule. The teacher then talks about 2 forms of masturbation which gives ultimate pleasure. He shows one without touching and then refuses to talk of the other. Somehow suddenly,

Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

Search This Blog