Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

“I’ll never stop loving you”—can anyone keep this promise? A romantic love story of two young boys, when the two meet by chance, their instant chemistry ignites a passionate affair that challenges them both to confront their desires and aspirations. An interesting premise, but I felt a lot of context was missing in the film and let's talk about that a bit later. Orlando is a dance student working part time as a go-go dancer in a popular gay bar, and Marco is a nursing student working part time in a hotel. They meet by chance on the street one day and they both have this instant crackling chemistry that they can't keep their hands off each other. Orlando is also applying to a reality dance completion in hopes to make it bug. Marco in the meantime, wants to be a good nurse as has been his dream. They duo start a passionate love story and before you know they move in, loving each other and supporting each other's career. But somewhere along the path, they start growing apart. ...

This series may have the most simple and basic storyline we have seen in BL's but it still does feel like a warm cozy hug. The cinematography, The lush greenery, the rainfall and the beautiful chemistry between the two boys was amazing. The show is just 7 episodes of average 15 minutes and then 14 bonus episodes of approximately 5 minutes each. We will talk more details once we summarize the story. Xiaozhi is asked by his older brother to spend a few weeks at a summer camp to monitor children on an island that produces lychee fruit. He is a boyishly handsome young man, who is also interested in art and philosophy. He is roomed with a friend of his brother and about the same age as his brother. Chen Li, handsome and helpful, takes a liking to Xiaozhi and immediately the two of them become close friends. Both take separate soul-searching journeys that intercept and intertwine with one another leading to only one inevitable course. The two spend a lot of time in the camp just being th...

The original Japanese shows has to be one of my fav BL shows. Then came the Hong Kong version which was equally good. Sadly the same cannot be said about the Thai remake of this cult classic. This version is missing the humanity and the heart that was key ingredient of the original Japanese version. Most importantly, it had authenticity sprinkled with humor, grace, and tons of human emotions. Sadly neither the production, nor the actors do justice here. The makers have slightly modified the story also, but even if they kept it all same, not much would have changed. 12 episodes each of about 50 minutes. The story is similar. Heng is our main character who works in real estate company. His Boss has been secretly crushing on him, but he has no idea. At the same time, another office employee Mo likes him. Apparently many years back when Mo started in the company, Heng really helped him out. Monday is looking for a place to move in, so Heng invites him to stay with him. In return, Mo can co...

Set in the 1950s post-war America, a seemingly sensible newlywed and her wayward brother-in-law undertake parallel journeys of risk, romance, and self-discovery. In this new world, some people went after security, while others went after thrill and living life to the fullest. With the combination of romance, exploration of sexuality, gambling; this film was interesting to watch, but also somehow felt a little short of becoming really good. This queer period drama explores the challenges of coming out in the 1950s. Back fresh from the war, Julius shows up at his older brother Lee's girlfriend Muriel's door. Strikingly gorgeous, we see that Julius and Muriel have a chemistry. Lee and Julius always had a plan to move to California, buy house and live together and Muriel expects that Julius will follow through only to be disappointed. 6 months later Lee and Muriel are married in California trying to make a life for themselves, while Julius finds himself in Vegas for life's thri...

This Spanish documentary series chronicles the violent death of Colombian surgeon Edwin Arrieta on a tranquil Thai island, at the hands of Daniel Sancho, a 29-year-old aspiring chef known for his YouTube videos. Going over 5 episodes each of about 40-50 minutes, which captures the brief backgrounds of these two individuals, how/when they met. How/when murder happened and the trial and the media circus that followed. Inspite of the trial being covered extensively by the world’s media, mystery still surrounds the case. The series explores the questions that remain about Edwin and Daniel's relationship and also the double life led by each man. We first meet Edwin, a Colombian guy who came from a very modest background and ended up becoming one of the most celebrated surgeons. With dreams and high hopes, he used to travel a lot and apparently met Daniel Sancho in Spain. Daniel is son of a very famous Spanish actor and wannabe chef. He came from a luxury background but also wanted to do...

A gay romantic comedy is always a good way to move on from pride month. The film interestingly mixes cuteness and awkwardness using stereotypical formulas but has realistic characters. The movie needed more finesse in acting and and a bit more tighter ending, because the story is as predictable as it gets. Two unlikely guys meet, sparks fly, start dating, one of them is reluctant to make a commitment and/or express true feelings, they have a major falling out, and then something happens that probably brings the couple back together. We have all heard/seen it before but it's the treatment that makes all the difference. Set in New York City, Zack Anthony, an overweight guy, is a wannabe novelist and the film starts with a hot guy fathoming him after sex. He feels “stuck” in life because he’s unemployed, his aspiring career as a novelist has stalled and of course he is conscious of his body. And even though he says he doesn't want love, you can tell he is a romantic. We meet anoth...

La Pampa is a sensitive, spirited and quietly profound film, that reminds you of the strength of friendship, the messiness of the families and most importantly how you need to be true to yourself. Exploring themes of rebellion, shame, and unresolved anguish, La Pampa delves into the profound challenges of articulating inner turmoil, set up in a motor pass setup with dirt bikes. This coming-of-age drama excels at portraying teenagers navigating an adult world,  and silly wrong turns that the collective makes sometimes. The story is of two blood brothers and friends Jojo and Willy. Inseparable since childhood, they both share a love of motocross and a burning desire to leave their small town. While Willy struggles to balance his love of the sport and the academic expectations set for him by his widowed mother, Jojo is pushed to his limits by his father and his trainer, both former motocross champions who see in the teenager a chance to relive their glory days. One night Willy finds J...

A down to earth BL series set in the rural country side where the realization to stop the pain, a self-sacrifice had to be made which is the price of love. Continuing the trend, this is also a low production series from Vietnam, but at least here, the was not as bad. Acting and story had some depth and thought was given through. One of the shows where things don't end on a happy ending, but probably more reality. And in this case, the choice was made, deliberately, not to have one. This mini-series was 4 episodes of 30 minutes each. For some this show may feel genuine and real, which it likely is, but it could still use a lot of polishing. In rural village, we meet Bach and Han, two brothers. Bach is the older one who odd job jobs and work in a wood factory to take care of him and his younger brother. One of the neighbors nephew Tung comes to stay with her leaving's home since his family cannot accept that he is gay. Tung is employed at the same location where Bach works. Befor...

This Dekkoo series of 9 episodes and 10 minutes each, recounts the title character’s misadventures dating in New York City. Danny is a 40-ish gay man who has a series of horrifically amusing bad dates that make him wonder if he will be single forever.  Addressing the viewers directly by breaking the fourth wall, Danny recounts his experiences as they happen, endearing himself as a gay everyman who seeks sex if not love.  Danny makes no bones about being an irritated, promiscuous bottom who has seemingly insatiable sexual needs. He is an "elder millennial," which, he contends, is the reason for his frequent erotic trysts. "I need a steady stream of sexual attention in order to feel any amount of self-esteem," he says in one episode. Every date has some sort of problem with the other person, whether it be clinginess, fetishes, or political stances. Over the course of 9 episodes we see how Danny meets a different man and is in a different situation and how nothing seem...

Adapted from a Japanese manga, this apparently toned down version, is a quintessential love story in my opinion. What lengths would you go to when challenges come in between love and your work and how do you balance the two is wonderfully shown in this series. Subtextually there is a lot going on in the series (base din the film world showing all kinds of differences, and rivalries), the show tries to remain focused more on the love, which can be good or bad. With 11 episodes, each of about 45-55 minutes, the shows ends teasing us the possibility of a second season. Akin is a famous star actor and a celebrity. He has winning the sexiest man award for few years in a row and is trembly popular. Enter Jin, a newbie whose first small role is with Akin. He is a wooden actor but after giving a few bad shots, Akin gives him some tips and soon he is nailing the scene. Their first show gets popular and soon the duo are cast together in a historical adaptation. This is where the love story betwe...

Wow! This film was such a breath of novel fresh idea. Funny and very heart warming at the same time. There's loads of sarcasm and observational wit in the script and the execution is just brilliant. I quite enjoyed watching the film. There is something predictable about the story, but along the way we do watch some enjoyable characterizations and all the actors do a very commendable job. This is an earnest and generous film, a film with a lot of heart. 30-something Edward is a successful author in Ireland who is looking for his big break in America. He’s also the primary caregiver for his mother, Alma, who recently suffered a stroke and is unable to speak without the assistance of a tablet that verbalizes her words. Edward's agents want him to bring his queer-themed Young Adult novel to the States to find the readership they think it deserves. He is also keen to go but the problem is who will take care of his mother? Edward's best friends and even his longtime therapist are...

Even though this show had a soap opera like feel to it, but My god! What a fantastic series. The show is 6 episodes of about 45 minutes each, but the twists and turns and surprises that are thrown at you in every episode is fantastic. The storyline is genuinely intriguing and I genuinely could not guess the perpetrator. A suspenseful mystery about a man trying to understand how his husband of many years died in a car crash, the secrets he kept; especially his family members that were always kept a secret. A fatal car crash happens in rural France. Back in Paris, we see cops come to famous author's Manuel Ortega's home to inform him that his husband of six years had a fatal accident in rural France. Manuel is baffled because his husband Aymeric was supposedly on a business trip to Brussels. We soon learn that Aymeric is the son of a wealthy marquis who’d inherited the title and responsibility for running the family business and properties, of which Manuel knew nothing. As we beg...

Set in a rural village in the South of Italy, this post world war 2 film is about two main characters: a single mother Martha attempting to cast off the burden of shame that surrounds her unmarried status and finding out what it means to be an independent woman, and Lorenzo, the village’s openly gay “wedding planner", who helps Martha find her voice and courage. Even though this is not a gay film, Lorenzo is absolutely critical for the journey that Martha goes through. In the first year of women’s suffrage in Italy, Marta navigates her evolving role as a woman, breaking barriers and finding her place in a changing world. This is story about Martha, a young woman who was impregnated the day before her betrothed goes off to war, she finds herself alone with a small child on her hands, as her fiancé never returns from the front. She now lives with her parents, her 3 year old son and a younger sister and the parents do not leave any opportunity to remind her, what disgrace she brought...

To give the credit where its due, you cannot deny the fact that the concept of the show in extremely unique. Over the years, I have realized how big of pageantry industry it is in Philippines. Taking that as the base and creating a BL around male pageantry was a fantastic idea, sadly the makers are bogged down by the over ambition. The show drags on for ever and ever adding and creating more characters, more sub-plots, making t all dull, chaotic, crowded and just plain uninteresting. With 13 episodes each of about 45 minutes, it needs significant time commitment. Had they focused on the 2 main couples, the show could have been a real novelty with some tight editing. Our main character is Jack who has just won the Mr. Royale Universe Philippines and has to now fulfill his obligations as a winner while also preparing for the global Mr. Universe contest. Jack comes from a very poor financial background, so this is huge for him. But his manager Lemuel is evil personified. He is there to ma...

Netherland-based queer drama Out is about two young boys in love and how their lives change when they move out of their conservative hometown to live the glitzy gay life in Amsterdam. I would say this film is extremely relatable. What does being in love for two men mean in the quiet rural life v/s city? What does liberation mean for them? Capturing the recklessness of youth and the excitement of newfound sexual liberties in sensuous black-and-white cinematography, Out offers up a vivid and tender tale of being young and gay. Tom ( a budding film maker) and Ajani (we are not surely told what is he studying) are closeted secondary school sweethearts who yearn for life outside of their small-minded, rural community in the Netherlands. While Ajani comes out to his family, Tom's family is different. Plus he is very sure that he is bisexual and keeps reminding himself and other. When They both get accepted in school in Amsterdam, their excitement knows no bound. Ajani is excited because ...

Set in New York, this 1960's LGBT drama is at times tender and other times tragic. What price do we pay as a human being when we suppress ourselves to fit expectations of society? Of family? Of those around us? What price does society pay? A tragic love triangle, that is both intimate and universal, this film keeps the look of 60s throughout in both exterior and interior shots. The film goes in flashback where we see an older Jay going over family albums with his son. It is early 60's. We meet Jay, who is on track for his typical American dream. He is the son of a very successful businessman and his father rewards his hard work and business acumen. He marries his beautiful wife, Beverly, who gives him a healthy baby boy. But Jay is hiding a deep, dark secret. Before his wedding, on a beach vacation, Jay is served by the handsome Ricky of Puerto Rico descent and they just have a chat. Months later, Jay and Ricky meet again at a family event where Rickey is serving. They share a ...

Another BL drama about heartfelt exploration of first love, growing up, and finding the courage to be yourself. To be honest, from a story perspective, there is not anything new here; but it's the treatment and the very charismatic lead actors that made this series fun for me. Although I was sad by one fact. Korean series were so good about keeping episodes short and fun. But in this series of 10 episodes, each episode in approximately 45 min, give or take, making it almost double the time it takes to watch other Korean BL series. Heesu and Chan Young have been the closest friends since they were kids. Heesu is a self-proclaimed dating expert, whom friends and schools pupils reach out to. Ironically he himself has never been in a relationship. He has long harbored a crush on his best friend but hasn't done anything about it. We are then introduced to class president Seung Won, who has a crush on Heesu but has barely ever talked to the guy.  And then finally we have a girl Jiyu....