Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

This Taiwanese series is supposed to be an action-romantic-comedy, but it ends up largely being a silly, cutesy romance, with some elements of action and comedy sprinkled here and there. So, essentially, if you take away bits of spy-fights etc; it is once agin tier another series which is about two boys falling in love following the usual BL tropes. The series has 12 episodes of 24-28 minutes each, so thankfully easier time management. Story is that bold and the show could have easily been folded sooner. The show starts with Xiao Bai and Da Hei looking for an apartment as roommates together. They dont know each other well. Once they find an apartment, we find that Da Hen is actually an investigation officer, who has been sent to keep an eye on Xiao Bei, who works for a local gangster to raise some money for his sister's surgery who is in hospital and insurance doesn't cover. Da Hei has lied to his grandmother who runs a food stall near the gangster's office about the sister...

“Identity Crisis” dives into one of the most polarizing debates of our time: the rise of gender ideology and its impact on children. It takes a critical look at the modern conversation around gender identity, particularly how it's playing out in the lives of young people and their families. Now do I agree with this documentary or representation? 1% yes, largely no and we will see how it plays out. The core of this documentary feels like something based through an Anti Transgender agenda. I would be the first person to say that I don't understand Trans completely but I believe in people having the right choose what they want for themselves. This documentary largely shows us a perspective from the other side. It shows us individuals, parents and families, who did let the individuals go through transition by taking medicine and many cases going through surgery as well. They feel like gender ideology was on such a rise that doctors would force and tell parents if you do not accept ...

Trust BBC to always come up with show that constantly redefine content but also find stories (this one is inspired by a true story), that give a great representation of the LGBTQ+ community. I have seen many stories about trans people, but I am not aware of a major production house creating a series of this magnitude, reminding people that trans lives have always existed, and will continue to exist long after this moment. Apparently the series brings in Paris Lees’ acclaimed memoir to the screen (in all honesty, I have no clue who Paris Lee is, but the fact that it is still an inspiration from someone's actual life, makes it so much more interesting). The series offers a fearless and deeply human portrait of a trans, working-class person rarely seen on British television. It is 8 episodes each of 50-55 minutes. The story follows 15 year old Byron, caught between the homes of his mum, dad and gran, finding ‘freedom’ in Nottingham’s underground club scene. Show starts with us meeting...

Set in 2006 in West Yorkshire, this is your simple boy-meets-boy teenage gay love story touching on nostalgia, teenage angst and indie pop with a gentle hand. We have seen many films in the same genre, so I was hoping for something different, but sadly the film follows a very predictable narrative approach. It's not bad at all, but how I wish there was something more. The film works only thanks to the charm of its two leading actors.  George is 16 year old teenager, navigating the difficult road of social and academic failure in a small town. George, who’s certain of his own talent even though no one else seems to share that belief, dreams of becoming a famous musician. He is not good at studies ether and his father and school teachers are very worried about his future. Enter Max, a handsome student, the son of a mega-famous musical duo, who much to surprise of George, takes interest in George and his music. Their budding friendship both excites and confuses George, leading him to ...

This show should be avoided completely. Firstly, the show is clearly left midway after 6 episodes. There is no proper conclusion and as audience we are left with a lot of questions. I read online, that the makers did not pay the actors because of which they left the show midway and hence the so called 'incomplete' show. Which Actually might be a blessing in disguise, because the acting and direction of this show were so ridiculously bad. But then you never know, the makers may hire a new crew and make season 2 for all you know. For now this series was 6 episodes of 50 minutes each. Nerdy student Nu is told by an astrologer that once he encounters three mishaps, he will find a sexy hot man as love of his life. While walking to college, he is almost hit by Sun who was driving his car. Sun a second year medical student. Once he goes to college, he meets Chain, a senior on his faculty who seems to like Nu. Since Nu is a nerd, he is unable to make many friends, and Chain introduces ...

Ideally, a coming-of-age film of pre-teen attraction/love/friendship between two boys, I would not classify this as a queer love story. Yes, it is somewhere there is the overall spectrum, but this film is a delicately elegant and extremely meticulous exploration of love and fear. I had heard about this film, ever since it premiered in Cannes and for some reason had been delaying watching it. And when I finally did, I realized that how much this film makes you think. The premise is about an incident with a school boy in his class, and its ramifications, both domestic and institutional; and how the story is told from three different perspectives.  We meet a single mother raising her young son Minato, who’s starting to behave strangely, ask unsettling questions, develop injuries, and chant about some sort of unknown monster. He even goes missing in a storm drain, jumping from his mother’s moving car. One day when he comes home with a facial injury, he says that a teacher Mr. Hori ...

This is a story told from the perspective of a closeted Samoan man, who returns home after 10 plus years haunted by a secret from his childhood. With his dead mother's ghost lurking around, he needs to embrace his truth and help his mother make peace.Told in 6 episodes of just 10 minutes each, this one is a quick and easy watch. It never goes into the too dramatic zone. I found this very interesting, because we normally get to see many queer stories from Pacific Islands. A young bride Hana is rehearsing for her wedding with all of her extended Samoan family when suddenly her older bog brother Moni arrives. Moni has been MIA for over 10 years and is rumored to be in London. Hana and everyone else is surprised and she is in no mood to forgive her brother, especially when he did not even care to show up for their mother's death few month. When Moni goes home, his mother's ghost is there to haunt him. He is the only one who can see her and this needs to be an opportunity for Mo...

Yet another of those overtly sweet college level drama with a hint of humor. It was a good change from the recent heavy dramas I have seen but having said that, the story here is barely there. It is filled with every regular BL trope imaginable. The series has 11 episodes each of about 40-45 minutes. The main story is between Sant and Jay, and of course there comes a third wheel and other situations. Sant is a college student who was raised by his grandparents. With his best friend, he runs a food channel. He has a sweet tooth and his tooth had been hurting a lot. So he goes to meet dentist Jay, but he has some kind of phobia (we later learn that his parents abandoned him at the dentist office). Jay takes a liking for Sant and starts to encourage him and get him out of his fear to finally take care of his teeth. But in the process Jay also falls for Sant and starts to pursue him. Enter Jimmy, an old friend of Jay, who now runs a cafe, where Sant joins as a part-timer, and sparks fly be...

Ricky Martin - A Loco Life documentary has got to be one of the laziest and lukewarm documentaries ever made. When you have an enigmatic subject like Ricky Martin, you expect all sorts of details to be known, hear from friends and family and what not, instead what you get here is a Siri-like voice reading an essay of sorts on the life of Ricky Martin, with zero emotions with visuals of pictures and video snippets. What's worse, the only interview we hear is of some random lady who is supposedly a pop-historian who gives her views of Ricky's life. I mean, what the hell!! Why even make a documentary if you do not connects to even a single person associated the actual person you are talking about !! Anyone who has ever been a fan of Ricky Martin knows exactly what happened. From being a part of all boys band under 18 called Menudo to how he became the global phenomenon is very quickly walked through in this documentary. We see how he becomes a teen heartthrob, takes a short break,...

This is an American BL that was released in vertical format (suitable to view on phones) on DramaBox. Though the show was released as multiple episodes of 1-2 minutes each, I saw them as a whole series of 2 parts, totaling to almost a 3 hour program. The makers claimed that it was the first American vertical series. I guess I will take their word for it. Season 1 came out in 2024, while Season 2 debuted in 2025 taking the story forward. Since this was released more like a reel format, you have to literally leave your brain behind and watch this show just for entertainment and not for logic and only then you would be able to enjoy the show.  Season 1 introduces us to Lucas, a young heir to an influential crypto company. His father wants Lucas to marry Sophia, daughter of an influential politician (who wants this so that he can embezzle all his black money). Lucas fake announces he is gay and that he cannot marry a woman. In parallel, a man named Michael Wyatt had just infiltrated th...

Trust BBC and UK to come up with these heartwarming stories that touch you to the core in the gay genre. This loving and heartbreaking three part (one hour each) series about a gay couple trying to adopt a kid feels like an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you are laughing, the other minute you are enjoying the music and suddenly then you find yourself looking for tissues to wipe your tears. It’s a story about when people collide with each other and try to build a family out of all of their various parts. A beautiful and honest portrayal of queer adoption that takes viewers through the highs and lows of the process.  We meet a Welsh gay couple Andy and Gabe, who have been together for 8 years, meeting a social worker Jackie to start the adoption process. Andy appears easy-going and comfortable whilst Gabe is defensive, with an assurance that suppresses a very dark backstory. Jackie becomes there guid min the whole process. Beyond facing personal doubts and disagreements on what ...

When I heard that this show is about vampires, my first thought was that this is going to be like a Thai Twilight kinds thing with a BL twist. Honestly I have not seen Twilight movies, so I don't even know what I was really thinking. But with the typical BL tropes and campiness full of some vampires tropes (based on convenience), it was mildly entertaining. I will give all marks for coming up with a novel script and most importantly having just one BL couple. I am so tired with almost every series bringing in 2-3 more couples towards the second half just for the sake fit. This series has 12 episodes of 50-60 minutes each. Tong and his friend Tonkla have grown up in an orphanage. Tong was told he is sick and is beer allowed to play otherwise he could bleed which will not be good for him. Truth is his blood is what's called 'Golden Blood' in vampire lingo. More on that later. When he and Tonkla move to city for further studies, one day Tong takes up job of a waiter at an ...

Like me, if you are stuck to your phone half the time, you have likely seen the videos and reels from comedians Michael Henry & Tim Murray. They have some really hilarious videos out there and in recent times they almost became a phenomenon of sorts in short comedy reels and darling of gay internet. So when I heard about this 6 part (23 minute each) doc-series with these two in the lead , I was naturally looking forward to it. The show follows the performers and friends as they travel across middle America in an attempt to connect with audiences, in parts where being gay is not that 'common'. Sadly this OUTtv series was so badly made and the comedy just fell flat for me in almost very single episode.  The doc-series starts with Tim and Michael reaching out to drag queen Trixie asking for a standalone show of their own. Trixie informs them that they are not ready yet and they need to understand middle America better. They need to prove that they “can make flyover state gays ...

This is a collection of short film from various years and countries about forbidden love stories where gay men navigate the intense conflict between their deep-seated religious beliefs and their passionate desires. I would say that this was an interesting subject to pick and find LGBT themed films that fall in this category. Although I am not surprised because religion if often the only tool people have been using for years to make the folks in LGBTQ+ community ashamed of themselves. What I was actually surprised is that I had not seen any of these films before, which is something, given that it has been many years since I have been keeping this blog. A Particular Friend (UK) - 2023 When Father Matthew discovers an intimacy between two of the other priests at a remote conversion-therapy centre in Northern Ireland, his attempt to do the right thing leads to a crisis of faith and feeling. Matthew believes that he is helping his fellow priests but he realizes that perhaps the practice is ...

“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...