Skip to main content

Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
I've always had kind of a love hate relationship with Chinese historical BLs. Some are genuinely excellent, but then there are others that cram in so much plot that keeping track of all the layers of betrayal and scheming gets exhausting, and I end up checking out mentally. Part of the issue is also just how much content is out there in this space, so something really has to stand out to keep me hooked. In this case, the production value is genuinely impressive, top tier stuff, but story wise, I just couldn't bring myself to actually care about these characters. There's a ton of political scheming and backstage manipulation running throughout. Somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, a hostage ends up falling for his own Prince Charming. The show runs eight episodes, each around 50 to 60 minutes long. After spending three years guarding the border, Fifth Prince Yin Qi gets called back to the capital because of a secret letter, only to end up walking straight into a deadly...
Post a Comment

A Four Letter Word

By Golu
This is one of those wannabe films where producer/director wants to fit in everything. Gay romance, cliches, nudity, issues, love, relationship, marriage, stereotypes everything. There is something for everyone. The end product can vary for different films. In this case the film turns out to be ok. It keeps your attention and interest but thats it. It doesn't manage to hold it. But at the same time it doesn't bore you either. 

The story is about 6 people with primary focus on Luke. Zeke and Luke work in a sex shop: Zeke takes gay liberation seriously, Luke likes to sparkle and takes nothing seriously. he is out there every night mating a new man. Peter and Derek are a couple who move in together after 10 months. Peter's compulsive neat freak nature and Derek's nice to everyone issue tests their relationship. Newly-engaged Marilyn, a recovering alcoholic stuck at step 2, can't stop obsessing about wedding details. She works with Peter at a restaurant. Lastly enter Stephen who first rejects Luke in a bar because he is everything that a gay cliche is but later gets into him. Luke and Stephen start going out but keep relationship open. Through Zeke's help it is found that Stephen actually works as a prostitute and has been lying all along. Luke is hurt, he talks to Stephen but gets sweet talked into again. But time and again he feels that Stephen lies to him about everything. As much as Luke is now getting attracted to Stephen, he can't get through the lying part. He finally breaks up with him and also makes Marilyn realize that love is important and she should enjoy being engaged rather than get fussy about it. Zeke's and Luke's friendship bonds gets closer because of all that happens with Luke. 

Acting wise everyone was good actually. Luke did portray a gay cliche (stereotype to the T). Zeke's character though not long was interesting. All of Marilyn's portions were weird and strange. She was shown so lonely. Stephen supposed to be very handsome and to die for was alright. He acted ok but his expressions remained same throughout. eke doing naked yoga was just for titillation. It had nothing to do with the film. Overall decent film. Would keep you entertained. Don't have too many expectations. (6/10)
Labels:

Comments

Anonymous said…
If I had to pick a four letter word for this movie it would be "GOOD" I really enjoyed watching this movie. I think it had great parts all around. I could see lots of people I know playing some of the characters in the movie. I was however unsure what the whole relationship / marriage thing was with the girl?! It felt unneed for the movie but still it made me laugh. I might just need to put this one down on my Christmas wish list so that I can see it again.
July 13, 2010 at 12:54 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Tuxedo (Thai Series)

By Golu
When I saw this series with 8 episodes of about 20-25 minutes each, I thought, good: Finally someone has come to senses and made a show which is not stretched out and they have tried to squeeze in a decent storyline in a good small episode format. But unfortunately, despite a decent premise on hand, the clunky writing, bad screenplay and an extreme tasteless portrayal of mental illness makes this show, not a fun watch. By the time it finishes, you just want to laugh off at the entire absurdity of it all. Aioun is talented tuxedo designer and very much in demand but he has handful of clients and he builds suits only for people who he feels a connection to. One night when his younger brother is about to get mugged, he is helped by a total stranger named Sichol. Since he tears his suit in the fight and has an interview the next day, Aioun gifts him a suit form his design as an expression of thanks. Sichol's interview is for. Personal assistant of a man named Nawee, a wealthy heir to h...
25 comments
Read more

Heartstopper: Season 2 (Web Series) (UK)

By Golu
Heartstopper Season 1 was a universal hit. You could not have read one bad review or heard from anyone who has seen the show not liking it. It was the kind of series that is easy to love, with sweetness exploding out of every scene without overwhelming you. So naturally, when Netflix greenly Season 2, expectations were naturally high and the same happened with me. I didn't know what to expect, but I had high expectations of this very very sweet teenage love story. And with eagerness and being a little late to the game by a few days, here I am, pouring my t thoughts down having just finished one of the most anticipated shows of the year. The second season also has 10 episodes and has all of our loved ones from the original season. The show continues from where it had left off in Season 1. Charlie and Nick are a couple and only their very close circle of friends know about it. This includes Charlie's best friend Tao and his trans best friend Elle. The center of the show is still ...
19 comments
Read more

Gaya Sa Pelikula (Filipino Series) [Like In The Movies]

By Golu
Pinoy BL series seem to be catching up to the popularity of the Thai shows. And I must say that they are doing a pretty good job at it. Where Thai series started to get repetitive with so many shows based in a college setting with seemingly similar storylines, Pinoy series are offering the viewers with new and interesting stories and some really good sets and surroundings. This series was 8 episodes of about 25-20 minutes each. Karl, a 19-year old introvert architecture student is in the middle of an identity crisis. Prior to the start of the second semester in college and forced by his parents, he moves into his uncle's condominium unit so that he can learn to be financially independent. Karl takes on odd jobs online to do so. But when one of his major clients suddenly goes MIA, he is left short on funds and without a means to pay for his utilities. An opportunity presents itself when his cocky neighbor Vlad has to hide from his family and proposes to share Karl's space for th...
23 comments
Read more