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Stop! That! Train!

By Golu
Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
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Memory (Vietnamese Series)

By Golu
Oh god! Another show that had an interesting premise and storyline and the execution falters big time. The show stretches a paper thin plot over 14 episodes each of about 15 isa minutes, but then the repetitive scenes keep going on forever and everything is eventually tied together in 12/13 episode. Three were so many places where I completely lost interest ins hat was going on since it was just not worth it.

Khánh Dang lost his memory after a serious accident. He could only remember he had some sort of interaction with this girl named Tô Linh. When he asked her about it, Tô Linh would tell him that the two of them were actual lovers. Not having any recollection, Khánh Dang believes it to be the case, but somehow doesn't feel committed to this relationship, especially to Linh who is constantly harsh to him. Suffering from constant headaches, Khanh Dang begins to have dreams that he and a strange boy had loving gestures towards each other, which raises many questions for his psychiatrist. As time goes by, Khánh Dang grows more tired, wearied, and depressed to the point where he decides to commit suicide. 

The mysterious boy is Anh Hào, after a fatal accident in which he perishes, he becomes a spirit and goes to the land of the gods. Witnessing his beloved, Khánh Dang, being tormented and seeking to end his life, Anh Hào asks the gods for help. He is allowed to come back to life, with no one being able to recognize him. He will not be able neither to recognize anyone but Khánh Dang. Within the 3-month timeframe, Anh Hào must help Khánh Dang get over his mental health crisis. Simultaneously, Khánh Dang must come to recognize Anh Hào as his beloved. And what role does that girl have to play in all this, is something that will eventually be revealed.

As mentioned above, the story was promising. A contemporary love story with a mythical twist. On paper, the story has promise but the screenplay falters big time. It takes a few episode to realize what the hell is going on and once the premise is clear and the interest peaks up, we are burdened by some sub plots like that of the doctor and all that just takes away the focus from the primary storyline. Its only towards the end of the show that the story comes back to track and by then unfortunately, I personally had lost interest. Also, the big secret of what really happened to the lovers and the girl involvement is something that you see coming from miles. Its a done to death plot twist but within the bounds of this script could have been handled better. The production quality is just average. The only good thing about the show is beautiful scenic mountain locations and some decent looking actors. But other than that acting and direction is average. The two actors playing the two gods were so annoying with their antics and crazy laughter. Vietnam BL has a long way to go but I hope they continue to take the steps in right direction. Its a shame when a story has promise but audience is failed by a jarred execution. Lets hope smelting better comes soon. (3.5/10)
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