Skip to main content

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...
Post a Comment

My Secret Agent Husband: Seasons 1 & 2 (Vertical BL Drama)

By Golu
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 the company as an employee because secret service wanted to keep an eye on the family's illegal activities. Lucas announces Wyatt as his boyfriend and his fiancé and Wyatt plays along with it. As Lucas and Wyatt continue to pretend as sham gay couple, Wyatt also needs to protect his identity. Pissed with what happened, the politician gets the father arrested and now it's unto Lucas to get his father released from prison. The board appoints Lucas as the CEO and together Lucas with help of Wyatt manage to save Lucas' father and get the politician and his daughter Sofia into prison. In between all this Lucas and Wyatt slowly start to fall in love and by the end, the duo become a true couple.

Season 2 starts with Lucas and Wyatt planning for their wedding. Lucas is thriving as CryptoLink's new CEO, while Wyatt juggles his undercover missions. But just when they think they've found stability, old threats resurface, new betrayals unfold, and their long-awaited wedding ceremony is once again in jeopardy. Sofia is out from prison and now wants to take her revenge. She partners with an ex-employee of the company who was Lucas' first boss and together they both throw rails in Lucas/Wyatt plans. During this time, because of various assignments that Wyatt has to go through, Lucas has a period of uncertainty, but very soon he realizes that he and Wyatt love each other very much. As far as dealing with Sofia goes, after a few blocks, they eventually manage to save their own life but in the process Wyatt dies. Or does he? He comes back alive reminding Lucas that only way an agent can start a fresh quiet life is to first die. Lucas and Wyatt will probably have a good life now.

Both seasons are actually quite refreshing to watch and fall totally in the gay/BL zone. They are clearly made as reels and stitches together. I was lucky to watch the finished version, but I can imagine how annoying it would be, if you had to watch individual episodes. The production quality seems quite alright, especially since it requires a lot of guns and combat scenes. We also see corporate world and some lavish estates on the islands. The actors are slightly over the top, but once the show starts, you get into the rhythm and it doesn't feel awkward. I actually watched it on my phone instead of laptop to get full immersive experience and I must say, that I am impressed by the whole idea. Both the lead actors are easy on the eye and have a good chemistry. Lucas beings in the laugh and Wyatt brings in the sexiness. The show has comedy, drama, action, love creating a balanced and engaging viewing experience. Clever dialogues, coupled with well-timed twists keeps the audience invested. I found the second season to be a significant improvement over season 1. The remaining actors do a good job as well and fit their parts. To be honest, at one point I felt it was a European series dressed as an American version of (in a good way). Overall a good first impression for me. I have gotten my hands on a few more of these vertical form series which I will watch in near future. Let's see if they will feel as good as this one or not? (6/10)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Phor Lae Lukchai (Thai) [Father & Son]

By Golu
I think the budget of this film was probably too small, but for that, the film definitely offers a different and unique storyline without over dramatizing anything. Yes, some scenes were a bit amateurish but in the bigger scheme of things, that can be overlooked. The film is both beautiful and sad in its own unique way. Aek is a gay dad, whose partner died right around the time their son Nueng was born through surrogacy in a road accident. The relationship between father and son is unpleasant and unstable. We are not really told why, but it seems the father has been unsuccessful in caring and loving his son because of his partner's death. Aek continues to hook up wit hookers. Also, Nueng is constantly bullied by everyone around him for having a gay dad. He has no friends, except Nat, a neighborhood boy, who also happens to be Nueng's boyfriend. In a sudden turn of events Nat is found murdered along with another boy naked. Saddened by the events, Nueng jumps from roof and k...
1 comment
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

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