Skip to main content

Contrast (Japanese Series)

This is basically a high school BL where two guys who have nothing going on in common somehow end up getting really close to each other, and that's kind of the whole point of the title too. There's barely any drama or fluff packed in here, it stays pretty straightforward the whole way through. A little bit of friction pops up here and there, but it's nothing compared to what you'd normally get in this kind of show. Runtime wise you're looking at 8 episodes, each one sitting around 25-30 minutes. The two guys carrying the story are Akira and Kanata, and funny enough they knew each other's faces way before they ever knew each other's names. Kanata's the type everyone likes, always got people around him, popular guy, but there's this distance to him that people can't quite place. Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...

The Estate

I am not very sure yet what o make of this dark comedy thriller. It has some real obnoxious characters, a motive, glossy actors, high production but something still is missing in the film. To me, it felt like a cartoonish mess of a film that tries hard to be smart but fails in every way.

The film starts with George (a good looking gay man) and his step mom Lux going to a seedy bar to pick up a man for Lux for sex. They meet Joe, whom they bring back home. He is quite impressed by their wealth, but it turns out that the owner is George's dad who  doesn't give this duo any money. They spit venom for the old man. Turns out Joe is a hitman and he offers to kill the old man for them. The trio succeed in this mission, but when it time comes to the will, it turns out that the old man had put only the house in the name of his wife and son and rest all of his money has gone to his illegitimate daughter. The trio look for daughter and Joe along with George find her and kill her. Right around this time, George and Joe also start an affair. Because of mysterious death, getting the money takes longer, so the trio start living together and Joe is having affair both with Lux and George. At some point Lux come sup with idea that they should pin murder on Joe so that only two of them get the money. But there is a twist when it turns out that George and Joe plot together to kill Lux. Few months later, Joe and George are a couple, George has become famous and money is also pouring in. Things look good until a mystery call from the lawyers office reveal the true identity of Joe. George is heartbroken. What he choose love or money.

I think the idea behind the film was alright but somewhere down the line, I felt that the main problem is with the script, that feeds every stereotype of a thriller while taking turns in black comedy in a way that feels utterly out of place. I was confused constantly as to how to perceive the film. It was silly but also you could see thriller serious elements in it. None of the character actions feel barely believable, from the very first shot itself and as audience I wasn't connecting with any of them. The romance between George and Joe seemed sudden. Also the big reveal in the end was interesting, but then why the crazy end. The duo could still have been together with all the money. It didn't have to end the way it did. The actors did a fine job but the characters were one-dimensional. George being gay was just there fr the heck of it. It does not add anything to the story, neither does it stand on the ground of normalcy. On a bright side the film moves fast with twists and turns but with every story twist came the mood twist also, which I didn't like very much.

Disturbed minds, money, creepy fantasy and some humor; I feel people will be divided in their opinion on this film. I definitely didn't like it but didn't particularly hate it either. It was strictly below average for me. (4.5/10)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Phor Lae Lukchai (Thai) [Father & Son]

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...

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

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...

The Tuxedo (Thai Series)

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...