Skip to main content

Contrast (Japanese Series)

By Golu
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 Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...
Post a Comment

Weekend To Remember (Filipino Series)

By Golu
This is a short and sweet-ish Filipino gay series, but I am not sure what was the point this show was trying to make. I think this was one of the shows where you are not supposed to put to much of your head. Just watch with dead pan face, assume what's happening in front of. You is possible and just go along with the ride.

The story is about 5 siblings and their mother. The mother's birthday is approaching on Saturday but the kids (4 brothers and a younger sister) are all pretending to now remember it because they want to give a surprise party. While this is the overall plot, all the 8 episodes are spent on showing us the love stories of the four brothers. The eldest one is secretly liked by the house helper, a very effeminate Jeneviv. The next two boys have a girl best friend since they were kids but neither of them actually realizes how much they love their girlfriend, until another guy comes and take those girls out on a date. And then we have the youngest brother, a shy an introvert guy, who finds unexpected love with a delivery boy.

Firstly, what's amazing is how all the four boys are of almost same age. Mom must have been perpetually pregnant for about 5 years straight. Now I’m wondering how she had time to court 4 different men at during that same time. The show is shown more of an episodic format where each brother is sort of given two episodes to show their love story. First I thought that the effeminate house help drooling over eldest son was done strictly for laughs (as my previous experience would tell me), but thankfully it wasn't the case. The son also liked him back and son they start dating. Jeneviv is probably trans. The straight love story of the next two boys is as stereotypical as any other love story can be. Friends turned lovers. Th only half bot interesting love story was of the youngest brother, who is coming to terms with his sexuality , is made fun of by his brother and finds love in most unexpected circumstances. In all this, the boys are also preparing for the birthday surprise for their mother. The ending of the show was kind of warm where Jeneviv proposes to the eldest son. "Normal" and "happily ever after" relationships featuring a trans character are rare and the is one respectable thing that this show did. But other than this, no proper character arc is given to any brother or mother for that matter. None of their actions or sexuality are explained. We are never told why one of the brothers is always picking up on the youngest introvert one. Strictly ok, when you have nothing better to watch. (4/10)
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