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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

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...

Summer Kiss

A made for TV film back in 1987, this filmy have created some noise at that time, but as of today, this film has not aged well and is a huge yawn and bore. Made probably by some hand held camera with minimal money and support, the production shows in every single scene, script that it has barely been held together. Thankfully the two leads do a decent job of whatever little is expected of them. Also the fact that the film is barely under 50 minutes was a saving grace.

Issac, a young 20 year old boy is heading to Cape to spend summer with his family. He has just come out to them as gaya and is not looking forward to the conversations. On the boat on his trip he sees Beauford, a guy he knows from high school and they get to talking and decide that maybe they can hang out. Issac, in his own way is attracted to Beauford even though they don't have anything in common. Suddenly when Beauford leaves Cape, Issac realizes how much he misses him and is anxiously waiting for him. When he is back, the duo spend a lot of time just waling around, spending time with each other confessing that they are both gay and share their first kiss. There is then an awkward showdown scene where Beauford complains how so many people he knows are dying of AIDS and they have no future, but thankfully the film ends on a positive note at the end of summer where they decide they will meet soon after week. 

This film has just these two actors. We hear Issac's parents in the background but we never meet them or see them. It is an uncomplicated love story of young men getting to know each other over a summer and possibly falling in love in the 80s.. Even though the film is short, there is way too much nonsense talking. There is no explanation of why Issac feels so drawn towards Beauford, who clearly is dealing with his own issues. But their courtship overall is shown to grow with every meeting and thankfully its not as abrupt as many other films normally have. A pretty basic film , I you ask me, which is hard to connect to it todays time. (3/10)

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