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 Turns out he had an injury that ended his football days, and that's what pushed him into being more withdrawn, and it only got worse once his younger brother got picked...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

By Golu
This 2014 film, even though made probably on a low budget like many other indie films around that time, possesses heart, humor, and a down home spirit that feels honest and well-earned. I am actually surprised that the film somehow was missed by me and it's only now I am getting to see it. It is also a reminder that all films age differently. Even though the content may not be as relevant (or maybe it is, I dont know), but the heart of the film still is very much visible here.

Originally from a small town in Tennessee, Jason Potts is now out and proud and lives with his boyfriend in New York. When Jason returns to his hometown due to a family emergency, he quickly learns that not much has changed for the area's LGBT youth. His family insists on him moving back but he tells them since he doesn't think LGBT situation has improved much, he would like to see of the city would allow him to do a gay pride parade in the Main Street. His nemesis from school days is not prominent member of city council and also wants to run for the mayor.  Jason thinks that the guy will reject the proposal and he could just go back to NY. But this nemesis along with the church preacher hatch a plan that they could use this opportunity to use the event to identify the community's gays in an effort to round up the gays after the parade and send them off to one of those "camps" that will help relieve them of their sinful ways. Eventually Jason has to start taking things seriously and plan for an event which he has never done before. He does his best and on the day of the vent a very very small number of people do show up for the parade. The preacher and the city council member try to disrupt it but a timely intervention by the mayor saves everyone's face and hopefully make a small difference to the small town's struggling LGBT community.

Honestly, when the film started I was fully expecting a film that is probably full of cliches and would probably have me roll my eyes, but I was actually surprised that this Indi film had a certain charm about it in its simplicity. The comedy although absurd was still funny, specially Jason's mom. Even the city council's character, who is supposed to be evil, the actor playing it does a gd job of keeping it caricaturist so that audience gets entertained completely. Jason and his partner's relationship feels real and supportive of one another and they have good chemistry. The ending felt a bit rushed and slightly disappointing because I was hoping that suddenly a lot of folks would show up for the parade, but they way the director handled is definitely what realistically would happen. The film will probably not help in any meaningful conversations around the struggling community in red Staes like Tennessee but it at least gives them a voice and I think even something like that is important. The film is serious, but it also possesses a gentle and winning sense of humor and humanity with some charming and heart endearing characters, who sometimes may feel over the top, but still relatable in a certain sense of the way. (6/10)
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