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Journey With You (Chinese Series)

By Golu
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...
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Sin (Filipino)

By Golu
Why o why was this film made? With a running length of almost 2.5 hours, the only thought that comes to mind after having finished watching the film is WTF!! Not only was the story problematic , but worse was the execution of the film. The makers probably have never heard of the role of an editor. So many scenes would just go on and on forever, really really testing patience of the audience. No wonder it Tok me a few years to even find this film since it was released and having seen it now, I would loudly scream to not waste your time.

A simple young man Liam works in a hotel and the setting is during covid. A rich man Harry comes to stay at the hotel for a week and their first meeting does not go well. Harry is angry and Liam is clumsy, but. Turns out that's because Liam is enamored by how handsome Harry is. Anyway, they eventually become friends and one night while hanging out Harry tells Liam how he is super rich but after his parents separation neither wants them, so they keep throwing money at him and he misses connection and love. Soon they have sex. Harry ants to become boyfriend with Liam , but Liam says that he has obligations to his family for his two younger brothers who are studying, his mom who is constantly sick and a father, who will kill him if he finds out that Liam is gay. Lo behold, when Liam's mother goes to the hospital, Harry shows up and soon after the family finds out about Liam. The father beats him black and blue, but this only strengthens the love between the two men. But there is a family secret that soon comes out. After doing some digging, it turns out that Harry's mother is Liam's mother sister and they both have same father. WTF!!! Yes. It only gets weirder from here. Heartbroken and jaded, Harry tries to commit suicide with Liam taking care of him. They both decide that they can no longer have sex or kiss but they will continue to love each other as brothers forever. Harry gets better and leaves town.

The story actually could have had potential. We have seen stories of unknowing incest, but there are many ways such stories can be handled, but this film was definitely not that. The production quality was low, the acting was below average, the direction bad and the editing just non existent. Loud acting by Liam and the elongated driving scenes, sex scenes, unnecessary titillation just did not help the film. At various places it was going soooo slow. The biggest laughter I got was when Harry says he has 5 MN dollars and that they should both just run away and live a happy life. No rich man of that wealth would love how Harry was living that too in a super basic hotel. Harry was decent looking. Better than Liam, his two younger brothers were handsome but when it comes to acing, not one single person showed any promise whatsoever. I blame either all on the director and also whoever decided to pump some money in this project. I watch a film after a gap of so many days and this is what I get. Stay away please. (1.5/10)
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Comments

nooknose said…
Sorry - I could not find a way to contact you - so this is a comment for you and not in response to any review.

Hello "Golo" - I have been trying to find a way to let you know what i think about your reviews (superb!) and also suggest some wonderful gay movies that are not on your list. My name is Peter and I have taught video/audio editing for 20 years and have a trove of LGBTQ+ movies. "Of an age" (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14967472/) is one movie (Bluray only) and Punch (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13153494/) is another that I believe to be two outstanding movies for many reasons. If you are not overwhelmed by mail and would like to respond, I think that could be mutually beneficial.
May 29, 2024 at 5:56 PM
Golu said…
Hey hey. Thanks so much for reaching out Peter. You can always reach out to me via these posts or I can share my email id (itsvivek4u@gmail.com).
"Of an Age" is a fantastic film and I loved it. Maybe the search feature of my website is not the best, but I did write up about it here (https://www.gayfilmsreview.com/2023/03/of-age-australia.html).
And so is Punch (https://www.gayfilmsreview.com/2023/04/punch-new-zealand.html)

I have. to admit, you did give two amazing recommendations and would lobe to hear more from you
May 31, 2024 at 8:41 AM
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