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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...

A Wonderful Life

Queer holiday movies are something that can give you a warm cozy feeling but the timing has to be right. This film, unfortunately, is so slow moving, that irrespective of when and in what mood you watch it, you will lose interest. The acting is flat, there is not much going on and basically very low production and an extremely indie film that sadly leaves nothing memorable.

Bailey is a single middle-aged man living with his medicated mother in Florida, who suffers from chronic pain. He’s also going through his own issues, having recently losing his dog by a tragic accident, and being informed that he will be losing his job at the end of the year due to company closure. His mother tells him that her close friend and her son Greyson are looking to move to their town and for that Greyson will come and spend 2-3 days with them. Greyson and Bailey used to be close friends when they were younger but it's been 30 years now. Greyson and Bailey spend a few days together remembering memories of past, what they like and slowly discover that they have more in common than what they both thought, including a continued admiration for each other, after one night when Bailey kisses Greyson. They both profess their love for one another and around Christmas Greyson and his mother also move making them all happy. Around same time, Bailey's estranged brother also shows up and an old friend of his gifts him a puppy for Christmas. Bailey realizes what a wonderful life he truly has with his family, dog and his love of life.

The film is a very straightforward film. There are literally no conflicts and I understand that makers probably wanted to make a feel good holiday film, which is good. But sadly, there is nothing remotely interesting about the premise or the direction either. Actors do a decent job on what they were asked of, but the film is so wordy and just talk talk talk and not much otherwise. Keep in mind that this is an amateur, low budget, independent film. It is evident in every aspect of the film - the writing, acting, directing, sets, costumes, everything. I mean, yes, I applaud people who have passion for films and at least give it a go and try and do something, so fun marks for the effort and probably the hard work that went in. Sadly, same cannot be said about he film. It is simply extremely boring. (3/10)

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