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Tried Too Hard
Sometimes the characters went deep while at other times, they were clones of other BL stories. While the overall story is a rather interesting one, its execution was just plain awful in places. The story creates too many side issues to prove that these two young men are worthy of our attention. Yes, they are, on the whole, good guys, and one does not need to constantly and continuously provide evidence that they are. They are morally decent guys who occasionally have fallen down, pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and move on. This series is a good series. It is just not great.Was this review helpful to you?
Remarkably Laid Back Series
Superficially, this series is cute and adorable and very entertaining but true to Japanese custom, there is a hidden undertone layered deep within the subtest of this smartly done tale. The Japanese have a way of expertly taking two modest characters and turn them into figures greater than what they are in a such a quiet manner that we do not even realize what is happening. In a way, they become unwitting stewards. Stewards in the sense each is an important someone who leaves a positive impact on the other, if for no other reason than simply because it is the right thing to do. These two young men, tacitly and effectively, are the epitome of that distinction. Without complaint or bitterness, they did what they had to do and put the needs of others always before their own. That made them paladins.Was this review helpful to you?
A Surprisingly Moving Series!
With very didactic moments as well even though it is perhaps categorized under the general category of Comedy. And yet a highly suspect series. One that glosses over a glaring ethical issue that is hard to ignore. Nonetheless, it delicately handles the situation innocently enough as if it is not even an issue or problem. It is the fact that a high school student falls in love with a teacher; and a teacher who falls in love with a high school student. Putting it that way, it sounds immoral, which, most assuredly, it is not. Genuinely a sincerely warm, and smartly done love story done without the slightest hint of impropriety. But I liked this series a lot. It was funny, poignant, scrupulous, and highly principled. Although formulaic at times, it still is entertaining and fun to watch.Was this review helpful to you?
Great Title But Nothing Else
I really, really wanted to like this series. With every fiber of my being, I was hoping it would come through at the end with something to make me like it; but it just did not. This manifests more like an ‘afternoon school special’ or a Hallmark movie. Seemingly sweet, cute, and feels adorable and you think has a point, but it really does not. It is all so superficial. It started out much like a light romantic BL with catchy music to draw you in, assuming this will be cheery, light-hearted, and charming. Unfortunately, this series is self-absorbed, unromantic, and honestly, irritating.If you want to read my full review, pleas go to BLBliss.com.
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An Overindulgent Mess
This is the continuing story of CUTIE PIE which itself was an incoherent hot mess. Fortunately, this series was a bit better and less emotionally abusive in content. It also made an attempt to tell a story and did try to bring a certain level of maturity to the forefront. Unfortunately, it merely continued the overindulgent and pampered story of Kon Dio . and Yi. While certainly not deep and more like a soap opera, it had the potential for being a good BL series that just would not push itself to tell a love story. There are some deeply and profoundly moving and poignant moments to this series, however. And it also features in a supporting role one of the handsomest men I have ever seen.You can read my full review of this series at BLBliss.com and find out who that is.
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Better Mystery Than Romance
Surprisingly, this series works well as a mystery story and a good ‘who done it’ chronicle, but as a BL it foundered. The above quote literally summed up this series. For it is all about an unprincipled attorney’s futility in trying to be good but has fallen so far down the rabbit hole of evil that it is impossible for him to dig himself back up to the sunlight. I cannot say that the story is disinteresting; it is not. However, it does get overplayed and after a while, too many characters and too many scenarios convolute the story, and it almost becomes a farce. If you are expecting romance, there is little here. The 'second couple' is a way more interesting pair and should have been a major focal point in this series and wanted a more intense romantic connection between them. They were a power couple.You can read my full review of this series at BLBliss.com.
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One of the best GAY movies ever made!
I could write a book about the beauty of this movie. There is so much to unpack in what initially seems like a throw-away film that was originally released in 2022. Marketed as a comedy, it is indeed funny. Its premise is rather unorthodox for us who live in the West. We do not fully understand or grasp different religious beliefs or cultures especially centering around a deep connection to individuals who are deceased. But that does not take away from its impact. If anything, it adds to it. As stated, this is billed as a comedy, but its ending is so sad. Deeply sad. Full of regrets but with an opportunity to redeem those regrets. Perhaps that is its lasting message that we should be overcome with. Life is so fragile. Regrets are plentiful with perhaps the opportunities to redeem those regrets coming along so infrequently. Maybe it is best not to waste them.This is an astonishingly impactful movie that will make you laugh, cry, and allow you to ponder and take pause. The timing of its humor is seamless. The acting is impeccable. The story is inspirational as well as being a tear-jerker. In other words, it is memorable. To read my full review of this awesome film, go to BLBliss.com.
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A Masterpiece!
This series, hands down, is one of the best BLs for 2023. It is sheer perfection – from acting, to production to total chemistry between all the actors. This is one of the best ensemble casts to come alone in a long time. The screenplay is brilliant because it surprises you with angst and pathos yet culminates with a beautiful sense of reasonable adult resolution. This is a surprisingly deeply emotionally charged series, well-hidden however. This is one of the better ones because it was told with devotion. And as close to a masterpiece in both screenplay and sheer quiet force as you can get. Well done!Was this review helpful to you?
Naked Dining: Love, Life and Liberation
2 people found this review helpful
Pulled at heart strings but no romance
This story could have been interesting, especially by the title alone. Yet, it managed to be simply another trope-filled cliché-injected cute story that had little plot and no romance to it. And the whole notion of ‘naked dining’ ending up simply being a ‘red herring’. It was a weak affectation of a main character used once or twice in this series but adding nothing to the story or its plot. That is too bad as that whole concept was an interesting notion and could have been a uniquely individual characteristic that could have been more greatly explored as part a personality than simply more-or-less a quasi-shock-valued gimmick. Why create it if you were not going to explore it to its fullest extent? A rather tedious and boring BL.Was this review helpful to you?
Lives Up to its Title - Unintentional
Sorry, but this BL is as the name implies - unintentional. There is no chemistry between the main actors and certainly no deep romance. Sure, they 'act' like their is but nothing of any sustainability or believability. These are two separate unintentional and I might add rather unfocused love stories separated by parallel paths but ironically headed in the same direction. Nowhere. Both poorly told but with one more entertaining. The main love interest story, which is certainly not the more entertaining one, is dark, doleful, dull, standard, too Thai-like, and as romantic as watching paint dry. I was disappointed to say the least. It seemed obvious that the chemistry between the lead actors was underwhelming and if you are expecting mountains to be moved by their love connections you had better move on to the next BL. It is just not there. Honestly, there is not even much of an emotional connection either. It really is pretty much standard stuff all done in some form or another endlessly before. The secondary love story is way more interesting but the use of physical violence to get your point across is for me simply knocks s series to its knees. I find it detestable and in no way cute, necessary, or remotely amusing.Was this review helpful to you?
This series should be relabeled as the Cher Series
This is a 'so-so' romcom BL. The story itself is a rather mundane one with versions of its basic theme done 10 zillion times before. Rich CEO falls in love with someone of less stature than him with everyone around him knowing that but trying to pretend that they are unaware. What makes this one more remarkable is Book Plookphol as Cher (Laem). He brings such life to a character that I have not seen in a long time. He has such a charismatic presence about him that comes through even with his smile.Was this review helpful to you?
Charming and Nice
Look, this BL is not going to win any awards, but it is a nice, soft escape-filled series that is relatable to just about anyone. It is cute, charming, and I found entertaining. Rarely do I comment on individual actors, but Holland is openly gay and makes this series even more powerful to watch. You do not need something, strong, or over-the-top to get a point across. There are many millions of lives who live life quietly, just like this story is and that for me makes it so powerful. Of course, there are editing issues with this series, but its message simply presents love in a very soft, relatable fashion.Was this review helpful to you?
Sad in the beginning; Sad at the end
This series never veered far from its core value of sadness. It was sad at the beginning and remained so throughout and added a healthy dose of gloominess. While it had magical moments, none reached a pinnacle or reached any insights to changing behaviors. It has a masterful feel of darkness enveloping it from its subject matter to its cinematography to the depression of its characters. Even the weather is gloomy. It takes you on a mournful journey which interestingly enough you are not sure if it will be completely successful in its glumness or maybe lead to hosannas from heaven. It does neither, at least for me. It has one of the worst 'getting-back-together' scenes I have ever seen.Was this review helpful to you?
Soft. Gentle. But Impassionate
Sometimes something cinematic comes along that that smacks you immediately in the face as momentous. Initially, you might not want to believe that as it is not showy, splashy, or emotionally charged. Yet, it impassions you at your core. You begin to feel its power and impact on you from its inception. It seems to sense your need. These two actors have a way of drawing you in and making you a part of their story.It is an understatement to say this is one of the BEST BLs in the year 2022.
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Not Very Entertaining
In another twist of irony, admittedly the screenplay is one of the best written for a Thai BL series to come across in a long time. It had some great dialogue between characters, and life’s lessons in transitioning from childhood to adulthood is well described. But as good as some of the screenplay was, it did not translate into memorable scenes. Two reasons for that. The main actors were too monotonal and were not given proper direction in how and when to change from being themselves into other versions of being themselves. That may sound counterintuitive, but there was no drama in their acting. The two had the same flat affect from the beginning to the end and therefore our interest in them waned as time went on. Second, there was no clear focus here.Was this review helpful to you?
