
Review Single, Out: Season 2 (Australia) (Web Series)
While I thoroughly enjoyed the first season of this series, I must express my disappointment with how season 2 failed to meet expectations. Adam’s humorous antics in season one brought numerous laughs and smiles, but in this installment, his behavior felt contrived. The seven-episode season, with each episode running approximately 20 minutes, picks up where…
Review Reir, Cantar, Tal Vez Llorar (Spanish) [To Laugh, To Sing, Perchance to Cry]
The film I recently viewed was profoundly disappointing in both execution and production quality. What could have been a compelling narrative about love and societal perceptions of immigrants instead came across as amateurish at best. While the core story concept showed promise—a transgender hairdresser in Barcelona forming an unlikely romance with a young Moroccan immigrant—the…
Review Living With Him (Japanese Series)
Living With Him presents a gentle, slice-of-life romance that meticulously builds the evolving dynamic between its two male protagonists as they navigate their complex emotions. While the narrative remains emotionally driven rather than plot-heavy, the pacing occasionally feels prolonged despite its concise eight-episode format, each running approximately 23 minutes. The series excels in delivering wholesome…
Review Il Ragazzo Dai Pantaloni Rosa (Italian) [The Boy With Pink Pants]
Rather than categorizing this as a conventional gay-themed film, it would be more accurate to position it within the broader queer narrative spectrum. The story powerfully examines the devastating consequences of adolescent bullying—a universal experience that transcends sexual orientation. Inspired by true events from 2012, the film recounts the tragic suicide of 15-year-old Andrea Spezzacatene…
Review Sangmin Dinneaw (Thai Series)
Initially promising with its cross-cultural romance between a Thai and Korean protagonist, this series quickly reveals its amateurish execution. The narrative devolves into cringe-worthy humor and implausible plotlines, compounded by gratuitous intimate scenes that disrupt the storytelling. While the eight-episode structure allows for selective viewing, each 50-55 minute installment demands considerable viewer commitment. Set in…
Review Unspoken
This remarkable Jewish coming-of-age film took me by complete surprise. Having no prior knowledge about its premise, I was struck by its sensitive portrayal of a young modern Orthodox Jew navigating self-discovery. The narrative also explores the emotional turmoil when cherished memories of a deceased loved one become tarnished. Films addressing LGBTQ+ awakenings within rigid…
Review When It Rains, It Pours (Japanese Series)
This Japanese BL series explores the complex dynamics between two men trapped in emotionally unfulfilling relationships where love exists but physical intimacy is absent. Their journey toward discovering each other and potentially filling the voids in their lives forms the narrative’s foundation. However, the latter episodes suffer from unclear direction, resulting in a disappointing finale…
Review Jack & Joker (Thai Series)
Jack & Joker emerges as an innovative experiment in the Thai BL genre, blending comedy, action, and emotional drama into an unconventional enemies-to-lovers narrative. This ambitious production follows the tumultuous relationship between a notorious thief and an unsuspecting civilian drawn into his dangerous world. The series demands significant viewer commitment, spanning twelve 75-90 minute episodes…
Review Young Hearts (Dutch/French)
What makes this heartfelt film so compelling is its honest portrayal of adolescence – a period inherently filled with emotional turbulence. Without relying on dramatic twists or shocking revelations, it captures the quiet yet profound journey of a 14-year-old boy grappling with newfound feelings. Through tender moments and introspective storytelling, the film celebrates the fragile…
Short Films The Wedding Banquet (1993): He Has a Boyfriend… and a Bride?
Director: Ang Lee Writer: Ang Lee, James Schamus, Neil Peng Country: Taiwan, USA Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance Language: English, Mandarin Duration: 106 min Stars: Ah-Lei Gua, Chung-Wei Chou, Dion Birney, Ho-Mean Fu, Jeanne Kuo Chang, Jeffrey Howard, May Chin, Michael Gaston, Mitchell Lichtenstein, Paul Chen, Sihung Lung, Theresa Hou, Winston Chao, Yun Chung A Deceptive Celebration: Love and Chaos in “The Wedding Banquet” Picture this scenario: your parents insist on seeing you married, yet you’re perfectly content in your current…
Short Films Sunflower (2023): What If You’re Not Like the Other Boys?
Director: Gabriel Carrubba Writer: Gabriel Carrubba Country: Australia Genre: Coming-Of-Age, Drama Language: English Duration: 84 min Stars: Brodie McMullan-Jones, Daniel Halmarick, Diana Ferreira, Dylan Laguerre, Elias Anton, Jacob Pontil-Scala, Liam Mollica, Luke J. Morgan, Mark Muo, Mia Barrett, Mikhail Kalialin, Nelson Blattman, Olivia Fildes, Rian Grey, Sal Galofaro, Spike Johnson, Uisce Goriss-Dazeley, William MacDonald Navigating Identity in an Unaccepting World Imagine being surrounded by friends boasting about their romantic exploits while your thoughts wander elsewhere. This is the essence…