So this is what it’s like to dive into an older BL series packed with clichés, melodrama, and a whole lot of fluff. This show lacks a real plot, genuine conflict, or anything that could make it even slightly interesting. Thankfully, with just 8 episodes running about 45 minutes each, they didn’t stretch it out to 12 or more episodes unnecessarily. Yet, despite this brevity, the series ends up being a coherent mess. The creators somehow manage to transform a simple, beautiful love story into something so over-the-top that it becomes exhausting to watch. Nuea transitions from high school to university, carrying a long-standing crush on his classmate Kluen. On the last day of school, he confesses his feelings, only to receive the disappointing response of “have a safe flight,” leaving Nuea heartbroken. A year later, when they reunite at university, Nuea is so embarrassed by the past that he pretends not to recognize Kluen in front of their peers. He insists he’s moved on and no longer has feelings for him. However, they find themselves living in the same dorm, which reignites their connection. Kluen is in a relationship with a girl but still seems drawn to Nuea. Reluctantly, Nuea admits that his feelings haven’t completely faded. Misunderstandings and miscommunications—like Kluen’s girlfriend or another guy flirting with Nuea—turn their interactions into a tiring game of cat and mouse. It becomes wearisome to watch. As expected, everything wraps up nicely, and the two lovers eventually come together, aided by Nuea’s supportive brother and a solid group of friends. This entire…

Discovering one’s identity and seeking love can be quite a challenging journey. For many in the queer community, drag serves as a means to explore and understand oneself more deeply. The act of applying makeup, donning glamorous outfits, and wearing extravagant wigs can unleash a hidden confidence. However, the French Canadian film Solo doesn’t focus on a drag queen's journey; instead, it delves into the passionate highs and devastating lows of a troubled relationship, laying bare a tumultuous love affair. Simon stands out as one of Quebec’s leading drag queens, celebrated for her fierce dance performances and stunning costumes, most of which are crafted by his close-knit sister. His family, including his father, wholeheartedly supports his artistic pursuits. Additionally, Simon is a talented makeup artist, seemingly having it all. Yet, like many, he is on the quest for love. Enter Oliver, a newcomer to the same club, and the two quickly fall madly in love. Their infatuation leads them to do everything together, including performing duet drag acts. However, early signs of Oliver's controlling nature begin to surface, but Simon, blinded by love, overlooks them. Gradually, Oliver isolates Simon from his family, criticizes his creativity, and engages in one-night stands with others. We learn that Simon’s longing for love is rooted in his childhood, stemming from his mother’s departure to pursue a singing career, which has now made her famous in Europe. As she visits Quebec, Simon desperately wants her to witness his performance and validate him. Unfortunately, the solo drag act he prepares for her ends in disaster. Ultimately,…

This film is the follow-up to 2021’s Mascarpone, which I really enjoyed, so my expectations for the sequel were quite high. To recap, in the original, Antonio breaks up with his husband and moves in with a sex worker named Denis. Denis helps him land a job as an apprentice baker with Luca, leading to a romantic relationship that includes threesomes until Denis’s untimely death. The sequel picks up three years later. Now, Antonio has become a successful celebrity pastry chef and food influencer with a substantial Instagram following. He hasn’t seen Luca since Denis passed away, and his dating life has been lackluster as he focused on his career. One day, Luca walks into his café, and they reconnect. Luca has faced challenges over the past three years, losing his bakery but now thriving as a youth worker at an LGBTQ homeless refuge, engaged to his boyfriend Tancredi. Realizing he still has feelings for Luca, Antonio decides to sabotage Luca’s relationship with Tancredi to win him back. He proposes a business partnership to reopen Luca’s bakery, mistakenly interpreting Luca’s kindness as romantic interest. As things unfold, Antonio’s friends help him see that he’s becoming bitter and arrogant, jeopardizing a happy couple for his own desires. Ultimately, he recognizes the need to let go of the past and embrace the future. I remember noting in my review of the original that the cast was attractive, and that holds true here—both Antonio and Luca remain incredibly appealing. I wasn’t a fan of the actor playing Tancredi, but his character was significant…