PPBongi
California, USA
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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Non-descript BL series
This is a pretty standard BL that is fluffy, cutely predictable, only so-so entertaining, and fast becoming too common. What made it thus is that there is really no drama here to bring you down (or up) and the characters are endlessly consistent. They are, how to put this, rather ordinary. It is not that the leads are not cute; they are. But the characters are so mundane, leading ordinary lives and facing the same issues the rest of us do. Overworked, with little time to eat or sleep, no social life. This series has no depth to it. The characters are there. The plot is boring, characters are mundane, any reference to love is barely visible, and the acting is modicum.Was this review helpful to you?
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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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?
Beautiful in its simplicity
This mini-movie I know appears to be more like an ‘after-school’ project and perhaps held together with chewing gum and glue. This is never going to win any awards nor be on any top 10 list. However, it did do something for me that so many BLs, especially Thai, do not do for me anymore. And that is, it made me smile. Made my eyes tear up. It also made me reflect. Further, it made me see how so, so many everyday ordinary gay relationships begin. This gem captured the heart and soul of a humanity that is not often portrayed. A humanity of individuals whose beauty lies within, not without, whose goodness is inherent, not extrinsic, and whose fortitude is who they are, not guess at. It is a story of genuineness and strength of character. It is a story of life. And most importantly, it is a simple basic story of love. This is just plain fun and gives us the bright side of humanity and shows us the limitless purity of unconditional love.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?
The story captured me from the beginning
This BL series has gotten some bad reviews. I thought it was brilliant. Its message was perhaps lost in the way the story unfolded. That is too bad because its message and meaning is quite significant. For sure, this story twists and turns in sometimes strange ways and does not smoothly transition from beginning to end. But if you understand the intent behind it, it is quite an impactful and moving story. Remember, this is yet another never-ending Thai BL about high school boys. But with this one, I took the time to see it from the perspective of a Thai teenage boy. And guess what? It is messy, uneven, illogical, immature, and chaotic. Just like a teenage boy IS. This was one of the few times that I thought these endless school BLs finally captured the essence of a teenage boy. Silly, impressionable, vulnerable, passionately committed, searching for truth, making mistakes, failing, and falling deeply and hard in love. Have we forgotten?Was this review helpful to you?
Full of moral character and direction
This BL series tackled a usually taboo subject and that was a May-December relationship. And it handled it with distinction and moral fiber. Not once was there any impropriety and while the temptations were there, the adult did not give in. So many people misunderstood his decision making as indecisive but I completely disagree. Minato always weighted the consequences of his actions against the effects on the other person. I found that refreshing and showed he was moral and upstanding. A good story filled with ethical behaviors. It also has a cast of characters who are quite quirky and I found them to be very entertaining.Was this review helpful to you?
It Fills You With A Sense of Warmth
This is not an earthshattering BL series but there is just enough cuteness and warmth in it to make you feel good. Like a blanket on a cold winter's night. The story, despite the logical holes, is told well and the acting is surprisingly good. Look, I know it is a fantasy, but some logic has to be applied and a more realistic reaction to what is happening should be part of the story as well. Too much of that was glossed over. None of that, however, negates the entertainment of this series. Honestly, who would not want their childhood dog or cat pets come back looking like these guys? It is just a fun series to watch.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?
A Misunderstood BL Series
This is a deeply moving series guised to be light-hearted. But, at least for me, it was sad and very thought-provoking. I cried more than once in this series. To describe it or summarize it might make it sound fatuous. But it is far from that. Yet, I almost gave up on it in the beginning because it asks you to suspend your beliefs and move into the realm of fantasy in almost a caricature sort of fashion. It is only when you get into the story do you realize the characters are not meant to be real but allegorical in nature and representing us. A rather unique approach to BL storytelling. This easily could have slipped into a farce but did not.The title should have been worked on a bit more. It sounds a bit too cartoonish which it is not.
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THE Best So Far in 2022!
I know it may sound trite to call this a masterpiece but it is. It is the best BL so far in 2022. I named Country Boy (1) as THE best in 2021 and this is is well on its way of taking its place for this year of 2022. What makes it so special? It's simplicity! It is nothing more than a pure love story with no gimmicks. The characters are so real, genuine, honest, and so original! I want to be in their world!The acting is first rate, story is simple and basic, but its beauty is not want is only on the screen. It's beauty is in the actors themselves. This is a labor of love that screams classic!
There are simply NOT enough adjectives to describe its beauty and the impact this short series has on me. PLEASE watch this gem and its counterpart. I think you will be moved not only to smile but to cry and perhaps just wish a tiny bit to live in their world.
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I LOVED THIS SERIES!
I know, I know. Undoubtedly, I am in a minority here in just loving this series. I thought it was fun, creative, and one of a kind. Sure, the acting is flat but for me, that only enhanced this series even more. This series NEVER takes itself seriously and you should not also. It is a tongue-in-cheek fantasy. But with a twist. It is the first GAY live-action fairytale and for that it deserves our praises and kudos. It was not afraid to be gay, gay, gay. No nonsense about liking the person not the gender. They liked each other BECAUSE they were gay. If I were a kid, struggling to figure out who I was, I would have LOVED this as it represented me. I could feel that a prince might just be coming for me someday too. I know the acting is not perhaps top-notch, but it makes it up in catching songs, and an adorable story with some very poignant moments. Sure, the songs are Disney-like, but who does not like Disney. I am simply not ashamed to say that I loved this series and binged watch it, which I never do.If you want to see my full review go to BLBliss.com to read it.
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