First Love (2007)

This has a very 'independent movie' feel to it. The reason I gave it so high a rating is not really because the cinematography was unique or that the story was so different, but rather that this seemed to be a personal story for the filmmaker, that was told well.

The story is about a boy who feels isolated. Some of the kids in the school know he's gay, and they single him out to pick on him. What drives him more into isolation is the fact that he is in love with his one really good friend, and can't say anything to him because he's afraid of his reaction. While he's riding the train he sees a gay couple, then follows them curious about their lives. The rest of the movie is him figuring out who he wants to be and if he cares how the world perceives him. There is also a plot line about the gay couple themselves, and how they feel like they are being treated by society, and their families.

The acting wasn't very good, but they didn't seem to be any really professional actors in the bunch so it was more them doing the best they could. It wasn't ever glaringly bad, like it dragged the scenes or made it seem like the actors were uncomfortable saying the lines. It was more of actors looking at the camera every once and a while, and a smile while they were trying to get out dialogue.

The "sexy scenes" were a little more awkward that the rest of the movie, but thankfully there were only a few of them and easy to fast-forward through.

The music was okay for the most part, nothing to really pay attention to, but there were one or two parts where it just turned weird for no reason.

Overall I would recommend this movie to anyone willing to give an independent movie a shot. It was charming and was made really well with what little resources they seemed to have.

Read More

this was adorable - well the ending was & hilarious to boot. ironic, as quarter way through, was contemplating stopping, cause of the snail-paced start (talk about slow-burn ugh). add to that, the "look" which puts this somewhere in the earlier 90's with the dated acting skills (was shocked when Keigo tells Tadashi "...they in the 21st century, so u say gay not homo...") & the disjointed plot - was totally disinterested in what was going on.

but then Keigo comes on screen & the dude is such a mood the life of the party (quite literally) he's funny & shameless. hard not to love him, so totally got how Tadashi instantly warmed up to him. when, while reading the description, thought the ones he would warm-up to & confide in, let alone seek advice from would be Hiroki & Sinji.
this was 3 different stories intertwined in each other & it was good that each was wrapped up with a positive conclusion.
but i feel like the plot didn't flow in bits (maybe cause of this, still don't feel elated after watching). Yes the ending was a hoot & loved that Keigo got his dream wedding. that was fun & funny - a Very positive ending that leaves a smile in ur heart, not just ur face.

BUT this far from perfect & it's a shame, feels rushed or lacks polishing ... so more a miss then a hit - but fine for a 1 off

Read More

Sweet indie gay film

I genuinely made a mdl account just to come here and post a review for this movie. Please understand that this is not, a BL. This is an indie film from 2007, filmed with probably one camera and maybe 500$.

I do actually love the directors work, I’ve seen several of his later films and I was so excited to watch this on gagaoolala. I hope they get more of his movies.

This movie is a sweet coming of age story, but it’s also! A little weird if you’re used to typical BL drama. This is much more realistic, which means it’s a little rough and you might not like it. But I think you should definitely give it a chance.

Read More

Everything happened exactly as it is written in detail in the official text of the distributor. This is a specific Japanese film, which was made mainly according to one of the boxes of Japanese ideas, and should be judged accordingly, and the affect, mechanicalness, stubbornness was really there (in acting, walking, running, my classmate Kota came to me in some situations even slightly demented). I cannot give a higher rating within this specific production, because if I ignore all the mentioned "flaws" from the point of view of a European, the film did not affect me that much. On the other hand, I have to highlight the effort to portray (the desire) for gay marriage, the first love of an adult and its CO, and the fact that no models or men from gyms played in the film, but completely ordinary Japanese people.


Všechno proběhlo přesně tak, jak je podrobně napsáno v oficiálním textu distributora. Jedná se o specifický japonský film, který byl vyroben především podle jedné ze škatulek japonských představ a dle toho by se měl v hodnocení i brát a opravdu tam ten afekt, strojovost, topornost byla znát (v hraní, chůzi, běhu, spolužák Kota mi přišel v některých situacích až mírně dementní). Nemohu dát vyšší ohodnocení v rámci této specifické produkce, protože když pomíjím všechny zmíněné "nedostatky" z pohledu Evropana, tak mě až tak moc film nezasáhl. Na druhé straně ale musím vyzdvihnout snahu o vykreslení (touhu) po manželství gayů, první lásku dospělce a jeho CO a to, že ve filmu nehráli žádní modelové či muži z posiloven, ale zcela obyčejní Japonci.

Read More

Una película mala que es buena

Chico de 17 años no ha salido del armario y le gusta su mejor amigo. Pero otros compañeros se meten con el y les da de lado. Por visicitudes de la vida, conoce a un grupo de chicos gays mayores y se hacen amigos y le ayudan a sentirse mejor como gay.

Refleja bastante bien los conflictos de la comunidad gay de principios de siglo en Japón, tiene varios momentos de diálogo serio que resultan interesantes, a pesar de que los actores hacen lo que pueden y no siempre lo consiguen jajaja Podemos ver cómo diferentes gays en diferentes etapas de su vida se enfrentan a diferentes problemas, que al final son los mismos que todos tendremos o hemos tenido.

El final es donde me quedo un poco seco. El final resulta algo apresurado, ya que es una película y se ve que no les quedaba tiempo para desarrollar una trama en condiciones, así que resulta algo extraña, pero igualmente disfrutable.

En cuanto a la escenografía, si te gusta el estilo 2000's y la decadencia japonesa, esta es tu serie.

¿La recomiendo? Si, la recomiendo totalmente, y siendo una peli te la ves en un ratito.

Read More