omg, now I remember why I dumped it when I tried to give this a watch 3 or 4 years ago. Lots of male nudity does not make up for horrendously bad directing/acting/story.
Give NF a shot sometime, and let me know your thoughts, ok? I have a weakness for high school bullying/gay/coming of age plots. That's what made me an easy mark for BL when I stumbled across it nearly seven years ago.
I admit to having a chip on my shoulder regarding Chinese content, especially shows claiming to be "gay," but that are actually deeply repressed, gay-censored bromances you have to watch with an eagle eye for every longing glance and winking eye. I feel like the audience is being asked to fill in all the blank spaces the authoritarian, homophobic Chinese government won't allow the producers/director/actors to fill.
The experience of watching such things is painful for me. It feels shame-based and homophobic. I spent way too much of my life digging myself out from under that stuff to want to spend my time watching shows that glorify it. "Untamed," beloved by Western fujoshis and repressed Chinese girls alike, is the epitome, of what I can't stand. I tried to watch it and tapped out after the first episode. I found it entirely absurd.
There are a few, mostly goofy Chinese BLs that came out before the PRC's gay ban that I enjoyed.
Don't be sorry! I love your observations, insight, and the way you express them. I feel I can go into HR with a reasoned, calm perspective, further restrained by what you've said here. The way you describe the show summarizes the idea of it formed in my head after weeks of breathless headlines and articles about the show online. I've only read maybe three, because I didn't want to overreact to the hype.
Oh, poor, sweet Lan Yu...you're right, given the circumstances of his untimely demise, my "ton of bricks" metaphor comes off a pinch crude. :D
You're also right that the final scene, with his BF at the morgue, was beautifully acted and 100% obliterating. I sobbed.
Your comments have me wanting to watch both LY and No Regret again. I believe I've seen NR four times. And yes, THAT ending...so surprising and entirely original. The Koreans do that kind of thing best. They humanize even the most fucked-up characters, which brings so much more depth to a story.
I've been holding off on Heated Rivalry until all its episodes are available to binge. I'm excited to see it, and pleased at its success, given that its a rare, big-budget production that centers a gay romance. Also primed to see some skin. :)
That said, I'm primed to be disappointed, as well, given all the hype. So, I'll go in with expectations under restraint, which is a good way to approach any work. I'm a tad suspicious it might be a bit cheesy, given what I've read of its huge female fan base and the way it is swarming anyone who respond with even the slightest negative critique. I'm wondering if it is aimed more at women than gay men, which often leads to problems in the storytelling, which is often the case with BL.
I have watched LY twice. After the first watch it was in my top 7 or 8, but after the second, I dropped it a few spaces, and as I added and removed films to the list, LY kept dropping. Its gut-stomping ending out of the blue strikes me now as having that "all gays must be miserable, suffer, and die, even if we have to kill a main character off at the last second for no reason having anything to do with the plot to this point" vibe about it.
But still, overall, I think it's a great movie. It has been a couple years; it's due another watch.
As you see from the top half of my list, I adore pain, suffering, angst, murder, betrayal, infidelity, all those wonderful sort of plot-drivers in my films, but the madness needs to come organically out of the story, not just drop like a ton of bricks from nowhere at the last possible moment.
I will have to give that some thought, W. My first feeling is that there haven't been many good BLs this past year, but perhaps when I review what I saw, I'll surprise myself. Thanks for asking. I'm interested to know the answer, too. :)
Regarding MDL ratings: I don't know if you pay much attention, but few MDLers are willing to rate anything below a 6/10. For reasons beyond my comprehension, the numbers 1-5 do not exist for them. "Average" seems to lurk somewhere around 6.5-7.5, and decimals within that narrow range hold great importance to these folks. Countless times, I've come upon a show rated, say, 7.2, but sure enough, within comments, someone will exclaim how LOW the thing is rated. lol
I've given up trying to understand and just go with the flow here. My own ratings have evolved to some combination of the MDL madness and the way I rate things on IMDB, where all ten points actually count for something. :)
I agree with the positives you saw in the film, but feel they are outweighed by the negative storytelling issues, which should be the core of any movie. I have and do love many low-budget films/shorts/series that overcame their practical limitations with excellent direction and actors fully committed to their roles.
The fact that 10dance was technically beautiful made me all the more pissed off about its lack of heart.
It's just that one scene though (they could've cut it out but I'm personally not complaining)
No, I don't "have to" respect the perspective of people who think the mere sight of a human body is obscene. It's ridiculous. And far too often, those people try to censor what everyone else can see, rather than simply walking out of a film, or turning it off if watching online, and going about their business.
"...you're obsessed with me and have replied to me first on this... how sad. get a life you obsessive freak."
Let's see, I politely asked a simple question under your original comment, and you have followed that up with SIX replies to me, expressing varying amounts of hyperactive stupidity, one of which was taken down by mods because in it, you demanded that I kill myself.
You have studied my interactions on other pages, copied and pasted insults directed at me from within them (I suppose as back-up evidence of your own insight or something), called me lame names, probably scrutinized my profile with a magnifying glass, and likely attempted to ascertain my street address (it's inside your mind, where I live rent-free).
You've attempted to determine my generational status by analyzing my "dialect" (and failed miserably), hilariously mocked my supposed perpetually online state/lack of friends/neglect of family/etc., all the while demonstrating how those descriptives apply to yourself.
Then, you iced the cake by hurling the deeply original "freak" at me.
We both know who is "obsessed," child. We both know who lacks "a life." It's the derp-twerp.
It's just that one scene though (they could've cut it out but I'm personally not complaining)
How weird, and revealing, that you now snidely claim I was "expecting porn" from this film. wtf are you on about?
And so what if we also "saw a woman's butt?" Why do you think a 13-year-old can't handle the sight of a naked butt? Thirteen-year-olds have butts too, and if so-called adults didn't freak out at the sight of one, the thirteen-year-olds might take the cue that this is the human body and...so what?
Like many MDLers, you seem to have major issues regarding sex and the unclothed human body. Maybe seek counseling...?
heyy, what's ur ops on 10DANCE? did u decide to watch it?
Happy New Year, MK!
And thanks for such a thought-provoking response and argument. I will let what you've shared percolate in the old brain here, then come back later, read your words again, and respond. If I remember to! :)
I'd like to say one thing right now, though: If Suguki had no intention of engaging in sex with Suzuki, and was there to make it clear they "could never be one," then what's with bringing the bottle of wine, presumably to share? That is a gesture of friendship and/or romantic intentions, yet he quickly began to bait and refuse Suzuki.
That was maybe the second or third point in the film at which I thought, "....hmmm...perhaps he is deliberately baiting/frustrating/cock-teasing Suzuki in an effort to elicit fierce energy on the dance floor." I'm still not sure about that, but believe it's possible.
I have always planned to watch the film a second time. I don't know if I've told you, because we've been focused on this MK issue, but in every other way than the story telling itself, this movie is gorgeously filmed and the dancing is glorious to behold. Also, I believe that one hasn't really SEEN a worthy film until having watched it two or three times. I ALWAYS catch a great many nuances and even plot points, on subsequent viewings. With your input in mind, perhaps my second watch will be far richer than it otherwise would have been.
Bravo! I dropped this very early on and gave it a 1/10.Anything so bad I have to run screaming, gets a 1/10 from…
HNY again to you, JG!
Happy Birthday late, as well. How great to have NY's Eve as your birthday. :)
Alas, I chose to put down the booze for good 25 years ago. Let's just say I'd done far more than my share of partying, and it was taking a heavy toll in several ways. I do have a great many wonderful memories of booze-fueled, jovial frivolity with friends and family. Lord knows how many other wonderful memories are gone for good, due to the brain cells I lost. It was all worth it!!!
Have a hair of the dog for me, please. We say that in the US too; at least us old folks do. I used to love Bloody Marys as a hangover cure. Of course, a couple of those often led to yet another episode of perilous frivolity. With me, one never knew what the hell might happen; what great adventures or disasters might unfold. :D
Happy New Year hugs to you and the BF. Give him one for me, please, and a BJ, too.
1 
1 
Lots of male nudity does not make up for horrendously bad directing/acting/story.
Embarrassingly bad.
Two stars for butts. 2/10
I have a weakness for high school bullying/gay/coming of age plots.
That's what made me an easy mark for BL when I stumbled across it nearly seven years ago.
I admit to having a chip on my shoulder regarding Chinese content, especially shows claiming to be "gay," but that are actually deeply repressed, gay-censored bromances you have to watch with an eagle eye for every longing glance and winking eye. I feel like the audience is being asked to fill in all the blank spaces the authoritarian, homophobic Chinese government won't allow the producers/director/actors to fill.
The experience of watching such things is painful for me. It feels shame-based and homophobic. I spent way too much of my life digging myself out from under that stuff to want to spend my time watching shows that glorify it. "Untamed," beloved by Western fujoshis and repressed Chinese girls alike, is the epitome, of what I can't stand. I tried to watch it and tapped out after the first episode. I found it entirely absurd.
There are a few, mostly goofy Chinese BLs that came out before the PRC's gay ban that I enjoyed.
I love your observations, insight, and the way you express them.
I feel I can go into HR with a reasoned, calm perspective, further restrained by what you've said here. The way you describe the show summarizes the idea of it formed in my head after weeks of breathless headlines and articles about the show online. I've only read maybe three, because I didn't want to overreact to the hype.
Have you seen the German, M/M soccer flick, "Mario?"
I strongly recommend it.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6999052/
You're also right that the final scene, with his BF at the morgue, was beautifully acted and 100% obliterating. I sobbed.
Your comments have me wanting to watch both LY and No Regret again. I believe I've seen NR four times. And yes, THAT ending...so surprising and entirely original. The Koreans do that kind of thing best. They humanize even the most fucked-up characters, which brings so much more depth to a story.
Have you seen "Night Flight?"
That said, I'm primed to be disappointed, as well, given all the hype. So, I'll go in with expectations under restraint, which is a good way to approach any work. I'm a tad suspicious it might be a bit cheesy, given what I've read of its huge female fan base and the way it is swarming anyone who respond with even the slightest negative critique. I'm wondering if it is aimed more at women than gay men, which often leads to problems in the storytelling, which is often the case with BL.
Bravo.
I have watched LY twice. After the first watch it was in my top 7 or 8, but after the second, I dropped it a few spaces, and as I added and removed films to the list, LY kept dropping. Its gut-stomping ending out of the blue strikes me now as having that "all gays must be miserable, suffer, and die, even if we have to kill a main character off at the last second for no reason having anything to do with the plot to this point" vibe about it.
But still, overall, I think it's a great movie. It has been a couple years; it's due another watch.
As you see from the top half of my list, I adore pain, suffering, angst, murder, betrayal, infidelity, all those wonderful sort of plot-drivers in my films, but the madness needs to come organically out of the story, not just drop like a ton of bricks from nowhere at the last possible moment.
My first feeling is that there haven't been many good BLs this past year, but perhaps when I review what I saw, I'll surprise myself.
Thanks for asking. I'm interested to know the answer, too. :)
I've given up trying to understand and just go with the flow here. My own ratings have evolved to some combination of the MDL madness and the way I rate things on IMDB, where all ten points actually count for something. :)
I agree with the positives you saw in the film, but feel they are outweighed by the negative storytelling issues, which should be the core of any movie. I have and do love many low-budget films/shorts/series that overcame their practical limitations with excellent direction and actors fully committed to their roles.
The fact that 10dance was technically beautiful made me all the more pissed off about its lack of heart.
Happy New Year, by the way.
Would love to see YT in more gay roles.
Let's see, I politely asked a simple question under your original comment, and you have followed that up with SIX replies to me, expressing varying amounts of hyperactive stupidity, one of which was taken down by mods because in it, you demanded that I kill myself.
You have studied my interactions on other pages, copied and pasted insults directed at me from within them (I suppose as back-up evidence of your own insight or something), called me lame names, probably scrutinized my profile with a magnifying glass, and likely attempted to ascertain my street address (it's inside your mind, where I live rent-free).
You've attempted to determine my generational status by analyzing my "dialect" (and failed miserably), hilariously mocked my supposed perpetually online state/lack of friends/neglect of family/etc., all the while demonstrating how those descriptives apply to yourself.
Then, you iced the cake by hurling the deeply original "freak" at me.
We both know who is "obsessed," child.
We both know who lacks "a life."
It's the derp-twerp.
And so what if we also "saw a woman's butt?"
Why do you think a 13-year-old can't handle the sight of a naked butt? Thirteen-year-olds have butts too, and if so-called adults didn't freak out at the sight of one, the thirteen-year-olds might take the cue that this is the human body and...so what?
Like many MDLers, you seem to have major issues regarding sex and the unclothed human body. Maybe seek counseling...?
And thanks for such a thought-provoking response and argument. I will let what you've shared percolate in the old brain here, then come back later, read your words again, and respond. If I remember to! :)
I'd like to say one thing right now, though: If Suguki had no intention of engaging in sex with Suzuki, and was there to make it clear they "could never be one," then what's with bringing the bottle of wine, presumably to share? That is a gesture of friendship and/or romantic intentions, yet he quickly began to bait and refuse Suzuki.
That was maybe the second or third point in the film at which I thought, "....hmmm...perhaps he is deliberately baiting/frustrating/cock-teasing Suzuki in an effort to elicit fierce energy on the dance floor." I'm still not sure about that, but believe it's possible.
I have always planned to watch the film a second time. I don't know if I've told you, because we've been focused on this MK issue, but in every other way than the story telling itself, this movie is gorgeously filmed and the dancing is glorious to behold. Also, I believe that one hasn't really SEEN a worthy film until having watched it two or three times. I ALWAYS catch a great many nuances and even plot points, on subsequent viewings. With your input in mind, perhaps my second watch will be far richer than it otherwise would have been.
Happy Birthday late, as well.
How great to have NY's Eve as your birthday. :)
Alas, I chose to put down the booze for good 25 years ago.
Let's just say I'd done far more than my share of partying, and it was taking a heavy toll in several ways. I do have a great many wonderful memories of booze-fueled, jovial frivolity with friends and family.
Lord knows how many other wonderful memories are gone for good, due to the brain cells I lost.
It was all worth it!!!
Have a hair of the dog for me, please. We say that in the US too; at least us old folks do. I used to love Bloody Marys as a hangover cure. Of course, a couple of those often led to yet another episode of perilous frivolity. With me, one never knew what the hell might happen; what great adventures or disasters might unfold. :D
Happy New Year hugs to you and the BF. Give him one for me, please, and a BJ, too.