Gameboys (2020)

Okay

I enjoyed the parts with the two leads very much but I found Pearl annoying. What is it with some BLs that there has to be an intrusive nosey ex-girlfriend now best friend. That is a real turn off for me. I like the concept of using the lockdown as a major part of the story. That does seem reasonable. I didn’t even know about zoom and FaceTime until the lockdown. So the interaction between the two leads is refreshing. Do writers feel there has to be a female best friend? Is this a requirement among gay males. Is this supposed to differentiate them from heterosexual males? The music was good. But again I just ignored the segments with Pearl. What guy who is interested in another person has his ex-girlfriend tagging along. The best friend/ex girlfriend was even in the last scene! Was this a bl or a throuple? There were some good scenes but the Pearl character was just too silly and unrealistic. For that reason I won’t watch this again.

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A love story that is both timely and timeless

This show kept on appearing on my YouTube homepage when the first episode came out, but I ignored it because I had seen some Filipino dramas in the past, and I was never really impressed with them. But I was also looking for something new to watch, and I happened to read a comment that mentioned this show. As the first ep was only 10 minutes long, I decided to give it a go. And now, after over 3 months and 13 episodes, I can honestly say that this just might be the best decision I have made this year.

Although I found Gavreel's character to be a little too cringey in the first episode, the last 2 lines of said ep piqued my interest. The storytelling format they had chosen to use was also something I liked, as I had watched 'Searching' a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. What impressed me the most, however, was how clean the editing was. It was so well done, I found myself wanting to see more.

When Pearl's character was introduced in episodes 2 and 3, I was so very pleased to see a female character that was not made to be toxic or one dimensional. I started to think that this show was going to be very different from your everyday, average BL story - it wanted to steer clear of all the harmful tropes usually found in BLs. This thought was further solidified with Gavreel's consent line in episode 4, (As an aside, I was already thoroughly invested in Caireel by episode 3 - Pearl's enthusiasm was contagious y'all!), and then consistently proven in the following ones.

Gameboys proved to be a show that is both timely and timeless once it hit episode 7. Timely because all communication thus far was only done virtually and through social media. Topics like the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were not shied away from, and homage was paid to our frontliners. Timeless because the show touched upon themes of acceptance, forgiveness, love, found family, and deep friendships.

Although Gameboys is a whole lot more than just a show about two boys falling in love, the show did not lack in this aspect either. Because the characters of Cairo and Gav were so well-developed and fully fleshed out, I couldn’t help but be taken with them. And their relationship was so beautifully developed - nothing ever felt contrived or done just for drama's sake. Everything they went through felt so very real, I felt (or at the very least, could understand) their emotions with them. I really don’t think that I have ever been as invested in the happiness of two fictional characters as I have than with Cai and Gav.

I already said this in a comment, but let me reiterate it again here: I’m beyond happy and grateful that a show like this exists. All my love and respect go to the cast and crew of The IdeaFirst Company for creating something that, I believe, will resonate with a lot of viewers for a very long time. I know it will with me.

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You will cry and you will laugh but mostly...

... you will feel like you are falling in love for the first time

I could tell you this is the best BL I have watched this year, because it is the truth.

I could tell you that both male leads are amazing actors and extremely easy on the eyes, because it is the truth.

I could tell you that you missing this show is a mistake, because it is the truth.

So, instead I am going to tell you what I loved about this show and let you decide on your own if you want to watch it or not.

But first, I would warn you that it takes some time to get used to the online format. This is both the weakest point of the show and it is strongest point.

What I liked:
*The pacing. This is a fast paced show. It moves quickly from one scene to the next, from one event to the next. It is one of the best edited BL series I have watched.
*The acting. There is no one more deserving of an award than... pretty much the entire cast. Elijah Canlas, in my humble opinion, is a top BL actor. Yep, I dare say it. He is as good or better than Gun Atthaphan. It is amazing what Kokoy and Canlas pull off here. There is a particular scene in which Cairo and Gavreel fight that I remember thinking to myself, OMG this is so realistic that I am uncomfortable watching it, just like you feel when two people argue in front of you. There is another scene in which Cairo's world comes crashing down on him while Gavreel watches from afar. Both actors convey the emotions so perfectly.....
*The story. It is at times cliche but at times refreshing. It is as though they took the BL playbook and turned it on its head. But overall, this is probably my favorite love story after Love Sick and Love of Siam.
*The music. Ngayon still makes me cry to this day... and the other songs are pretty catchy. Watch the MVs! They are all pretty good!

What I didn't like:
*The cellophane kiss. You will know when you watch.
*They added some last minute conflicts to keep the plot going a couple of episodes past their original end date. It was OK overall because the story was beautiful but I think it could have been trim down by one or two episodes.
*Adriana So's Pearl gets her own story now (see Pearl Next Door) but I wish they had given her a bit more of her own story in this show.

So go watch it, if you haven't! You are missing out on some great story telling and a beautiful love story!

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There's a Cai and Gav and Pearl in all of Us

Upon many recommendations, I saw Gameboys by The Idea First Company. What I felt lacking in Hello Stranger, Gameboys had oodles of. The series is about two young gamers challenging each other to a friendly game online. Innocent Cairo (Canlas) accepts the challenge of impetuous Gavreel (De Santos) and unwittingly finds himself at the center of his playful advances. If Gavreel wins, then Cairo would agree to be courted by him.

Gameboys feels like a series about the emerging world of Gen Z made by Gen Z creators. The story is unique, individual, respectful of gender issues and mindful of the COVID-19 crisis. It is able to give you a full preview of the entire series and the thesis of Pinoy BL all inside of 10 minutes of the pilot.

The storytelling is very fast-paced, the acting is authentic, the graphics are new and sophisticated, and the music guides you to feel what the characters are currently feeling. As the story progresses, backstories are revealed and the characters are given a kind of depth that virtually tugs at your heart and makes you want to cry. It is beautifully told in a very new way, yet it feels so familiar it’s as if you are transported back to the very first time you ever fell in love.

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A Wonderful Pandemic Love Story

Having just watched GB for the third time, I wanna talk to somebody about it…..and you guys are nominated for the conversation.

In my opinion, this is going to be recognized for decades as a seminal piece of video creation. It is a unique depiction of this moment of human struggle. With so much sadness around us, both in real life and in the film, GameBoys still comes out to be uplifting. The genius of all those involved in its creation deserves rich recognition.

Everybody focuses, of course, on Elijah and Kokoy (and Adrianna!), who are fantastic acting talents, and deserve all the kudos they get. People who -- like me -- find their smiles absolutely enchanting should watch this fanvid, which sets their great interactions to some very nice music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3DmasfDzo

But I want to comment on three other aspects:

-- The Music. Emerzon Texon’s songs and background music are sooooo good. And so spot-on meaningful (I had to search for full translations rather than just the subtitles). I don’t think he gets enough credit. I particularly love “Ngayon”, which closes the series. With Dex Yu’s soaring vocals, that song is unforgettable. May pag-asang. Pag-ibig na ito. (“There is hope; this is love.”) And at the end: Malaya na tayo – “we are free.” Guys who fall in love have not always been free – and still are not in many places. Bless the Filipino love of music s for giving expression to this hope and optimism about love. It brings tears to my eyes every time.

-- The Pandemic. This is a film about love in a pandemic, and the pandemic dominates everything. I mean dominates both the plot – and the making of the film. It will go down in history not only for the story it tells, but for the fantastic way the IdeaFirst Company and Ivan Andrew Payawal found ways to create such a work, despite the obstacles they faced. The techniques they had to use, the pressures they were under…….it is and will forever be a unique work of creation – unique to this moment. Clearly the team felt the pressures of working at this time – there’s a cast interview video posted on YouTube, done right when the series was ending, where Kokoy dissolves in tears, while thanking God for the blessing of being able to do this work in the pandemic. (And Elijah responds, completely naturally, “Hugs, Baby.”) They are real people who faced huge real challenges and their success is a tribute to huge professionalism all around.

-- The Kiss. This (in the last episode) is a sublime moment of cinematic art. Watch it closely, if you haven’t done so. It's the run-up to the kiss that is so special. When Gav removes his mask, Cai, true to character, is scared and backs away (“Gagong!”). Gav approaches him raising his hands in a beckoning gesture. Cai’s eyes look down with anxiety at Gav’s hands; and then his look softens, he takes a step forward, and bows his head ever-so-slightly. In that gesture, he wordlessly surrenders himself to love. Amazing acting. With the masks off, they look at each other with such empathy and love (how can both actors DO that and look so sincere????) Watch Elijah’s eyes in particular, through the moment when a tear runs down his cheek. Dex Yu croons “Our hearts now beat as one.” And only then The Kiss. Wow.

As is probably obvious, I am full of admiration for the work of all the people who created this series. I suspect it is probably on its way to being the most-viewed ever piece of Filipino audiovisual art. Millions of people around the world are coming to know Pinoy creativity and Pinoy culture (the music! the romanticism!) in a way that never could have happened before. The creative team should all be proud, and their country should be proud of them.

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Cheesy but Entertaining

Gameboys is surprisingly enjoyable and entertaining for me. The plot is refreshing and unique, especially when all of us are currently going through the pandemic situation thanks to Covid. Hence, it leads to lockdowns around the world and not being able to see our loved ones. *sigh*. However, certain parts are simply not my cup of tea.

Before watching it, I was warned by a few of my friends saying that you are going to be bombarded with the number of cheesy and cringey dialogues and boy did they not lie. Gameboys is one of the cheesiest, if not the cheesiest BL I have ever seen so far. Not that I have a prejudice against it, but too much cheesiness makes me nauseous. Certain dialogues made me cringe that I almost choked on my water while watching it, I will never forget the dialogues they've used here, "Choke me daddy" (Episode 2). When I heard that, I was like okay boy, calm down. Not to mention the number of times I hear the word "baby", it annoys me a lot since I am not a fan of pet names and I am already traumatized from 365 days. Luckily, it doesn't bother me that much, and I think that's how Filipinos flirt so I am alright with that.

I am also not a fan of the jealousy plotline. I find it ridiculous and unnecessary for the storyline maybe because I hate seeing love triangles trope not just in BLs, but any romance shows basically. I don't mind if it's a small thing and it's for entertainment, but I hate it when it's exaggerated on purpose, and this is my problem here. I would rather them focus entirely on the argument of Cairo moving away due to family issues. It's more of an interesting conflict, and it's suitable here with the pandemic situation as I like to observe and people handling those conflicts differently and understand their character better alongside their reasons. Sadly, the jealousy thing ruined some parts of my enjoyment, which is why I cannot give it a 9.

Okay now to the positive parts of the show. I really want to applaud the show for not adding any stereotypes towards the characters. The two main leads are natural, and both of them are relatable in their own ways. Both have their flaws, but when they are together, both of them learn from each other from their mistakes and become stronger together. I really like how they introduced Gavreel's grandmother conflict, it adds a nice touch towards his character, giving him a more nuanced character than other BLs I've seen and where we can relate to. I also love that Gavreel is able to empathize with Cairo's situation after hearing his news about his dad's passing and witness Cairo at his worst moments. The strongest part of the show is the message they want to highlight us not just in the pandemic situation, but in any situation basically. While at times we are forced to not be physically there for each other, but if you and your loved ones commit to it, it can, and it WILL work out in the end.

Nevertheless, it is a good show and pretty entertaining. It's considered a light-hearted BL for me since I did not cry watching it and the angst level is very low. I don't have any regrets about seeing this. However, it is only a one time watch for me since it's too cheesy for my taste. If you guys can handle the cheesiness, go ahead and watch it. I can't wait to see more BLs from the Philippines. Salamat!

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IdeaFirst Co. maximizes the use of social media smartly. The production staffs showed their ingenuity and creativity by smoothly crafting each frame of the episodes. The music including the official sound tracks are great and on point. Also, the script is well written and well executed by the actors. Most importantly, all the actors especially the two main leads really do their homework. They serve us a professional level acting. They know how to use their emotions and precision of their little interactions. Before I forget, the story overall is very relatable to our current situation. Each chapters are getting better and better and it is not far-fetched to reality of cyber life. And kudos to them for including issues that needed to be discussed in a series such as BoyLove (BL). For me, this is one of the bests BL produced in 2020. Surprisingly, it came from a predominantly catholic country of The Philippines.

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A story teaches you to accept the love the way it is; with its all hardships and simplicity.

I think it's very special to see a ''LDR'' would work or not in a bl series. I mean it's such an interesting experience to watch, as a person who also once tried this. You can put yourself in their shoes and can look at the problems or situations from completely different perspectives. I really felt that i was with them from the beginning and i just couldn't help myself from crying while Caira said 'i hate this pandemic' we are still trying to get through this pandemic but we need time as well. I really do feel them. I know how it's tiring to literally alone and think there is no one who could be there for you or feeling desperate if we are even going to get through this pandemic? I JUST KNOW IT'S SO DAMN TIRING, but here i am, with them.
This series is truly sincere and they live their roles, there is not faking at all. Hopefully, bl industry can take lessons from such series and try their best! Thanks for making me feel/showing me that i am not lonely, and wherever i live, it's the same. There are so many people like me. I have always known this but we are inclined to forget but thanks to this series, i remembered this fact. Thanks for sharing your story; travel with us. I truly appreciate.
And i just learnt that there will be another season??? which made me feel happiest. Cannot wait already to see it!!!

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A good show

This is a good show. The first episode is a bit jarring but apparently that's by design, as the show is more than just a love story between two young men; it's also the story of how to fall in love during the pandemic, when face-to-face communication is a privilege and physical intimacy is a task and a risk. The story and the acting can be a bit cheesy at times, but it works. I like how it also makes the effort to be responsible and politically correct, making sure to emphasize that anything that happens physically between the two characters needs to have consent, etc. A must watch.

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Philippines Premier BL!

The Good : This series pioneered the PH BL to come out during this trying times of pandemic. it definitely set such high standards . free to watch as long as you have youtube (and internet).

The Bad(?) : episode are being shot the same within the same week it premiers. a couple of delays/schedule changes due to demand/success and the changing quarantine restriction due to pandemic. handled by a small team with setup done by themselves (actors) and shot using their own devices.. well technically some of this issue wasn't totally bad because it have caused the series to be better, and even inspired and motivated the team to work harder to deliver quality content.

The Awesome : everything else is AWESOME! quality performance done by non-mainstream actors - relying on talent rather than popularity - very wise decision. From the main actors to the supporting actors they were all superb, they were all cast'd *chef kiss* perfect ! 10/10! Story was well written, with very relatable and realistic characters. direction and execution was on point. The soundtrack - all original made just for the series. This is series will make you fall in love, smile, laugh, swear, cry and more! all the elements you need mushed perfectly in one show! Ideafirst Company - the people behind the series are so loving just like a grandpa spoiling a grandchild. they will embrace you with arms wide open and they do listen! plus plus plus they wont block your videos if ever you decide to make a reaction video (as long as it is under fair use and transformative). over all this series deserve an award for being the best BL the Philippines has ever seen!

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The One That Must Be Named!

This is a very short review because nothing can be ever added to what other reviewers had said (youtube and here in mdl) about the remarkable journey this series had.

WHY I LIKED IT? 1) Tight, almost seamless, story. 2) Great characterization and versatile actors (antagonist have real motives to create problems and not just placeholder characters) 3) Gender representation is grounded in near reality 4) Timely and timeless issues were tackled but it never superseded the love story of the main characters. 5) It is full of positivity.

WHAT I DISLIKE ABOUT IT? The frequent change in its time slot. Aside from that, nada!

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