more realistic series/angsty vibe

Overall: there were aspects I really enjoyed and others not as much. Watch the prologue first https://youtu.be/W333cGTtTf0 Prologue plus 5 episodes about 15 minutes each. Aired on Jupiter Entertainment's YouTube channel. The company said they are going to re-tell the plot but with more time which I'm ambivalent about.

Content Warnings: dub/non con kiss, manipulation, slap, non con video taking/sharing, unwanted public outing, bullying

What I Liked
- a more realistic/darker vibe
- clear flashback (though no transition to the present)
- the shipper grandma
- NSFW/kissing done well
- good consent in episode 3 when a character says he's not ready
- production value (especially music, lighting, cinematography)

Room For Improvement
- very cliche female character with basically no repercussions for terrible things done
- I'd rather they had removed the m/f couple instead of using her to tell the story, then the two couples could have more screen time and we don't really get the m/f couple's story
- each story was too rushed, they should have focused on 1, an example is how feelings seem to change instantly but we don't see why
- episode 1 was very much of a set up episode
- it would have made more sense if the grandma was coming into the room and he stuffed the picture in his pocket so she wouldn't see instead of him just putting it in his pocket and forgetting about it

Citeste mai mult

par for the course (happy for the better trans rep!)

Overall: I think it's my favorite series overall from Oxin Films. 8 episodes about 15 min each. Aired on Oxin Films YouTube channel.

Content Warnings: intimate partner violence off screen, non con recording, blackmail, manhandling, violence/torture, kidnapping, parental abuse, homophobia, slaps

What I Liked
- started with showing instead of telling that she isn't interested in the wedding (asking him to make all the decisions, saying she is busy, (although later there is an exposition dump)
- finally a trans female character who is not a stereotype
- GL representation
- laughed a few times
- honest discussion between Shao and Louise (though they need even more communication), discussion about virginity
- good NSFW scenes (though I wish they left in some of the original sounds instead of covering it all with music)
- supportive moms and siblings/friends
- the lack of a super severe piracy warning (it's not going to stop people who pirate stuff)

Room For Improvement
- there are too many characters for a short runtime, wish they had cut characters/narrowed the plot a bit more, that stuff with the brother and that violence was not needed at all
- the final episode made no sense especially Briggs' action (or lack there of), why couldn't the dad be the source of drama, lack of wrapping up/fully explaining plot lines
- Shao placed such importance on his first time so I was very disappointed with how that happened (and also totally unrealistic to be that coherent after being that drunk which is why I didn't label it as dub or non con)
- the innuendo jokes go on a bit too long/too many of them
- wish they had made Louise slightly more likable sooner
- the brother asking about his sex position was bad
- gender is fluid should not be equated with preferred sex position
- characters just randomly show up at the right time at the right place with zero explanation

Citeste mai mult

why/when did they fall in love???

Overall: I liked the premise of this indie production but there were too many characters and it fell apart for me. Watched on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: non con kissing, non con picture taking/blackmail

What I Liked
- the mom and the supportive principal
- support for same sex marriage
- GL rep in episode 4 (though very brief)
- that there were more than a couple of students in a classroom and also more than a couple teachers in the teacher's lounge
- the kisses weren't great but there were more than one

Room For Improvement
- too many characters and as a result the plot/characters were not well developed, I really didn't see why the two leads loved each other so much
- I was bored and did not really care about the characters or their relationship (see previous point about there being too many characters)
- not a fan of the exaggerated acting from Masumi
- just ignore the bonus scene at the end of episode 4, I didn't like them tossing that right at the end (unless they address this in the second season)
- the ending credits were too long (5 minutes out of a 30 minute episode)

Citeste mai mult

appreciate that they tried something different

Overall: though I liked that they tried something different (i.e. darker plot with flawed characters, violence, etc), it was just too slow paced for me. I watched ep 1-3 and 8-10 on YouTube.

Content Warnings: murders, attempted murder, attempted suicide?, suicide, graphic violence, gore/blood, held against will, manipulation, manhandling

What I Liked
- different approach with a darker tone
- like how Art didn't just stand there in episode 3 and actually did something
- realistic/well done NSFW scenes (that scene in episode 8 was amazing with the awkwardness and communication)
- acting
- supportive brother
- ep 8 that humor with the chicken was funny
- cinematography*

Room For Improvement
- I wanted scenes cut shorter or omitted and for it overall to be faster paced, an example is how the scene at the beginning didn't hook me into the series
- the pre explanation of how getting hit in the head causes you to lose oxygen and then lose your memory did not make sense, it should have been how blunt force trauma can cause memory loss
- trying to make comedy around the suicide attempt did not work for me at all in episode 1
- I realize the premise is fictional but I wish they would have gone with something that could cause an end of the world situation like nuclear war/fallout, major natural disaster or global pandemic. Countries track asteroids that are thousands of miles away from Earth, and how would an asteroid knock the moon into Earth? How does 80% of the Thai population fit into a bunker? Being in a bunker wouldn't matter anyway if the moon somehow smashed into the Earth.
- the very ending of the final episode was disappointing, it makes everything else before feel unearned
- *a night scene in ep 2 was too dim and I could barely see anything, might have been more night scenes that needed some lighting

Citeste mai mult

short and sweet

Overall: this is short but I'll take anything with Boy and Tod. Each of the first three episodes was its own story (f/f, m/f and m/m) with the barista being the common thread. However, episode 4 has built upon episode 3 and then episode 5 had Boy and
Tod's characters as well. Aired on YouTube, 8 episodes each under 13 minutes.

What I Liked
- f/f relationship in episode 1
- cute moments
- plot tie ins with the type of coffee drink
- ep 3: those white short shorts and the cats
- ep 4: supportive friends and a decent plan
- it's really rare to see exes like this, so that was nice to see

Room For Improvement
- audio isn't the best for dialogue, seemed the worst in ep 1
- comedy sound effects
- the final episode didn't do anything to indicate it was the last episode
- it's obviously a plug for the Vibie app (with listing the actors' Vibie usernames), but I don't really care because it's a cute series

Citeste mai mult

quirky - BL adjacent

Overall: this has a type of exaggerated humor like in Ossan's Love. This isn't my favorite type of humor, but others might enjoy it. Watched on GagaOOLala. Two episodes about 23 minutes each.

Content Warnings: head smack

What I Liked
- the dream with the licking a lime off of him
- interested to hear the history of some drinks and recipes
- fyi the nosebleed is referencing anime when a character gets excited and has a nosebleed

Room For Improvement
- that personality tells you a person's sexual position
- I just didn't find the humor that funny

Citeste mai mult

Overall: there were some good plot points in this, but they were obscured by several things. Watched on GagaOOLala.

Content Warnings: death off screen, dub/non con sex (leaning towards non con based on how she addresses him towards the end), fight/slap, past suicide attempt, alcoholism, mental health struggles, defamation?, manipulation

What I Liked
- this does address several realistic issues/struggles that were relevant when this movie was made and are still relevant today (including judgy doctors/people about a woman's past reproductive choices)

Room For Improvement
- it felt that Asako was having a midlife crisis which is a terrible reason to have a child. I didn't like that she didn't just have a one night stand or use a sperm bank. She does explain/show that she wants the feeling of family which she wouldn't get if she did the other options (but this makes me see her character as selfish, not someone I want to route for). I think they could have altered Asako and the plot a bit where I would be happy with their decision (so if the guys had wanted it to start with)
- that part before the final scene came out of nowhere and was so bizarre, I don't understand the reason for it, to show that you should appreciate every moment?
- unlikable characters (and too many), they could have easily cut out some characters especially that female co-worker, it added nothing to the story
- too long, it dragged and cutting out some side characters would have helped move things along

Citeste mai mult

a countryside slice of life

Overall: this is a nice slice of life story set in the countryside. Now available on GagaOOLala https://www.gagaoolala.com/en/videos/2623/restart-after-coming-back-home-2020

Content Warnings: non con kiss (sleeping)

What I Liked
- the countryside setting
- felt realistic, people trying to figure things out
- I generally don't like a carefree happy golucky personality with a reserved/sullen one but there is character growth and more than what first meets the eye

Room For Improvement
- it did feel a bit slow in places
- the non con kiss
- lack of communication (though they did have some good conversations at the end)

Citeste mai mult

darker slice of life short series

Overall: I would categorize this as a slice of life/coming of age series rather than a BL, it is definitely worth watching and I hope they make a second season. Aired on YouTube and Facebook.

Content Warnings: please look at my comment as some are spoilers

What I Liked
- interesting premise, nice twists
- Tang had a realistic reaction with throwing a sheet over the mirror
- backstory given for why Tang acts how he does
- that it showed a darker side of an aggressive pursuit
- cute moments

Room For Improvement
- wanted more of Neo's backstory
- some timeline confusion but it makes sense by the end
- the subtitles have errors but I didn't take off for this nor the obvious product placement

Citeste mai mult

try not to read too much before watching

Overall: what a wild ride this was. I enjoyed the twists and turns as we went and liked how it was difficult to predict the ending. It's best if you don't read too much about the plot beforehand and I'm going to keep my review on the more vague side (other than the content warnings). If AIS Play ever gives it a permanent official international release (instead of the 2 hour watch window), I'll bump it up to 9.

Content Warnings: attempted murder, murder, attempted suicide, suicide, blood, violence, spying, manipulation

What I Liked
- good way to start a series and get the viewers' attention
- funny and cute moments along with the serious, mystery and action moments
- a new take on an existing sci fi idea
- Tan & Bun cameo

Room For Improvement
- some nonsense medical things, also the medical definitions went by too fast to read
- other nonsense things but I don't want to list and give things away
- the ending was rushed and confusing, they needed a bit more time to explain things in a logical way

Citeste mai mult

bingeable BL series

Overall: this is a small production that uses video calls/tech and is reminiscent of Gameboys in the premise. Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: manipulation

What I Liked
- the cute moments
- I adored the information that was brought up in the final episode as this is something commonplace that is almost never discussed in series/movies
- closing credits

Room For Improvement
- (similar to Gameboys), I'm not a fan of a really aggressive pursuit of a very reluctant stranger, it comes across as harassment instead of romantic (for me at least)
- the cliche 'agree to anything'
- there was something that I didn't like throughout but if I talk about it then it will be a spoiler, things made sense in the end
- the ending was rather abrupt, I could see them doing a second season

Citeste mai mult

Gav & Cai - Baby, Baby, Baby!!!

Overall: fairly well done but too many side characters. The series is about double the run time of the movie which was both good and bad. There is another scene after the first end credits of the final episode. Watched on Gagaoolala (not available in US, Canada, Japan or Philippines).

Content Warnings: vomiting, homophobia

What I Liked
- season 1 and the movie both start off with Cai gaming so there is a parallel there
- the OST and music
- cute and caring moments like the laundry, apron tying, goggles
- several references to safe sex
- when they were "watching" the movie
- the flashback was pretty funny at the beginning of episode 2
- the actors do a good job with kissing, no dead fish lip presses, also it was realistic with their bedroom scene towards the end of ep 2 although once again Gav feels too pushy
- realistic fights and make ups

Room For Improvement
- as with all season 2s that have a longish break between seasons, I'd like a short recap of season 1
- Cai once again comes across as a bit too uninterested (and Gav pushing/ignoring boundaries) instead of nervous or wanting to keep things private
- too many side characters, I was both confused and bored with Wesley and Terrence
- it's odd that Chill wouldn't know his very good friend was in a relationship, I thought Cai and Gav were posting about each other on social media???
- I wished that the very last scene was not a flashback but a flash forward
- I'm frustrated that the movie just got an international platform 1 full year after it released and neither the movie nor series are available officially in four countries.

Citeste mai mult

now I want to re-watch the series!

Overall: the behind the scenes was cute, funny and informative - it makes me want to go and re-watch the entire series. I really hope the two leads can be leads again in another BL, they are really supportive of one another which is great to see. (and I'm still holding out hope for a MODC 2, I'll take any ridiculous soap opera plot device)

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked
- how many takes they did for kissing scenes, lol!
- gave some additional information about scenes
- got to see actors joking with one another
- make sure to watch to the very very end

Room For Improvement
- it might have gotten more views/made more interest in the series if they had broken them up and showed them on YouTube after each episode aired

Citeste mai mult

a more realistic BL featuring an age gap

Overall: I would have given this an 8 but I took off .5 for the choking and .5 for being too choppy (for the free YouTube version). Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: sexual assault, rape? (not shown), drugging, manhandling/physical violence

What I Liked
- good supportive ex girlfriend
- discussion around HIV
- he did at least apologize for the physical violence*
- live action series with large age gaps are not that common and this age gap did not bother me (26 and 40)
- the main actors did a good job

Room For Improvement
- *I saw red flags in episode 4 with the physical violence/controlling behavior
- choppy, some series do the shorter free vs. longer paid versions well like KinnPorsche but this and Something In My Room did not do this well and it ends up hurting the plot/flow
- time jump of 5 years, the main character went from despair to living his best life and it was jarring
- the intro was confusing as I was not sure if those were flash forwards or flash backs

Citeste mai mult

Just watch the 2nd part of Country Boy 2

Overall: This is a sweet and tame BL. I'd give the first part a 7 and the second part a 9 - so average it to 8. I think you could easily skip the first part. Watched on YouTube.

Content Warnings: none

What I Liked
- the theme song but it played over and over again
- a sweet story (the 2nd part)
- finally some clear signs that this is romantic and not a bromance/friend situation at the end of the 2nd part

Room For Improvement
- the whole first part was not enjoyable. The uncle was a jerk for no reason. And it was so odd that Nabdao basically ignored Keptawan until the day before Keptawan left... The first part made me think that they weren't even friends let alone potential boyfriends.

Citeste mai mult