guanyuu Reviews

RuPaul's Drag Race (2009– )

The most real reality TV so far..!

[9/10 · 23 November 2013]

I just watched the 1st season of Repual's Drag Race and because of the positive energy this show implements; I attend to watch more Repaul's seasons. First of all, for those who compare this show to American Next Top Model and other shows of the same genre; you are wrong in so many levels since the core, for starters, of both shows are totally different. Rupaul's show focus on testing drag's surviving skills in the preforming business. Papering self make-up & hair, sewing unique outfits, dancing & lip-syncing, are some of the jobs assigned for the contestants in Rupaul's Drag Race because these queens are exposed to them every time they want to channel their drag persona on stage and more importantly, to themselves. In terms of human quality and productivity, Rupaul's Drag Race has a lot to offer. Being drag is not easy or safe even in our time. Drag Queens and cross-dressers has had it the hardest among the gay community considering that the majority of drag queens are gay. They put literally themselves out there for the world to judge and there are some, even among gay guys, who try to segregate themselves from them and feel repulsed by them so a drag lady has to be really courageous and develops an unbeatable character to feel strong & stable against all criticism about her life. This is another value that the show is trying to bring through the course of the race. In terms of other reality TV shows, I feel that Rupaul's Drag Race is the most genuine of them all although, ironically, the concept of the show is based on men dressing as women which is should not be up-normal anymore. Rupaul is trying to deliver a positive message in his show about loving oneself which is lacking in many competition shows. I have seen a dance competition show where the majority of the contestants below 20 and the judges are emitting real sociopath behavior when it comes to evaluating the young contestants outcome, all for the sake of the shock value to improve the network ratings. Others might find problem with the tune of the show and how it represent drag in stereotypical image which is incorrect. Drag queens are flamboyant by nature and these individuals have to channel their femininity while they are in the dress and make-up so the only question is if the viewer is comfortable about which 45 min of drag and what does it represent or if the viewer really know the difference between drag queens, transvestites, transsexuals, gays, etc. As the first show of its kind, I find that the creators and the producers of the show have done a great job and if there is a little bit of shallowness, it should be with tolerable amount especially comparing to other reality shows and computation shows which are now quantity with no quality.

Strapped (2010)

A life time played in one building

[8/10 · 18 October 2013]

I admire TAL-Releasing brand in the entertainment business and their dedication to focus on LGBT issues in their work; we still need that in our era but I got to admit that some of their titles are way too shallow and depend on mere sexual plots without a solid core; this movie isn't one of them.

The movie start chic with a good-looking, even sexy, main lead (even guys who are not into twinks would agree) who work as a hustler. After his session with a client, he tried to locate the building exit not knowing that the next turn would bring him more existing encounters.

I should firstly praise the director's work, he really tried to squeeze the talent from his actors, an effort quite shown throughout the film. The lightning might be a bit dim but I found it matching most of the atmospheres in the movie. The movie has a timeless vibe - watchers from different times could still relate to the movie stories and the events has a sense of dream-like effect which add to the artistic value of this work. The sex scenes aren't really explicit comparing to other movies in the same genre or with similar story-line. I'll give them in terms of intensity 6 out of 10; I find this quite refreshing.

The movie has a message, for viewers who like this kind of things. Still, you could enjoy it with no need to analyze the events. It could be a personal story for the protagonist or for you, it is your choice.

I recommend it for a quite night view or with a new date.

Deleted Scenes (2010)

Expected explicit sex scenes but unexpected story depth

[7/10 · 6 October 2013]

USA gay-themed movies which are concentrated on the story of a gay couple, concentrate as well on explicit sex scenes (signature of the promiscuous gay life-style which in major part I disagree with and I feel it's the product of a suppressive society). The movie doesn't deviate from this although it brings a bit of complexity to the story. Plot flip-points are handled well in the movie. I give credit also to the director and the cameraman, the movie view didn't seem static like most of low budgeted gay-themed movies (or over-closeup shots like some others). Actors performance could be found boring at sometimes but I liked the touchy moments in the film. In general, not a bad watch and with a little bit of actors improvement and more budget, I feel the movie would be much better.

>>> Plot Spoilers Ahead <<<

One thing I observed from watching the movie is that the story which isn't related to the main couple - the one where Wolf's armature porno film-maker finds a replacement, seems incomplete. We see a sense where the replacement driving his car after being in the film-maker's apartment with a bloody knife - indicating that the replacement guy killed him. Latter we see the guy walking on the beach on the sight of an old man and finally we see the guy with a slit throat naked on the beach. Either the directer edited a lot of this story or maybe it's the director's/writer's vision about loneliness and focusing on body- pleasure instead of spirituality (which I find it way deep for a short story like this). Another point to mention is that when Sean and Wolf broke-up at the end of the movie. Sean mention that Wolf might not had someone to give him so much attention until the point of stocking, like what Sean did, "you loved it!" as Sean said. Did Sean broke-up with Wolf because he felt that the whole relationship is unhealthy or he was doubting that Wolf loves him for other than his "stocking" attitude or it was much deeper - to spare Wolf form hardship by being with a recovering addict (or addict, depending on how you see it)? In any case, I find the ending satisfying.

Hourou Musuko (2011)

Simple, innocent and almost nostalgic comparing to anime mainstream

[8/10 · 3 October 2013]

There was a time when anime were highly praised for being directed to the young audience. Although, the growth that anime industry had been introduced to is quite important to the general entertainment world and to increase the presence of this art internationally; it's also overshadowing this anime genre which is deeply missed. In Wondering Son, instead of the traditional boy meets girl, we have a boy who wants to be a girl meets a girl who wants to be a boy but don't rush into conclusions. Transgender and cross-dressing issues could be controversial and might offend a few but the anime tries genuinely not to be offensive in any form. If you put your state-of-mind into a sitting where transgender is not that special of an issue the series would look an easy-going story of friendship, a heartwarming one which is 100% acceptable for a 5-year-old to watch, actually, this would be your general feeling after the first 10 minutes into the series. The series would open for you a window about the mix of emotions the protagonists experience with strangers and close ones. Funnily enough, the boy and the girl in the story are getting it quite easy from the outside world comparing to, let's say, if the story follows a boy and a girl with the same issues in united states, but you can still sense that the response from the most makes them wander: "how many people truly understand what we are going through?". Although, what the protagonists going through is special; any teenager in the edge of puberty would related to the story in a way or another. The sense of alienation as well as romantic development with peers in this age is another motif in the series. You'll sense also in the series that gender-identity and sexual-orientation might develop each on its own. The drawing and coloring techniques of the anime are simple and lovable; bringing warm atmosphere as if it tries to smoothen the controversial aspects of the story which is, in my opinion, succeeded to do so. The music used in the series is quite soothing and fits well in general but, in few notes, it could turn a bit dull. Wandering son characters don't try to be flashy or flamboyant like several of transgender or cross- dressing characters in the media. You might view the series events as boring if you don't identify yourself with the genre (Drama, Slice of life SOL) but I highly recommend it for its artistic value since the story nature is a new intro to the anime world which I view it as the best medium for such a story.

Patrik, Age 1.5 (2008)

Heart-warming and lovable representation of an adaption story

[9/10 · 25 September 2013]

I would like to say that this movie is one of the best gay-themed movies that I had ever watched, although the core of the movie is more into finding love in any type or form especially outcasts who regularly shunt by the ignorant and the narrow-minded.

Goran & Sven are a Swedish, married couple, trying to adopt a child. Their options got limited to adoption except for Sweden due to lack of interest from other countries to allow a gay couple adopting a baby. Later, the institution promised them a baby boy by the name of "Patrick" turns out, Patrick is actually a 15-year-old delinquent with a criminal record and to top it all, a homophobe. Waiting to clarify the mix-up with the institution; the couple has to deal with the teen and it doesn't help that Sven has second thoughts about the whole adoption thing.

The movie poster and the plot may suggest that the movie is kind of a comedy and the movie is full of light moments but it is far from being a comedy.

The 1st two-third of the movie is quite good and bring a realistic view about what might had happened if the story is real. The Ending is put to satisfy the regular watcher, which might be fitting or not fitting to the movie flow, depending on your view but nevertheless, a good ending for this type of movies.

A very good watch even if you find such movies to be too sweet. I bit many will find something to relate to in the movie in a way or another.