The “Takumi-kun Series” is a romance drama that follows the lives of high school students Takumi (Yanagishita Tomo), a reclusive guy who has a PTSD from being sexually assaulted, which results in him having a phobia against being touched, and Saki “Gii” Giichi (Kato Keisuke), a popular guy who woes Takumi and helps him overcome his phobia. The series highlights the importance of friendship, and although the first movie shies away from the notion of toxic masculinity in such an important way that it highlights the triumph of friendship and love both in the romantic and platonic aspects of life. Takumi and Gii are surrounded by their friends who help them whenever they are experiencing difficulties in their relationship, and they in turn are always there for their friends. While heavier subject matters are confronted, the audience is safe in these movies as the writers do not devastate for the sake of devastating the audience.
Category Archives: Movie Review
“Khar Taw Mi” Movie Review
I have a confession to make here. I had to watch this series twice to fully appreciate it. I dislike obfuscation and initially felt that is what was going on in this short film. Perhaps because I am from the United States, I like things to be made crystal clear and upfront. Which, of course, this short film does not. Being also inquisitive, I read a variety of comments about this short film which certainly educated me. I realized how myopic and clouded my thinking was. Therefore, I watched it again in light of my newfound appreciation of traditional Burmese culture and Myanmar’s current political climate.
“Strange Way of Life” Movie Review
The highly anticipated “Strange Way of Life” a short film that ran festival circuits and had a limited release in major theaters is now available on streaming platforms and video on demand. The film directed and written by Pedro Almodovar stars Ethan Hawke as Sheriff Jake and Pedro Pascal as Silva. The story is comparable to Ang Lee’s “Brokeback Mountain” due to the “Love that can’t be talked about” situation between Jake and Silva. Something that started 25 years ago and hasn’t been forgotten by neither men despite the distance between them; only to be reignited when Silva appears at Jake’s door. But are his intentions purely for Jake or is there more to it?
“Does the Flower Bloom?” Movie Review
“A Lotus Blossom. It’s the flower I like. Your name means the same thing, after all. This time, I want to see them bloom with you.” – quotes from Does the Flower Bloom?
“Monster” Movie Review
“Monster” is an intriguing movie, told from the perspectives of 3 individuals, a single mother who is overprotective of her son and wants justice for him, a well-meaning teacher who finds himself in the middle of an almost impossible situation in which he is falsely accused of hitting a child, and a young boy who is coming to terms with himself and his feelings for a friend. Although not quite the psychological thriller one would expect, “Monster” does a great job in shifting our perspective, in as much as we are constantly being asked “who is the monster?”, while viewing the movie. We are not looking for a monster, but rather seeing victims of circumstances that we empathize with throughout the film and the question of who the monster is becomes the furthest from the audience’s concerns.
“Man Suang” Movie Review
“When elephants fight, the grass is inevitably crushed.” – Quote from Man Suang
“Bleach” Movie Review
A 16-year-old swimmer’s clash with his coach has hidden meaning!
“Write Here” Movie Review
“Today is a good day……” – quote from Write Here
“All of Us Strangers” Movie Review
“All of Us Strangers” is a melancholic drama, filled with so much sadness and emotion that it took me a long time to settle in and get into it; the movie truly rocked my world as emotions flooded due to Andrew Scott’s perfect performance of grief, sadness and loneliness which pulls us in, and we are right beside him throughout the journey. The movie tackles loneliness, confronting our inner child and healing them, grief and catharsis. (I have left out a huge spoiler point from the twist in the movie to avoid ever spoiling this for anyone who hasn’t seen it because it will take away from this perfect sad movie).
“Eileen” Movie Review
NB: I have not read the book, and this review is based solely off the film.
The BL Xpress 