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Another Philippine Hit
OMG this one is way to cute !!! another online based Drama and this is based around school and a project --Loving it so far -- Mains are so cute and sweet - I am only 2 episodes in and waiting for ep. 3 but I am really liking it The Mains - one has a GF and having trouble as they are do this during the Pandemic - he is all excited as he is focusing more on his studies and such -- but his GF seems to blow him off after he apologizes for not being there for her and how excited he was more focused on his studies - I cannot wait for EP. 3 coming Wednesday 830 AM (Philippine time )
and it is freaking awesome watch it !!
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My Favourite Pinoy BL So Far...
The trailer for this series was great! Everything was on point! The editing and transitions were perfect! I rewatched it several times, which is something that I have yet to do with the trailers of other BL series. However, the first episode was quite disappointing. There were a number of moments that were too quiet and could have benefitted from background music like the scenes with the aloof girlfriend who cares only about appearances. The editing was slow. The acting was mediocre. The story was quite simple, predictable and actually too quick in my opinion. Within the span of one episode, Mico and Xavier went from strangers/rivals into friends who remind one another to eat, all without actually meeting one another in person. GameBoys, another pinoy BL that uses video calling, does a better job of showing the relationship between the two leads develop. However, I did enjoy the ending where Mico got flustered when he accidentally liked one of Xavier's IG post and Xavier reached out, asking if he liked him. And Tony Labrusca (Xavier) is hot! Anyways, hopefully, this series will get better in its next episode.Episode 2 was good! The story and the actions of the characters felt more natural and realistic than the first episode. This series does have a slow pace when it's working so far. It's nice seeing Mico and Xavier's relationship progress as they get to know one another more, learn to build trust with one another and start to break down their walls (unlike GameBoys where Gav immediately wanted to get with Kai). Seeing Mico learn to be empathetic towards Xavier, instead of just worrying about his grades was a nice touch as it showed his inexperience dealing with someone that he likes. Hopefully, he will continue to learn to be a better friend to Xavier. Like a YouTube comment said, "It feels like an indie." I'm excited for the next episode and to see Mico and Xavier's relationship deepen!
Episode 3 was a bit slow as Mico and Xavier's relationship continues to progress. It felt a bit awkward at times, both in terms of the acting and the story. I'm quite sure, along with others, that the last scene is a dream of fantasy of Mico's. There's no way that Xavier confessing to Mico is legit (at least not yet). Or it's Xavier messing with Mico, which could end badly like the opening scene of this series where Mico is seen crying from heartbreak.
Episode 4 was quite good as Mico and Xavier got closer and there were several kilig moments between them. Them virtually sleeping next to one another was so cute! My favourite episode of the series so far! I cannot wait to see them meet one another
Episode 5 was okay. Other than the beginning where Xavier and Mico met and ending where Xavier confessed his feelings for Mico, I was kinda bored throughout this episode, which was a bit slow as there wasn't much progression. As others have stated, there is only 3 episodes left, so I wonder how Xavier crying (which was shown at the start of the series) will be portrayed and if he will have a happy ending.
I actually really enjoyed Episode 6 unlike other viewers. Many people criticized the writers for both Mico's reaction to Xavier's confession and Xavier getting back together with Crystal. However, for me, it made sense. Mico is insecure and believes that Xavier is straight, so when Xavier confessed that the love song that he just performed was for Mico. Mico was shocked. He couldn't believe that his fantasy of having Xavier like him back was coming true. As a result, he deflected by laughing and asking if that was a joke to which Xavier, who is experiencing feelings for a boy for the first time, also laughs due to not wanting to feel embarrassed since he was just rejected. I really hope that there will be a happy ending! Just two more episodes! I'm happy that they're not extending the series like GameBoys, which keeps getting extended to the detriment of the quality of the series.
Episode 7 was kinda cheesy to be honest. The performance that Mico and Xavier put on, which just so happens to also mirror their actual feelings was a bit too on-the-nose. JC's acting is quite good! I was always impressed with this acting chops though he is still relatively a newcomer. However, Tony, who has been in the industry longer, pales in comparison. He is unable to emote and every emotional scene with him felt forced unlike JC, which felt natural. I am looking forward to Mico actually confessing his feelings to Xaiver though I doubt (unfortunately) that they will have a finale kiss or embrace due to COVID.
Episode 8 was very cheesy, especially when Xavier sang for Mico who finished the song when Xavier forgot the lyrics. It was also cute though. I was so disappointed that there wasn't a kiss. I wanted - I was waiting for a kiss after the hug, but we got another hug. *shakes head in disappointment* The new high-five lol. I do wonder though why there wasn't a kiss. Was it because Tony or JC didn't want to kiss? Was it because of Covid? Was it the way that it was written? Anyways, I've heard that there will be a Hello Strangers Movie! I truly hope that there will be a kiss in it!
All in all, I really enjoyed Hello Stranger. It was entertaining, touching, natural and perfectly paced. My favourite pinoy BL series thus far (and that's including GameBoys lol). I'm going to miss coming home every Wednesday to watch another episode of this series :'( Anyways, on a more positive note, I hope to see JC and Tony in more BL roles in the near future!
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A not so bad series
Well I don't wanna spoil or write a good review at the moment but I skipped most parts. It's a bit unrealistic but the kilig and cringe is real.It's another source of oxygen on this pandemic that may cause too much depression.
The love is as I said unrealistic. The props and portrayal especially the costume is another thing to cringe. The gay flag on his jacket, the mask from the water container, the necklace some exaggerated large paper clips. I don't know but I find it unnecessary.
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It's Okay
Hi! Hello Stranger is a good starter BL for the PH (along with other BLs that are currently airing). I have heard this due to it's high promotions of the company in social media.STORY: it is a typical enemies-turned-friends type of stories, and while these kinds of stories excites me, I am afraid that they have become stagnant with that. There's no additional, out-of-the box something in the story itself and how it was presented.
ACTING: their acting was okay, but i feel like the acting of the casts do not meet even for a single episode. There is an ep where Xavier is superb and Mico fell flat. There is an ep where Xavier and Mico was good but the friends were flat. And there was an ep where everyone did a good job except for Xavier. I hope that they can be comfortable with each other.
MUSIC: good but nothing special. No original flavor. Though I feel lile the end-credit son represents the whole vibe of the series pretty well.
REWATCH VALUE: I scored it 6.5 because there are times when i say to myself "let's rewatch the past eps" and then another voice inside me keep saying "better not". And there are times when it is actually enjoyable to rewatch. It's not something that you can really enjoy for 6 days while waiting for the next ep (at least for me)
Hello Stranger is a good series! It's still in episode 3 so I hope that they can correct some issues. I wouldnt really change my rating because when I noticed xertain issues, it's hard for me to overlook at those for even the slightest. So this is prolly my rating for this series
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L'amour au temps du Covid
Ça faisait bien longtemps que je n'avais pas vu un drama aussi bien réalisé!Par le biais de cette critique je tiens vraiment à remercier le réalisateur Petersen Vargas mais également Patrick Valencia, le scénariste, pour nous avoir avoir offert ce petit bijou!
J'avoue qu'au départ j'étais un peu réfractaire à me mettre à ce drama pour plusieurs raisons. Tout d'abord les quelques expériences des dramas philippins que j'ai eu ne m'avaient pas convaincu.e et d'autre part, à ce jour, nous sommes encore environnés pas la crise du Covid et je n'avais vraiment pas envie de devoir y replonger, qui plus est, dans le contexte d'un drama car, d'habitude, quand on se plonge dans une œuvre de fiction, que ce soit un livre, un film ou une série, à mon sens, c'est plutôt pour s'évader un peu de la réalité et des problèmes qui nous entourent plutôt que d'y faire face.
Finalement, j'ai vraiment bien fait d'aller contre mon inclination première car ce drama, malgré quelques petits débuts difficiles m'a énormément touché et m'a montré que malgré une réalité difficile sous-jacente dans l'histoire, il peut se passer des histoires touchantes et merveilleuses.
Les acteurs :
Tous les acteurs qui apparaissent dans ce drama ont un jeu qui est juste et intéressant, malgré, pour certains, un peu de surjeu sur les tous premiers épisodes. Chacun nous montre sa propre personnalité et incarne très bien des personnages de leur âge (pas comme ce que l'on peut souvent voir dans d'autres productions comme des caricatures absolues ou encore des ado / jeunes adultes qui ont des réactions et un parlé sans aucun rapport avec leur époque).
Ainsi, Gillian Vincencio incarnant ici Cristal Santos, la petite amie de Xavier ne nous est pas présentée comme la traditionnelle petite copine du héros sportif, hyper superficielle, rien dans la cervelle et hyper jalouse. On voit très vite qu'il y a au-delà de ça, elle raisonne, elle sait se poser aussi et de ce fait elle casse les clichés qu'on a toujours pu avoir sur ce type de personnage.
Ensuite, concernant la bande de potes de Mico, on voit bien la synergie ainsi que l'amitié qui les lient les uns aux autres, on voit les béguins qui naissent entre les uns et les autres, on pourrait croire que le drama va s'accrocher aux clichés habituels car, dès le début, on s'aperçoit de qui aime qui et du triangle amoureux préexistant, mais là encore, la réalisation fait tout en finesse en cassant les habitudes et en révélant les émotions et les difficultés que chaque personne peut rencontrer pour se déclarer à l'autre ou pour voir une personne aimée en aimer une autre que soi.
Concernant Junjun Sandico (joué par Miguel Almendras), encore une fois, j'ai bêtement cru qu'on aurait droit au personnage type du rigolo de service qui amuse les autres mais pour qui il ne se passe rien. Mais non! Il s'impose de façon naturelle comme le pilier du groupe, il apaise les dissensions, révèle les secrets, aide les autres protagonistes à s'interroger sur eux-mêmes. Il est le ciment des intrigues et nous montre qu'on peut toujours prendre la vie du bon côté.
Enfin, si on parle de notre couple principal, leur histoire est certes bateau (le beau gosse sportif et l'intello introverti), le trait n'est pas non plus trop appuyé et chacun montre une vulnérabilité touchante. Ils savent, l'un comme l'autre véhiculer leurs sentiments et émotions, tout autant que leurs doutes et interrogations, que ce soit concernant leur orientation sexuelle que sur la grande question : va-t-il m'aimer? Au bout d'un moment, même le fait qu'il s'agisse d'une histoire d'amour entre hommes ne compte plus. Il s'agit seulement du rapprochement de deux êtres qui s'aiment et qui rencontrent les mêmes obstacles que tous les premiers amours.
La réalisation :
Le fait que les personnages soient éloignés, confinés augmente l'émotion et la pression : ils crèvent d'envie de se voir, de se toucher, de se réconforter. C'est impossible (ou presque). En voyant les images, les situations, on remet en parallèle avec notre propre vie, à nos propres réactions dans ces mêmes situations.
L'effet est d'autant plus important sur le personnage de Xavier qui vit tout seul depuis plusieurs semaines!
Les têtes à têtes que se font le couple principal sont, du coup d'autant plus important, très intimistes. La réalisation a su gérer ça de main de maître car j'ai pu voir des plans aussi bien réalisés que dans des films à gros budget. Je preux prendre pour exemple l'épisode de la chanson de Xavier, on sait que les deux personnages sont séparés, qu'ils ne vivent pas au même endroit. Le décor qui les entourent tous les deux est différent et le plan le montre bien, d'un côté, la chambre de Xavier en blanc et de l'autre, on voit bien la cassure avec une sorte de paravent en bois sombre. Il y a bien une cassure. Mais! Tout au fond, entre les deux personnages qui se font face et sont séparés par le clavier de Xavier ( et par leurs écrans d'ordinateur respectifs qui n'apparaissent pas), on peut apercevoir une plante verte, toute bête, mais qui traverse les deux espaces et qui réunit ces deux scènes pour montrer les deux personnages dans la même pièce, à quelques centimètres l'un de l'autre. C'est juste génial!... ce n'est pas le seul plan comme celui-ci et je pense à revoir à nouveau le drama pour les dénicher.
Bilan :
Je dois avouer qu'à part les petits couacs dans le jeu des acteurs des premiers épisodes, je n'ai pas trouvé vraiment de points négatifs, ou peut-être que je n'ai pas trop cherché entant donné que j'ai vraiment tout apprécié dans le drama. Il m'a réconcilié avec les dramas philippins et je pense voir si d'autres méritent également le détour. Un film faisant suite à l'histoire de Hello Stanger à été réalisé et je vais le voir car, même si la fin m'a également beaucoup plu, il me manque quelque chose.
ATTENTION SPOIL
Même pas un petit bisou? Vraiment?
FIN DU SPOIL
Maintenant, à vous de vous faire votre avis.
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BL angkatan corona
Tahun 2020 menjadi tahun PSBB alias di rumah lebih baik, bL ini mengisahkan tentang seorang mahasiswa bernama Mico Ramos (Mico) yang kebetulan ditugaskan dalam sebuah proyek tugas kuliah bersama seorang pria agak kurang memperhatikan kuliahnya dan merupakan mahasiswa lama bernama Xavier de Guzman (Xavier). Dua main role ini mempunya karakter yang berbeda, di mana Mico adalah orang yang rajin, serius, agak pemalu dan fokus belajar. Sedangkan, Xavier adalah seorang yang santai, tidak terlalu memikirkan kuliahnya, senang bergurau dan friendly. Ketika mereka berada di satu kelompok yang sama, hal ini menjadi menarik dan memercikan chemistry yang bagus. Kita dapat melihat bahwa Xavier mempunyai perasaan yang berbeda kepada Mico dan Mico pun perlahan tumbuh perasaan suka, walaupun Xavier sebenarnya punya teman wanita bernama Crystal. Bagaimana kisah mereka? Saksikan seriesnya di YouTube. Momen terbaik series ini adalah saat penampilan drama secara online dan pertemuan mereka di dunia nyata. Ada beberapa tokoh pendukung cerita yang membuat cerita menjadi lebih menarik, lalu ada masalah cinta segitiga dan tentunya perasaan denial. Saya merekomendasikan series ini karena selain dikemas secara ringkas dan sederhana, chemistry yang ditampilkan oleh mereka unik karena di tampilkan dalam bentuk camera web-cam .Was this review helpful to you?
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Série pinoy de qualidade? Temos!
Em meio a um mar de péssimas séries Filipinas lançadas em 2020, temos Hello stranger como uma das poucas que deu certo. É uma série de pandemia como praticamente todas de 2020, tem um roteiro suave, sem dramas estrambólicos, personagens super cativantes e um elenco que tem uma ótima química. A série é fofa, cômica, reflexiva, traz muitos sentimentos à tona.O roteiro foca em três temas que acabam se entrelaçando. O primeiro é a amizade de Mico e de seu grupo (me apaixonei por Kookaie pela professora). O segundo é o envolvimento gradual e delicado dele e Xavier, que no começo não se deram bem, mas se permitiram abrir o coração um para o outro. O terceiro é o relacionamento de Xavier com Crystal, e aqui existe uma grande falha... eles iniciaram um relacionamento quando Xavier ainda namorava, isso por si só já é algo reprovável, e Xavier não tem estrutura psicológica para dizer não à Crystal, ok, ela estava em um momento difícil, mas era melhor enganá-la e fingir que ainda a amava? A série deixa claro que Xavier estava confuso sobre sua sexualidade, e esse foi um dos fatores que causou a confusão, pois sendo Mico bem resolvido, não quis se colocar na posição de amante, e isso é louvável. Ainda bem que no final tudo se resolve, mas eu achei que deveria ter tido um beijão no encontro, já que ambos estavam negativados para COVID, deveriam aproveitar não é? Outro ponto interessante, é que não sabemos nada sobre as famílias dos personagens, e o mais estranho é que apesar de ser uma série de pandemia, ninguém fala em pandemia (???).
Achei a atuação dos protagonistas muito boa, inclusive, na hora da apresentação do trabalho da escola eu chorei com eles. O resto do elenco também atua bem, é necessário entender que a atuação filipina é meio que singular...
Nos aspectos técnicos, sinto que foi bem melhor que a maioria das séries pinoy, tivemos uma boa continuidade, fotografia, filmografia, ost.
Enfim, acho que eu poderia ver mil vezes sem cansar! Recomendo muito, amo essa série, e o filme também é ótimo, inclusive tenho resenha dele aqui no MDL.
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