I tried to remember the last time I both enjoyed a movie yet feel terrible after. Let me explain below.
I'm not a film critic. The last review I made for a film was during my dearly-departed undergraduate years. I do enjoy the technical aspects of a film: the aesthetics (cinematography/photography), the pace, the score... but without thinking much about it. I'm more inclined to view the whole as a package, because... Here's a confession: I watch movies for recreation. I rather not overthink things. But more often than not, I believe movies ought to do more: they should make the audience think. There's something more to moving pictures.
I'm glad that I got to watch Jerrold Tarog's Heneral Luna. Social media was filled with praise for the film. In case the reader is averse to local films, this is a welcome disappointment to the usual gibberish that is mainstream Philippine cinema. Against the backdrop of the usual romance-drama-comedy and blockbusters, there is actual artistic and creative talent in this film. I am happily surprised that it is enjoying an extended run, being a historical piece.
Pasensya pala, nag-i-Ingles ako sa sarili kong bayan.
