Heneral Luna

Heneral Luna is a story of a Filipino General who in fighting Americans encounters unusual enemies right in his own backyard.

I truly commend the producers of this film.  For the first time since Lino Brocka, I feel that this film truly makes sense in terms of story line, cinematography, special effects, and the superb cast of characters like John Arcilla and the rest. Heneral Luna just made its mark in history of quality Philippine movies that other producers should follow.

Whether history has been fictionalized or tailor-made to fit movie expectations, the film seems to elicit issues beyond what history can offer - we Filipinos can't seem to be united beyond families and power.  In spite of a colorful history, the nationalism we hold on to may be a myth.  Unless we Filipinos change our ways, we still have a long, long, long way to go in attaining true sovereignty.

 Rating: 5/5

24/7 in love

24/7 is a story of a young girl who tries with all her might to get his dream boy.

Different stories, interwoven, tackle how people deal with the end of the world.  Love is the common denominator among these.   Meanwhile, the viewing fans, mostly women and some men, rave for their favorite actors.

This possible drawback of women craving for men shatters the conservative Maria Clara image of the Filipina.  Even the seeming conservative church worker (Pokwang) is willing to sacrifice her purity for a dash of sex.   

That is why this film though innocently marketed to entertain all audiences should be viewed with caution.

Rating: 2.5

Tiktik: the aswang chronicles

“Tiktik” ay pelikula ng isang lalaking pumunta sa probinsya ng kanyang katipan at nais makipagbalikan sa kanya.

Di mapagkakaila ang special effects na ginamit sa pelikula na tunay na kabilib-bilib sa ating mga Pinoy, “Kaya pala natin!”  Kaya lamang, sa dami ng palyado sa iskrip, sana’y inayos muna ito bago isipin ang mga palabok ng special effects.  Kung mas malinamnam ang bata sa sinapupunan, bakit iniwan ito ng mga aswang para habulin ang lalaking bida?

Tungkol naman sa mensahe ng pelikula, ano nga ba ang mga aswang na kinatatakutan ng mga tao?  Baka nagiging simbolo ito na halos walang kapangyarihan ang tao upang tupukin ito.  Dito nakakatulong ang pelikula sa pagbibigay ng kapangyarihan sa tao – kaya niyang tupukin ito.  Ngunit kung tunay na diyablo na ang pag-uusapan, baka hindi sapat ang bawang, asin, latigo, at mismong lakas ng tao.  Mayroon pang ibang maaaring makatulong sa kanya kung siya’y mananampalataya.

Pagsusuri: 3/5