Yes, Nora Aunor is back—and seemingly with a vengeance. COURTESY OF TV5
Nora Aunor’s return to TV-film acting has unexpectedly given the local entertainment scene a welcome and much-needed burst of renewed interest and excitement. Aside from Nora’s own projects, which seem to be increasing in number and variety, other senior stars have announced their own new starrers for next year:
Vilma Santos is shooting a horror film with Kim Chiu, with Chito Roño directing. Sharon Cuneta may do a family film in which she plays a call center agent. And Nora herself may shoot a movie with Sarah Geronimo, aside from her “Ho To Tay” starrer for next December’s Metro film fest.
Reactions: While we’re happy that Vilma will be facing the movie camera again, and that the estimable Chito Roño is directing her project, we wonder what a horror flick could possibly add to the Star for All Seasons’ oeuvre.
Since Vilma finds time to make a film only every three years or so, we would have wanted her new movie to be more, ah, consequential. Yes, some horror films have turned out to be memorable productions, but the greater majority have been mere “diversionary tactics.”
Vilma’s horror project is made more notable by the involvement of young star Kim Chiu. We don’t expect the still learning Kim to match Vilma’s acting contribution to the movie, but the first-time combination adds to the project’s appeal and curiosity value. And Kim could definitely benefit from her “working tutorial” with the acclaimed dramatic icon.
VILMA Santos
This could be just what the doctor ordered at this “iffy” point in the young actress’ career. She’s definitely popular, but her performances leave something to be desired, perhaps because she’s too busy for her own good, shuttling from one project to another.
Her Vilma costarrer could give Kim the breathing space she needs, and the time to dig deeper into her acting resources, to finally confront the seminal issues she needs to address, if she wants her career to “do a Vilma,” and endure.
Corollary to this, the Nora-Sarah project, while still inchoate at this point, is another potentially inspired brainstorm that, if it materializes, could shine up both their careers.
It’s just too bad that, for now, Nora can’t sing due to her recent medical crisis. But, their acting collaboration could still prove to be a should-see viewing experience – if Sarah can get rid of the acting tics and shticks she’s picked up like nettles and burrs, through her many years in the biz.
CUNETA. Not seen enough on “The Biggest Loser.”
As anybody who’s acted with Nora can affirm, her own performances aim straight for the heart, with no distractions and adumbrations allowed. So, if she does end up acting with Nora, Sarah had better come clean.
Finally, Sharon’s new film is similarly exciting, because it could show the Megastar in a new light – and significantly slimmer, to boot. The fact that she has no leading man is a plus factor for the production, because it will enable viewers to focus exclusively on Sharon’s maturing talent.