‘Battle of star values’ at MMFF

“BEAUTY AND THE BESTIE.” Will it top the box office?–beauty-bestie

Which of the eight official entries in this month’s 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will end up as the festival’s top grosser?

Going by the stars involved in each entry, the top contestants appear to be “My Bebe Love” with Vic Sotto, Ai Ai delas Alas, Maine Mendoza, Alden Richards, etc.; “Beauty and the Bestie” with Vice Ganda, Coco Martin, James Reid and Nadine Lustre, and “All You Need Is Pag-ibig” with Kris Aquino, Derek Ramsey, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Jodi Sta. Maria and Ian Veneracion.

Entries that could pull off an upset are “Walang Forever” because it stars Jericho Rosales, Jennylyn Mercado and Lorna Tolentino; “Con Man” with John Lloyd Cruz and Meryll Soriano; “Buy Now, Die Later” with Vhong Navarro and Alex Gonzaga; “Nilalang” with Cesar Montano and Maria Ozawa, and “Haunted Mansion,” with teen faves, Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel and Jerome Ponce. For its part, “Death and Senses” stars Rayver Cruz.

As these star lineups indicate, this year’s MMFF is shaping up to be a “battle of star values,” with many of the entries fielding combinations of stars that are regarded as “bankable.” In other words, their inclusion in itself is regarded as a reason for viewers to decide to watch their latest starrer.

Going by talents alone, the film fest fields top comedians (Vic, Ai Ai, Vice Ganda, Vhong); dramatic stars (Jericho, Jennylyn, John Lloyd, Kris, Jodi, Ian, Kim, Xian, Cesar), fave young comers Alden, Maine, Janella, Marlo, Jerome), child stars, senior icons—a dizzying smorgasbord of diversed stellar attractions that will probably result in some film fans deciding to watch two or three of the festival attractions, instead of just one!