lifestyle SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2015 Music & Movies Movie Review This photo provided by EuropaCorp/TF1 Films shows, Ed Skrein, as Frank Martin, in EuropaCorp’s “The This photo provided by EuropaCorp/TF1 Films shows, Tatiana Pajkovic, from left, as Maria, Loan Chabonal, as Anna, Yu Wenxia, as Transporter Refueled.” Qiao, and Ed Skrein, as Frank Martin, in EuropaCorp’s “The Transporter Refueled.” — AP photos ‘Transporter Refueled’ a cinematic bumpy ride f nothing else, this reboot of the Transporter franchise Fortunately, Ray Stevenson is on hand to provide some set pieces in which Frank demonstrates that he’s as skilled in Speaking of laughs, there are more than a few in such should do wonders for Audi sales, not to mention car safe- necessary energy to the proceedings. The actor is clearly hav- mixed martial arts as he is at high-speed driving through the scenes as when one of the women gets shot in the stomach, Ity. Every passenger who sets foot in the tricked-out, gleam- ing a good time playing Frank’s dad - he persistently address- narrow streets of the French Riviera without running over any prompting emergency surgery using spider webs as a coagu- ing German automobile driven by the titular character is es his son as “Junior” - a rakish Evian sales rep who’s not so innocent bystanders. A man with a strict moral code, he does- lant. But not to worry, she’s feeling fine the next morning. It’s immediately ordered to fasten their seat belt. It’s sound secretly a government agent. Unfortunately, the character’s n’t carry a gun, forcing him to use a wide variety of objects-at- yet one more example of how The Transporter Refueled is run- advice, because “The Transporter Refueled” is a cinematic spy skills seriously leave something to be desired, as the plot hand to dispatch a seemingly endless series of opponents, ning on cheap gas. “The Transporter Refueled,” a Europa Corp. bumpy ride. hinges on his getting kidnapped not once but twice in the somehow managing to never muss up his perfectly tailored release, is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of Arriving seven years after the final installment of the trilo- course of 24 hours. suit in the process. America for “sequences of violence and action, sexual materi- gy originally starring Jason Statham, this latest version, inex- Speaking of plot, what little there is has something to do Director Camille Delamarre (“Brick Mansions”) and his col- al, some language, a drug reference and thematic elements.” plicably set in 2010, features a younger, slighter Frank Martin with Frank being hired by gorgeous femme fatale Anna (Loan laborators have devised a few nifty sequences, including a Running time: 96 minutes. — AP as played by Ed Skrein (“Game of Thrones”). It’s a real diminish- Chabanol) and her trio of similarly beautiful, blonde-wigged Jackie Chan-style fight scene in which Frank uses an array of ment, and not just in physical terms. Skrein moves well and accomplices. When they reveal that they are holding his father file cabinet drawers to dispatch his opponents, and a car’s fly- has the requisite model-ready good looks, beautifully cared- prisoner and have given him poison that will kill him within 12 ing leap into an airport terminal through which it proceeds to for stubble and gruff, rumbling voice that make him machis- hours, Frank is coerced into helping them get revenge on the wreak vehicular havoc. But unlike the similarly high-octane mo personified. But compared to his predecessor, he’s serious- Russian human trafficker who forced them into prostitution 15 stunts in “Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation,” most of the ly lacking in charisma, and his relentlessly monotonous per- years earlier. ones rendered here are so cartoonish and divorced from reali- formance fails to rev up the film’s engine. But that’s all a mere excuse for a relentless series of action ty that they induce more laughs than gasps. Iron Maiden frontman on Contract that cancer fight, 747 flight launched The ron Maiden frontman Bruce never hit somebody smaller than Dickinson credits his grandfa- you, and you only hit them if they Ither with getting him through really deserve it. But you never Beatles up for sale his recent battle with cancer. Late back down and you never give up.’ last year, doctors discovered a small cancerous tumor on his tongue. AP: You’re the frontman of the he contract that launched the career of The Beatles will The news came as the band was biggest metal band and also fly be sold in London later this month and is expected to putting finishing touches on their the band’s private plane, a 747. Tfetch up to £500,000 (681,000 Euros, $760,000), 16th studio album, “Book of Souls,” Take me though that? Sotheby’s auction house said yesterday. The document was and began planning their world Dickinson: I was working as an air- signed by John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney and tour. line pilot. I had a regular job for 10 Ringo Starr with their manager Brian Epstein on October 1, Dickinson, 57, waited until after years, and at the same time, I was in 1962 — four days before the release of their first single “Love his radiation treatment was com- Iron Maiden. We used to tour for Me Do”. plete to make a statement, and like two or three months a year, and Harrison and McCartney were under 21 at the time so their found the hardest part was people I would get unpaid leave to tour. ... fathers acted as co-signatories and there was a clause in the dumping their fears on him. How crazy is that? ... I went to my contract stating that band members could be expelled “They’re like, ‘Oh my God, don’t die.’ manager and I said, ‘Look, I’ve got “should two or more of them desire”. The document also out- And I’m like, ‘I’m not making any this crazy idea. How’d you fancy lined the different commission rates that Epstein would plans to die. Leave me alone I’m try- going out in a 747 on the next receive for earnings of up to £400, up to £800 and more than ing to get better,’” Dickinson said. tour?’ He went, ‘Oooh ... that would £800 a week. Now the singer is cancer-free be major.’ ... I’m training for the 747 “Without this contract, and the relationship it represents, it and the band is ready to embark on license now at a simulator in seems inconceivable that the Beatles could have achieved all a six-continent world tour, with Cardiff. that they did,” said Gabriel Heaton, Sotheby’s specialist in Dickinson piloting the band’s pri- books and manuscripts. Epstein, who died from an accidental vate tour plane, a 747 named “Ed AP: Not many bands’ release dou- overdose in 1967, was dubbed the “Fifth Beatle” by McCartney. Force One.” The name comes from ble albums these days. The Beatles came out of Liverpool in northwest England to the band’s mascot, Eddie, who has Dickinson: It’s something that become one of the best-selling and most influential rock appeared on all of their album cov- most people don’t do now. It’s bands in history. Founding member Paul McCartney and ers, and will grace the plane’s tail. something we have never done. drummer Ringo Starr are still alive, while John Lennon was Recently, Dickinson sat down with But we didn’t do it to prove a point. shot dead in 1980 and George Harrison died of cancer in 2001. the Associated Press to talk about We did it because we ran out of An undated handout photo released by Sotheby’s auction house in London on September 5, The contract will go on sale on September 29. — AFP his cancer and his thoughts on Iron space on one CD. We got to six 2015, shows a copy of the contract that launched the career of The Beatles. It is expected to Maiden tribute bands. songs and filled it up. I said, ‘Guys, fetch up to £500,000 (681,000 euros, $760,000), Sotheby’s auction house said.— AFP either we stop now, or this is going Q: How did your grandfather to be two albums.’ inspire your courage? Dickinson: I was brought up by AP: What do you think of the trib- him. I always remember a day when ute bands? Anthony Daniels slams Disney’s I got beaten up at school. I was a lit- Dickinson: I think it’s a great. tle guy, only about this big (holds There’s a female tribute band, ‘The his hand). He was a miner, so he Iron Maidens’ and they all dress up said, ‘This kid beat you up,’ and I like us. That was an odd experience. attitude over ‘Force Awakens’ said ‘Yeah.” So he says, ‘All right, We saw them in Mexico, sneaked in make a fist. Now hit my hand.’ So I the back. Me and Steve were there nthony Daniels, the actor who has played lovably taking directions via a GPS navigation device that used the did the Rocky thing with it. ‘Now go and I went, ‘Go on, do you fancy finicky robot C-3PO in six “Star Wars” films, has no stom- character’s voice. And he is signed on for two more sequels. “I out there and sort him out.’ Kind of yourself?’ (laughs) That’s too weird... Aach for the saga’s three prequels, over-reliance on spe- don’t think I’m very good at other things,” Daniels said.