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September 7, 2016 The Skanner Page 7 Arts & Entertainment FILM REVIEW: ‘Skiptrace’ a Familiar Unlikely-Buddies Flick by Kam Williams For The Skanner News J ackie Chan made dozens of mar- tial arts movies in his native Hong Kong prior to inding phenomenal success stateside in 1998 co-star- ring with Chris Tucker in the bud- dy-comedy “Rush Hour.” Their pairing as unlikely-partners proved so popular that they returned to the well to shoot a couple of sequels in “Rush Hour 2” and “Rush Hour 3.” And Jackie further “ Skiptrace, a slight variation on the theme co-starring Johnny Knoxville. Knoxville is known for “Jackass,” the TV and ilm franchise in which he and a coterie of deranged confederates per- form an array of death-defying feats. Here, he reprises some of his great- est hits, like rolling down the street in a barrel. The same can be said of Chan, as so many of the picture’s chase and ight sequences have a feeling of deja vu about them. Nevertheless, a treat is in store for the uninitiated, especial- ly youngsters who’ve never seen either of these leads ply his trade before. In Skiptrace, Jackie plays Hong Kong de- tective Benny Chan, and Johnny co- stars as Connor Watts, an American gambler on the run from a Russian ca- sino owner (Charlie Rawes) he leeced to the tune of a million dollars. At the point of departure, Benny’s partner Yung (Eric Tsang) is murdered by a mysterious mobster known as The Mata- dor, and he makes it his mission to bring the creep to justice. Meanwhile, half a world away, Johnny just happens to wit- Nevertheless, a treat is in store for the uninitiated, especially young- sters who’ve never seen either of these leads ply his trade before milked the familiar formula in outings opposite Owen Wilson in “Shanghai Noon” and “Shanghai Knights.” Despite being perhaps a little long- in-the-tooth to still be doing such stunt-driven adventures, the six- ty-something matinee idol is back with Book cont’d from pg 6 –Excerpted from the Introduction (pages x-xii) D o you believe in the power of prayer? If you are a person of faith, you might appreciate the case eloquently made for precisely that proposition in this enlightening opus by Reverend Doro- thy Scott Boulware. The author has been preach- ing practically her entire life, having started at the age of four when she sur- prised her family with her irst sermon. “ ness the kidnapping of Yung’s daugh- ter Samantha (Bingbing Fan). So, that makes him invaluable to Benny when the two subsequently cross paths, as much as the detective dislikes the idea of cooperating with a slippery con man. Directed by Renny Harlin (“Die Hard 2”), Skiptrace overall is a globe-trot- ting afair which unfolds at a dizzying pace in the course of visiting a variety of ports-of-call all across the planet. The multi-layered whodunit eventual- ly builds to a big showdown at Kai Tak Cruise Terminal back in Hong Kong, where the case is very satisfactorily re- solved. Though he’s certainly no Chris Tuck- er, Johnny Knoxville does prove a decent enough accomplice for Jackie Chan’s endearing combination of an- tics and acrobatics. Good HH Rated PG-13 for violence, suggestive content, profanity, drug use and brief nudity Running time: 107 minutes Distributor: Saban Films To see a trailer for Skiptrace, visit TheSkanner.com. Samuel L. Jackson, Kenneth Cole to Host Diversity Event Lord. The book basically consists of a mix of the author’s personal anec- dotes and testimonies from folks she has inter- acted with in the course of living a life well lived. ‘How can you say you love God who you haven’t seen and hate your brother who you see every day?’ “How can you say you love God who you hav- en’t seen and hate your brother who you see every day?” she asked back then. “You’re a liar and the truth ain’t in you.” And the precocious youngster matured into a sage sister who’s been sellessly ministering to anybody who would who listen ever since. And in her new opus, “Keep Walking in Prayer... Until You Can’t Come Back,” Reverend Boulware shares plen- ty of insightful pearls of wisdom she’s accu- mulated over the years. The title was ostensi- bly inspired by Genesis 5:23-24, a Biblical pas- sage about how Enoch (Methusaleh’s father) maintained a constant companionship with the Johnny Knoxville co-stars with Jackie Chan in this stunt-driven comedy Perhaps its most poi- gnant entry involves a heartfelt remembrance of “The Day God Showed Up” to help Reverend Boulware’s homeless son who was on trial despite having been the victim of stabbing. Against seem- ingly-insurmountable odds, he prevailed in court with the help of a very well-prepared pub- lic defender. Overall, this passion- ate how-to memoir has a moving message which might be best commu- nicated by this quote: “While we don’t have the power to control out- comes... we do get to rest in the assurance that we are always and forev- er heard whenever we communicate with the Father.” Can I get an Amen? NEW YORK (AP) — Celebrities from music, ilm, fashion, sport and academia — including Sam- uel L. Jackson, Kenneth Cole, Jason Collins, America Ferre- ra, Salma Hayek, Quincy Jones, and Emilio and Gloria Estefan — have signed up to co-chair a two-day convention to celebrate diversity and unity. The Rise Up as One event, scheduled for Oct. 14-15 at a lo- cation still being worked out, will have performances, talks and cultural expositions. A con- cert on Oct. 15 will be broadcast live on Univision Network and on Fusion. Other co-chairs for the event include Henry Louis “Skip” Gates, Forest Whitaker, Junot Diaz, Nicolas Berggruen, T Bone Burnett, Ximena Caminos, Ava DuVernay, Don Graham, Dr. Henry Jenkins, Mia Maestro, Jonathan Olinger, Eduardo Pa- dron, Residente and Robert Ro- driguez. More details are expected in the coming days. We honor the many accomplishments of African Americans. It is our primary goal as a labor union to better the lives of all people working in the building trades through advocacy, civil demonstration, and the long-held belief that workers deserve a “family wage” - fair pay for an honest day’s work. A family wage, and the beneits that go with it, not only strengthens families, but also allows our communities to become stronger, more cohesive, and more responsive to their citizens’ needs. Our family wage agenda relects our commitment to people working in the building trades, and to workers everywhere. In this small way, we are doing our part to help people achieve the American Dream. This dream that workers can hold dear regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, creed, or religious beliefs. Paciic Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters Representing more than 5,000 construction workers in Oregon State. Do you want to know more about becoming a Union carpenter? Go to www.NWCarpenters.org PORTLAND: 1636 East Burnside, Portland, OR 97214 | 503.261.1862 | 800.974.9052 HEADQUARTERS: 25120 Paciic Hwy S, Ste 200, Kent, WA 98032 | 253.954.8800 | 800.573.8333