6
Sumter Scene
SEPTEMBER 11– SEPTEMBER 17, 2021
THE SUMTER ITEM
Jason Statham’s Top 10 Movies
BY JAY BOBBIN
“The Fate of the Furious” (2017): Though he had appeared in earlier chapters of the action franchise, Statham’s potent teamwork with Dwayne Johnson in this edition launched discussions about the two getting their own spinoff – which they ultimately did. “Spy” (2015): Statham uses his rugged image in a different way as a CIA agent skeptical of getting an analyst (Melissa McCarthy) as an in-thefield colleague. “Parker” (2013): A typically tough Statham has the title role of a thief bent on getting even for his crew’s betrayal of him. “Safe” (2012): A paternal aspect is added to Statham’s role as a former cage fighter protecting a special youngster (Catherine Chan) from various forces. “Killer Elite” (2011): Though it shares the title of an earlier movie, this thriller
‘The Meg’ tries to put teeth back in shark movies BY JAY BOBBIN
largely goes its own way, but it keeps the theme of professional assassins as embodied by Statham and Robert De Niro. “The Mechanic” (2011): In another remake, Statham assumes Charles
And then, there is that massive shark, called
For a number of years, the “Sharknado” cable
a Megalodon ... or “The Meg” for short. In a
Bronson’s earlier part as a resourceful killer teaching his trade to a protege (Ben Foster).
movies kept shark thrillers alive ... but after the
way, this film got stolen from itself, since Syfy
last of those was televised, the theatrical-movie
premiered a thriller called “Megalodon” within
industry apparently felt it was time to sharpen
days of “The Meg’s” release. With that striking a
is one of many brawny stars in this
itself up on that genre.
similarity, we’d say what’s good for the goose is
series-launching saga of mercenar-
good for the gander. But, of course, we’d never
ies-for-hire led by Sylvester Stallone.
Thus we got “The Meg,” an old-fashioned
scare show that has nothing on “Jaws,” though it
“Death Race” (2008): Yes ... another
say that. The easiest way to get audience members to
tries to lift a few elements from that classic tale.
“The Expendables” (2010): Statham
remake. Statham takes over the hard-
In the film – which TNT shows Thursday, Sept.
jump out of their seats with something like “The
driving role of a competitor in an auto
16, and Friday, Sept. 17 – a prehistoric shark the
Meg” is to have the creature sneak up or pop
race in which winning means others
size of a small island targets an undersea research out at unexpected moments – but with such a
lab and its crew. You also might think of the film
picture, you expect that to happen at almost any
“Deep Blue Sea,” and that’s how shameless “The
turn. With that said, there are some reasonable
Meg” is about ripping off other waterlogged
jolts in “The Meg,” and that’s what viewers will
fright fests. “Flipper” may be the only fish tale
come to it for. (Unless they mistakenly think
that hasn’t been cribbed from in this case.
they’re going to see a biography of Meg Ryan.) Director Jon Turteltaub knows how to make
Action star Jason Statham plays the chiseled
leader of the undersea team, and he’s haunted by movies, as he’s proven with “Phenomenon,”
losing their lives. “Crank” (2006): This variation on “Speed” casts Statham as a hit man (again) injected with a chemical that forces him to keep his heart rate above a certain level to survive. “The Transporter” (2002): Arguably
a tragedy from his seafaring past. (Hello, Quint!)
“While You Were Sleeping” and “National
the most flexible business suit ever
Though he gets top billing, he’s not the most
Treasure.” With “The Meg,” he tackles a category
worn by an actor – or by anyone, for
interesting person on board, thanks to a cast that
that’s tried and true ... but in spite of a couple
that matter – shares the starring role
also includes such familiar faces as Rainn Wilson
of true scares, and the fact that the result had
with Statham, who plays an inde-
of “The Office,” Robert Taylor of “Longmire” and
a surprisingly big opening due largely to clever
pendent courier in over his head.
Masi Oka of “Heroes” and “Hawaii Five-0.”
marketing, some may wonder why he tried.
Celebs become videographers in Season 3 of Fuse’s ‘Made From Scratch’ BY GEORGE DICKIE
If Fuse’s “Made From Scratch” seems
“It worked well with kind of the
“One of the best environments
to have taken on a more intimate tone
overall narrative of the show,” he ex-
for that is in the kitchen,” Scarlett
in Season 3, it might be because of the
plains. “It’s not just playing on titles, it’s
says, “or hanging around the dinner
way the eight episodes were shot.
not just about the artist’s background
Premiering Wednesday, Sept. 15, the new installments of the half-hour series that follows musical artists in
and how they’re made from scratch or even how the dishes they’re creating are made from scratch. But really the show itself is made from scratch in the way
table and having a home-cooked meal with somebody you grew up with. So we were able to lean into that.
their kitchens as they and kin prepare
that the artists themselves are taking it
family recipes were actually shot by
upon themselves to really produce it and
cooking show,” he continues. “We’re
the subjects themselves. There were
shoot it.”
not lifting out recipes and having the
“And obviously this show is not a
This season, the focus shifts to
audience kind of follow along what
a concession to the pandemic, only
younger artists as viewers get to go
they’re making. It’s more about the
camera packs and lighting shipped to
inside the kitchens of pop singer/actress
interaction and the sharing of anec-
no production crews this time around,
the celebs’ homes with instructions on set-up and use. According to Jon Scarlett, Fuse Media’s vice president of content and a
Becky G, singer/songwriter Maria Isabel, rapper Smino, R&B singer Joyce Wrice and singer/songwriter/actress Tinashe, and watch them prepare a dish with a close family member as they let down
dotes and stories and really heartfelt conversations around food and dining with a loved one. And that’s really what the show is about. More
producer on the show, all the artists ac-
their guard and reveal how family and
so than just kind of two people in
quitted themselves quite nicely as their
food has shaped their identity as people
the kitchen cooking, it’s really about
own videographers.
and artists.
sharing those intimate moments.”
