Film Forum

Episode Recap

Episode 4; Summer 2005

August 2, 2005

Films Reviewed: The Dukes of Hazzard and Stealth

Commentary: The possible acquisition of DreamWorks by Universal

Featurette: Jessica Simpson's music video from The Dukes of Hazzard

Regarding The Dukes of Hazzard:

Matt: I may spend some time in critic purgatory for this, but I liked this film adaptation of the 1979 television show.  Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville are the Duke Boys and Willie Nelson makes a great Uncle Jesse.  And the General Lee lives again, complete with St. Andrews Cross on the roof.  Three stars.

Aron: My only gripe with this film is that Louisiana represents Georgia.  But it's a fine adaptation of the TV show.  The Broken Lizard guys do a fine job recreating Hazzard County and everyone treats the film as a film and not one big shaggy dog joke.  And Jessica Simpson makes a fine Daisy Duke.  Three stars

Average Rating: *** (out of ****)

Regarding Stealth:

Aron: This movie is Short Circuit meets WarGames meets 2001 with more explosions than those three films combined.  You saw the first three before, and they were much better.  Two or three thrilling scenes do not a movie make.  One and a half stars.

Matt: Um, yeah, what Aron said.  Only appropriate that the robot plane is given the call sign "Tin Man", as this film has no heart to it whatsoever.  Jamie Foxx did make this film before Ray, so I'll cut him a little slack.  One and a half stars

Average Rating: *1/2 (out of ****)

Commentary: Wire reports state that NBC Universal is in talks to acquire the live action unit of DreamWorks SKG.  Since DreamWorks already does a lot of co-productions with Universal, the effects would not be too profound.  Still, Aron and Matt brought up points involving film and TV libraries, which have become more lucrative in recent years.

Featurette: Jessica Simpson and Willie Nelson performing "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" from The Dukes of Hazzard.