The Dukes

As a reward for productivity, our company set up an outing, for all staff and their families, to a screening of 'The Dukes' last week. We're a mixed bunch from 6 years to 65 and as ethnically diverse as any L.A. work-force. Would the movie appeal to such a wide range of backgrounds? Yes!, 'The Dukes' was a great mix of comedy and schmaltz to make for a true family movie. Interesting to see the two key characters, Robert Davi and Chazz Palminteri in a comedy role, pulling out all the stops to vamp up their aunt's Italian restaurant and put their lives back on track. Plenty laugh out loud moments including a 'screwed-up' gold heist where the loot ends up being a bag of gold filling amalgam for teeth! Great 50's 'doo-wop' sound-track and, since the cast sing their own numbers in the film, our 'beef' was there was not enough footage of them singing! I would have no qualms about taking the kids and the grandparents along to see 'The Dukes' and, if they are Italian, so much the better….

In this day and age of computer generated imagery and stunts above and beyond belief it is so very refreshing to see a film where the actors are allow to act. In this timeless turn by Mr. Davi nothing was placed in front of telling a good story and telling a good story well. Put on top of a good story some fantastic music that does not overwhelm but enhance and you have the recipe for success. This film follows that recipe to a "T". It would be a wonderful turn to see Hollywood take a lesson from Mr. Davi and get back to the art of story telling, and out of the business of shocking us into forgetting that there is no story. Kudos to the actors for their excellent performances and Bravo Mr. Davi for getting the job done and turning a good idea into a brilliant film.

I saw THE DUKES at the french International Comedy Film Festival located in a famous ski resort called Alpe d'Huez. The movie was great with a very nostalgic atmosphere. The audience loved it and it was great to see the actor/director Robert DAVI getting an award for his movie. There was a standing ovation and that guy was really cool ! Everybody knew him from DIE HARD or GOONIES or PROFILER. He was acclaimed by french stars called José GARCIA, Fabrice LUCHINI. The soundtrack is great. We hope the movie will be released soon. The screening was held in the main theater of the festival and the crowd was huge for the final night. This festival is the most important in France for Comedy films. THE DUKES had this nostalgic touch which made the audience happy. It was a great film selected with JUNO. Otherwise most of the films were french.

What a great film - it was evocative of the sixties - stylish - and the feel was one that grabbed you from the first frames - there's a wonderful story and secondary stories that are hilarious - saw it last night at the Newport Beach Film Festival - what a cast - Hollywood stalwarts Robert Davi and Chaz Palmenteiri star as over the hill Doo Wop stars who are running out of money and work, but they earn their kudos up against Joe Campanella and Peter Bogdonavich - and the music, a Doo Wop background set with a crazy crime caper - it will hook you and give you two hours of pure pleasure. Pure enjoyment, this is so classy and well done! I didn't know that Robert Davi had directed this, but what a debut - the style of the cinematographer was evocative of the glossy old school, which was the heart of the story, and all effects worked to push the story and the mood. This is sure to be a surprise winner of the Festival that also birthed the premieres of "Crash" and "The Illusionist."

I saw the The Dukes movie last night at the Wildwood Film Festival and liked it very much. I am surprised to see it listed as a drama because I didn't see it in that light. I thought it was a good light-hearted comedy that I would recommend as a good family movie. It has a nice story about being down on your luck while trying to hold on to your dreams. I've not seen a movie with Chaz Palmenteri in a comedic performance and found him to be very funny. The movie has some really funny scenes between Robert Davi and Chazz Palminteri playing well off of each other. The music was really good too. I thought there was a nice selection of Doo Wop songs and I especially liked the music by the group, The Emeralds. It was nice to see a local acapella group featured in a really good movie. If the movie comes your way, go see it - you won't be disappointed.