Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Time to change things up again! I'm actually blogging about a TV mini-series. A very clever, delightful comedy/musical: 2008's Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog.

No one knows this. But, yes, it was on TV. It even won a prime time Emmy (Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs).

Everyone who's already seen this thinks it went straight to the Internet. Where it gained so much fame (Joss Whedon fans are devoted!) that you can no longer view it at its website. It is, however, available on Netflix (streaming!) or to buy via Amazon.com and other places, I'm sure.

As eluded to, Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy, Angel, Firefly) and his brothers Jeb and Zack wrote this... I'll just call it a Short (42 min total). It stars Neil Patrick Harris (Doogie Howser, MD.) as Billy who is trying to cement his role as Dr. Horrible, evil genius/super villain, and impress his wanna-be girlfriend, Penny. Standing in his way is Captain Hammer, played by Nathan Fillian (Firefly, Castle).

The Whedon brothers are very crafty mixing live action with Dr. Horrible's blog (actually a podcast), and the musical numbers fit in perfectly. Most of the songs are really good, too. Maybe not Roger's & Hammerstein, but they are surprisingly complex (in places), catchy, witty, drive the story...you know, good. But the biggest surprise: Doogie Howser can sing!!

The writing is spectacular. Very few could execute so well the idea of someone trying to become a member of the "Evil League of Evil", and still make the character sympathetic and real.

I found this an absolute joy to watch. But I should point out that this is not all flowers and wine - after all the main character is an anti-hero.

Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight

This review falls under the category of "I can't believe some of my friends have never seen this movie".

In 1995 HBO brought their award-winning series to the big screen with Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight. A Classic was born.

Like the TV series, it's an homage to B movies: kinda campy, and a bit adult (gore, nudity & language). But, also like the series, it's totally engrosing, not too scary or long (92 min), funny, well written and acted.

I'm not going to tell you the plot. Don't look it up. It's not very complicated. Just watch it!

I'll just say I love this movie for what it is: a perfect distraction. Not Academy Award material but just plain fun. Its witty writing, decent story and awesome acting (esp. Billy Zane!) keep me watching it to this day.

GasLand

Here's a MUST-SEE: 2010's GasLand!

Josh Fox kinda does a Michael Moore - rising from obscurity by finding a huge problem close to home and he makes a really good documentary about it.

Josh takes on the unregulated, insidious practice of "fracking" - natural gas mining by Big-Oil in rural America. Unfortunately, fracking is so demonstrative I'm not even going to attempt a description of the method or to spell out the many, many serious effects. See the movie!

Big-Oil gets away with this because in 2005 the George W. Bush's administration (and more specifically their "Environmental Board" which contained all Big-Oil reps and zero actual environmentalists) passed a law stating Big-Oil is no longer subject to the clean water and clean air acts enabled in the 1970s. The EPA no longer regulates drilling inside the USA.

Josh Fox doesn't include the humor of a Michael Moore, nor does he really "take on" Big-Oil. But there are a few humorous bits and a few attempts at getting interviews with the companies. And it does start a bit slow, but that ends abruptly. I was engaged and outraged soon enough.

This is as upsetting and thought-provoking documentary as I've ever seen!

House on Telegraph Hill

Here's an old movie (1951) but definitely worth your time.

House on Telegraph Hill is billed as a Film-Noir. But I think that's a misnomer - it is much more of a Hitchcockian thriller.

The story is about a WWII concentration camp survivor who, after the war, assumes the identity of her dear friend so she may come to San Fransisco to look after her friend's son. Things soon unravel when she gets to the states and odd "accidents" consume her imagination, paranoia, and/or guilt.

I really liked this movie because it's an edge-of-your-seat thriller...FOR THE TIME. Aside from the first 20 minutes or so, this is paced like a good Hitchcock mystery - slow, deliberate, and very suspenseful!

Some (not most!) of the acting, dialogue and direction/editing you could easily point fingers at - criticizing for not being up to today's standards.

This is missing the point. This is a 1951 movie. Take this for what it's worth: a great story, told well!

...and those of you who "cannot watch black & white films"... Grow up.