Friday, January 9, 2009

DJG's CINEMADHESIVE / Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog * * * * *
Directed by: Joss Whedon / 2008

Joss Whedon is no stranger to musicals. If you’re up on “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer” you’ll be one to agree that one of the creator’s finest moments with his beloved series is “Once More with Feeling”, the all musical episode. The show has a huge cult following and so does that episode as it has nationally toured for fans to watch and sing-along together. Heck, my wife and I own the episode (actually, ALL OF THEM) on DVD and we still shelled out ten bucks a piece to see it on a big screen and with mega-Buffy fans crawling out the wood work.

The writer's strike of 2007-2008 was a major bruise to many a Hollywooder and especially to the fans who saw their favorite T.V. shows and stars cancelled for several months. During that time I wasn’t too heartbroken, rather optimistic, and wondered aloud what wonderful projects would spawn. Just because there was a strike, didn’t mean that writers would stop writing, or thinking for that matter. There is no off switch on creativity. Joss Whedon saw it as the right time to turn to his backburner (which I imagine is just as full or fuller as his front one). Something purely amazing, positive and groundbreaking came out of this time. It's a genius, clever, funny and inventive project named“Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” and I won't spoil any of it for you...just see it. See it four times or more.

Originally release in three fifteen minute free online segments last summer, “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog” is now available on DVD and it even features an all musical commentary. Joss Whedon + Neil Patrick-Harris + Nathan Fillion + Felicia Day and Company = PURE GENIUS. I’ve seen it four times already and it’s better with each sing-along. All-around, “Horrible” exceeds above its name to that special pile marked “Greatness” in my DVD collection. I just hope this one takes to the road because it demands attention on a big screen and with a big, sing-along audience. If there is another strike, let’s hope Joss Whedon tinkers with this idea. Heck, let’s hope he does a full-blown musical someday!

-djg

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