House - Last Temptation

Now that Thirteen is back, there is one female doctor too many in the group and so this episodes sees us say goodbye to the annoyingly truthful Dr Masters played by Amber Tamblyn.  There are essentially three stories happening in this episode.  Does Masters stay on and continue to work for House or does she accept a surgical position? 
To help her make her decision, the second story is about a young girl who wants to sail around the world but be the youngest at it (just like our very own Jessica Watson), however she is very ill and Masters discovers she has cancer which can be treated if the girl's arm is amputated.  The girl does not want to do that as it will stop her from achieving her goal, and her parents fully support her decision.  Masters tries her usual 'sticking to the rules' but when this doesn't work, she is forced to ask House for help who tells her that if she really wants to help, she is going to have to break the rules.  Against her better judgement, she causes a situation where the parents must make a decision to save her life and lose the arm or to watch her die.  After the amputation saves the girl's life, Masters can't reconcile the fact she has broken her own rules and breached her own standards and so chooses to resign from the hospital all together.
The third storyline is a funny, albeit weird one where House and Wilson are betting which one of them can have a chicken in the hospital the longest before getting found out!  False footprints and chicken sounds, chicken-grabbing dogs (how the hell did they do that without a chicken getting hurt??) and chickens being hidden under desks!  And Wilson was just as juvenile as House!  Very refreshing.
Another solid episode and sad to see another regular character leave our screens.

House - The Dig

After making a few movies, including Tron:Legacy and Cowboys & Aliens, Olivia Wilde returns to House as 'Thirteen'.  Or should I say, House picks her up, from prison! (Oh, so that's where she's been all this time!)  House decides to take her on a field trip, to a spud-shooting competition!  On the way, she gets House to stop at an address where she knees the groin of the person who answers the door.  A little bit of trivia is that the person is played by Damon Lindelof, the co-creator of one of my other favourite shows, Lost!
Meanwhile the team back at the hospital are dealing with a very sick man who, when they break into his house, they discover appears to be a hoarder.  However, in amongst the massive piles of 'things', they discover the man's wife and the true hoarder who is also sick.  Once again, it is a race to come up with a cure after coming up with many wrong diagnosis.
While out with Thirteen, House discovers she euthanised her brother, who also suffered from Huntington's Disease.  She is worried that one day she will become the same as him but she won't have anyone to do the same for her.  The episode finishes with House promising that he will do it for her when the time comes.
Not one of the strongest episodes but a welcome return of Olivia Wilde.

Bryan Adams - So Far So Good

I don't care what anyone says, I have always been a fan of Bryan Adams and I will always be a fan and I am proud to say I am a fan.  This bloke has one of the best voices in rock but he is also a social activist and awarded photographer outside of his music career.
However, I am getting off the topic of writing about the 'Best Of' album "So Far So Good".  It has all of his chart toppers and the link with movies is the song "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You".  It was the theme song from the Kevin Costner movie, "Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves".  This is yet another thing that shallow minded people crap on about.  People are quick to put Kevin Costner down and any movies he is associated with.  Well, I am a huge Kevin Costner Fan and I loved the movie.  It was one of the first movies I took my wife to when we were going out and the theme song became our song and was even our wedding dance song.  Every time I hear it, I think of my beautiful wife.  And I don't care how 'soppy' that might sound to you all!
That's the only movie related song on the album but he has contributed to a few albums, notably supplying the entire soundtrack for Dreamworks animated feature "Spirit".  This man could command entire stadiums full of fans.  He deserves some respect.  He's earned it.

The Incredibles - Original Soundtrack

When I saw Pixar's, dare I say incredible, "The Incredibles", I was blown away by the computer animation, the voice acting, the story, the characters, AND the soundtrack.  It has been on my list of must own CDs for a long time now but trying to get a copy in Australia has always been difficult or incredibly dear.  I was fortunate enough to get a copy from Amazon.uk.co for around $10 Australian and it is money well spent.
The music is by Michael Giacchino, who gave us six years of atmospheric music for Lost, among other shows. Director Brad Bird had a distinct idea of the style of music he wanted for his movie and Michael got it.  What he has delivered is reminiscent of the fabulous films of the sixties filled with spies and international intrigue.  It is a bit James Bond and Austin Powers rolled into one!  It is a bold, brassy, big orchestra sound, though if I had to say something critical, it would just be that the main theme is quite repetitive throughout the album, but really, that's not such a bad thing after all.

No Doubt - The Singles 1992-2003

No Doubt are a band with a revolving door for membership but a constant lead singer in the very talented Gwen Stefani. Their sound is very different for me and was once termed alternative rock but I believe they are more mainstream now.  Their songs tend to tell a story and have not only incredible vocals from Ms Stefani, but a great beat and some of it even has a reggae sound to it.
No doubt you are wondering why I am writing about them on my blog (see what I did there!)?  This 'Best Of' compilation actually has some songs that have been included in movie soundtracks.
The single 'New' featured on the soundtrack to the movie 'Go'; and 'Underneath It All' was in one of my all time favourite romantic comedies with the beautiful Drew Barrymore and the hilarious Adam Sandler, '50 First Dates'.
They had a couple of other songs in films but they are not part of The Singles collection.

Downton Abbey - Episode Seven

An absolutely wonderful conclusion to the first season of a spectacularly exquisite television program.
Please be warned that there are spoilers ahead.
Firstly, Mrs Patmore is finally sent to London by Lord Grantham to have her eyes operated on and she is accompanied by Anna who searches out the real story behind Mr Bate's past and tracks down his mother who reveals that he took the blame for his wife who was the thief.  What a gentleman.
The big story for the finale is that it is revealed that Lady Grantham is pregnant.  If she has a boy, then the estate can stay with them and not go to cousin Matthew.  Mary doesn't know how to respond to Matthew's wedding proposal because she really loves him and doesn't want him to think that she is only marrying him now that he is no longer a threat.
Meanwhile, the Dowager is in need of a new maid and the Lady Grantham offers to help her and even puts an ad in the paper.  O'Brien mistakenly thinks she is being replaced and is horrified when Lady Grantham asks her point blank for advice about her 'replacement'.  While bathing the Countess, O'Brien leaves a cake of soap on the floor and the Lady Grantham slips and falls, miscarrying the baby.
Everything comes to a head at a Garden party.  Thomas has been discovered trying to steal a wallet, but before he can be fired, he resigns to join the Army.  Gwen gets a job as a secretary when the telephone installer mentions he is looking for a secretary.  Sir Anthony arrives to propose to Edith but Mary gets back at Edith for writing to the Turkish embassy about her affair with the ambassador, by tricking Sir Anthony into thinking Edith does not like him and so he leaves.  But Mary loses Matthew when she accepts his proposal but he recants because he now believes she is only accepting because he will again get Downton.
The episode concludes with the first phone call to Downton Abbey announcing Britain is at war with Germany and World War I has commenced!
Can't wait for the second season to start!  It airs in the UK in September, so not sure when we will get it here.  It has also been confirmed that there will be a Christmas special and a third season!  Fantastic!

The Rocketeer - Original Soundtrack

I am a fan of the film The Rocketeer, because it is set in the first half of last century in Hollywood, and has not only James Bond's , Timothy Dalton, as the Errol Flynn-like Nazi spy, but also the very beautiful Jennifer Connelly.
The soundtrack is probably one of my all time favourite soundtracks, but the incredibly talented James Horner who creates an iconic theme for The Rocketeer.  It also has the wonderful Melora Hardin singing two classic jazz numbers.  Melora was almost cast as the original Jennifer in Back To The Future.
This is a spectacular, big sounding classic orchestral soundtrack.  If you really love movie soundtracks, you really need to give this a listen. You will fall in love too.

Supernatural - Frontierland

In a nod to Back To The Future, the Winchester boys are looking for a way to kill Eve and search through their grandfather's things.  After many hours they discover that only the ashes of the Phoenix can kill Eve and they then discover in Samuel Colt's diary where and when a Phoenix can be found, Sunrise, Wyoming, 1861!  As Cas has sent them back in time before, they ask him to help.  He explains that as it is so far back, they can only be there for 24hrs.  Of course there are the obligatory jokes about the cowboy costumes, but they discover the Phoenix and Sam goes in search of Samuel Colt to get the gun to kill him.  Meanwhile, Cas is attacked by another angel and is grievously injured and can't bring the boys back, unless he gets to borrow someones soul.  He goes to Bobby who painfully gives Cas what he needs.
Back in Sunrise, Sam convinces Samuel that he is a hunter from the future when he shows him his mobile phone, so he gives him the gun.  He arrives in time to kill the Phoenix but just as the boys are about to collect the ashes, Cas pulls them back to our time!
And here is the nod to Back To The Future, a messenger arrives with a package they have had since 1861.  In it is a note from Samuel Colt saying he got Sam's address from the phone, which is also included in package but somewhat worse for wear.  Also included is a bottle of the Phoenix ashes!
This was a fun episode, filmed with a sepia tone.

The Mentalist - Strawberries and Cream Part Two

IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THIS EPISODE, TURN AWAY NOW!  DO NOT READ THIS POST!  MASSIVE SPOILER ALERT!
OMG!  This would have to be one of the finest season finale's ever!  What an explosive episode!

Hightower has Jane at gunpoint, but this was a weak plot point as we all know she is innocent.  She reveals that her cousin, who was killed by Red John, was sending her money while she was in hiding, which is the reason he needed the transaction records.  Jane comes up with an elaborate plan to identify who the CBI mole is by setting up the four people on LaRoche's list, telling them all (including LaRoche as suspect number five) that Hightower is holed up in a different hotel room that the team monitor.  When a woman enters a room they realise the mole is the head of CBI, Bertram.  Jane takes him to a shopping mall food hall to trick him while Van Pelt takes her fiance O'Laughlin with her to where Hightower is being held.  However, while talking with Bertram, Jane realises the woman who went into the room set up to trick Bertram, she had rope because she was going to rappel down to the room below, which was the room set up to trick O'Laughlin!
Jane tries to contact Lisbon who is also there only to ring as O'Laughlin arrives.  A gunfight ensues, with Lisbon being shot but Van Pelt and Hightower end up shooting O'Laughlin.  Jane gets Lisbon to dial the last number on O'Laughlin's mobile phone and it surprisingly rings at a table near to where Jane is sitting.  He confronts the man who reveals himself to be Red John, played by West Wing's Bradley Whitford!  Excellent casting!!
After questioning Red John who reveals details about his family that only the real murderer would know, Jane shoots and kills Red John!!
Fantastic story and an amazing conclusion.  This could have been the series finale, but the show is coming back soon with Season Four!  Can't wait!!

Glee - Prom Queen

Well, it is finally Prom time and Quinn is determined to be crowned Queen with Finn as her King, but they are up against some competition this year, including Santana and Dave.  Santana has discovered Dave's true nature and has offered to work with him if he helps her with the Prom.
Rachel's ex, Jesse St. James turns up to help them with Nationals and to go with Rachel to the Prom.  They sing an excellent a cappella version of Adele's Rolling In The Deep.
Kurt asks Blaine to be his Prom partner saying the attacks have stopped now.  Blaine reveals he was attacked after his Prom but agrees to go.  Kurt speaks to Dave who apologises for everything he did but still refuses to come out.
Artie asks Brittany by singing Isn't She Lovely with help from the boys but she still says no!  The Principal asks the Glee class to provide the entertainment at the Prom and they open with a rockin' version of Friday that makes the song bearable!!
The result of the Prom is not what everyone is expecting ##SPOILER ALERT!##.
Dave Karofsky is crowned King but instead of Santana as Queen, the shock reveal is Kurt is voted as Prom Queen!  He is devastated as he realises it was all done to humiliate him.  The bullying hasn't really stopped, it just went subversive.  Blaine convinces him to stand tall and accept his crown but Dave won't dance with him.
The final song is appropriately Dancing Queen!  Glee sing ABBA!  Now THAT would be an episode!

Glee - Rumours

I am a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac and when I found out that Glee were going to be singing songs from the Rumours album (I grew up listening to the cassette over and over when my parents put a tape deck into our car!) I thought it was a perfect marriage and I wasn't disappointed!
Ironically, it is the story of 'un-perfect' marriages/relationships that is behind the creation of this iconic album and is this week's excuse for a story.  No one seems to be getting along.  Everyone thinks they are out to get their partner.  And talking about 'out', Brittany 'outs' Santana, who is struggling to come to terms with her sexuality and this confuses Brittany, who ends up breaking up with Artie.
Finn spies Kurt leaving a hotel room with Sam and then returns to see Quinn also leave.  Is Sam Gay or is he cheating with Quinn?  The truth is revealed that Sam's family have lost their home and are now all living in a one room hotel.  A sad story based on a lot of people's reality.
Incredible music - but the story felt built around the songs and not part of the continuity.

Merlin - Goblin's Gold

After the two-part season opener, this episode is much lighter in tone and a bit more kid friendly.
Merlin is sent to the library to search for a book when he accidentally stumbles on a hidden room.  As he investigates, he finds a locked box that is moving and making noises.  Of course he opens the box (which is locked for a reason!) and releases a goblin!  Mark Williams, who plays Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter films, provides the Goblin's voice.
The goblin gets up to all sorts of mischief.  It inhabits Gaius and makes him go to the Tavern and scam people for gold; he causes Uther to go bald (!) and starts to turn Arthur into a donkey!!  Bradley James really shows some fun acting chops as he brays like a donkey.  This is extremely funny!  Funnier still is when the goblin causes Morgana and Gwen to have bad attacks of flatulence!!  In the King's presence as well!!  Gwen is mortified and doesn't want to show herself in front of Arthur ever again!
This was a fun episode but after watching the second episode, it seemed like nothing happened with the battle and Morgana?!  It was a little off putting to see everyone back to a normal life in Camelot.  Looking forward to getting back into the bigger episodes that get into the mythology of the story of Merlin.

Merlin - The Tears of Uther Pendragon Part 2

Merlin is rescued, but now that he knows Morgana's secret, she and her sister, Morgause, continue their plan to take over Camelot, while Uther is still not in his right mind.
The armies gather to put Camelot to siege and to attack.  The army scenes are very Lord Of The Rings in tone and excellent to see in a weekly television show.  Using magic, Morgana releases the armies of the dead to help in their fight for the throne.
This is a very interesting storyline where Merlin must be very careful not to accuse Morgana of treachery as Uther could have him killed without the proof required.  How does Merlin stop Morgana and her sister, restore Uther and save the kingdom, without revealing his own magic?
A great two parter to open the season!

Thanks!

Hello Readers of Mulder On Movies!  Unfortunately, I have had no computer after a drink altercation and I have just got my new computer and I have a tonne of reviews to write!  But I must first do something.  Just before my computer decided it wanted some Pepsi Max, I had just under 2500 page views back on the 16th of July.  I am amazed and humbled that we have cracked the 2700 mark without me adding any further posts for almost a month!

So as a priority, I would like to acknowledge those readers in my most read countries and those that have logged in this week: Australia, United States, Denmark, Germany, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Canada, Singapore, France, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland and Japan - Thanks, Tak, Dank, Terima Kasih, Ganxie, Merci, Grazie, Raibh Maith Agat, & Kansha!

Please accept my apologies if I have missed your country from this post, I appreciate your readership too and I hope to continue to bring you informative reviews.  Let me know what you think.  You can email me direct at srushbyiphone@gmail.com or alternatively, leave a comment on the site.

Thanks again, but now it is time to get into this mountain of reviews!