Film Review of "Star Trek" - iPod Winner

Alex, aged 16 from Windermere won the iPod Nano.

Here is her winning review

"Star Trek"

I recently went to watch the new Star Trek movie at the cinema and was not really sure what to expect as Star Trek does not exactly have a reputation of being cool - however I left the cinema pleasantly surprised and wanting more of the sci-fi action thriller.

It is the eleventh Star Trek film - however this film is a prequel that tells the story of how James T Kirk came to be Captain of the Star Ship Enterprise whilst following some of the old favourite characters such as "Scotty" and "Spock" whom have to work together to fight the evil Romulan: "Nero". Nero whom is played by Eric Bana wrongly thinks that Spock destroyed his home planet, so plots to travel back in time to stop the people who would contribute to the misfortune of his people. It emerges that James T Kirk's father, was originally to live a long and happy life, watching and supporting his son progress through the Star Fleet ranks, but now dies honorably in a Romulan attack, sacrificing himself to save his crew who were fleeing the attacked ship in escape pods. In one of the pods was his pregnant wife whom gives birth to James in the escape module itself. A new, parallel-universe is born, that tells the early story of the Enterprise.

This fast-paced thriller keeps you on your toes as you switch from different star dates and alternate realities. It will satisfy both die-hard trekkies and new watchers as you laugh and gasp with the characters.

Star Trek was so much more than I had expected and I would strongly recommend it to anyone - as it has all the attributes of a great film and manages to gel them into the best Star Trek yet.

Winners of the wotson4u.com photography competition

Beth, from Shap and Helen, from Wigton both won portable DVD players for sumbitting excellent photographs of Cumbrian landscapes.

Click here for Helen's Photos and click here for Beth's photos.

Film Review of "Wild Child" - Nintendo DS Winner

Laura, age 15, from Carlisle won the Nintendo DS Lite

Here is her winning review

'Wild Child'

The film Wild Child is a typical chick flick for teenage girls directed by Nick Moore. The film is based on a teenage girl called Poppy, played by Emma Roberts. Poppy lived in America with her dad and sister but she was finding life hard as her mum died when Poppy was only eleven. Poppy was always out and about with her friends and wasn't really bothered about how she was doing at school. Eventually Poppy's dad has had enough of her behaviour and tells her she is leaving America to go to boarding school in England. Poppy is not at all happy about going to England but has no choice. She is a very materialistic teenage girl and arrives at the boarding school with designer clothes and handbags and the best mobile phone. Poppy doesn't really settle into the boarding school because she is so different to all the other girls because they want to do well at school. Poppy starts making trouble at school because she wants to get expelled so she can go home to America, she eventually makes friends with her room mates and they agree to help her get expelled, this all then goes wrong when she sees a picture of an old lacrosse team and realises her mum captained the team as a teenager when she was at the school. Poppy then changes her ways and makes an effort at school and helps the lacrosse team to the cup final and wins them the game when her dad has came to watch. But it all ends up to late for Poppy.

I thought the film was very good and I would recommend it to any teenage girls who enjoy chick flicks

Abba Gold - Kodak Digital Camera Winner

Emily, age 16, from Carlisle won the Kodak Digital Camera

Here is her winning review

Abba Gold

I recently bought 'Abba Gold' because I have always loved Abba and the songs make me happy and are easy to sing along to.

The album has a good collection of all the most-loved Abba songs, such as 'Gimme Gimme Gimme' and 'Thank You for the Music'. My favourite is 'Lay All Your Love On Me' because the lyrics and rhythm are catchy. I don't really like the song 'Dancing Queen' as it is a bit overplayed.

The album 'Abba Gold' is a great example of why Abba have been popular throughout many generations: poppy beats, astounding lyrics and breathtaking vocals (especially in the song 'Super Trouper').

I would definitely recommend this album to anyone, no matter their age or music taste. Everyone has to love Abba!

Film Review of "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" - Nintendo DS Winner

Chris, age 16, from Carlisle won the Nintendo DS Lite

Here is his winning review

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'

"Would you erase me?" is the tagline, but I certainly wouldn't erase this film from my mind. A clever plot, witty dialogue and impeccable acting skills make this movie a must-see.

'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' is an unconventional romantic comedy, starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet as the couple. During the course of the film, Joel (Carrey) is undergoing a procedure to erase his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Winslet) from his mind after a bad break up. However, as he relives some of his best moments with Clementine, Joel realises how much he still loves her and is reluctant to let her go.

The greatness of 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' cannot be described; you have to see it to believe it. Since Carrey is not playing one of his usual comedic parts, he shows depth and sensitivity in the role of Joel. However, there are some comedic aspects in the movie that he makes laugh-out-loud funny. Winslet is also remarkable as the lively, free spirit Clementine who contrasts perfectly with quiet, nice guy Joel. What's more, there are some strong supporting performances by Kirsten Dunst and Elijah Wood.

Astounding cinematography adds to the excellence of this movie and communicates some aspects of the film better than dialogue. For example, the fantastical way Joel's world 'crumbles' around him in his mind as he loses Clementine and how he skips from one scene to another convey how disjointed and unconventional their love was, but even so he cannot live without her.

The plot is an extraordinarily amazing idea from director Michel Gondry that explores a bizarre, sci-fi scenario whilst keeping the moving realism of Joel and Clementine's relationship intact.

I would recommend 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' to anyone due to its broad genre-defying storyline, great acting and filming that make the movie both heart-warming and remarkable. So, kick back on your couch, bed, floor or even car seat if you have a portable DVD player, and get watching!

Batman "The Dark Knight" - Ipod Nano Winner

Josh, age 14, from Whitehaven won the Ipod Nano

Here is his winning review

Batman "The Dark Knight!"

I watched the Dark Knight at the cinema and I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Heath Ledger performed brilliantly as the Joker, true villain characteristics.

It was a lot darker and sinister than I expected, but it was still magnificent. Christian Bale makes an excellent Batman.

Him and Heath Ledger make the perfect hero and villain combination. I would definately give this film at least a 4 out of 5. The only reason i wouldn't give this film a 5/5 is because i found it a bit far fetched, but the storyline keeps you rapt in anticipation.

I also loved the way they gradually introduced Harvey-2-face to the movie.

Radiohead Gig Review - Wii Winner

Arran, age 16, from Morton in Carlisle won the Wii.

Here is his winning review

Friday 27th June 2008

20,000 people passionately singing every lyric, bouncing up and down in awe to Thom Yorke's breathtaking, falsetto voice. This was the Radiohead gig at Glasgow Green - the best gig I've ever been too.

Me and my 2 mates arrived at the Green about 3pm, feeling pretty stupid as I was the only one lined up at the gates with just my Radiohead T-shirt on, everyone else had jumpers and jackets!! From the moment we arrived people were selling ponchos - overpriced of course so we didn't bother - from the minute we took that decision the heavens opened and it never stopped raining…

As soon as the gates opened hundreds of people started running towards the stage, myself included. I looked behind me and could see the stampede. At this moment we also were told there would be delays - another 5 hours!! However this didn't lower anyone's spirits - people were steadily filling the green, all wearing yellow ponchos and talking about the gig.

By now the rain was getting worse so we took shelter under the chip van's roof - luckily the ladies took pity on us and gave us each a bin liner which we made into our own ponchos - sorted!!

Finally at about 8pm the support band 'Bat For Lashes' appeared, although a member short they still kept us occupied with beautiful new songs. Once they were finished the main act was being prepared - huge lights were hung from the enormous stage - the roadies tested the equipment and the crowd started roaring and shouting for Radiohead. Then they appeared, the atmosphere was unexplainable - the crowd went crazy.

The band kicked off with '15 step' from their newest album 'In Rainbows' every word was being sung by crazy Glaswegians who had waited hours drinking in the bar!! The atmosphere was immense and I got pushed with the crowd to the very front where my heroes kept playing just like I had imagined them too. This continued for a good 2 hours. The set list for the gig was flawless they continued to play songs from their latest album and added in songs from 'The Bend's' and 'Ok Computer' - they also played some of their other experimental albums, all as mind-blowing as each other.

The highlight of the gig was 'Karma Police' a lovely acoustic song that Thom sang with all his heart - as did the 20,000 people watching.

The band was amazing and played us 2 encores finishing the night with a favourite song of many, 'Idioteque'. As soon as the intro started the crowed went crazy, jumping and pushing like always - high in the moment - crowd surfing to songs you wouldn't think possible to crowd surf to.