MOULIN ROUGE – A COMPELLING AND MEMORABLE FILM

Moulin Rouge is an exhilarating ‘Jukebox musical’ filmed in 2001. It was directed, produced and co-written by Baz Luhrmann. The main actors are Nicole Kidman and Ewan Mc Gregor, who play the roles of Satine and Christian.

The film is set in Paris in 1899, and it tells the story of Christian, who wants to become a writer among the Bohemian culture, and Satine, a cabaret dancer.  At first, Satine doesn´t want to spend time with Christian, since she only loves rich men. However, by the time he starts talking to her, she realizes how wonderful he is, so she falls in love with him.  When everything seems to go well, Satine discovers she suffers from Tuberculosis, but she doesn´t tell Christian. 

Despite the fact that it was set a long time ago, we think it is one of the best films ever, as it contains the right amount of songs and love that all films must have.  We would recommend it to anyone that likes this kind of film.

Bruno Mars

Have you ever been moved while listening to a song? If you like Bruno Mars you certainly have. His songs always make you think about different situations in life.

He’s an American singer and songwriter. He was born on the 8^th of October of 1985. He was brought up by two musicians in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he spent part of his life. His first contact with music was when he was two years old. Later on, he took part in many music shows and that’s what made him decide to dedicate his life to music and he moved to LA. He became a star in little time thanks to Philip Laurence who helped him get a contract with a production company.

Our favourite songs by Bruno Mars are ‘Today my life begins’ and ‘It will rain’. We certainly believe they’re the best because of their style and their honest lyrics which make you feel exactly what he talks about is true and that it’s happening to you too!  Don’t hesitate and listen to them!

By: Ainhoa Peña and Paula Arratibel

gossip girl

Everyone has heard at least once about this increasingly popular American TV series. Starring Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Ed Westwick, Chace Crawford and Penn Badgley, among others, the series’ crew is doing wonders for the plot to hook more and more viewers.

Narrated by this omniscient blogger “Gossip Girl”, the series revolves around the lives of privileged young adults on Manhattan’s Upper East Side in NYC. While they are trying to be accepted in the most prestigious universities, Gossip Girl is trying to ruin their lives by posting their most inner secrets.

The series begins with the return of Serena van der Woodsen, New York’s it girl, to the Upper East Side. She had gone to a boarding school in Connecticut for mysterious reasons. Meanwhile, Blair Waldorf, Serena’s long-time friend and occasional rival, has been the queen of the UES, overthrowing her.

As for the boys, Chuck Bass and Nate Archibald are the main male characters. The former is an antiheroic bad boy and the latter a chivalrous future business magnate.

All in all, we really encourage girls to follow this amazing TV series. It will have you hooked from the very first moment. You certainly won’t regret it!

xoxo gossip girl

By: Teresa and Julia

Xbox 360 or Play Station 3?

Nowadays, the debate about which console is better is causing controversy between Xbox 360 and Play Station 3. Play 3 is built by Sony, about is a Japanese Company. On the other hand, the Xbox is built by Microsoft, an American Company. Both are excellent consoles but they have their advantages and their drawbacks.

The Xbox 360 has been on the market since 2005 and it has things better than Play 3; such as graphics and videogames like Halo or Gears of Wars. At the beginning, the Xbox costs less than the Play 3 but you have to pay for the Internet, which costs 60 € per year. And finally, if we add upall the money it is more expensive than the Play 3.

The Play 3 has been on the market since 2006 and it also has advantages and drawbacks. The Play 3 has Blu-Ray and with it you can watch films in a very good quality. The Play 3 has very good games that Xbox hasn´t. For example: Uncharted (the whole set) and God of War (the whole set).

In conclusion, both are fantastic consoles but in our opinion the Play Station 3 is better because it is more economic and the Internet connection is free and this is very important.

By Iñigo Alonso and Gorka Pérez

"Lock and key"

Autor: Sarah Dessen

Synopsis: “Ruby, where is your mother?” Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

My opinion:

“Lock and Key” is a book written by Sarah Dessen, who is a very popular author among teenagers. This book was published in 2008, and it has been a great success all over the United States.

This moving story really made me hooked until the end, it never gets boring and it suprises you even more when you get to the end. During the plot, many interesting things happen, they are sort of a combination of drama and love story.

At the very beginning when Ruby tells the story of her, being banished by her mum to Cora, it made me think about how hard it is to cope with it. But Ruby, is a very brave person and as soon as she meets the coolest boy of the school she realises that she can be something important in life and someone special to others.

The best thing about this book is its unexpected end which gives you a huge surprise and makes you think about the whole story in a different way.

By: Paula Arratibel and Ainhoa Peña

Kensuke's Kingdom

Author: Michael Morpurgo

Synopsis:

A young boy called Michael, travels with his parents around the world on the yacht Peggy Sue after his parents lose their jobs and decide to sail the seven seas. Michael's parents teach him what he would have normally learnt at school and he has a secret log that he writes in. They travel from England to Africa, South America and Australia. He is on lookout one night when Michael and his dog Stella Artois are washed overboard, near Papua New Guinea. They awake to discover that they are stranded on a desert island that is shaped like a elongated peanut in the Pacific Ocean.

While Michael is struggling to survive on the island, food is regularly left for him. Who has brought this? A thoughtful and real life adventure story.

Number of Pages: 176

Publishing House: Egmont Books Ltd

Opinion:

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I love it! It’s a combination of adventure, mystery and self-discovery. Michael and Kensuke’s story is an example of how two quite different people understand themselves, help themselves and teach each otherdifferent things. I’d say this book is one of the most gripping and moving of Michael Morpurgo and a must for every keen reader of English.

By: Anne San José

Small Steps

Author: Louis Sachar

Synopsis:

Two years after being released from Camp Green Lake, Armpit is home in Austin, Texas, trying to turn his life around. But it’s hard when you have a record, and everyone expects the worst from you. The only person who believes in him is Ginny, his 10-year old disabled neighbor. Together, they are learning to take small steps. And he seems to be on the right path, until X-Ray, a buddy from Camp Green Lake, comes up with a get-rich-quick scheme. This leads to a chance encounter with teen pop sensation, Kaira DeLeon, and suddenly his life spins out of control, with only one thing for certain. He’ll never be the same again.

Number of pages: 288

Publishing House: Bloomsbury Publisher

Opinion:

This is the second part of the bestseller Holes. If you liked Holes this book won’t let you down, Small Steps has a lot to recommend it - funny dialogue, a fast-moving story, some emotive scenes, an interesting central character, but it is inevitable to compare it with Holes. Small Steps is more straightforward in every way. It's not as sophisticated or fascinating as Holes - but not many novels are. However, I really recommend you to read it, as every book of Sachar it makes a difference after reading it, you’ll have another view at problems, he shows you that thing are  not impossible, you just have to try harder to solve them. It’s really worth reading!

By: Anne San José

There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom

Author: Louis Sachar

Synopsis:

"Give me a dollar or I'll spit on you." That's Bradley Chalker for you. He is the oldest child in the class. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls, and the teachers say he has 'serious behaviour problems'. No one likes him - except Carla, the new school counsellor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his far-fetched stories. Carla knows that Bradley could change, if only he weren't afraid to try. Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is believing in yourself.

Number of pages: 208

Publishing House: Bloomsbury Publisher

Opinion:

This book, makes you see that is not always impossible to make a change if you make a real effort and try really hard.  Bradley’s case is an example of overcoming and desire you can make the difference. It’s also easy to read as you can read it in one day with no effort. Magnificent story of the author of the bestseller Holes.

By: Anne San José

Someday Angeline

Author: Louis Sachar

Synopsis:

Angeline Persoppolis is an extremelly clever girl as she knows lots of things especially related to ocean animals and the ocean itself. She’s only eight years old but is sent to sixth grade. At school she is bullied by other students and misunderstood by her teacher. Her only two friends are a fifth grade teacher and Gary Boone. Several adventures happen to Angeline, all of them related to the ocean and ocean animals. Will Angeline live happily ever after?

Number of pages: 192

Publishing House: Bloomsbury Publisher

Opinion:

This was the first book I read in English and felt joyful when I finished it. Sometimes you can find this book really sad but in other parts it’s hilarious, you won’t stop laughing! I’d recommend it to anyone as it’s a book with lots of turning points and with different stages for everyone. Just sit and enjoy it!

By: Anne San José

JERSEY SHORE

Jersey shore is a reality show from the Music Television Channel (MTV). It is based on a group of young people living together in a house situated at the Jersey Shore, in the state of New Jersey.

They often have lots of problems among them and with the authorities and other people with nothing to do with the reality show, as they are always drinking and fighting.

They don’t usually do a lot more than going to the gym, getting fake tanned with V-rays, drink, sleep, argue and going out at night. More than once, a member of the house has left because of the inability to face the problems between them.

This reality show has captivated people all over the world with these rude and childish people from about 30 years old more or less, as it is very entertaining to see how they act when they are at the edge of madness.

Titanic

 

“Titanic”, by James Cameron, is a memorable and moving film. Despite the fact that it was made quite a long time go, it continues to cause the same effect in people´s feelings. We have seen it recently, and we couldn´t help crying in some parts of the film, due to the sad moments.

People think going to the cinema again and seeing it in 3D is not worth it, but it is credible, as it happened 100 years ago, on the 15^th April 1912

            

The plot revolves around the two main characters, Rose and Jack. They belong to different worlds. Rose belongs to the high society, and Jack hardly ever has money. Even though Rose was going to get married, they can´t help falling in love with each other. It all seemed perfect, but the bad side was yet to come: suddenly, the boat hits an iceberg and only the richest people can be saved. Although Rose could be saved easily, she decided to stay with Jack whatever happened. Will they spend their rest of their life together?

We would recommend this film to anyone who enjoys romantic films. This film contains the perfect amount of romance and at the same time keeps the atmosphere of what really happened. As it has romantic moments, as well as funny and mysterious. It´s so compelling that you will be glued to your seat once you start watching it.

By: Marta and Leti.

‘Canciones para Paula’

‘Canciones para Paula’ is a book written by the Spanish author ‘Blue Jeans’. It was published in 2009. The story was first in the internet and due to the fact that loads of people liked it, it became finally published. Although this was an unusual start the writer has become one of the most popular between teenagers in Spain.

This story is about Paula, a seventeen year old girl, who struggles about the things that all teens worry about: boys, shopping and friends. Her life seemed perfect when she finally found a boyfriend but it wasn’t as easy as she thought and when Alex came into her world she couldn´t have been more confused. Besides, it’s in hard times when you see if your friends really stand by you. Will her really best friends in all the world help her to make up her mind?

This unforgettable tale of love and friendship has already hooked lots of teens all over Spain. Don´t wait to be the next especially if you like gripping stories with a really good twist at the end. If you don´t speak Spanish, however, you´ll still have too wait as it hasn’t been translated into English yet. But if you’ve already read this amazing story and can’t wait for more don’t worry. You can always read ‘Sabes que te quiero’ and ‘Cállame con un beso’ the other two books of the series. Be prepared to be hooked until the end!

By: Paula Arratibel and Ainhoa Peña

Have a look and you'll be hooked

“Pirates of the Caribbean”, directed by Gore Verbinski, is part of a trilogy. We chose it because we think it´s an innovative and successful film among movie-goers.

The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best

Actor for Johnny Depp. It´s set in Jamaica and Engand. The main characters are Jack Sparrow, played by Johnny Depp; Elisabeth Swann by Keira Knightley; and William Turner by Orlando Bloom. It is a romantic and adventure film which revolves around the search for treasure hidden in an island. However, a series of difficulties contrive to stop our protagonists from completing this dangerous task. Will they be able to find it?

The actor’s performances were outstanding and the scripting hasn´t let us down either; the sometimes funny lines, make the atmosphere of the filmed more relaxed. All that is not to mention the gorgeous costumes which have made the film more realistic.

This is a gripping and action-packed film which we highly recommend and will have you hooked.

Marina, Teresa, Gabriela & Julia

The Big Bang Theory

    Sitcom Review – The Big Bang Theory

The Big Bang theory is an American sitcom produced by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, two of the most prestigious producers. The Big Bang Theory is one of the most well known Tv shows and it has earned a lot of prizes for the actors’ outstanding performance. This sitcom uses intelligent humour as it’s a group of ‘ geeks’ with a rather unusual lifestyle, not to mention that irony is used very often.

The sitcom revolvesaround 5 characters, some of them being very successful actors including Jim Parsons who stars as Sheldon Cooper, my personal favorite character who has won many prizes. However, in this group of geeks there is one girl, Penny, and she is their neighbour and she has quite a different lifestyle.

So far, 5 seasons have been released on screen although the last season hasn’t finished yet. The last season is my favorite and it is also the viewers’ favorite, nor to mention the number of people who watch it has increased season by season.

By: Javier Horn, Alvaro Azofra and Alvaro Vicente

Review: Call of Duty - Modern Warfare 3

Modern Warfare 3 is the continuation of the Modern Warfare saga. This game leaves all the other videogames in the shade. Call Of Duty itself has been a total success in the gaming industry beating all the sales records. So far, there have been three ‘Modern Warfares’ but in every way, MW3 is the best of these three.

The game is divided into three modes, one of them being the ‘History’ where you have to get through a few levels about world war three to reach the end. Another mode is the special operation, where you play with a partner and you have to kill enemies. Last but not least there is the online mode, this made Modern Warfare shoot up to the top of the videogame rankings.

Personally, all of the ‘Modern Warfares’ games are my favorite by far and I have a blast playing the games.

The boy in the striped pyjamas

The boy in the striped pyjamas is a novel written by John Boyne in 2006. As it’s had a great success, they made a film of it  in 2008. It’s been the best selling book several times in countries like Spain, the UK, Ireland and Australia.

The story is about Bruno, a German nine-year-old boy. It happens in the time period of the Second World War. His father is an important Nazi general that is moved to Auzwitz next to the concentration camp to work there. Bruno is really bored as his sister doesn’t play with him and as he misses his friends because there aren’t any children there. But, one day, Bruno sees some people in striped pyjamas and there are children among them too!  He asks his family about them but he doesn´t recieve any satisfactory answers, only an order: he must not go there. But Bruno doesn’t obey his parents. After all-he thinks- what harm can he do? So he goes exploring and finds a friend. He’s called Shmuel and he wears a striped pyjamas. The problem is that there is a wire fence between them as Shmuel lives inside. A great bond of friendship grows between them as Bruno goes there every day and gives him food. But Shmuel’s father disapperars so when he asks Bruno to help him find his father Bruno doesn’t hesitate and goes under the wire.

This book is a sad combination of violence and friendship. You will be hooked until the very last page of this mesmerizing story and it’s recommended from thirteen years to beyond but anyone with a bit of interest can appreciate this book’s great value. Unlike other stories of this kind it treats this horrible topic differently, more delicately without big quantities of fiction but making important things that have to be. It gives an image of the WW2; especially of concentration camps but from the point of view of an innocent child who doesn´t realise what’s really going on around him. A normal child with a normal child’s concerns that will be taken without notice by the hands of a cruel world.

By: Eva Nuño, Paula Arratibel and Sofia Gomezllata

Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Synopsis:

Stanley Yelnats, a boy who has bad luck due to a curse placed on his great- great-grandfather, is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp, for a crime he did not commit. Stanley and the other boys at the camp are forced to dig large holes in the dirt every day. Stanley eventually realizes that they are digging these holes because the Warden is searching for something. As Stanley continues to dig holes and meet the other boys at the camp, the narrator intertwines three separate stories to reveal why Stanley's family has a curse and what the Warden is looking for.

Number of pages: 233

Publishing House: Bloomsbury Publisher

Opinion:

This is an adventure packed story with weird flashbacks and sudden twists in which they tell you a different story related to Stanley’s. The book shows the readers how a boy makes friends and loses them, is able to overcome problems when new ones appear.

At the beginning of the story it might seem a little bit dull. However, keep reading as when excitement starts it’ll never end.  

It’s perfect to read at school and afterwards seing the film so you can compare the same story told in different ways.

By: Anne San José

Once

Author: Morris Gleitzman

Synopsis:

Once I escaped from an orphanage to find Mum and Dad.

Once I saved a girl called Zelda from a burning house.

Once I made a Nazi with toothache laugh.

My name is Felix.

This is my story.

Everybody deserves to have something good in their life.

At least once.

Number of Pages: 160

Publising house: Puffin

Opinion:

This is a quite breath-taking story. Felix, a Jewish boy in Poland in 1942, is hiding from the Nazis in a Catholic orphanage. He escapes from orphanage to find them. He gets into different adventures and meets another child, Zelda and a very friendly dentist, Barney.

I think that if you like Nazi stories or soulful ones it would be great for you and although you don’t like Nazi stories I also recommend you to read it as it is a really different book. Morris Gleitzman has the ability to take a painful subject and turn it into a  story that’s worth reading, full of love, friendship, war and even a little bit of humour.

First Chapter: http://www.morrisgleitzman.com/books/fst_once.html

By: Anne San José