Movies About Graduation

So this blog has definitely strayed from its original intent. Writing about how to decorate a dorm room didn't really pan out, life got in the way. I didn't have time to decorate, let alone blog about it. I'm going to try to get back to that a little bit, but for now I'll be saving money and applying for jobs left and right. I'll update sure, but unfortunately it just won't be about style. So right now what's on my mind? You guessed it.

Graduation.

That's still the overriding thought in my head. Oh my God I've graduated, time to get a job, time to pay my own rent, time to freak out over the economy. Or I could just turn on a movie about graduation. So here are a few of the movies I've watched recently in between applications.

1. St. Elmo's Fire



St. Elmo's Fire is one of those old 80s brat pack movies which I just happen to love. Demi Moore, Ally Sheedy, Judd Nelson, Emilio Estevez, Andre McCarthy, Rob Lowe and Mare Winningham star in this particular film about a group of fairly recent college grads trying to make their way in the world. What I like about it is that they're figuring it out and struggling. Sure at times it can get as depressing as hell and Emilio Estevez's character makes me want to slap him silly, but it suited the mood at the time. The downside? Most of them have jobs. Maybe the 80s were good for something after all?

2. Post Grad



Post Grad is a film you probably heard of, but immediately forgot. Starring Alexis Bledel of Gilmore Girls fame, Post Grad follows Ryden Malby as she attempts to make it immediately after graduation. The majority of the film is about her struggles finding a job, any job, let alone one in her field. Of course there are the romantic entanglements and crazy family that go along with any middle grade film, but I have to admit, this is a guilty pleasure of mine. Don't watch this one expecting great drama or writing, but it's kind of fun. You know, if you like that kind of thing.

3. About Last Night



Confession time. It was Rob Lowe night at my place the other day. This is another Rob Low, Demi Moore vehicle from the 80s. Sure this one isn't about finding yourself post university. However, it's about people my age, in their early 20s and believe me when I say they don't have it all figured out yet. It's about relationships and trying to make them work when you don't really know what you're doing yet. But seriously, 80s films and everybody has a job. Frustration.

4. The Graduate




This list wouldn't be complete without the ultimate classic in graduation films. The Graduate. Here's what you need to know. Dustin Hoffman plays a young man floundering following university. He has no idea what he wants to do and is just sitting around his parents house in a daze as the "adults" talk to him about the future. Cue Mrs. Robinson. Seduced by an older woman who happens to be the girlfriend's mother? Some Simon and Garfunkel songs? Sound familiar yet?

5. Reality Bites




I haven't actually watched this one yet, well not in years anyways. But it's back on my To Be Watched list. Here's what I remember. Angst, angst and more angst. Will I like this one? Who knows. But if not, I can always go back to the brat pack and relive Saturday morning high school detentions.

Honourable Mention: Say Anything


This is one of my all time favourite movies and it deals with graduation. I absolutely cannot resist a young John Cusack, even if he's has head gear and can't take a photo to save his life ( .... Sixteen Candles? Anybody?). This John Cusack is the ultimate John Cusack. He's Lloyd Dobbler! He doesn't know what he wants to do with his life yet, but that's okay because he's fallen in love. He is so in love that he'll hold a boombox outside of her window just to win her back. I love this movie. I watch this movie constantly. You should too. Seriously. Go. Now.