Post Grad Movie – Depressingly Apt?

Before you watch this trailer I want to remove any pre-conceptions that just because I’ve blogged it that this film might be any good; it looks exceptionally average. Having said that, watching the start of the trailer in which a girl graduates from university and finds herself unable to find a job and everything seems to go wrong.. yeah.. good old reality!

As a third-year under-grad who’s just taken his final exam and is in the midst of a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation, the day of graduation is looming and the glorious state of our current economic climate does not bode well in terms of employment for someone with half a degree in Marketing and the other in American Studies. Am I really meant to put my career on hold because the banks have been playing with crystal balls and monopoly money? Maybe my university will decide that Keele needs to employ someone to run KUBE as Station Manager alongside the KUBE President.. I dare to dream.

Cashback

It doesn’t happen often but when it does it’s very exciting; what am I talking about? No, not an Elton John costume party, what I’m talking about is a genuinely, surprisingly good film!

We all went to see The Dark Knight (2008) expecting a good time and that’s just what we got so how is Cashback (2006) any different? Well for one thing; have you heard of it?! This indie film (that’s not a warning) seems only to have received any press because it features (for a matter of seconds) the ‘glamour model’ Keeley Hazel which is such a shame because it really is a work of art.

What I love about this film is that it’s not trying to appeal to every audience, but what it does do, it does incredibly well. I found myself falling in love with every character. I felt the break-up between Ben and Suzy in the opening scene, as though it was my own. I saw my own childhood fascination with the female form portrayed with an understanding I don’t think I’d had myself up until that point. When watching this film it just feels so real.

This is one of those films which I think you just have to take a chance on, when I saw this film I fell in love with it but I expected others not to. However, after my girlfriend (with very different film tastes to me) watched it and loved it too I felt as though it might have a wider appeal. Check out the trailer (above) for a better idea of what it’s like, it really is worth seeing; this could well become one of your favourite films as it has for me.

What Looks Good?

Being away from university can be tough; you don’t get the freedom you’re used to once you get home, you work in an office so you can eat once you get back, and if you’re me then you’re a long way from your girlfriend. There is something else though; Tuesday’s coffee mornings with Steph, every week at uni we don our headphones, a coffee (or if you’re Steph a hot-chocolate) and bask in the delights that are the latest movie trailers courtesy of the world wide web.

Regardless of the location, you can’t be with every movie fanatic you know at all times and so every few weeks or so I’ll see a couple of trailers which are so outstanding that I am compelled to whip up an email and share them with my closest movie loving buddies. Here, for your pleasure are this week’s findings.

1. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008). Director David Fincher has brought us some stunning films in his career, Se7en (1995) being a particular favourite of mine. In his forth coming film staring Brad Pit as the lead, Fincher tells the story of a man who ages backwards from old age to youth. I’m getting a slight Big Fish (2003) vibe here, despite that I can’t wait to see this film, be sure to watch the trailer [here].

2. The Spirit (2008). As a big fan of both Sin City (2005) and 300 (2006) I don’t think you’d find me expecting anything less than genius from a Frank Miller adaptation. According to the Apple trailer site we’re looking at, “the story of a former rookie cop who returns mysteriously from the dead as the SPIRIT to fight crime from the shadows of Central City”. Sounds like a simple plot but the trailer really sold me, after a disappointing first trailer the 2nd promises to deliver something very special. I’m sure that if you loved Sin City (2005) then you’ll love this. Check the new trailer out [here].

3. W. (2008). Not the most revealing title to a film I’ve ever heard, “W.” but it’ll make sense in a second. After an amazing performance in No Country for Old Men (2007), Josh Brolin plays the part of George W. Bush (get the title now?) in what appears to be a satirical telling of the life of America’s 43rd president. With James Cromwell of Babe (1995) fame, as George Bush Senior I’m sold, not as serious perhapse as I.O.U.S.A (2008)‘s message of the USA’s national debt but I’m very excited for this film. Check the trailer out [here] for a taste of what to expect.