POST GRAD – DVD REVIEW
Review by JAM (movie) and Bessie from HTZ (bonus features)
Review by JAM (movie) and Bessie from HTZ (bonus features)
"Yeah, this whole post-graduation thing is not exactly turning out the way I planned. I just thought I'd be doing something amazing by now." - Ryden
Ryden Malby (played by Alexis Bledel) faces a movie version of our current times as she realizes that the college degree she has long desired and planned for is not always worth its weight in gold. Yet even as things fall apart around her, she begins to discover that all her planning on having control and the world in her hands was not focused on what she really needed in life. Luckily there is family and friends to steer her the right way, whether she wanted it or not.
Ryden and Adam (played by Zach Gilford) were the typical best buddies all through school, confidants who could share and discuss anything except Adam’s true feelings for Ryden. This continued even through college and after as Adam puts off a decision to enter Columbia Law School in order to see if her could win Ryden’s heart through his love of music. Problem was, Ryden was “damaged goods” in her mind as she saw her failures as a commentary on her rather than the typical challenges that anyone faces in the job market, even before this recent economic hiccup. Enter the dark and mysterious neighbor David (Rodrigo Santoro) who sweeps her off her feet, but leaves her needing more. In the short time that she loses herself with him, he seems to find himself and heads back to Brazil to be with family. So Ryden loses David, loses Adam who finally decided to live for himself and not for what Ryden may be to him, and gains her dream job, all in a very short time. Yet in this short time, Ryden finally begins to get it, and realizes that everything she wanted was not what she truly needed. Adam was the spice to her life, and without him everything tastes like day-old oatmeal. Cue pseudo plot twist happy ending as Ryden visits Adam at Columbia to profess her love for him and finds another woman sharing his bed!!! Oh yeah, it’s his R.A. and he truly loves her still… Aw…
Carol Burnett, Michael Keaton, and Jane Lynch also star as Ryden’s family that keeps her sane, insane, and interesting throughout the movie. Carol is truly comedy royalty and shows it in the funeral home and at the jail. Trust me, she’s good. And it’s funny to see Jane Lynch playing such a muted, non-over-the-top role after seeing her on Glee so recently. Her character, with her own quirks and faults, seems to be the glue that holds the oddball family together.
Bonus Features Include:
- Deleted and Alternate Scenes - There are a total of 10 deleted/alternate scenes found in this section, plus an "Over and Over" Music Video. The music video was filmed at The Mint in Los Angeles and features various clips from the film of Ryden and Adam.
- "One Day" Music Video by Jack Savoretti
- Real Life Advice with Alexis Bledel & Zach Gilford
- Know Your Strengths: Career Advice
- How Not To Get A Job
- A Guide To Moving Back Home - Scenes from the movie roll and a pop-up check list gives you some cool tips to moving back home with mom and dad after graduation! "Do spend time with your friends. Moral support is key right now." (RT: 2:56)
- Dress For Success - Alexis Bledel and costume designer Alexandra Welker discuss the outfits that were chosen for the film. "We want her to be as fashionable as possible, yet very real," Alexandra said about Ryden. See what choices were behind the wardrobe for Ryden and Adam in the film. (RT: 2:00)
- Find Your Match! The Best Job For You - A super fun guide to finding the best job for you. This feature will take you through a series of questions, which you will answer based on what you want to achieve from work. Based on the answers you give the results are tallied up and the job that best suits you will appear at the end of the questionnaire. Oddly enough my result was "Magazine Editor," which means the questionnaire is pretty on track! If you have this DVD be sure you tell us what you got!
- What Not To Wear - An interactive guide that lets you choose the outfits you think would "take you to the top" and tells you why it is right or wrong to wear on the job.
- Post Grad Confidential - Screenwriter Kelly Freeman talks about how the story evolved from her personal experiences post-graduation from college. Features some behind-the-scenes moments of the filming of Post Grad! (RT: 13:56)
- Trailers include the films "Whip It," "Fame," "Flicka 2," "Amelia" and more
The voluminous amount of fun and informative bonus features included on this DVD makes up for the surprising lack of commentary. The DVD is funny and Alexis Bledel portrays a perfect whitty post-graduate in 20th Century Fox’s new release Post Grad, due to hit stores nationwide on January 12th. Purchase the DVD at Amazon.com here.
Ryden Malby (played by Alexis Bledel) faces a movie version of our current times as she realizes that the college degree she has long desired and planned for is not always worth its weight in gold. Yet even as things fall apart around her, she begins to discover that all her planning on having control and the world in her hands was not focused on what she really needed in life. Luckily there is family and friends to steer her the right way, whether she wanted it or not.
Ryden and Adam (played by Zach Gilford) were the typical best buddies all through school, confidants who could share and discuss anything except Adam’s true feelings for Ryden. This continued even through college and after as Adam puts off a decision to enter Columbia Law School in order to see if her could win Ryden’s heart through his love of music. Problem was, Ryden was “damaged goods” in her mind as she saw her failures as a commentary on her rather than the typical challenges that anyone faces in the job market, even before this recent economic hiccup. Enter the dark and mysterious neighbor David (Rodrigo Santoro) who sweeps her off her feet, but leaves her needing more. In the short time that she loses herself with him, he seems to find himself and heads back to Brazil to be with family. So Ryden loses David, loses Adam who finally decided to live for himself and not for what Ryden may be to him, and gains her dream job, all in a very short time. Yet in this short time, Ryden finally begins to get it, and realizes that everything she wanted was not what she truly needed. Adam was the spice to her life, and without him everything tastes like day-old oatmeal. Cue pseudo plot twist happy ending as Ryden visits Adam at Columbia to profess her love for him and finds another woman sharing his bed!!! Oh yeah, it’s his R.A. and he truly loves her still… Aw…
Carol Burnett, Michael Keaton, and Jane Lynch also star as Ryden’s family that keeps her sane, insane, and interesting throughout the movie. Carol is truly comedy royalty and shows it in the funeral home and at the jail. Trust me, she’s good. And it’s funny to see Jane Lynch playing such a muted, non-over-the-top role after seeing her on Glee so recently. Her character, with her own quirks and faults, seems to be the glue that holds the oddball family together.
Bonus Features Include:
- Deleted and Alternate Scenes - There are a total of 10 deleted/alternate scenes found in this section, plus an "Over and Over" Music Video. The music video was filmed at The Mint in Los Angeles and features various clips from the film of Ryden and Adam.
- "One Day" Music Video by Jack Savoretti
- Real Life Advice with Alexis Bledel & Zach Gilford
- Know Your Strengths: Career Advice
- How Not To Get A Job
- A Guide To Moving Back Home - Scenes from the movie roll and a pop-up check list gives you some cool tips to moving back home with mom and dad after graduation! "Do spend time with your friends. Moral support is key right now." (RT: 2:56)
- Dress For Success - Alexis Bledel and costume designer Alexandra Welker discuss the outfits that were chosen for the film. "We want her to be as fashionable as possible, yet very real," Alexandra said about Ryden. See what choices were behind the wardrobe for Ryden and Adam in the film. (RT: 2:00)
- Find Your Match! The Best Job For You - A super fun guide to finding the best job for you. This feature will take you through a series of questions, which you will answer based on what you want to achieve from work. Based on the answers you give the results are tallied up and the job that best suits you will appear at the end of the questionnaire. Oddly enough my result was "Magazine Editor," which means the questionnaire is pretty on track! If you have this DVD be sure you tell us what you got!
- What Not To Wear - An interactive guide that lets you choose the outfits you think would "take you to the top" and tells you why it is right or wrong to wear on the job.
- Post Grad Confidential - Screenwriter Kelly Freeman talks about how the story evolved from her personal experiences post-graduation from college. Features some behind-the-scenes moments of the filming of Post Grad! (RT: 13:56)
- Trailers include the films "Whip It," "Fame," "Flicka 2," "Amelia" and more
The voluminous amount of fun and informative bonus features included on this DVD makes up for the surprising lack of commentary. The DVD is funny and Alexis Bledel portrays a perfect whitty post-graduate in 20th Century Fox’s new release Post Grad, due to hit stores nationwide on January 12th. Purchase the DVD at Amazon.com here.
Check out this review and more teen, tween, and young adult happenings at www.hollywoodteenzine.com
