Movies & Us

Ep. 84 - A Serious Man (2009)

In this episode of The Strategic Experiment, Jen and Sarah delve into A Serious Man. They dissect the protagonist, Larry Gopnik, and comment on how he is a bold choice for a leading man in film. In typical Coen brothers fashion, this is a film that takes a hard look at the fragility of life and, in this case, is just a little too real. Jen and Sarah wonder how this film might be received by audiences if it was released today.
What did you think of A Serious Man? Was this film a little too real for you to enjoy or did you embrace the morbidity of humanity?
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Ep. 83 - The Great Gatsby (2013)

Jen and Sarah dive into the glamor of The Great Gatsby in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They revel in the opulence of Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation of the roaring 20’s and the immersive nature of this particular film. They discuss how its style and substance was able to bring Fitzgerald’s classic novel to life and make it more accessible for a modern audience.
What did you think of The Great Gatsby? Did you enjoy being immersed in this world of glitter and glitz or did it fall flat?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 82 - The Platform (2019)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the 2019 Netflix film, The Platform. They discuss what it has to say about human nature and how we interact with others and how the film was able to weave these themes throughout. While not about a pandemic, they comment on its relevance during this season of self-preservation and quarantine.
What did you think of The Platform? Do you think it was effective at making people think about their actions and society as a whole?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 81 - Blade Runner (1982)

Jen and Sarah review the 1982 sci-fi classic, Blade Runner, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They dive into what has aged well and what hasn’t, including the technology, the violence, and the role of women in the film. They also discuss what the film has to say about being human and the value of life. What did you think of Blade Runner? How do you think this film has aged?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 80 - Blade Runner 2049 (2017)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Blade Runner 2049. They discuss how this film artfully strays from the traditions of the sci-fi genre and beautifully weaves in character development and growth. They share their differing opinions of the film and who the real protagonist is, a great reminder of the unique experience film can provide.
What did you think of Blade Runner 2049? How would you rank this among other sci-fi films?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 79 - Portrait Of A Lady On Fire (2019)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Portrait of a Lady on Fire. They discuss how the cinematography gingerly guides the audience through the story, rave about the stunning performances, and comment on the immersive silence of the film.
What did you think of Portrait of a Lady on Fire?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 78 - Café Society (2016)

Hoping to infuse a little whimsy into their days, Jen and Sarah review Cafe Society in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the strange narrative structure and unusual casting choices in the film. Comparing this to some of his other work, they wonder what Woody Allen was trying to communicate through this plot.
What did you think of Cafe Society? Did all of the pieces come together or leave you wanting more?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 77 - The Flu (2013)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the South Korean film, The Flu. They compare and contrast this with Hollywood films that center on surviving a pandemic and discuss how culture shapes these films. They also wonder how rapidly these stories will continue to be consumed as the CoronaVirus dominates our minds and newsfeeds.
Have you seen The Flu? How do you think movies about pandemics are influencing how people respond to our current reality?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 76 - Contagion (2011)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the 2011 film, Contagion. They discuss the movie itself—its choices in color, casting, and writing. Moving past the technical components of the film, they dive into its similarities to the current Coronavirus outbreak. They wonder how movies both shape and reflect our reality.
What did you think of Contagion? What role do you think film plays in our society’s response to current events?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 75 - The Gentlemen (2019)

Jen and Sarah review Guy Ritchie’s latest film, The Gentlemen, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss its overwhelming style, the fast-paced dialogue, and various plot holes in the story. They also dive into the problematic elements of the film, including its depiction of minorities and wonder why the film hasn’t received more backlash in the “Me Too” era.
What did you think of The Gentlemen? Did the creative choices work for you or did the film leave you wanting more?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.