Movies & Us

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 th...

Cashing in on her Oscar Wager win, Jen makes Sarah watch Anomalisa. In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, they discuss how two people can view the same film so differently. They also ponder this film’s larger themes and what it means to connect in today’s divided and isolating world. What did you think of Anomalisa? Was the humanness of the characters able to shine through the clay f...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Uncut Gems. They unpack how the Safdie Brothers were able to create the frenetic nature of the film with the cinematography, score, and editing. They also discuss Adam Sandler’s performance and the macro themes of the film. What did you think of Uncut Gems? Did the technical feat wow you or did it leave something to be desire...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah share their reactions to the 92nd Academy Awards. They celebrate Parasite’s big win and speculate what this film’s success could mean for the future of the film industry. They announce the winner of the first-ever SWE Oscar Wager and reveal the film they will be reviewing in the coming weeks. What did you think of this year’s Oscar’...

Jen and Sarah take on the Oscars in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. In their first ever Oscars wager, they share who they hope will win and who they think will walk away victorious in six categories. They discuss the strength of the nominees and some worthy films that were denied nominations. What do you think of this year’s Oscar nominees? What films do you wish were nominated bu...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Little Women. They discuss the strong female characters and the actresses that brought them to life and applaud Greta Gerwig for taking on this ambitious project. Zooming out, they talk about what this film set in the 1800s means for us today. What did you think of Little Women? How did this retelling compare to previous vers...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Joker. They speculate on what this film is trying to say and gush over Joaquin Phoenix’s stunning transformation and performance. With 11 Academy Award Nominations, including Best Picture, they also speculate what a sweep of the Oscar’s could mean for future movie-goers when they look back on the year 2019. What did you think...

Jen and Sarah review Sam Mendes’s 1917 in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the daring cinematography and how the decision to make the film seem like one continuous shot impacted the story as a whole. They also dissect the characters central to the plot and the strategic (or not so strategic) use of star power in this film. What did you think of 1917? Do you feel that t...

Jen and Sarah review Ford v Ferrari in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the film’s use of sound to keep the adrenaline pumping in a film that otherwise would’ve felt slow and plodding. They also dive into the characters on the screen and their development (or lack thereof) over the course of the film. Finally, they comment on how conflicted they felt during the film an...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the critically-acclaimed Netflix film, The Two Popes. They discuss how the style of filming affected how they experienced the story and the powerful performances of the two legendary actors on screen. Diving deeply into the story and overarching theme, they wonder if some adjustments could’ve been made to enhance the message,...

Jen and Sarah review Jojo Rabbit in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They comment on the whimsy and beauty infused throughout a film centering on one of the worst moments in the history of humankind. They discuss Taika Waititi’s bold choice to make this film and his ability to weave humor and drama together seamlessly to convey the important message of overcoming intolerance. What...

Jen and Sarah review Marriage Story in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss how the humanness of each of the characters, the powerful performances, and the inmate way the film was shot come together for a riveting film about the messiness of relationships. In an age and movie landscape that’s more focused on falling in love, the story of a couple’s divorce was an exciting...

In their favorite yearly tradition, Jen and Sarah review the top 10 films they watched in 2019. They discuss how the movies they selected reveal much about themselves and the events of the year in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Jen’s list: 1. No Country for Old Men 2. BlackKKlansman 3. Ballad of Buster Scruggs 4. Capernaum 5. Columbus 6. Mad Max Fury Road 7. Parasite 8. Roma 9. S...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by special guests Abby and Dom to review the latest film in the Star Wars saga, The Rise of Skywalker. With diverse opinions on the film and the franchise as a whole, the group examines many of the creative choices that were made. They question the evolution of The Force, Rey’s family history, and future projects in the S...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the long-awaited Martin Scorsese film, The Irishman. Though it is three-and-a-half hours long, the duo agrees that it is not too long. They discuss how the story unfolded before the audience and Scorsese’s ability to know what questions the audience was forming in our minds and how to answer each of those. What did you think...

Light sabers, droids, the force—oh my! In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by featured guest, Dom, to review The Last Jedi. They dive deep into some of the characters and their growth over the course of the film. They discuss how Rian Johnson chose to break from tradition and what that means for the next installment by JJ Abrams. Each speculates on what the...

Jen and Sarah ask “Whodunnit?” in this review of Rian Johnson’s newest film, Knives Out. They discuss how this film celebrates the genre while being part of it. The duo also comment on the skillful writing that combines comedy with a deep message, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. What did you think of Knives Out? What do you think makes a good Whodunnit? Contact us with any ques...

Jen and Sarah tackle Disney’s latest offering, Frozen 2, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They break down the film’s convoluted plot line, confusing stakes, inconsistent character development, and the morals contained therein. They share the reaction of the other theater-goers and wonder what this film could’ve done better in order to become a world-wide sensation like its prede...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the 2019 film, Parasite, which has captivated audiences around the world. They discuss Bong Joon Ho’s ability to create a gripping story with relatable characters and beautiful visuals that can be enjoyed by many diverse audiences. They also discuss the larger themes of the film and what they took away from their experience w...

Jen and Sarah go back in time and review 2001: A Space Odyssey in this episode in The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They speculate why this film has gained such wide-spread renown over the years and how it became so influential in the scifi genre. They discuss the the themes of the film and marvel at how so many of them are relevant over fifty years later. What did you think of 2001: A Space Odysse...

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Sydney, for their review of Motherless Brooklyn on this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Together, they delve into this unique film’s ability to remain culturally relevant while harkening back to a previous era. Each with a different opinion, they discuss the length, the story, and the indulgent feel and how these factors impacted what they tho...

Leaning into whimsy, Jen and Sarah review the 1998 teen dramedy, Rushmore in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the film’s infusion of fun while dealing with the weighty subjects of identity and discovering who you are. Like every other Wes Anderson film, Rushmore’s highly stylized world overwhelms the senses and gives the audience plenty to take in. What did you think o...

Jen and Sarah review Darren Aronofsky’s mother! in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Though marketed as a horror film, the two wonder if this is the correct genre for this particular film. Going act by act, they discuss what the film means and how each piece fits together to lead up to the explosive and surprising ending. Whether you love it or hate it, the two conclude that this is...

Jen and Sarah review Paterson in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Heralded by critics and loved by audiences, the duo wonder what the point of this film is and what it is supposed to mean. Getting lost in the various poems and mundanity of it all, they wonder if they were watching a different film than everyone else. What did you think of Paterson? Did you find it quiet and contemp...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Ang Lee’s newest film, Gemini Man. They discuss the plot of the film and how they would rewrite it if given the opportunity. Taking note of the prominent Chinese studios that backed this film, they wonder if this will be the beginning of a growing trend in Hollywood. What did you think of Gemini Man? Do you think this will be...