Movies & Us

On the 50th episode of the The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review their guilty pleasure films, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and The Expendables. In addition to roasting each other’s choices, they answer the question “Why strategic whimsy?” and share a little about themselves. Finally, they introduce a new series of bonus episodes called Films We Carry With Us, where they will d...

Jen and Sarah take to the stars in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment with their review of Ad Astra. They discuss the strength of Brad Pitt’s performance and compare this with other recent films set in space. They also focus on the greater themes contained in this film including reframing masculinity and embracing emotions. What did you think of Ad Astra? How does this compare to othe...

Jen and Sarah, joined by special guest Sydney, review Hustlers in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the great and not-so-great performances of this star-studded cast, the wide reception the film has received, and the greater themes contained therein. What did you think of Hustlers? Why do you think this film blew the competition out of the water? Contact us with any que...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review The Goldfinch. The two discuss the film’s poor reception and wonder what could’ve been done to improve this moody drama. They also dive into the marketing of this film and the problems that dramas face with the audience of today. What did you think of The Goldfinch? Did it live up to your expectations or was it a total flop?...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by featured guest Abby to discuss the 2017 romantic comedy, The Big Sick. They discuss how film can provide valuable insight into other cultures and teach us things about others we wouldn’t have known otherwise. They also talk about the diversity we see in film today and share their hope to see more inclusivity in the com...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah dive into The Farewell. They discuss the role of family and how we deal with difficult things like loss and grief. The pair talks about the importance of culture in our lives and those moments when we feel stuck between two cultures. What did you think of The Farewell? Have you seen a film discuss family, grief, and loss in this way...

Jen and Sarah review No Country for Old Men in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. The pair discusses the filmmakers’ use of silence to increase the tension and the effective character building that took place though few words were spoken. They reflect on the quiet and meaningful nature of this iconic film. What did you think of No Country for Old Men? Have you ever experienced silenc...

In this bonus episode, Jen and Sarah celebrate one year of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment by looking back at their favorite episodes and reliving their favorite moments. Happy Birthday SWE! Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the much-anticipated Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Branching outside of the film itself, they discuss nostalgia, the creativity of rewriting history, and how film influences culture. What did you think of Once Upon a Time in Hollywood? Did it live up to the hype or leave something to be desired? Contact us with any questions...

Can you feel the love tonight? There’s no love lost for Jen and Sarah as they review The Lion King. In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, they discuss the impressive technology used and the artistic choices made in this latest remake. They also wonder how many creative liberties directors can and should take with these new versions of Disney classics. What did you think of Lion King?...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Gravity, the film that swept the Oscars in 2014. They discuss the stunning cinematography, the impactful music, and the sometimes effective character development. Despite the film’s flaws, they note how every element worked together to tell the story of the will to survive in the face of adversity. What did you think of Gravi...

Jen and Sarah review Cinema Paradiso in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. This love letter to film is able to balance joy and whimsy without losing sight of reality. Unlike other films made today, this has the message that we can’t have it all and highlights the importance of community when viewing a film. What did you think of Cinema Paradiso? Was this the love letter to film that...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review The Man From U.N.C.L.E.. They rave about the style of the film, discuss the strength of the characters, and trace Guy Ritchie’s unique visual fingerprint throughout. Looking at the ending, they wonder if this film was made to have a sequel or if it was meant to stand on its own. What did you think of The Man From U.N.C.L.E.?...

In this bonus episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah compare and contrast two documentaries about the failed Fyre festival. They discuss the responsibility that filmmakers have, the millennial culture, and the inherent bias seen in what we create. What did you think of Fyre and Fyre Fraud? Which documentary resonated more with you? Contact us with any questions or comments at st...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Though the two hold differing opinions about the film, they both agree on its inherent charms and whimsy. They discuss the unique characters, zany adventures, and film’s ability to reveal a different view of the world. What did you think of Hunt for the Wilderpeople? Was this the whimsical film you’...

On this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen, Sarah, and special guest, Kaitlin, review Spider-Man: Far From Home. Spoilers abound in this episode as they discuss the importance of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, what this film might mean for the next phase of the MCU, and much more! What did you think of Spider-Man: Far From Home? And what do you think is next for the MCU? Contac...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Toy Story 4. They discuss the character development over the years, the many lessons taught, and the larger Toy Story universe. They speculate on what could be next for this franchise, wondering if this is the last time we’ll see Woody and Buzz on the big screen. What did you think of Toy Story 4? How did this set itself apar...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah dive into It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. This 1963 blockbuster, featuring the biggest comedians of the day, has been celebrated for decades and highlights a wide variety of comedic styles. The duo dives into how comedy has changed over the years and wonders if a film like this could be made today. What did you think of It’s a Mad,...

Jen and Sarah review Mad Max: Fury Road in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the stunning cinematography, balance of practical and computer-generated effects, and the impactful performances. The duo applaud this film for its distinct style that separates it from the genre and speculate what could be next for the franchise. What did you think of Mad Max: Fury Road? How d...

Awkwardness is the topic of conversation as Jen and Sarah review Bo Burnam’s Eighth Grade. The pair discuss the film’s commentary on social media, technology, and the universal desire for human connection. While uncomfortable at times, this coming of age story is one that provides ample opportunity for discussion and reflection. What did you think of Eighth Grade? How is this different from other...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Daisah to discuss If Beale Street Could Talk. The group discusses the importance that culture plays in the film and how each character was beautifully and realistically brought to life. They dive into the ways that Beale Street sets itself apart from other films to create a truly unique experience. What d...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Disney’s latest live-action offering: Aladdin. Though it claims to offer a whole new world full of wonder and awe, the duo question if Disney has lost some of its magic. Without a clear target audience, they wonder why this movie exists and what this live-action trend means for the future of Disney. What did you think of 2019...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the action-packed John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum. They discuss the unique filming of action scenes this franchise is known for and gush over the incredible world that has been created. Looking ahead, they speculate about a John Wick: Chapter 4 and what they are (and aren’t) looking forward to if yet another sequel is given t...

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Pokémon Detective Pikachu. They discuss this movie’s potential, the difficulty of bringing a video game to life on the big screen, and how nostalgia can be revenue-generating. Leaning into their strategic sides, they wonder how this film will perform at the box office in a summer full of highly anticipated blockbusters. What...

After more than a decade and over 20 movies, the MCU has taken the world by storm. In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen, Sarah, and special guest, Kaitlin, review Avengers: Endgame. They discuss their reactions and thoughts about a film that has meant so much to so many and discuss how we’re going to move on without characters we’ve come to know and love. What did you think of A...