Movies & Us

Ep. 208 - The Shape of Water (2017)

Jen and Sarah review The Shape of Water in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the film’s characters, themes, and production design. They also unpack the film’s fairytale-inspired structure and how that enhances the film as a whole.
What did you think of The Shape of Water? Did framing this story as a fairytale work for you?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 207 - 2022 Oscars Reactions

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah reflect on the 74th Academy Awards ceremony. They share their reactions to the show itself, the films that won, and the moments everyone is talking about. They also reveal the winner of this year’s Oscar wager.
What did you think about the Oscars? What do you hope they include (or don’t include) next year?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 206 - 2022 Oscars Predictions

Jen and Sarah dive into all things Oscars in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They share their predictions about who the Academy will honor and their personal picks in 12 categories. They also discuss some of the biggest snubs and surprises in this year’s group of films.
What do you think are the biggest snubs this year? Who do you want to see win big on Oscar night?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 205 - The Worst Person in the World (2021)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review The Worst Person in the World. They wonder if this is a rom-com or not and discuss how this film differs from others in the romance genre. They also dive into the complex characters and reflect on how movies are great at building empathy.
What did you think of The Worst Person in the World? Do you think this is a rom-com?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 204 - Parallel Mothers (2021)

Jen and Sarah review Parallel Mothers in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss how the writing, characters, and score subverted their expectations and avoided many familiar tropes. They also dive into how the film thoughtfully weaves together many different themes for the audience to grapple with.
What did you think about Parallel Mothers? What themes stood out to you?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 203 - King Richard (2021)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review King Richard. They take a deep dive into the characters, pacing, and plot structure. They also discuss the main themes of this film, how it was made, and how it differs from other biopics.
What did you think of King Richard? What sets this apart from other films in the genre?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 202 - Belfast (2021)

Jen and Sarah review Belfast in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They unpack the film’s pacing and plot structure and share how they would’ve changed some elements to make a more impactful film. They also discuss its Oscar nominations and how this compares to other critically-acclaimed films.
What did you think of Belfast? How does this compare with this year’s Best Picture contenders?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 201 - West Side Story (2021)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review West Side Story. They discuss this adaptation’s outstanding cinematography and great performances. They also compare it to the 1961 film that received so much critical acclaim.
What did you think of West Side Story? How does this compare to the 1961 film?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 200 - SWE’s 200th Episode Extravaganza

Join Jen and Sarah in celebrating the 200th episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. In this episode, they reflect on what SWE has meant to them, the value of infusing whimsy into their lives, and how art can help us connect with others. They also review Sorry to Bother You and Fences—two films that have shaped their lives.
How have you infused whimsy into your day? What films have shaped your life?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 199 - Drive My Car (2021)

Jen and Sarah review Drive My Car in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss their reactions to the slow-building plot and the themes of grief, connection, and more. They also celebrate the recognition this film has received from the Academy and share their hopes for more people to seek it out.
What did you think of Drive My Car? What themes resonate with you the most?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.