Movies & Us
Movies & Us is a weekly gathering place filled with conversations about movies, stories, and connection. Our name sums it up: we’re all about movies and the powerful ways we can connect with each other and the world around us. This podcast is about all of us and our shared stories. Join us in conversations about movies and the stories that connect us!
Episodes

Apr 13, 2022
Apr 13, 2022
1hr 9 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Abby, to discuss Pixar’s Turning Red. They discuss the importance of representation in film and unpack some of the story’s major themes. They also compare the reception of this film with others in the Disney/Pixar canon.
What did you think of Turning Red? What themes resonated with you the most?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Apr 6, 2022
Apr 6, 2022
1hr 5 min
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?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Mar 29, 2022
Mar 29, 2022
58 min
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?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Mar 27, 2022
Mar 27, 2022
1hr 23 min
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.

Mar 23, 2022
Mar 23, 2022
52 min
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?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Mar 19, 2022
Mar 19, 2022
1hr 7 min
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.

Mar 16, 2022
Mar 16, 2022
1hr 15 sec
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.

Mar 14, 2022
Mar 14, 2022
56 min
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.

Mar 12, 2022
Mar 12, 2022
59 min
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.

Mar 9, 2022
Mar 9, 2022
1hr 19 min
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.








