Movies & Us

Ep. 116 - Holidate (2020)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah roast the Netflix film, Holidate. Though it remained on Netflix’s Top 10 for many weeks, the film is full of problems. They discuss the poor writing and storytelling that reinforces unhealthy views about romantic relationships. And they also wonder how such an emotionally out-of-tune film could be made today.
What did you think of Holidate? Have you seen any rom-coms this year that you’d recommend instead?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 115 - Mank (2020)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review David Fincher’s long-awaited film, Mank. They discuss the fast-paced script and creative way of telling this famed screenwriter’s story. They also dive into the stunning performances by this talented cast and speculate about this film’s Oscar chances.
What did you think of Mank? How do you think it might fare at the 93rd Academy Awards?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 114 - Hillbilly Elegy (2020) with featured guest: Alex Stone

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Alex, to review Hillbilly Elegy. They discuss the problematic nature of the characters and the difficult-to-follow style of storytelling in Ron Howard’s latest film. They also comment on the success of the book, the film’s departure from the source material, and speculate how this story could’ve been told in a more engaging way.
What did you think of Hillbilly Elegy? Do you consider it “Oscar bait”?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.
To hear more from Alex, check out her podcast, Alex Reviews at https://anchor.fm/alex-reviews/.

Ep. 113 - The Queen’s Gambit Season 1 (2020)

Jen and Sarah review The Queen’s Gambit in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They wonder what factors led to this Netflix limited series taking the world by storm, having been featured in Netflix’s Top 10 for over a month. They also dive into the main characters, dissecting how each one contributed to or detracted from the plot. Finally, they speculate if The Queen’s Gambit provides a blueprint for future series.
What did you think of The Queen’s Gambit? Did you connect with Beth and the other characters?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 112 - Lost in London (2017)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Woody Harrelson’s directorial debut, Lost in London. They discuss the film’s story problems along with its impressive technical achievement. They wonder how this film’s creative release led to its favorable reviews and speculate if future filmmakers will attempt such an audacious project.
What did you think of Lost in London? Did its unique release add or detract from the film itself?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 111 - From Russia With Love (1963)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review From Russia With Love in honor of the late Sir Sean Connery. They discuss this iconic Bond performance and how it compares with later versions of this character. They also dissect the brilliant cinematography that enhances the spycraft of the suave hero.
What did you think of From Russia With Love? How does this rank among the other Bond films you’ve seen?
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Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 110 - On the Rocks (2020)

Jen and Sarah review Sofia Coppola’s newest movie, On the Rocks, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss its lackluster characters and thin plot lines and wonder if the film was banking on Bill Murray’s dynamic personality to fill in the gaps. They also dive into different ways to interpret the film’s ending to create a more meaningful resolution.
What did you think of On the Rocks? Was it the whimsical caper you were looking for or did you want something more?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 109 - The Hate U Give (2018) with featured guest: LeTesha Wheeler

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by LeTesha to review The Hate U Give. They discuss the ambitious nature of the film to cover a number of important topics such as code-switching, cultural narratives, structural injustice, the need for a strong support system, and more. Weaving in their personal experiences, they share how stories such as this one can be powerful in changing ingrained perspectives and long-held beliefs.
What did you think of The Hate U Give? How did this film challenge you perspective?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.
Connect with LeTesha at leteshawheeler.com and follow her on Instagram @leteshawheeler. Pick up her book Half Breed: Finding Unity in a Divided World on Amazon!

Ep. 108 - The Trial of the Chicago 7 (2020) with featured guest: Carisha Davis

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Carisha to review The Trial of the Chicago 7. They dive into the film’s strategic choices to highlight parts of history that have long been glossed over. They also discuss how this dialogue-rich story is an important movie for this moment in time.
What did you think of The Trial of the Chicago 7? How does this compare with other Sorkin films?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 107 - I’m Thinking of Ending Things (2020)

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review I’m Thinking of Ending Things. The speculate what Charlie Kaufman’s latest film means and how its Netflix release affects the viewing experience. They discuss the nature and importance of art in our society and how these stories shape our lives.
What did you think of I’m Thinking of Ending Things? How does this compare with other Kaufman films?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.