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

Mar 20, 2021
Mar 20, 2021
1hr 55 sec
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Pieces of a Woman. They praise the film for its authentic writing and the way it handles a difficult topic. They also share how it subverts expectations at nearly every turn and how this film deserves more award nominations than its received.
What did you think of Pieces of a Woman? How did it live up to or subvert your expectations?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Mar 17, 2021
Mar 17, 2021
59 min
Jen and Sarah review Cherry in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They break down the inconsistent style, the narrator’s strong voice, and how the film doesn’t really know what it is. Finally, they discuss ways it could have been improved to make the story more meaningful for the viewers.
What did you think of Cherry? Was there anything in this film that worked for you?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Mar 10, 2021
Mar 10, 2021
1hr 8 min
Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Kevin, to review Nomadland on this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the humanness of this intimate film and how it intentionally breaks stereotypes about the unhoused population. They also look ahead to the film’s Oscar chances and writer and director Chloé Zhao’s upcoming films.
What did you think of Nomadland? What do you think about its Oscar chances this year?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.
Connect more with Kevin on Twitter at @theophanyfilms and @kevinmnye1.

Mar 3, 2021
Mar 3, 2021
1hr 9 min
Jen and Sarah are joined by B. Ladae of the But Ma That’s My Favorite Movie podcast to review Black Swan. In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, they discuss their expectations and different interpretations of the film. They also dive into what elements made Black Swan so successful and ponder the film’s real-world implications.
What did you think of Black Swan? Did it live up to your expectations?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.
Connect more with B. Ladae and the But Ma That’s My Favorite Movie podcast at www.butmathatsmyfavoritemovie.com.

Feb 24, 2021
Feb 24, 2021
1hr 13 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review Promising Young Woman. They discuss the film’s incredible style, strong message, and powerful performances. They also wonder how this film, which is about way more than revenge, could expand upon the revenge genre and pave the way for future films to come.
What did you think about Promising Young Woman? Did the ending work for you?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Feb 18, 2021
Feb 18, 2021
56 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Carisha, to review Judas and the Black Messiah. They discuss Fred Hampton’s story, including what the movie got right and got wrong, and how film can be used to educate people about historical figures they may have never heard of. They also examine the nuanced characters and how they remind us of the complexity of humanity.
What did you think of Judas and the Black Messiah? Had you heard of Fred Hampton before this film?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Feb 10, 2021
Feb 10, 2021
1hr 5 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined Daisah to review Malcom & Marie. They discuss how the emotional trauma displayed on the screen affected each of them. They also dissect the unusual nature of the film, both structurally and culturally, and share what they hope to see more from filmmakers in 2021 and beyond.
What did you think of Malcolm & Marie? How did you feel after watching it?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Feb 3, 2021
Feb 3, 2021
58 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review The Little Things. They dissect some of the odd writing decisions and imagine ways the film could’ve been improved. They also discuss the casting choices and how, sometimes, even great actors can’t save a poorly written movie.
What did you think of The Little Things? Did it live up to your expectations?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jan 27, 2021
Jan 27, 2021
1hr 4 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by Kevin to review Bong Joon-Ho’s film, Parasite. They compare their experiences watching this Oscar-winning film again and the many incredible themes woven through the story. They discuss the precision with which this film was made and how Parasite will stand the test of time.
What did you think about Parasite?
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.
Connect more with Kevin on Twitter at @theophanyfilms and @kevinmnye1.

Jan 20, 2021
Jan 20, 2021
1hr 4 min
In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by Carisha to review One Night in Miami. They discuss the excellence of Kemp Powers’ writing and Regina King’s expert direction of a stellar cast. They also discuss the power of this intimate character study of some of the most iconic men of the 1960s.
What did you think of One Night in Miami? What do you hope to see next from Kemp Powers and Regina King?
Follow us on Instagram @strategicwhimsyexperiment and on Twitter @strategicwhimsy.
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.








