Movies & Us

Ep. 47 - The Goldfinch (2019)

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?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 46 - The Big Sick (2017) with featured guest: Abby Tan

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 coming years.
What did you think of The Big Sick? How does this measure up against other romcoms?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 45 - The Farewell (2019)

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 before?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 44 - No Country for Old Men (2007)

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 silence used in quite this way before?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Bonus Ep - Strategic Whimsy Experiment Turns 1

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.

Ep. 43 - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019)

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 or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 42 - Lion King (2019)

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? How do you feel about the Disney remakes?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 41 - Gravity (2013)

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 Gravity? Do you think it deserved all the accolades it received?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 40 - Cinema Paradiso (1988)

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 you have been waiting for?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Ep. 39 - The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015)

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.? Do you want to sequel or is this film strong enough to stand on its own?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.