Movies & Us

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the long-awaited Martin Scorsese film, The Irishman. Though it is three-and-a-half hours long, the duo agrees that it is not too long. They discuss how the story unfolded before the audience and Scorsese’s ability to know what questions the audience was forming in our minds and how to answer each of those.
What did you think of The Irishman? How does this movie both enforce and depart from the mob movie genre?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Light sabers, droids, the force—oh my! In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah are joined by featured guest, Dom, to review The Last Jedi. They dive deep into some of the characters and their growth over the course of the film. They discuss how Rian Johnson chose to break from tradition and what that means for the next installment by JJ Abrams. Each speculates on what they hope and don’t hope to see in the final episode in this trilogy.
What did you think of The Last Jedi? What do you hope to see in The Rise of Skywalker?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jen and Sarah ask “Whodunnit?” in this review of Rian Johnson’s newest film, Knives Out. They discuss how this film celebrates the genre while being part of it. The duo also comment on the skillful writing that combines comedy with a deep message, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment.
What did you think of Knives Out? What do you think makes a good Whodunnit?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jen and Sarah tackle Disney’s latest offering, Frozen 2, in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They break down the film’s convoluted plot line, confusing stakes, inconsistent character development, and the morals contained therein. They share the reaction of the other theater-goers and wonder what this film could’ve done better in order to become a world-wide sensation like its predecessor.
What did you think of Frozen 2? And how did it compare to the first film?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

In this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment, Jen and Sarah review the 2019 film, Parasite, which has captivated audiences around the world. They discuss Bong Joon Ho’s ability to create a gripping story with relatable characters and beautiful visuals that can be enjoyed by many diverse audiences. They also discuss the larger themes of the film and what they took away from their experience watching it.
What did you think of Parasite? Why do you think this film was able to rise to such popularity?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jen and Sarah go back in time and review 2001: A Space Odyssey in this episode in The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They speculate why this film has gained such wide-spread renown over the years and how it became so influential in the scifi genre. They discuss the the themes of the film and marvel at how so many of them are relevant over fifty years later.
What did you think of 2001: A Space Odyssey? What do you think the film is trying to say about life, humanity, and technology?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest, Sydney, for their review of Motherless Brooklyn on this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Together, they delve into this unique film’s ability to remain culturally relevant while harkening back to a previous era. Each with a different opinion, they discuss the length, the story, and the indulgent feel and how these factors impacted what they thought of the film as they walked away from the theater.
What did you think of Motherless Brooklyn? How do you think the noir genre fits into today’s film landscape?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Leaning into whimsy, Jen and Sarah review the 1998 teen dramedy, Rushmore in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. They discuss the film’s infusion of fun while dealing with the weighty subjects of identity and discovering who you are. Like every other Wes Anderson film, Rushmore’s highly stylized world overwhelms the senses and gives the audience plenty to take in.
What did you think of Rushmore? How does this rank among other Wes Anderson films?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jen and Sarah review Darren Aronofsky’s mother! in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Though marketed as a horror film, the two wonder if this is the correct genre for this particular film. Going act by act, they discuss what the film means and how each piece fits together to lead up to the explosive and surprising ending. Whether you love it or hate it, the two conclude that this is a film best experienced with a hearty discussion after.
What did you think of mother!? Did Aronofsky enhance or damage the horror genre?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.

Jen and Sarah review Paterson in this episode of The Strategic Whimsy Experiment. Heralded by critics and loved by audiences, the duo wonder what the point of this film is and what it is supposed to mean. Getting lost in the various poems and mundanity of it all, they wonder if they were watching a different film than everyone else.
What did you think of Paterson? Did you find it quiet and contemplative or utterly confusing?
Contact us with any questions or comments at strategicwhimsyexperiment@gmail.com.