The Strategic Whimsy Experiment

Jen and Sarah reflect on the last 400 episodes of Movies & Us and, in celebration, review ‘The 400 Blows.' They discuss how the music, pacing, and cinematography work together to make an incredibly immersive film. Shownotes: Review (~18:51) Spoilers (~25:54) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah review ‘Slanted,' as part of the Seattle International Film Festival. They reflect on the impressive premise and powerful screenplay that helps us explore important themes around beauty standards, belonging, and what it's like being a Chinese-American teenager. Shownotes: Spoilers (~8:23) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah review ‘DJ Ahmet,' as part of the Seattle International Film Festival. They reflect on the impressive screenwriting that blends humor, emotional depth, and resonant themes. They also share how the cinematography, score, and sound design help create an immersive filmgoing experience. Shownotes: Spoilers (~12:25) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah dive into the juke joint scene in ‘Sinners.' They discuss the powerful emotions and themes, as well as the way the cinematography and pacing make this scene incredibly immersive.  Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com.  Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com. Listen to our review of ‘Sinners' with Kenny Sparks wherever you get your podcasts (Ep. 391)! Listen to Kenny discuss the use of music in this scene starting at 29:11. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Michael of The Screen Nerds Podcast to review ‘Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning.' They discuss some of their favorite moments, how this compares to other entries in the franchise, and the use of nostalgia in this film. They also wonder if this is truly the final reckoning or setting up more adventures for these characters. Shownotes: Spoilers (~11:41) Listen to Screen Nerds Podcast, and be sure to leave a rating and review! Connect with Michael on Twitter @screennerdspod and on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @screennerdspodcast. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us.

Jen and Sarah review ‘The Things You Kill,' as part of the Seattle International Film Festival. They discuss the impressive cinematography and performances that bring to life powerful themes around gender roles, code-switching, and what it means to be human. Shownotes: Spoilers (~7:21) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by Pat and Jarren to review ‘Friday.' They discuss the iconic characters, the effective humor, and the cultural impact of this film over 30 years after its release. Shownotes: Spoilers (~2:31) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by writer and director Marcellus Cox and executive producer Adam Freed to discuss their film 'Liquor Bank.' They discuss the filmmaking process and the highs and lows of production. They also unpack how they made a human film and honored the real-life stories that inspired it. Connect with Marcellus on Instagram @cellusworld24 and be sure to watch his feature-length film, Mickey Hardaway. Follow Adam on Instagram and Threads @moviearcher. Follow Chris Hodge, the artist behind Liquor Bank's poster, on Instagram @chodgeart. If you're a film reviewer, reach out to Marcellus or Adam for a screener. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by Andrew of the Revisionist Almanac to review ‘Lost in Translation.' They discuss the subversive nature of this film, the profound themes that still resonate, and the compelling filmmaking. They also share some theories about the ending and wonder what happened next for these characters. Shownotes: Spoilers (~12:05) Subscribe to the Revisionist Almanac wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Connect with Revisionist Almanac on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter @revalmanac. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen, Sarah, and some film friends take a closer look at ‘The Empire Strikes Back' by sharing their favorite scenes. Enjoy taking a deeper look at some of this film's most iconic scenes! Shownotes: Andrew from Revisionist Almanac (~16:58) Frankie and Scott from Shoot the Flick (~19:20) Will from Scene N Nerd (~24:53) Subscribe to Revisionist Almanac wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube. Connect with Revisionist Almanac on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter @revalmanac. Listen to Shoot the Flick wherever you get your podcasts and connect with them on Instagram and Bluesky at @shoottheflick. Visit scenennerdpodcast.com for links to the Scene N Nerd podcast and social media. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by Frankie and Scott from Shoot the Flick to review ‘The Empire Strikes Back' ahead of its 45th anniversary. They discuss the excellent pacing, visuals, and character moments that help make this film so iconic. They also compare and contrast this with some of the other films in the Star Wars franchise. Shownotes: Spoilers (~13:36) Listen to Shoot the Flick wherever you get your podcasts and connect with them on Instagram and Bluesky at @shoottheflick. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by Kenny Sparks to review ‘Sinners.' They discuss the incredible music, three-dimensional characters, and important themes. They also unpack some ways that Ryan Coogler has taken a common film subgenre and made something special and enduring. Shownotes: Spoilers (~16:15) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com. Subscribe to Kenny's YouTube channel for more great movie reviews, trailer reactions, and more. Connect with him on Threads and Instagram @kennysparks90. Subscribe to Zach Attack Reviews on YouTube for more great movie reviews, trailer reactions, and more! Follow him on Instagram @zachattackrvs.

Jen and Sarah dive into the awkward dinner scene in ‘Frances Ha.' They discuss the awkwardness of the scene, the effective cinematography, and Greta Gerwig's captivating and endearing performance. Click here to watch the scene. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘Matchstick Men' and discuss the characters and the emotional beats throughout the film. They also reflect on the experience of watching this 2003 film in 2025 and pitch a sequel to continue this story. Shownotes: Spoilers (~11:30) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out our website, andusmedia.co, for the latest on Movies & Us and TV & Us, and don't forget to shop Movies & Us Merch at andusmedia.etsy.com.

Jen and Sarah are joined by Britt Reinholz-Hobson of 1001 by 1 to review ‘The Witch.' They discuss the complex characters, the relatable and interesting themes, and how this film fits within the folk horror landscape. Shownotes: Spoilers (~18:35) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out the podcast 1001 by 1 wherever you get your podcasts, and follow them on social media @1001by1. Connect with Britt on Instagram, Bluesky, and Letterboxd @brittsbyhobnob. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Philip Marinello of The Substance to discuss ‘Memories of Murder.' They discuss the powerful themes, the impressive technical aspects, and reflect on the fact that this is Bong Joon Ho's second feature film. Shownotes: Spoilers (~15:58) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Listen to The Substance wherever you get your podcasts, and follow the show on Instagram @thesubstancepod. You can also connect with Philip on Bluesky @philipmarinello.bsky.social.

Jen and Sarah join Melvin from Cinematic Doctrine for a Quarterly Catch-Up! In this episode, they answer three questions: What have we been watching?  What are we anticipating?  What else are we up to?  Things Mentioned:  Better Days (2019) (Movie)  Insecure (2016-2021) (TV Show)  Sing Sing (2024) (Movie)  Black Bag (2025) (Movie)  Heretic (2024) (Movie)  The Residence (2025) (TV Show)  Bad Sisters (2022-2024) (TV Show)  The Midnight Meat Train (2008) (Movie)  My Little Pony: The Movie (2017) (Movie)  The Mouse Trap (2024) (Movie)  A Minecraft Movie (2025) (Movie)  Together (2025) (Movie)  Final Destination Bloodlines (2025) (Movie)  Sinners (2025) (Movie)  The Bear (2022-X) (TV Show)  Death in Paradise (2011-X) (TV Show)  Paradise (2025) (TV Show)  The Pitt (2025) (TV Show)  The White Lotus (2021-X) (TV Show)  A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) (Movie)  Ballerina (2025) (Movie)  Caught Stealing (2025) (Movie)  Screamboat (2025) (Movie)  Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Listen to Cinematic Doctrine wherever you get your podcasts and connect with Melvin on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @cinematicdoctrine.

Jen and Sarah dive into the opening scene of ‘The Dark Knight.' They discuss the captivating cinematography, thrilling pacing, and how this scene introduces characters and themes that are explored throughout the film. Click here to watch the scene. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Matt and Hannah of Horror Hour with the Hanna's to discuss ‘Death of a Unicorn.' They discuss the ways that this film could've been more effective and question who it is for. They also offer some other films that have done social commentary better. Shownotes: Spoilers (~12:44) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Listen to Horror Hour with the Hanna's wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube! Connect with them on Instagram @horrorhourwiththehannas, TikTok @horrorhourhannas, and on Bluesky @horrorhour.bsky.social. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Klarissa of I've Seen That One and Sara of Shea Cinema to discuss ‘Black Bag.' They discuss the efficient and effective writing, fantastic performances, and meaningful visuals. They also reflect on their movie-going experiences and the importance of seeing films in theaters. Shownotes: Spoilers (~16:05) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. For more from Klarissa, follow her on Instagram @IveSeenThatOne and help her get Kevin Bacon's attention. For more from Sara, listen to Shea Cinema wherever you get your podcasts and follow the show on Instagram @sheacinema. Check out her recent episode on The Greatest Movie of All Time podcast. Check out Klarissa and Sara on Revisionist Almanac's 1934 episode and tune in to their Instagram Live with @RevAlmanac on Friday, 3/28. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Alexis Gentry of Trashwire to discuss ‘Mickey 17.' They discuss the colorful characters, impressive world-building, and relevant themes. They also reflect on this film's delayed release and how that may have affected their reception of the film. Shownotes: Spoilers (~8:11) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. For more from Alexis, check out trashwire.com and follow on TikTok, YouTube, and Letterboxd @trashwire. Connect with Alexis on Instagram @alexisgentry.

As a result of this year's Oscar Wager, Jen and Sarah review ‘Point Break.' They discuss the excellent pacing, characters you want to root for, and the other aspects that help make this film so rewatchable. Shownotes: Spoilers (~10:41) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Heather Stewart to discuss this year's Academy Awards. They reflect on the winning films, the ceremony itself, and how this compares to past years. They also share the results of their annual Oscar Wager and announce what they will be reviewing next week. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Connect with Heather on Instagram, Bluesky, and Twitter at @heatherjstewart. Check out her recent episodes on The Revisionist's Almanac and The Neverending Watchlist. 

Jen and Sarah discuss this year's Academy Awards, including some snubs and surprises. They also share their predictions and personal picks in many of this year's categories and share about the yearly Movies & Us Oscar Wager. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘September 5' and discuss the effective writing and editing, empathetic characters, and powerful themes explored in this decades-old story. Spoilers (~11:04) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. This episode was edited by Melvin Benson from Cinematic Doctrine. Check out his show for more great movie conversations! And follow him on Instagram and Threads @cinematicdoctrine.

Jen and Sarah review ‘I'm Still Here' and discuss this film's efficient storytelling, great pacing, relevant themes, and Fernanda Torres' acclaimed performance. Spoilers (~20:16) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘Sing Sing' and discuss this film's profound themes, powerful storytelling, and the affirmation of dignity both in front of and behind the camera. They also air some grievances that this didn't receive more Oscar nominations. Spoilers (~10:06) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘The Brutalist' and discuss the writing of the characters, the ending and what it says about the film as a whole, and how this film compares to others that are over three hours long. Spoilers (~11:56) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by Michael of the Screen Nerds Podcast to review ‘A Complete Unknown.' They discuss the effective technical aspects, powerful performances, and the ways this film sets itself apart from other biopics. Spoilers (~21:33) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Listen to the Screen Nerds Podcast, and be sure to leave a rating and review! Connect with Michael on Twitter @screennerdspod and on Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky @screennerdspodcast!

Jen and Sarah review ‘Nickel Boys' and discuss the creative cinematography, impressive performances, powerful story, and relevant themes present in this Oscar-nominated film. Spoilers (~12:23) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘The Wild Robot' and discuss the unique characters, story, and premise. They also spend time rewriting some of the elements of the film that didn't quite land and wonder if they're the problem. Spoilers (~11:21) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘Wicked' and discuss the important and relevant themes, the stunning production design, and Cynthia Erivo's tremendous performance. Spoilers (~14:51) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah share some high-level thoughts on ‘The Apprentice' and then share some things that have brought them joy recently. They discuss what they've been watching, reading, and enjoying outside of the podcast. Spoilers (~1:22) What brought us joy this week (~26:57)   Sarah: Unrivaled basketball Watching Slow Horses season four Rereading Nancy Drew   Jen: Skiing  Reading The Hobbit Reading You Are What You Watch Latte art   Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘A Real Pain' and discuss the relatable characters, relevant themes, and efficient storytelling that make for a compelling and heartwarming 90-minute movie. Spoilers (~15:10) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Eric to review ‘The Substance.' They discuss the powerful visuals and sound design, Demi Moore's award-winning performance, and this film's bold message about our world. Spoilers (~10:42) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Connect with Eric on Instagram and Threads @esquared_filmreviews and on Bluesky at @ericjamal91.bsky.social.

Jen and Sarah review ‘Anora' and discuss the effective editing, unique story structure, and powerful ending. They also unpack the compelling writing and thoughtful character development. Spoilers (~14:27) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review Clint Eastwood's ‘Juror #2' and discuss the writing, characters, and relevant themes. They also rewrite elements of the film and share some ideas for some spin-off series in the Juror #2 cinematic universe. Spoilers (~11:26) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘Maria' and discuss the excellent cinematography, editing, and performance from Angelina Jolie. They also share their thoughts on the aspects of the screenplay that didn't work for them and contemplate the popularity of biopics. Spoilers (~8:05) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are back with a special watch-along episode of ‘The Dark Knight.' They comment on the great filmmaking, interesting script, and phenomenal performances in this Christopher Nolan film. Grab your snacks, get comfortable, and watch along! Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah sit down and reflect on the films they watched in 2024. They share their top watches of the year, a few honorable mentions, and roast the worst movie they watched. Then they share what they are looking forward to in 2025.   Jen's List: 10. His Three Daughters 9. The Book of Clarence 8. Lucky Grandma 7. Poor Things 6. American Gangster 5. Anatomy of a Fall 4. Didi 3. Dune: Part 2 2. American Fiction 1. Frances Ha   Sarah's List: 10. Handling the Undead 9. Monkey Man 8. The Color Purple 7. All We Imagine as Light 6. Society of the Snow 5. The Great Lillian Hall 4. The Substance 3. Evil Does Not Exist 2. The Seed of the Sacred Fig 1. The Zone of Interest   Listen to the full reviews of some of the top movies watched in 2024:  The Book of Clarence (Ep. 310) Poor Things (Ep. 309) Anatomy of a Fall (Ep. 311) Dune: Part 2 (Ep. 319) American Fiction (Ep. 313) Monkey Man (Ep. 325) The Color Purple (Ep. 317) The Zone of Interest (Ep. 318) Frances Ha on Cinematic Doctrine   Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Britt to review Robert Eggers' ‘Nosferatu.' They discuss the excellent visuals, immersive sound design, and the controversial ending. They also unpack some vampire lore and advocate for more gross vampires in film. Spoilers (~12:57) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Check out the podcast 1001 by 1 wherever you get your podcasts, and follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Bluesky @1001by1. Connect with Britt on Instagram, Bluesky, and Letterboxd @brittsbyhobnob.

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Michael to review ‘The Holiday.' They discuss the different characters, their storylines, and their growth throughout the film. They also reflect on the elements that have made this a beloved film for many and separate it from other rom-coms. Spoilers (~10:12) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Listen to Screen Nerds Podcast, and be sure to leave a rating and review! Connect with Michael on Twitter @screennerdspod and on Instagram and Threads @screennerdspodcast!

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Melvin to review ‘Nosferatu' (1922). They discuss the powerful themes, haunting performances, and memorable characters. Then, they also share what they're looking forward to seeing in the 2024 film. Spoilers (~18:26) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Listen to Cinematic Doctrine wherever you get your podcasts and connect with Melvin on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @cinematicdoctrine.

Jen and Sarah review ‘The Piano Lesson' and discuss the powerful writing, complex characters, and deep themes in this Netflix film. They also reflect on the process of bringing August Wilson's plays to the big screen. Spoilers (~17:06) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Eric to review ‘Conclave.' They discuss the characters and how they change throughout the film, the themes that are very relevant to us today, and the way the technical components of the film create an immersive experience. Spoilers (~9:45) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Connect with Eric on Instagram and Threads @esquared_filmreviews and on Bluesky at @ericjamal91.bsky.social. This episode was edited by Melvin Benson from Cinematic Doctrine. Check out his show for more great movie conversations! And follow him on Instagram and Threads @cinematicdoctrine.

Jen and Sarah are back with a special watch-along episode of ‘Elf.' They share their real-time reactions to this whimsical Christmas film, commenting on the timeless humor, the well-paced screenplay, and the endearing characters. Grab your snacks, get comfortable, and watch along! Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘Gladiator II' and discuss the story, characters, and similarities to the first film. They also share some alternate versions of this story and some of their favorite Denzel moments. Spoilers (~9:15) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. Be sure to shop Movies & Us merch! From 11/25 - 12/6, get 40% off your order with promo code BLACKFRIDAY40, plus free shipping on all U.S. orders. 

Jen and Sarah review ‘Emilia Pérez' and discuss the main characters and the importance of character development in film. They also reflect on the musical numbers and their role in this story. Spoilers (~7:15) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guests Nate and Pat to review ‘Fight Club.' They discuss some of the themes of the film, the elements that are still relevant today, and the aspects that haven't aged as well. Spoilers (~15:22) Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. This episode was edited by Melvin Benson from Cinematic Doctrine. Check out his show for more great movie conversations! And follow him on Instagram and Threads @cinematicdoctrine.

Jen and Sarah are back with a special watch-along episode of ‘Casino Royale.' They share their unfiltered thoughts while watching this beloved James Bond film, and you are invited to join the fun. Grab your snacks, get comfortable, and watch along! Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com. 

Jen and Sarah are joined by special guest Philip Marinello of The Substance to review ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 2'. They discuss the improved writing and production, nods to other horror films, and what they hope to see in future installments of the Poohniverse. Spoilers (~11:53) Subscribe to The Substance wherever you get your podcasts, and connect with Philip on social media @thesubstancepod. Remember to leave a rating and review of this episode. Connect with Movies & Us on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok @moviesanduspod or by email at moviesanduspod@gmail.com.