And how does that make you feel?

Who's ready for a therapy session?

Jun 22, 2023

“You break her heart,

Dear Reader -

Imagine yourself in a new social setting, talking with someone when the conversation eventually begins to peter out; everyone starts to panic a little inside, unsure of what to say next, standing in abject fear of a silence which would require them to avert their gaze around awkwardly or make them stare deep into the eyes of the person standing opposite them, forcing an uncomfortable analysis of their irises, realizing that they’re not just blue, but like kind of a marble”y” color that’s actually… suddenly someone brings up the life raft of a conversation topic that is, “so, what are you watching these days?”

I would imagine you mention what you’re binging, streaming, pushing through, waiting on your partner on to finish, what’s “sooo good” and what's “kinda boring.”

But do you ever mention how what you’re viewing makes you feel?

Does the piece of media make you feel?

If it doesn’t, why doesn’t it?

Is it still worth watching?

These are questions to consider for a moment, a week moment actually. Because I wanted to get deeper into this topic, but I ran out of time. Or to be fair, I used my time in other ways. But I should continue the conversation next week. But in the mean time, we have a few more letters to read….

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NEWSY BITS 👾

Amazon Plans Ad Tier for Prime Video Streaming Service [news is a couple weeks old but still noteworthy and sorta funny because the amount of people who get confused and watch Amazon’s ad-based streaming platform Freevee via Prime already aaaaaare… all Prime users (editor’s note: unverified stat), so I’m sure this is bound to clear things up 🫠 ] - Wall Street Journal

Warner Bros. Discovery In Talks To License HBO Original Series To Netflix [interesting because HBO has long been held up as the pinnacle of “small screen” quality programming. To lease out their content might “cheapen” the brand. Or broaden the reach…? Regardless, the point here, even if it mainly involves TV shows, is that the streaming game is, and will be, about money, so the ways companies can make it, they’ll probably do it. Also, continue to be confused when trying to find which service something is on…] - Deadline

EXTRA CREDIT MOVIE(S) 📝

The Perfect Find - Gabrielle Union does an adult looking rom-com that seems to veer more towards the rom than the com. A few reviews that will be read by *checks notes* literally no one watching this movie. Streaming on Netflix This Friday

Dear Jennifer Lawrence -

Is it weird I just said “Dear”? Like who the hell writes or says “dear” anymore unless they’re trying to be a condescending a-hole? Thank you dear. Isn’t that right dear. Could you be a dear and grab that stapler for me?

Actually, Jennifer, sorry, can we pause for a quick sec? I need to ask a few friends (hint: dear reader, that’s you) a question, brb.

— Quick! - or maybe just chill and take however fucking long you want, cuz this is a newsletter where you get to be on your time - but regardless of the speed you do it at, name a comedy, not romantic-comedy, not action-comedy, just a plain old comedy that you watched in theaters recently. …….?? Bridesmaids? Nice try and a great movie. But it was released 12 years ago. Not very recent. Superbad? Pfffft, four years shy of twenty! ….!!!!! Oh you think you’re clever?! Girls Trip was 2017 pal. ……

Yeah. Comedies haven’t had a great run theatrically in the past lil’ bit. Especially the ones of the “hard R” aka “raunchy” variety. Even Booksmart, which was lauded for being the best high school comedy since Superbad, was four years ago. Blame the superheroes, blame “the bullshit,” blame studios worried about marketing to the world vs just the United States (comedy doesn’t “travel” very well), blame actors worried about getting turned into a negative headline because a portion of the internet got offended. Whatever you do, don’t blame yourself, because if you’re anything like me, we are clearly not the problem. We all wanna laugh, just as much as we wanna live and love. ——

Hey!!! Jen, can I call you Jen? I’m back. So I was just catching some friends up on the state of theatrical comedy. Eesh pretty grim eh? While it’s kinda flourishing everywhere else, it’s having a rough go at the ol popcorn houses. Wouldn’t you agree? Which is why I was a bit surprised to see you, a friggen A-list superstar, in a movie that looks a bit anachronistic in our modern times - a sex comedy, where a 30 something is hired to bang a 19 year old by his parents, in 2023?! Are you nuckin futs?? Hell, I expect to be swatted for even writing about it.

But I know you and I know there’s going to be a bit more to the story than dick and boob jokes…. right? At least thats what critics say. So until you get back to me I’ll trust their opinion. And don’t sweat the nearly 40% of ‘em who didn’t like it. They’re a bunch of prudes! Shit. That might get me swatted too. They’re not prudes, they’re just, I don’t know, looking for more life lessons, when you’re really just here to make us laugh in a time where laughing as a group is kinda rare. So thanks Jen, you’re doing god’s work here and she appreciates it. Also, she said you owe her $15? Idk, something about “the greenery,” just send it via Venmo. Or scan the sky, that’s her QR code. Yeah’s she’s a real show off that one.

Cheers,

Latham

The Trailer

Out: Friday

Where: Theaters

1 hr 43 mins | R | 🍅: 63%

Dear Ms Celine Song and Ms Greta Lee -

Hey. We’ve never met, but I’m pretty excited about the new movie you made together. And I’m glad more people should be able to see it this weekend if they want to (since it’s expanding to more theaters). I understand it was based on an experience from your life Celine. With fear of getting too deep too quickly, how does it feel to write and direct aspects of your life on screen like that, especially when it’s about something as intimate as a reconnection with a childhood friend that makes you consider what path your life could’ve taken? Maybe it’s natural, even necessary, for you to turn your life into art, but I think many humans would prefer to keep stuff like that private. I’d be curious if it helps you process the situations, almost exercising them vs letting them play on repeat in your own head. Hm.

And Greta, what a fun role it looks like you have. A chance to portray love and relationships from a, I don’t know, realistic point of view? Is that fair to say? I guess it’s certainly Celine’s reality, but maybe not everyone’s. Because I imagine not all people would be comfortable with their romantic partner spending intimate time with someone who could’ve been their other romantic parter in another universe, or YOUniverse… sorry, that was dumb. I like to slip in stupid jokes sometimes.

Are you both surprised by the really great response from critics and viewers? Well, I guess not surprised, but excited? Or was making a love story that’s rarely seen satisfying enough? Obviously it can be all at once. Because if your movie is getting at anything, it’s that life is full of multitudes eh? But here I go making declarations. Anyway, thanks for the time. Here’s to more great cinema from you both!

Cheers,

Latham

The Trailer

Out: Friday

Where: Theaters

1 hr 46 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 97%

Dear Mr. Wes Anderson -

First off, just wanna say thanks. Thanks for making some really cool movies. I haven’t watched all your films, but I’ve seen most of them and they’re all unique and uniquely you. And speaking of, I know it’s kind of a thing these days to copy your style, lovingly or mockingly (sometimes both), but I think you’re pretty smart to avoid paying attention to it. You clearly have a sense of what you want to illustrate in your work. Why muck it up? I don’t know if your movies just “play” in your head and all you have to do is execute it or if you have to really work it out, like a dude who the night previous entered one of those food eating contests where you have to eat a 10 lb steak in under 60 minutes. Sorry, that was a bad poop joke. I do those sometimes. But if you ever want me to write a poop joke for one of your next movies… right, never mind, silly idea.

Back to your style for a second. Does the fact you have a clear command of what you want to portray make it easier or harder when people are like “Wes Anderson movies just aren’t my thing”? Because obviously some people won’t like them, but does the fact they think they should “get” something they’re not getting bother you? Do you even have time to consider that kinda shit? I mean, you are pretty prolific. I did read recently that you wished people might watch one of your movies a second time in order to “get” what you’re going for. Heck, the LA Times review mentions that fact and how it allowed them to appreciate your purpose a bit more.

Unrelated side note: did you build a lot of dioramas as a kid?

I’d ask you what your new movie is really truly “about,” but I’m not sure you’d answer. Or rather, I guess answer in a satisfying way. From an outside perspective, you seem to be a filmmaker who likes to present your movies and have the audiences make their interpretations. Or maybe I’m projecting, cuz that’s what I’d do. Fuck ‘em. Ok. Maybe that’s a bit harsh, because I write this newsletter (you should subscribe!) and I’ll be honest. I like it when people like it. So maybe you like it when people like your movies too.

And speaking of prickly people, even though you’ve done it a bunch before, I bet it was a lot of work to wrangle all those famous actors and have them read the lines you wrote in the very specific way you like to have them speak them. I don’t mean that as an insult, “specific.” If anything, you can take it as a compliment.

Oh, right, I haven’t even mentioned the title of your new project, Asteroid City. Sure conjures up some images eh? A city on an asteroid. A city destroyed by an asteroid. Your trailer seems to indicate it’s much simpler than that. A city with an asteroid. From outer space. You ever been to out space? Probably not. I bet you’d like it though. Lovely visuals.

I should probably let you go now. So you can work on your next thing. I bet it involves ice cream.

Cheers,

Latham

The Trailer

Out: Friday

Where: Theaters

1 hr 44 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 74%