Here we are in full-on summer. It's gorgeous here. I should be relaxing and swimming in the lake, probably, and e-boosting around the island enjoying the fresh air. Instead, I'm attempting to promote a movie while embarking on writing three more (one on my own, two with far-flung collaborators).

My attention is a little... scattered.

I can't stop thinking about this Vulture piece in which Lane Brown reports, "90 percent of what you see on the internet is [probably] advertising in disguise," and his subsequent discussion with Matt Belloni on The Secret Industry That Makes Movies Go Viral.

My takeaways: "Viral" is a lie. Fandom can’t be trusted. The internet is broken.

Anyhoo. Here are some eclectic (unpaid) movie recommends from a real flesh and blood person. Me.

A movie I just watched on Mubi: Atropia, from actor Hailey Benton Gates making her debut as a writer/director. I LOVE an actor playing an actor (see: Where in the Hell), and the bonkers real life scenario that inspired Atropia provides incredibly fertile ground. A group of performers—some aspiring professionals, some combat veterans, some Iraqis seeking green cards—have been hired to play "Atropian" villagers and live 24/7 in a bizarre training camp intended to prepare American soldiers to be thrown into combat overseas. Alia Shawkat plays the lead, a painfully earnest actor desperate to be discovered and whisked away to Hollywood. She's terrific. The movie is funny, chaotic, smart, a little gross, and raises subtle, nagging questions that have stuck with me. (No pat answers are on offer, thankyouverymuch.)

A movie I can't wait to watch on the big screen: The Odyssey. One glimpse of Elliot Page in the trailer, and I was all in.

A movie I'd go see this weekend if it were playing near me: Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass. Critics are hailing it as "a comedic breath of fresh air" and "delightfully absurd." (Plus: John Hamm and John Slattery. Come on.) Justin Lieb, one of my longtime internet pals, was the production designer, and my film school bestie Trish Hadley was the post producer. GO TEAM!!! 🙌🏼🍿

A movie I intend to buy and watch this weekend: Blue Heron, the debut feature from Canadian writer/director Sophy Romvari. A beautifully shot, possibly heartbreaking, definitely NON-comedy set on Vancouver Island in the 90s. I've been champing to see this one.

A movie I wrote and directed, now available to buy or rent on Amazon: Where in the Hell. (This is my debut feature, I may have mentioned once or twice?) "Brilliant," "a story that stays with you," "a quiet, great indie film" raves our small but mighty audience. If you've been intending to watch and leave us a review, please do it!!! We're picking up steam, but we need your help as we approach our worldwide release.

xoxo,
Laramie

p.s. Please forward this 'sletter to a movie lover ❤️ (or someone who is pissed off at the internet)