Issue #10
Hey {{name | friend}},
You might have wondered where I am because I've been quiet on social media for a week. Thanks for thinking of me. I have been taking a brief step back to map out a completely new content direction for my social channels, and I am incredibly excited to share that shift with you very soon.
But that is not the only thing I have been working on. Because this is our 10th issue together, I wanted to celebrate with a special gift to thank you for reading every week.
For the past few months, I have been quietly building something.
Today, as promised, you get early access to it.
Introducing COSMICINEMA — a completely free web app built to make finding great movies actually fun again.
I wanted something clean and fast, and it is finally ready for you to play with. Here is why it exists and what you can do right now:
Bypass the algorithm: It was born to beat decision paralysis and streaming menus that hide great films behind corporate algorithms.
Filter by mood: Instead of searching through massive genres, you can find movies tailored to your current headspace.
Instant watchlist: Save movies to a personal list immediately. No accounts, passwords, or annoying sign-ups required.
Find where to watch: It instantly shows which streaming networks have the film in your region so you don't waste time digging. Personally, this is my favorite feature.
It is an early build, so it is definitely not perfect yet! I am sharing it with this inner circle first because I trust your eye. Please take it for a spin, and feel free to tell me what you think, what breaks, or what features you want next by simply replying directly to this email 😉
This Week’s Watchlist 🎬
For our weekend watchlist this week, we are looking at two incredible films from A24. This studio has completely changed modern independent cinema by letting visionary directors take massive creative risks, and these two projects are the perfect example of that freedom.
Both stories take a deeply intimate look at childhood and growing up on the margins of Florida, but they offer two completely different visual and emotional headspaces.
Here is what you should check out on your new app this weekend:
One of the top ten movies of the year
/ The bitter-sweet sunshine vibe /
The Florida Project (2017)
Director: Sean Baker
The Story: Six-year-old Moonee runs wild with her ragtag neighborhood friends during a humid summer break. They live at a candy-colored budget motel just outside the gates of Walt Disney World, while her young, struggling mother stretches every boundary to scrape together the weekly rent.
Why it’s worth your time: It captures the magical, unfiltered joy of being a kid alongside the harsh realities of poverty. Shot on warm 35mm film, the story moves with a loose, improvised pace that values everyday human moments over heavy, engineered plot points.
Trivia: To keep the production completely secret, the memorable final sequence inside the actual Disney World theme park was shot unauthorized using a skeleton crew and an iPhone 6S Plus.
/ The dreamlike poetry vibe /
Moonlight (2016)
Director: Barry Jenkins
The Story: A young Black man grows up in a rough Miami neighborhood across three distinct eras of his life. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he navigates the pain of a broken home, the cruelty of schoolyard bullying, and the quiet discovery of his own identity.
Academy Award for Best Picture in 2017
Why it’s worth your time: The film feels like a gorgeous, neon-soaked dream. It uses rich colors and an aching, gentle score to explore masculinity and vulnerability, lingering on silent expressions and ocean breezes rather than relying on loud, dramatic dialogue.
Trivia: Because the film had an incredibly tight 25-day shooting schedule, Naomie Harris had no time for rehearsals and filmed her entire, powerful performance as the mother in just three days.
Thanks for reading all the way here. I’m ending this special issue with a thoughtful quote from Juan (by Mahershala Ali) in Moonlight:
At some point, you gotta decide for yourself who you gonna be. Can't let nobody make that decision for you.
Have a lovely weekend.
See you next Friday!