This is the text version of my Patreon exclusive podcast where I talk about the best films I watch each month. If you’d like to get access and help to support the network you can do so at patreon.com/eloquentgushing.

Hustlers

A film I’d been looking forward for a while after all the praise it had received, and I’m delighted that it delivered. An amazing performance from Jennifer Lopez – worthy of awards – and a fascinating story that I did not guess how it would go.

A Simple Wedding

Most rom coms are fairly formulaic and have to introduce crisis and tragedy for our protagonists to overcome. Whilst this film had elements of that, more than anything it was about good people doing well and struggling through real life issues. It was lovely to watch and very satisfying for all of it.

Vita and Virginia

I wasn’t sure what I expected from this film, but what I got was a fascinatingly delivered view of a romance. As with a lot of stories based on real life it was a slightly weak final act and denouement, but it at least was in keeping with what had happened and felt real. Astounding performances thought.

Primer

I will always recommend Primer. I love a good time travel story, and this film is a bit obtuse about letting you understand it, but at least that means it’s doing something a bit different and not kowtowing to the audience.

Red Dwarf: The Promised Land

Weird expectations going into this one. Many years of loving Red Dwarf, tempered by the weaker attempts in recent seasons. So I was pleasantly surprised how well it delivered. A huge amount of fan service, but so often integrated in service of the plot which makes it a little more palatable.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire

I don’t think it lived up to the hype, but still a gripping film with sterling visuals and performances. I think Celine Sciamma makes some truly extraordinary films and I am 100% here for anything she brings out.

What Will People Say

There are aspects of this story that feel reminiscent of other films – young people treated poorly in their circumstance by the elder people around them. But it is still so based on what has actually happened to people, and the terrible attitudes that go on today, you can’t help but be moved by the story. I have a quibble with the final shot but otherwise excellent.

Selah and the Spades

A film that’s just come out on Amazon Prime, the blurb made this sound a bit different than it was. The best way I can describe this is it’s The Godfather set in a preppy private high school. But as ever getting to see this sort of story done from a different perspective, with different protagonists, makes it a more interesting take than that sounds.