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.

The Watermelon Woman
This is a film I’d been looking forward to watching for a while. And it fully delivered. A really interesting investigation into the way Hollywood traditionally cast and used Black women, also told within its own dramatic story of modern relationships. Definitely one I want to show to a wider audience!

Caravaggio
Another film I’d been wanting to watch, and it’s as interesting as expected. The imagery matching the art it’s based off, and in the inclusion of anachronisms, gives it a luxuriously deep feeling of quality.


The Guilty
It’s hard not to compare this to Locke. A film focussed on one person and their phone contacts with other people. But this has a much deeper story and stronger drama – where Locke feels like the concept this is the full delivery of the idea, and ends really well.


The Half of It
I chide Netflix films for being slight rip offs of other content. But they do get some released that feel fresher and newer. This is one such, and I loved the performances on show here from everyone. Really nicely developed characters and situations that made you feel for everyone!

Wadjda
This really was a month of finally watching films I’d been looking forward to seeing. Wadjda was terrific – so much quality from every aspect of the story. I was pleased it didn’t denigrate the situations or beliefs of the characters, it presented them as fact and how everyone lived, then gave us some deep insights and heartfelt moments.