[Film & TV Podcast Reviews] ‘IF’, ‘BABES’, ‘STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1’, ‘THE BIG CIGAR’ & MORE

On episode 7, Fresh Fiction‘s Preston Barta, James Cole Clay and Courtney Howard discuss the latest happenings within the world of cinema and television. They talk about their thoughts on IF, Babes, The Strangers: Chapter 1, and Texas Frightmare Weekend, and conduct an interview with stars and showrunners of The Big Cigar. So, sit back, relax, and tune in!

This week’s happenings include:

FILM

• IF (1:01-12:19) – You can read Courtney Howard’s written review here. Now playing in theaters nationwide.
• BABES (12:19-16:49) – Pamela Adlon’s film doesn’t always hit the mark. However, Ilana Glazer and Michelle Buteau make an excellent pairing as two friends bonding over motherhood. It’s reminiscent of Claudia Weill’s Girlfriends, but a few chapters down the road. Now playing in theaters.
• THE STRANGERS: CHAPTER 1 (16:49-26:07) – The actors are fully committed, and there are a few cool shots, but Renny Harlin’s first chapter in this new trilogy follows the same beats as the original film, albeit less effectively. The characters shrug off every out-of-the-ordinary thing they see until a knife is in their face. It’s silly. Now playing in theaters.
• BACK IN BLACK (26:07-31:16) – Now playing in theaters.
• FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA (31:16-34:47) – Courtney Howard’s written review is coming soon! Opens nationwide on May 24.
• ORPHAN (48:56-53:35) – A devilishly good time with great character work and solid tension-building. Isabelle Fuhrman is a dynamite talent! Scream Factory’s Blu-ray release is now available for purchase. Visit shoutfactory.com today to get yours!
• Texas Frightmare Weekend (53:35-55:29) – The horror convention Texas Frightmare Weekend knows that Halloween enthusiasts can’t wait until October without a midyear serotonin boost, so the convention is back this weekend (May 17-19) in Irving, Texas. More information here.

TV

• THE BIG CIGAR (34:47-38:55) – Impeccably scripted, soulfully directed and filled with fine performances, The Big Cigar is a riveting work. The first two episodes of the limited drama series is now available to stream on Apple TV+.
• HOLLYWOOD CON QUEEN (38:55-40:46) – Now streaming on Apple TV+.
• ASHLEY MADISON: SEX, LIES & SCANDAL (40:46-42:30) – Now streaming on Netflix.

INTERVIEWS

• THE BIG CIGAR stars Alessandro Nivola and P.J. Byrne (56:03-1:03:53)
• THE BIG CIGAR star Tiffany Boone (1:03:53-1:07:23)
• THE BIG CIGAR showrunner/executive producer Janine Sherman Barrois and executive producer/writer Jim Hecht (1:07:23-1:11:07)
• Or, you can watch all of these interviews in the video format video via Fresh Fiction’s YouTube channel here.