TAATM #432: The Firemen's Ball vs. Backdraft

Erin and Paul review two films about firefighters: Milos Forman's 1967 anti-Communist satire THE FIREMEN'S BALL, and Ron Howard's high-temperature 1991 thriller BACKDRAFT.

Paul and Erin review a pile of new titles, including LISA FRANKENSTEIN, Jennifer Lopez' THIS IS ME... NOW, EILEEN, the hit romcom ANYONE BUT YOU, Taika Watiti's underdog sports comedy NEXT GOAL WINS and the new musical version of MEAN GIRLS. Plus: TIN CUP, SEA OF LOVE, the new season of TRUE DETECTIVE, and much more!

Erin and Paul review two films that are set in the past but which use modern-day pop songs on the soundtrack: Sofia Coppola's 2006 revisionist biopic MARIE ANTOINETTE, starring Kirsten Dunst; and Brian Helgeland's 2001 medieval underdog sports movie A KNIGHT'S TALE, starring Heath Ledger.

In this jumbo-sized special episode, Paul and Erin reveal their respective picks for their favourite films of 2023, as well as the year's outstanding performances, over- and underrated titles and much, much more!

Erin and Paul review two films about free-spirited chocolate makers: Mel Stuart's 1971 Roald Dahl adaptation WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, and Lasse Hallstrom's peak-Miramax 2000 romance CHOCOLAT.

Paul and Erin review new films from Hayao Miyazaki and Bradley Cooper, plus the apocalyptic thriller LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND, the Timothee Chalamet Willy Wonka prequel, and the filmed version of Taylor Swift's blockbuster Eras Tour. 

Erin and Paul review two films about men with the power to enter other people's dreams: the new Nicolas Cage puzzler DREAM SCENARIO and Wes Craven's 1984 horror classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET.

Paul and Erin review Todd Haynes' MAY DECEMBER, Emerald Fennell's SALTBURN and the hit kaiju blockbuster GODZILLA MINUS ONE, as well as Joseph Losey's SALTBURN-esque 1971 drama THE GO-BETWEEN and Richard Kelly's 2009 flopperoo THE BOX.

Paul and Erin review two classic Western comedies: Mel Brooks' gleefully offensive 1974 spoof BLAZING SADDLES, and the underrated 1939 James Stewart/Marlene Dietrich vehicle DESTRY RIDES AGAIN.

Erin and Paul review the sports biopic NYAD, Alexander Payne's THE HOLDOVERS, and the Albert Brooks career retrospective DEFENDING MY LIFE.