TAATM #429: Year-End MEGASODE: The Best Of 2023

Paul and Erin review Alex Garland's dystopian thriller CIVIL WAR, the retro-'70s horror movie LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL, and Dev Patel's revenge action drama MONKEY MAN, and weigh in on SHIN ULTRAMAN, BRANDY HELLVILLE, Paul Schrader's AFFLICTION, Steve Martin's THE LONELY GUY and the post-apocalyptic TV series FALLOUT.

Erin and Paul review two films in which bloody hand-to-hand combat provides entertainment for the masses: Ridley Scott's 2000 Oscar-winner GLADIATOR, and George Miller and George Ogilvie's 1985 post-apocalyptic thrill ride MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME.

Paul and Erin review the kids-TV expose QUIET ON SET, the two-part biography STEVE! (MARTIN): A DOCUMENTARY IN 2 PIECES, the wrestling saga THE IRON CLAW and new standup specials from Mike Birbiglia, Demetri Martin and Tig Notaro.

Paul and Erin review two films about identical plans to commit the perfect murder: Alfred Hitchcock's 1951 suspense classic STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, and Danny de Vito's 1987 directorial debut THROW MOMMA FROM THE TRAIN.

Erin and Paul review Kristen Stewart's lesbian neo-noir LOVE LIES BLEEDING, Sydney Sweeney's nunsploitation horror movie IMMACULATE, Jake Gyllenhaal's ROAD HOUSE remake, and Luc Besson's DOGMAN. Plus: we look back at AMERICAN FICTION, SHIVA BABY, YES MADAM, WALKABOUT and COUNTDOWN.

Erin and Paul review two films directed by George Roy Hill: his 1982 John Irving adaptation THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP, and his 1977 hockey comedy SLAP SHOT.

Paul and Erin review Denis Villeneuve's DUNE PART TWO, THE BEEKEEPER, Ethan Coen's DRIVE AWAY DOLLS, Nuri Bilge Ceylan's ABOUT DRY GRASSES and Wim Wenders' PERFECT DAYS. We also take a curious look at THE COLOR PURPLE, RUSTIN, MERRY CHRISTMAS, DAMAGE and RIKI-OH: THE STORY OF RICKY.

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.