Customer Reviews

Thrillers: Four Film Favorites (Copycat / Diabolique / The Crush / Pacific Heights)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Four watchable thrillers for under twenty bucks. Good stuff, Warner Bros!

Includes Copycat, The Crush, Diabolique and Pacific Heights. None of these movies are masterpieces; they fall under what I consider "rainy afternoon" films. They're not without their own unique merits, though. How could you resist Michael Keaton as a psycho and Alicia Silverstone's most notable performance (aside from Clueless)? Engaging time killers.

The only reason I gave it four stars is because my copy includes the fullscreen version of Copycat (even though the case says widescreen). But, hey, a bargain is a bargain. The other three are in widescreen. And each movie has all the special features available on their single disc counterparts. Contains two double-sided DVD's; one movie for each side.

WARNER's THRILLERS: 4 FILM FAVORITES offers two above average movies ("Copycat" and "Pacific Heights") along with a couple of flawed yet still interesting exercises in suspense. And at four-for-the-price-of-one, it's a solid deal. Transfer quality is first rate.


SYNOPSES--

COPYCAT-- Criminal psychologist is being stalked by a killer who emulates famous murderers of the past. The emotionally housebound doctor makes a target that two detectives find increasingly harder to protect. Superbly executed film includes Harry Connick Jr. in his best character role, that of a deranged and imprisoned serial killer.

THE CRUSH-- A young teanaged girl's unrequited love for the journalist living in her family's guest house leads to extreme violence. Screenwriter/director Nick Shapiro based his story on events from his own life.

DIABOLIQUE-- A schoolmaster's wife and mistress collaborate to murder him and dump his remains. The body disappears from its resting place and the two women start to unravel when a retired detective begins investigating the teacher's disappearance. Excellent cast is somewhat wasted due to mediocre direction, scripting and cinematography.

PACIFIC HEIGHTS-- Young couple's plans to renovate a San Francisco house are ruined by the "tenant from hell." Michael Keaton is deliciously sinister. Watch for the star of Hitchcock's "The Birds," Tippi Hedren, in a minor role. Like Hitch, this film's director, John Schlesinger, makes a cameo appearance (as a man in the elevator).


STEPHEN KING: 4 FILM FAVORITES (also from WARNER HOME VIDEO) is a quirky quadruple dose of camp, suspense, drama and terror.


Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.

(6.5) Copycat (1995) - Sigourney Weaver/Holly Hunter/Dermot Mulroney/William McNamara/Harry Connick Jr.

(5.1) The Crush (1993) - Cary Elwes/Alicia Silverstone/Jennifer Rubin/Kurtwood Smith/Amber Benson/Gwynyth Walsh

(5.0) Diabolique (1996) - Sharon Stone/Isabelle Adjani/Chazz Palminteri/Kathy Bates/Spalding Gray/Shirley Knight/Donal Logue

(6.2) Pacific Heights (1990) - Melanie Griffith/Matthew Modine/Michael Keaton/Mako/Tippi Hedren/Dan Hedaya (uncredited: Beverly D'Angelo/John Schlesinger)

I have seen and own all four of these films only seperately, not in this set. The strongest film here is Copycat, the best in the psychological thriller genre since The Silence of the Lambs with Oscar winner and nominee Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver. The Crush is a very enjoyable B-movie treat in the realm of Fatal Attraction and is the most memorable since that one mostly because of Alicia Silverstone's breakout performance although her career has never prospered. Diabolique is a remake of the 1955 French version only Hollywood-nized. Sharon Stone is yet again using what works best for her as in Basic Instinct and Kathy Bates has a great supporting role as a private detective. Pacific Heights is a fun thriller about a tenant played by Michael Keaton who gives landlords Matthew Modine and Melanie Griffith more than they can handle. It is definitely watchable although not my favorite. Melanie's mother Tippi Hedren of The Birds makes a cameo here. All in all, a nice bundle for price!

Great movies 3/4 are widescreen. COPYCAT CAT IS FULL FRAME! I contacted WB and they replaced copycat with a proper dvd

What a treat this was, as this collection was inexpensive, but the movies contained within were extradordinarily good value. Each movie stands alone as excellent viewing. Copycat, with the superbly intellectual but sublime Sigorney Weaver battling with a baby faced psychopath whilst battling her demons, has you on the edge of your seat throughout. Diabolique was surprising good as was The Crush, and Pacific Heights really is an unusual film with brilliant acting and has a very menacing plot. This collection is worth every cent!

I'd never bought a 4-pack DVD before, but I'm *very* pleased with this one being my first :D I loved Pacific Heights as well as the Crush (two films I'd seen previously), and I got the chance to see Copycat and Diabolique, which were also very good films. If you're looking for a great way to spend your weekend, and you love thriller films as I do, I would definately reccomend this DVD to you. I really couldn't have asked for anything better!

Love Copy Cat and The Crush..Good old thrilers and just enjoyable to watch whenever..Diabolique and Pacific Heights are cheesy, but good :)