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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
One of Netflix's Most-Watched Movies Right Now Is This Underrated 1995 Thriller
Thrillers are more popular than ever. Just look at the top-ranked movies streaming on Netflix any given week, and you'll find at least one of them hovering near the top. It's not hard to understand why — just like riding a rollercoaster, we like to put ourselves in a simulation of danger without facing any real consequences. This week is new, but already, Netflix has a new thriller on its most popular movies list. (Well, it's not really new — it was actually released 30 years ago.) Copycat, a suspense movie about a serial killer mimicking the crimes of past infamous murderers, stands the test of time. It hasn't dated one bit, and it could be released today with minimal changes and still make sense. Copycat is a favorite film here at Watch With Us, and we're sharing a few reasons why you should put it on your Netflix queue right now. Dr. Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver) is a world-renowned criminal psychologist who specializes in profiling serial killers. Like Wolverine, she's the best there is at what she does, but she's been forced into early retirement by a past attack by a deranged fan, Daryll Lee Cullum (Harry Connick Jr.). You can't blame her — Daryll Lee killed two police officers in front of her before almost killing her. 10 Greatest Thrillers of the 1990s, Ranked Don't cry too hard for Helen — she's spending her time in her palatial San Francisco home playing chess with strangers online and barely managing a severe case of PTSD and agoraphobia with a steady diet of pills and liquor. Her brilliant mind isn't idle, though — she can't help but notice that a recent string of murders is all connected due to their eerie — and deliberate — similarities to the Boston Strangler's crimes twenty years ago. Her observations soon grab the attention of two detectives, M.J. Monahan (Holly Hunter) and Reuben Goetz (Dermot Mulroney). Together, they try to solve the mystery of this copycat killer as he or she claims other victims while mimicking other famous murderers like Son of Sam and Jeffrey Dahmer. We've seen plenty of serial killer movies before. In 1995 alone, there was an avalanche of them, with David Fincher's Seven with Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman being the most successful and critically acclaimed. But Copycat one-ups its peers by being a thriller about serial killers — what drives them, how they execute their crimes and why we're so fascinated with them. Copycat uses an entertaining premise to subtly point a finger at the audience. Why is it enjoyable to watch people get killed? And why do we get a kick out of watching detectives try to figure out the mystery before they, too, are threatened? Copycat also subverts convention by being a thriller where the reveal of the killer doesn't really matter. This isn't an Agatha Christie mystery where learning the killer's identity is the climax of the movie. Instead, Copycat divulges who the killer is around the midpoint of the film without much fanfare. Toward the end, you realize the killer's always been there, lurking in the background and watching the police try to catch someone who is in the same room with them. It's an ingenious move on the part of the writers, Ann Biderman and David Madsen, to not only show who the killer is but to get us closer to them once we know who they are. We get to see up close how they operate and how little value they hold for human life. That's what makes Copycat so effective — it gives a human face to evil and makes us watch helplessly as they do despicable things to innocent people. Thrillers rely on their scores more than most other genres, and Copycat's music is top-notch. Composed by Christopher Young, the score immediately sets the mood in the opening credits, suggesting a plunge into danger that won't let up for another two hours. Later on, when various people are running from and to the killer, Young pumps up his score, giving the action on screen an increased urgency and desperation. The music itself is scary — it suggests you're the one being chased instead of just watching a chase unfold. Watch the opening scene in the above clip and hear how Young uses volume to give pacing and depth when Helen is first attacked in a woman's bathroom, then held prisoner as her life literally hangs by a thread. It's a masterful use of music, and it makes Copycat better because of it. What makes Copycat worth watching, both in 1995 and 2025, is the two lead performances by Weaver and Hunter. As Helen, Weaver isn't afraid to make her academic a bit of an asshole. She's cranky, rude and a bit smug, and she resents being dragged into the serial killer business even though that's what she's best at doing. Weaver doesn't make her entirely unlikeable, though. There's just enough vulnerability there to understand why Helen behaves like she does and why catching this killer is just part of an endless cycle of violence she's a part of — and has profited from in the past. After all, what do you think paid for that gorgeous San Francisco home, anyway? Hunter's M.J. is more sympathetic, since we see her struggling to be heard and taken seriously in a profession dominated by men who don't take her seriously due to her size. (Holly Hunter's height is 5'2'.) It's not unlike what Jodie Foster's Clarice Starling had to endure in The Silence of the Lambs, but Hunter's M.J. is tougher and more persistent — she shrugs off being made the butt of a joke at work because she has a killer to catch. 11 Must-Watch Thrillers on Netflix Right Now (May 2025) What's fascinating about Copycat is that the movie doesn't make its two female characters like each other. There are no phony scenes of them bonding or getting to know one another — they're strictly coworkers, at least for the moment, and they have a job to do. They get on each other's nerves and don't see eye to eye on a lot of things, but their main goals are the same — find the killer and stay alive. Copycat can be deep, but it's first and foremost a slick, entertaining thriller that delivers the goods. The violence is disturbing for all the right reasons, and the acting, directing and production values can't be beat. It's a great thriller to watch on a summer's eve when it gets just dark enough to make you wonder what's lurking in those shadows. Copycat is now streaming on Netflix.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
10 Must-Watch Action Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now (June 2025)
Ready to start throwing punches? Maybe you're yearning for an explosion or a death-defying stunt? If you're a (theatrical) adrenaline junkie, then you need to choose a streaming service that has an extensive library of action movies. Watch With Us recommends you check out Amazon Prime Video. In June, we're highlighting some of the classic, groundbreaking movies that have been added to the platform, including one of Tom Cruise's most memorable roles and a 1988 flick starring Bruce Willis that completely changed the game. Buckle your seatbelt, because the action is about to begin. Need more recommendations? Then check out the Best New Movies on Netflix, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime and More, the Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now, the Best Rom-Com Movies on Netflix Right Now and the 4 Underrated Movies on Netflix in April "Maverick" Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is a cocky Navy pilot with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. He and his radar intercept officer, Lieutenant Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (Anthony Edwards), get the chance to attend the elite Navy Fighter Weapons School, known as "Top Gun." Together, Maverick and Goose compete to be the best in a class of (equally cocky) pilots, including Lieutenant Tom "Iceman" Kazansky (Val Kilmer). Rivalry, romance, and action rule the day in this high-octane film. Filled with gripping aerial combat sequences, the story captures Maverick's journey of personal growth, camaraderie, and facing the ultimate challenges in the sky, making it a thrilling experience for viewers. In addition to incredible action sequences, Top Gun features a killer soundtrack, including Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone" and the Oscar-winning "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. It's a staple for action fans everywhere. Bruce Willis' 1988 action movie (which also doubles as a Christmas movie, for when that season comes around) is one of his most beloved, and with good reason. Directed by John McTiernan and based on a novel by Roderick Thorp, the film follows NYPD detective John McClane (Willis), who becomes embroiled in a terrorist takeover of Nakatomi Plaza in Los Angeles during a Christmas party. As the terrorists, led by the charismatic and ruthless Hans Gruber (Alan Rickman), take hostages and orchestrate their plan, McClane uses his wit, tenacity, and cunning to thwart their efforts single-handedly. It's one (relatively) ordinary man against a powerful terrorist organization in this groundbreaking thriller, and McClane takes plenty of hits as he attempts to save the civilians. But his resilience and determination to beat the odds are what make him such an exciting protagonist. Die Hard blends suspense, comedy ("Welcome to the party, pal") and explosive action. Willis performed many of his own stunts in this thrilling movie, so if you're a fan of the actor, don't miss him in the role he's still best remembered for. Among the James Bond movies, Spectre is an anomaly. It's not quite as beloved as Casino Royale or Skyfall, but it's not nearly as divisive as Quantum of Solace or No Time to Die. Instead, it's just very good — a Bond movie that's fun and a bit funny, with Craig channeling Roger Moore instead of Jason Bourne. After getting kicked out of MI6 for not following orders, Bond goes on a mission to infiltrate a secret terrorist organization known only as Spectre. But the secrets that Bond uncovers may be too big for even him, and he'll need the help of his old spy pals Q (Ben Whishaw), Monneypenny (Naomie Harris) and a new M (Ralph Fiennes, taking over from Judi Dench) to stop Spectre and its mysterious leader, Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), from taking over the world. The Mission: Impossible franchise is almost 30 years old, and each subsequent entry still can't match the original's irresistible combination of paranoid thriller and action spectacle. The Brian De Palma-directed movie remains the series' best due to a stacked international cast, still-impressive special effects and a fun story that doesn't make a lick of sense. After most of his team is killed during a botched mission and all the blame is pinned on him, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) goes into hiding and recruits other disreputable spies to help him clear his tarnished name. That's easier said than done, as whoever engineered the plot to frame Ethan also wants him dead. Can Ethan's rogue IMF team find the culprit and restore his reputation? Any reputable action movie list has to have a Liam Neeson film, and fortunately, In the Land of Saints and Sinners is one of the actor's best. Neeson stars as Finbar Murphy, a veteran contract killer who is looking to quit. His retirement is on hold when he discovers that a young girl in his Irish village is being sexually abused by her uncle. He kills him, but that man belonged to the IRA and one of its leaders, Doireanne (Kerry Condon), doesn't like it when someone kills one of her boys. In the Land of Saints and Sinners could've been a cheesy Assassins knockoff, but because it's set during the Troubles, the film has a more serious tone than its action movie brethren. Finbar loathes what he's done for a living, and Neeson expertly conveys the man's disgust with himself and others like him. After seeing his village burned down and his mother killed by corrupt police chief Rana (Sikandar Kher), Kid (Jatin Malik as Young Kid, Dev Patel as the older version) vows revenge. Years later, Kid works as an underground fighter to get closer to Rana, but after his failed assassination attempt, he'll have to ally himself with the criminal underworld to avenge his mother and stop Rana for good. Although Monkey Man's plot is your stock revenge tale, the film's visual style and on-location shooting in Indonesia sets it apart from the others. The movie embraces vibrant color and loud, thumping beats, and Patel, who also cowrote and directed the film, is an unexpectedly effective action hero. Christian Wolff (Ben Affleck) is a forensic accountant for criminals who uncovers suspected theft by examining their financial records. When he's hired by Lamar and Rita Blackburn (John Lithgow and Jean Smart) to investigate potential fraud in their robotics company, he soon encounters various hitmen trying to prevent him from finding the culprit. Fortunately for Christian, and to the detriment of everyone else, this accountant also knows his way around a gun and will find the truth no matter what. Released in 2016, The Accountant was a big enough hit to warrant a long-delayed sequel in 2025. Affleck is good as the autistic Christian, who doesn't want to use violence unless it's absolutely necessary. Anna Kendrick shows up as a peppy fellow accountant unaware of Christian's extracurricular activities, and Lithgow is appropriately shady as the CEO who knows more than he's letting on. Kate Carter (Daisy Edgar-Jones) is a meteorologist who used to chase tornadoes before a traumatic incident forced her to quit. Five years later, she's persuaded by her friend Javi (Anthony Ramos) to do what she does best: cover dangerous storm systems and potentially save lives. But this time, she'll have to team up with charismatic YouTuber Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) to overcome her past trauma and somehow make it out alive. Twisters is a quasi-sequel to 1996's Twister (none of the original actors make an appearance), but it has the same qualities that made that movie so appealing: two charismatic lead actors, a straightforward narrative and realistic special effects. The movie is good old-fashioned summer blockbuster fun, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) is a veteran Hollywood stuntman desperate for work. When his ex-girlfriend, film director Gail Meyer (Emily Blunt), hires him for her new action movie, Colt thinks his fortunes have improved. But when the film's lead star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), mysteriously disappears, it's up to Colt to find out what happened to him to save Gail's movie — and maybe rekindle their romance. Based on a 1980s TV series few people remember, The Fall Guy is a breezy, lightweight action-comedy that is like Romancing the Stone but with a little more violence. Gosling and Blunt have indelible chemistry together, and the stunts are legitimately impressive. It's the rare movie that will please both rom-com fans and action movie bros alike. Before there was Alan Ritchson in Reacher, there was Tom Cruise in the two Jack Reacher movies. Those films were modest hits, but because the 5 '7 Cruise wasn't as tall or big as the book version of the character, they were dismissed by some as not worthy. But Cruise excels at action, and he's really good in the Jack Reacher sequel, Never Go Back. When Major Susan Turner (Cobie Smulders) is charged with the murder of two Army soldiers, Reacher believes she's innocent and the victim of a cover-up. When Reacher is himself framed for the murder of Turner's lawyer, he teams up with her to escape prison and find whoever is behind the conspiracy.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
11 Great Comedy Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now (May 2025)
While some streamers shy away from older movies, Amazon Prime Video embraces classic comedies like Animal House, which returned to the streamer this month. Prime Video does have a handful of original comedy movies as well, but the best ones still tend to be older titles like The Big Lebowski. The only downside of Prime Video is that its interface makes it difficult to sort through all of the available selections. That's why the Watch With Us team has already done that for you to present this list of the 11 great comedy movies on Amazon Prime Video right now. Need more recommendations? Then check out the Great New Movies on Netflix, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and More, the Best Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right Now, the Best Movies on Hulu Right Now and the Best Action Movies on Amazon Prime Video Right and Ethan Coen's The Big Lebowski is a unique comedy that shares the offbeat tone of the directors' previous movies. Jeff Bridges' performance also turned Jeffrey "The Dude" Lebowski into an iconic figure. The Dude may share his name with Jeffrey "The Big" Lebowski (David Huddleston), but he's just an ordinary guy who has no link to the other Lebowski's wealth. After the Big Lebowski's trophy wife, Bunny (Tara Reid), is kidnapped, the Dude is roped into delivering the ransom money. That sends the Dude into a series of misadventures when all he really wants to do is go bowling with his buddies, Walter Sobchak (John Goodman) and Donny Kerabatsos (Steve Buscemi). The Big Lebowski is streaming on Prime Video. Because Saturday Night Live alum John Belushi died when he was 33, he only had eight film credits to his name. Animal House may be the movie he's best known for, and it's still one of the all-time comedy classics nearly five decades later. Belushi plays John "Bluto" Blutarsky, one of the beloved members of Delta Tau Chi House at Faber College in 1962. If you've ever heard the term "double secret probation," it came from this movie because Bluto and the boys made an enemy out of Dean Vernon Wormer (John Vernon). He wants Delta house shut down at all costs, and the frat's wild antics give him all the ammunition he would ever need. Animal House is streaming on Prime Video. Barbie's Ryan Gosling dives into this adaptation of the '80s TV series The Fall Guy, which doesn't share a lot in common with its predecessor besides its name. Instead, this action comedy goes its own way with Colt Seavers (Gosling), a stuntman who is so burnt out on Hollywood that he leaves the industry and his girlfriend, Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt), a year later, Colt is drawn back into Hollywood's orbit on Jody's first film as a director. She may not be happy to see Colt, but she needs his help. Her star, Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), has gone missing, and if Colt can't find him, then Jody's movie may be dead in the Fall Guy is streaming on Prime Video. On the heels of his comeback in Pulp Fiction, John Travolta headlined Get Shorty as Chili Palmer, a loan shark who works for the mob. When Palmer's rival, Ray "Bones" Barboni (Dennis Farina), takes over the crime family, he sends Chili to collect a debt from Leo Devoe (David Paymer), a man who faked his gets a little sidetracked when collecting a separate debt from director Harry Zimm (Gene Hackman). That encounter inadvertently gives Chili dreams of selling his story to Hollywood. Chili has experience with other criminals, but the movie industry proves to be even more cutthroat. Now Chili has to deal with crooked film investors like Bo Catlett (Delroy Lindo) and clandestine DEA investigations in addition to his obligations to his old life. Get Shorty is streaming on Prime Video. The Batman's Jeffrey Wright takes on a leading role in American Fiction as Dr. Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, an academic scholar and novelist. However, Monk's books don't sell very well, and he's openly jealous of another writer, Sintara Golden (Issa Rae), whose highly successful books perpetuate several Black stereotypes. In response, Monk writes his own Black literature satire, and he's subsequently stunned when publishers can't wait to sell it. Suddenly, Monk has all of the success he's ever dreamed about, but he also has to take on the persona of a fake fugitive author while perpetuating the same stereotypes that Sintara uses in her Fiction is streaming on Prime Video. Five decades ago, the Monty Python comedy group unleashed one of the all-time great comedy movies: Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin all play multiple roles in this hilarious take on Arthurian even King Arthur (Chapman) is immune to ridicule in this retelling. Arthur and his men are on a quest to find the Holy Grail, and they do some very silly things along the way. Arthur's duel with the Black Knight (Cleese) is particularly quotable even after 50 years. This is a comedic masterpiece that few films have ever matched. Monty Python and the Holy Grail is streaming on Prime Video. Monty Python strikes again with Life of Brian, a spoof of Biblical proportions that centers on Brian Cohen (Graham Chapman), a man who had the misfortune of being born on the same day as Jesus (Kenneth Colley). At birth, Brian is mistaken for the messiah, and it's a recurring theme throughout his infatuation with Judith Iscariot (Sue Jones-Davies) leads him into the revolutionary factions who want to break Judaea free from Roman rule. From there, Brian's story becomes increasingly absurd, including his face-to-face meeting with Rome's governor of Judaea, Pontius Pilate (Michael Palin). This movie is hysterically funny for reasons you'll just have to see for of Brian is streaming on Prime Video. There are currently only two movies by comedy legend Mel Brooks that are available to Prime Video subscribers: Spaceballs and Life Stinks. The former isn't always regarded as a comedy classic, but it's beloved by Star Wars fans for its very funny take on the plays Skroob, the leader of the evil Spaceballs who want to steal the atmosphere of Planet Druidia. When the safety of Druidia's Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) is threatened by Skroob's nerdy enforcer, Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis), Bill Pullman does his best Han Solo impression while trying to save her as Lone Starr alongside his human/canine companion Barf (John Candy).Spaceballs is streaming on Prime Video. Joel and Ethan Coen made movies before Fargo, but this crime comedy was their critical and commercial breakthrough. Frances McDormand leads the cast as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief who is investigating the kidnapping of Jean Lundegaard (Kristin Rudrüd).The Coen brothers reveal right away that Jean's husband, Jerry (William H. Macy), orchestrated the kidnapping to extort his wealthy father-in-law, Wade Gustafson (Harve Presnell). Jerry also vastly underestimated the stupidity of Carl Showalter (Steve Buscemi) and Gaear Grimsrud (Peter Stormare), the two losers he hired to kidnap his wife. Carl and Gaear may be idiots, but their violent nature also leaves a string of dead bodies in their is streaming on Prime Video. Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short play silent movie stars in Three Amigos, a film Martin co-wrote with Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels and Randy Newman. When the stars of the fictitious Three Amigos films ask for a raise, Lucky Day (Martin), Dusty Bottoms (Chase) and Ned Nederlander (Short) suddenly find themselves out of Mexico, a young woman named Carmen (Patrice Martinez) sees the Three Amigos movies and assumes that the actors are real heroes. She summons them to take on the bandit El Guapo (Alfonso Arau) and his men. Unfortunately for the trio, they don't realize they're really in danger until after they're staring down the bandits' guns. Three Amigos is streaming on Prime Video. Writer and director Richard Linklater clearly has an eye for talent, as several of his Dazed and Confused actors went on to become big stars. This is one of the earliest movies to feature Matthew McConaughey, Ben Affleck, Renée Zellweger, Milla Jovovich, Parker Posey and more. The story takes place in 1976 on the last day of high school as the incoming male and female freshmen are brutally hazed by their senior counterparts. Star football player Randall "Pink" Floyd (Jason London) considers himself above it all, and he won't even sign the same loyalty promise as his teammates. Pink and several of his classmates experience different sides of student life, some of which are very funny to watch. But it's also a coming-of-age story for these kids, which is why it still resonates. Dazed and Confused is streaming on Prime Video.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
3 Underrated Netflix Movies to Watch This Weekend (May 16-18)
Watch With Us is celebrating the second full week of May the only way we know how — by watching lots of movies. That's why we renewed our Netflix subscriptions to take advantage of all the great movies the streamer has in its library. In addition to new releases like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the 2024 comedy sequel starring Michael Keaton and Jenna Ortega, Netflix has some older movies that might not be on your radar. Are you in the mood for a classy action movie about a child killer? Or maybe a biopic about one of the dirtiest bands in music history? There's also a comedy starring some of the best Saturday Night Live cast members ever. No matter which one you choose, you can't go wrong with one of these three underrated Netflix movies to watch this weekend. Hanna (Saoirse Ronan) is 15 years old, but don't let her age fool you — she's a trained killer who can take out a room full of grown men. That's what her father, Eric (Eric Bana), wants her to be, for reasons that are initially vague. All Hanna knows is that a mysterious woman named Marissa (Cate Blanchett) wants them both dead, and she'll stop at nothing to do it. Once Marissa makes her move, Hanna must use all of the skills her father has taught her to stay alive and find the truth about her mysterious past. 17 Must-Watch Movies on Netflix Right Now (May 2025) Hanna has a pulpy premise that works beautifully. It helps that the movie is directed by Joe Wright, who helmed the costume dramas Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, and features acclaimed actors like Ronan and Blanchett in atypical action roles. They all lend an air of class to what is essentially a B-movie about a genetically engineered child assassin who likes to shoot people with a bow and arrow. Hanna is tons of fun, though, and its blood-soaked finale should satisfy fans of the genre and anyone who despises someone with a perfect hair bob. Hanna is streaming on Netflix. Every rose has its thorn, and every biopic has a tried-and-true narrative about the rise and fall of [insert musician/band/actor/historical figure here]. The Dirt isn't all that different, but it's looser, funnier and filthier than its musical biopic brethren like Bohemian Rhapsody and A Complete Unknown. That's appropriate considering it documents the '80s heavy metal glam band, Mötley Crüe, who are known more for their tabloid exploits than they are for their music. The Dirt begins in the late '70s and ends around 2015. In that time, the band struggled to succeed in Los Angeles, recruited Tommy Lee (Machine Gun Kelly) as their drummer, gained fame by releasing hit songs like 'Girls, Girls, Girls,' and became infamous for their wild parties that involved too many drugs and not enough common sense. The Dirt faithfully captures the band's excess era, complete with teased hair and Lycra spandex stage costumes, but it never moralizes or lionizes its subjects. The movie is shallow and somewhat offensive, but so was Mötley Crüe, and what else would you expect from a movie called The Dirt? The Dirt is streaming on Netflix. Most people can't afford to travel to Sonoma County to sample some of the world's best wines, but don't worry — Amy Poehler has you covered. The SNL alum cowrote, directed and stars in the 2019 movie Wine Country, a comedy about a group of friends who travel to Napa Valley and get in all sorts of trouble. Rrebcca (Rachel Dratch) is turning 50, and her best friends Abby (Poehler), Catherine (Ana Gasteyer), Naomi (Maya Rudolph) and Val (Paula Pell) all want to have fun. But drinking too much causes some of them to reveal some secrets that are better left hidden. Will these lifelong friends still be talking to each other once the trip is over? 16 Great New Movies to Watch This Weekend on Netflix, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime and More Wine Country is an escapist fantasy, and it doesn't pretend to be anything else. It's also frequently hilarious, with an inspired running gag involving performance art and The Nanny that needs to be enjoyed without any spoilers. The movie was made for weekend viewing at home, where you can imbibe your own spirits and toast the amazing cast of female comics on your screen. Wine Country is streaming on Netflix.
