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‘Pacific Heights’ With Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Kyle Brandt

June 30, 2026 · Pacific Heights (1990) · Drama · Mystery · Thriller · 1:55:57 · ▶ Listen on Spotify

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Categories

Overacting Award

Bill Simmons▶ 1:28:30Matthew Modine — 'we don't even need to really go in this' ('I want him out of here!'); if it were an Oscars field, all five nominees would just be different Modine clips.
Chris Ryan▶ 1:28:33Matthew Modine — specifically his 'five Budweiser drunk acting.'
Kyle Brandt▶ 10:02Matthew Modine overacts multiple times ('goes five different times') throughout the movie
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:28:50Matthew Modine — the dance when he turns off the utilities, 'the worst end zone dance you've ever seen,' like an offensive lineman picking up a fumble.

Apex Mountain

Bill Simmons▶ 20:25Melanie Griffith - this is the tail end of her leading actress run, not really an Apex Mountain pick but discussed as her last major leading role before decline (goes from Body Double, Something Wild, Working Girl to Pacific Heights, Bonfire of the Vanities and then that's it)
Bill Simmons▶ 1:38:04Michael Keaton — 'this is it, I'm going to say yes'; Melanie Griffith — no; Matthew Modine — no, his apex is Full Metal Jacket (lead in the Kubrick movie); evil tenants in movies — 100%; Porsche 911 Carrera Targa — yes; SF movie houses — no (Doubtfire/Full House territory).
Chris Ryan▶ 1:38:09Agrees it's Keaton's Apex Mountain but calls it 'a poison chalice' — sometimes you make the wrong move from the apex.
Kyle Brandt▶ 20:21Michael Keaton - this movie is Apex Mountain for him
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:38:34On 'ominously playing with a razor' apex: countered with Kevin Spacey slicing his fingertips (Seven) and Paulie slicing garlic (Goodfellas) — 'it's close'; agrees Modine's apex is Full Metal Jacket.

Probably Unanswerable Questions

Bill Simmons▶ 22:37Notes the couple lists themselves as 'single' on paperwork despite buying a huge Victorian house together, and questions why he barely reacts ('congratulations') when told she's pregnant — treating it as an unresolved character/logic issue with the relationship.
Bill Simmons▶ 53:08Raised whether Carter meant to kill or maim Drake with the shooting, then supplied his answers: Carter destroys the place because he's a sociopath, fully intends to win the civil suit, get the house, flip it, and move to the next city — while noting 'there's just way easier ways of making $200,000.'
Chris Ryan▶ 52:06Similarly: doesn't know what Carter does if Drake just walks away; on the endgame, thinks the first con is winning the house via the civil complaint and flipping it, morphing into identity theft — Carter is 'addicted to being on the run.'
Kyle Brandt▶ 21:53Questions why Drake Goodman is a 'luxury kite maker' for a living and mocks it as an absurd, laughable profession; also questions why they never learn the horse instructor's name despite lengthy backstory, and why they'd buy a Victorian house instead of just getting an apartment when unmarried.
Kyle Brandt▶ 51:46What is Carter's play if Drake doesn't take the bait and beat him up? (Kyle's answer: Carter had heavy artillery ready — he'd have goaded the rugby-playing Drake into punching him one way or another.) Also finds Carter's overall endgame hazy on rewatch.

Most Rewatchable Scene

Bill Simmons▶ 43:52The scene where Carter Hayes talks his way through the rental application, working the 'idiot' Drake Goodman and the smart girl with rapid-fire lies (private trust, bank in San Antonio, etc.)
Bill Simmons▶ 45:52The scene where Drake Goodman calls Mr. Baker (the prospective Black tenant) 'one of those minority scam artists' — calls it his favorite scene because it turns you against Drake Goodman
Bill Simmons▶ 47:29The scene where Carter somehow gets into the house/apartment after being let in and changes the locks
Chris Ryan▶ 44:33Engages heavily with the rental application scene and the 'Carter gets into the place' scene but doesn't stake out one singular independent pick, mostly riffing on Bill's picks (Drake Goodman lines, the lease scam)
Kyle Brandt▶ 41:57The opening scene of the movie where Mrs. Griswold (Christie Brinkley-like character) is lying around naked/getting a suntan minutes into the film

Great Shot Gordo Award

Bill Simmons▶ 1:12:52The ice cube falling into the hotel glass shot; also praised the 360 shot when Keaton flips out at the hotel manager, and a shot that flips as she's going out the door.
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:12:23Criticized the 360-degree rotating shot used for a banal conversation, saying the drama doesn't match the shot; did not give a definitive favorite pick.

Den of Thieves Benihana Award

Bill Simmons▶ 1:15:44The Beverly Hills house at 1014 North Crescent (the lady who's his next mark's house), noting it's currently listed for $30.3 million on Redfin

Is There a Better Title?

Bill Simmons▶ 1:16:50Eviction Quest (an unofficial Vision Quest sequel), building off Kyle's 'Eviction' idea
Chris Ryan▶ 1:16:28The Tenet (a play on Tenant), joking that Polanski already made a similar-sounding movie
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:16:37Threw out several options - 'Eviction,' questioned 'Pacific Heights' as too vague, and 'Safety Deposit' - without settling on one definitive pick

Butch's Girlfriend Award

Bill Simmons▶ 1:20:37Carter Hayes falling apart as a villain after the perfect setup - shooting Drake, leaving the childhood photo behind, sending the postcard, and becoming Drake Goodman at the hotel - all illogical mistakes that unravel the plot
Chris Ryan▶ 1:22:21No real weak link pick, but noted he wished the lawyer character (Laurie Metcalf) had been a harder-charging, more aggressive presence
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:20:24Carter Hayes' death scene at the end (sucks, badly executed)

Casting What-Ifs

Bill Simmons▶ 1:33:08Christopher Reeve lobbied to play Carter Hayes but lost out because Michael Keaton was cast (Keaton wanted the movie, being Batman at the time). Also picks Nobu McCarthy (Mrs. Watanabe/Karate Kid II) as favorite 'That Guy' choice, and separately names Luca Bercovici (Muzzin in American Flyers) as his 'That Guy' category winner.
Chris Ryan▶ 1:34:38Picks Dorian Harewood as winner of the 'That Guy' category because he played Eightball in Full Metal Jacket alongside Modine.
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:33:23Notes it's cool that the casting choice came down to Superman (Reeve) or Batman (Keaton). Separately picks Hal Landon Jr. (the balding officer/locksmith scene, also Ted's dad from Bill & Ted) as his 'That Guy' pick.

Dion Waiters Award

Bill Simmons▶ 1:36:09Beverly D'Angelo

Hanks or Cruise

Bill Simmons▶ 1:40:29Tom Cruise — Cruise to play Carter Hayes; jokes Cruise would've said no until shown the running scene at the end
Chris Ryan▶ 1:40:46Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise for Carter Hayes, comparing it to his Ripley-type roles; says his mimicry skill fits stealing identities
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:40:50Tom Cruise — Agrees Cruise for Carter Hayes, citing his physicality (running) and comparing scenes to Days of Thunder

Is This Movie Better With

Bill Simmons▶ 1:47:30Suggests Ryan Rucco could have been used for Carter Hayes falling backwards, but doesn't give a firm definitive pick of his own
Chris Ryan▶ 1:45:51Wayne Jenkins or Fergie the florist, imagining Carter Hayes trying to con one of them as his landlord; also wants Zane Lowe to interrogate Carter afterward about his cons
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:46:33Dr. Charles Nichols, imagined as the keynote speaker Carter runs into who gets accused of switching off the utilities and stealing his identity

Just One Oscar

Bill Simmons▶ 1:47:44Michael Keaton

Who Won the Movie

Bill Simmons▶ 1:50:11Michael Keaton
Kyle Brandt▶ 1:50:13Michael Keaton - another win as a villain after Batman

Movies Referenced (63)

Batman (1989)

18 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt, Chris Ryan▶ 5:14IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Vision Quest (1985)

10 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 18:38IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Full Metal Jacket (1987)

6 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons▶ 18:36IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Night Shift (1982)

4 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 13:50IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Spotlight (2015)

4 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons▶ 17:50IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Body Double (1984)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 20:30IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Tenet (2020)

3 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons▶ 6:06IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Working Girl (1988)

3 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 20:30IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Bad Influence (1990)

2 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 1:54:28IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Basic Instinct (1992)

2 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 6:35IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Batman Returns (1992)

2 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 19:58IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Domestic Disturbance (2001)

2 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons▶ 1:50:31IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Directors Referenced (10)

Charles Nichols

3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt▶ 1:24:46IMDb ↗Lb ↗

John Schlesinger

3 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for Midnight Cowboy, Darling, Marathon Man▶ 13:04IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Curtis Hanson

2 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for L.A. Confidential, In Her Shoes, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle▶ 1:54:32IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Tony Scott

2 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt · Known for Domino, Unstoppable, True Romance▶ 1:36:53IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Iyi Tubi

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Ex Machina, World War Z▶ 29:27IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Joe Roth

1 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for The Great Debaters, Maleficent▶ 13:34IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Kevin Costner

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves▶ 1:35:01IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Roman Polanski

1 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for Chinatown, The Ghost Writer▶ 1:16:29IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Sam Peckinpah

1 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for The Wild Bunch, Straw Dogs▶ 33:18IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Woody Allen

1 mentions · Chris Ryan · Known for Annie Hall, Manhattan, Deconstructing Harry▶ 1:13:18IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Actors Referenced (79)

Matthew Modine

74 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt, Chris Ryan · Known for Full Metal Jacket, Cutthroat Island, The Dark Knight Rises▶ 6:24IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Michael Keaton

44 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Kyle Brandt · Known for Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Spotlight, The Founder▶ 4:39IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Melanie Griffith

16 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, Kyle Brandt · Known for Working Girl, Body Double, The Bonfire of the Vanities▶ 8:56IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Antonio Banderas

9 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for The Mask of Zorro, The Skin I Live In▶ 24:30IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Beverly D'Angelo

8 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt, Chris Ryan · Known for Vegas Vacation, National Lampoon's Vacation, National Lampoon's European Vacation▶ 36:18IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Paris Hilton

7 mentions · Kyle Brandt, Bill Simmons · Known for House of Wax▶ 40:52IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Tom Hanks

6 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for Cast Away, Big, Forrest Gump▶ 16:51IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Carl Anthony

5 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan · Known for Plan 9 from Outer Space▶ 11:08IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Christopher Reeve

4 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for Superman, Superman II▶ 1:33:08IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Full Force

4 mentions · Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons · Known for Zero Dark Thirty▶ 29:00IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Rick Moranis

4 mentions · Chris Ryan, Kyle Brandt · Known for Parenthood, Little Shop of Horrors, Spaceballs▶ 1:19:21IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Tom Cruise

4 mentions · Bill Simmons, Kyle Brandt, Chris Ryan · Known for Top Gun, Mission: Impossible II, Minority Report▶ 30:50IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Writers Referenced (3)

Roger Ebert

4 mentions · Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan▶ 39:19IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Taylor Worst

2 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 1:25:08IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Jackie Files

1 mentions · Bill Simmons▶ 1:34:18IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Cinematographers Referenced (2)

Michael Grantland

1 mentions · Bill Simmons · Known for The Taking of Pelham 123, The Other Guys▶ 1:44:51IMDb ↗Lb ↗

Oliver Moron

1 mentions · Kyle Brandt · Known for Unknown▶ 1:06:06IMDb ↗Lb ↗