Manhunter (1986)
A relatively underrated thriller film based upon Thomas Harris' novel Red Dragon. It's a shame this got sort of pushed into obscurity. This film in part is much better than Brett Ratner's cash-in Red Dragon. Manhunter has various things going for it, which makes it work. It's early Michael Mann (Heat, Collateral, Public Enemies). He really starts firing on all cylinders with this film.
Second is William Peterson, around this time he wasn't a huge star when he made this. So it makes his role of Will Graham seem much more authentic. Next is Brian Cox as Hannibal Lecter (Lecktor in the film). Cox doesn't present himself as flamboyant as Hopkins did. Cox is still able to breathe life into the character though, being both chilling and intellectually sinister. Manhunter follows the novel much closer and doesn't exploit Lecter like Red Dragon did. In the novel, Graham only goes to him a small amount of times, and the film captures that.
Next is Tom Noonan as Francis Dollarhyde. Not only does Noonan play a creep so well, he looks like one. And lastly...remember Stephen Lang, playing that big bad marine Quaritch in Avatar? He's here, as a sleazy, meek reporter who meets an interesting fate.
Have you ever seen blood in the moonlight, Will? It appears quite black.
