Harvey-Keitel Movie Reviews

Alan Rudolph's Mortal Thoughts is a drama about murder, not movie murder where a hitmen shoots a guy dead with rock music on the soundtrack, but real-life murder, where the killer/killers have a crises of conscience, act with shock, disbelief and paranoia.

The film is set around two couples, James (Bruce Willis) & Joyce(Glenne Headly)and Cynthia(Demi Moore) & Arthur (John Pankow). The film starts out as a pitch black comedy, with Bruce Willis giving an excellent performance as the loud, abusive and downright nasty James. His wife Joyce played by the lovely Glenne Headly is a neurotic who is constantly half kidding her best friend Cynthia about how she would like to kill him. The whole movie is carefully framed with a detective (Harvey Kietel) asking Cynthia questions about one or several crimes. Slowly the flashbacks reveal the events as if they were happening in real time, and the film's momentum builds to a point where it becomes an unbearably tense drama.

The murder or murders in Mortal Thoughts are not commited by a movie-physcopath, but people who have lost their nerve. Throught out the film they have to clean up after it, hide evidence and virtually go insane in the proccess. It the documentary like portrayel of the murders and the first rate acting that makes this film so much better then the countless other murder mysteries you may have seen.

The film however does have one major flaw. After slowly revealing its cards with tense intorrogation scenes the ending is a complete cop out. Without giving anything away, I will say that after working so hard on revealing the facts in the detective's questioning, the truth is unveiled by us seeing the thoughts of one of the major characters. This is not only cheating, but it also leaves a second major crime unresolved.

Despite this, I highly reccomend you see this film. It has a certain truthfulness that makes it more unerving then many serial killer movies.

I have watched this movie twice and enjoyed it very much. It really surprises you at the end!

It is amazing how the mind works when it is in jeopardy. I became a fan of Glenne Headly in this movie.

If You Like Harvey Keitel; Your'll Love His Unchanging Talent In "This Historical Masterpiece Of New York City Life."
As Martin Scorsese's Debut Film In 1968; Scorsese captures Italian Gang Life...Like No Other Director!
I Grew Up In New York City And Can Tell You "This Is Real Film Making."

"Who's that knocking at my Door", Martin Scorsese's debut film is almost plotless. J.R. (played by Harvey Keitel, brilliant by the way) is a young Italian American living in Little Italy, who after wooing a WASPish girl (Zina Bethune) with his love of John Wayne westerns, is disgusted by her well intentioned admission that she's not a virgin and consequently their relationship ends...

"Who's that knocking..." has all the excesses of a first feature. It's uneven and episodic, sometimes terribly naïve with some overt religious symbolism. These are minor complaints however as the young Scorsese has created a movie that resonates a manic energy, extraordinary style and a rare sense of eroticism. Very important in the Scorsese cannon, the film looks forward to later films ( "Mean Streets", "Raging Bull" and "Goodfellas") with its anthropological feel for the males codes his later characters would explore.

Equally important, the film shows how American cinema became colonised by the European ethic of film-making. Heavily influenced by the French New Wave, more specifically Jean-Luc Godard, the film also revels in Scorsese's love for American movies. There are references to Howard Hawks, the intense cinema of John Cassavetes (recalling his milestone "Shadows") and the explosive soundtrack reminds one of Kenneth Anger's underground epic "Scorpio Rising". As impressive a debut as you are likely to see...

I've been a fan of Scorsese's work for sometime now, and I never thought I would be as taken off guard by a film as I was when I first saw Mean Streets. Who's That Knocking At My Door? blew me away. It is similar in many ways to Mean Streets in both plot and content, but the style and sponataneity are unmatched here. If you thought Johnny Boy was an incredible character, check out Sally Gaga. Harvey Keitel stars, and seems like an entirely different actor, very innocent and affectionate at times, much more so than in his role as Charlie. Easily one of the most personal and heartfelt films ever made. Buy this if you've admired Scorsese's other work.

"The Last Tempation of Christ" has got to be one of the most controversial movies of all time. And I can certainly see why. (I warn you now, there are many spoilers ahead.) Personally I thought that Willem Defoe was an interesting choice, but the right one. This movie's Jesus is very confused about the message that God, his father, wanted brought to the world. Defoe played the anger, fear, and uncertainty of the cinimatic Jesus beautifly. Barbara Hershey's Mary Magdelin was not a depature from the whore of the Bible, but an expantion on the idea. Here is the only problem I have with the movie; her sex scenes were too graphic, but I can see the point of why it was done that way, I just didn't like it. Harvey Keitel's Judas is more than we usually would think of him. He is not the betrayer, but is acting on Jesus's orders. The rest of the cast is what worthy of their roles; Harry Dean Stanton's Paul is appropiotly fanaticle (but Jesus and Paul never met in the Bible!). And interestingly, David Bowie gives the most low key preformance, if that can be believed, as the judge who condems Jesus, Pontios Pilot. Bowie's statesman is the voice of reason, albiet from Imperial Roman point of view. The biggest complaint of the people was the alleged sex scene between Mary and Jesus. Folks, yes, it's there. But the context is that it is a dream, or an illusion; a tempatation from Satan for Jesus to lead a human, normal life as a man. It is a very powerful movie, and one that should be watched and thought about. Love it or hate it, but watch it and make your own judgement about it.

The deeply spiritual feelings that this movie makes me harbor have changed the way I see the world forever. I can almost feel the pains that Jesus must have went through on the cross physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Even though this account of Jesus' life is fictional, the viewer can see and feel the true sacrifice that Jesus made by giving His life on the cross and the struggle it took to get there. Although this movie is condemned by many,(most of whom didn't even see it), my personal relationship with God was strengthened by it, and I'm sure I'm not alone. Willem DaFoe was strong,sensitive,and yet vulnerable as the Son of God, and Harvey Keitel was masterful in his portrayal of a very believable Judas who helped Jesus in ways many never realized possible. The soundtrack by Peter Gabriel is haunting and moving, and is just one more reason that makes this Scorsese film a true work of art. I love to watch this movie around Christmas and Easter especially because it always brings me closer to God through Christ. All I have to do is think about this movie and it makes my heart feel warm, and all the cares of the world are made that much lighter. The role of satan in this movie really hits home with how tricky he can be, and I think it gives me just another weapon in my own struggle between good and evil.

Anyone of open mind should see this amazing film. Neither Scorsese's film nor Kazantzakis's novel claim to be "new gospels", and perhaps that is a shame, for I'd rather believe in a Christ who overcame internal conflict and torture, a man who realized his oneness with God rather than God taking the form of Man. Forget what the fundamentalists say--they haven't seen this movie and never will. There is absolutely nothing exploitive about this movie. It is instead one of the most tasteful, intelligent, and loving interpretations of the life of Jesus ever captured. The acting is terrific, especially Dafoe, who I never imagined could give such a delicate yet powerful performance. Hershey also gives a career performance as Magdalene, but the film really belongs to Harvey Keitel (Judas), who gives a performance worthy of his character's redemption. Scorsese's direction is married perfectly to the music of Peter Gabriel (the album 'Passion', by the way, is a masterwork in itself). Open your heart, watch this movie, and be filled with spiritual love and grace, regardless of your religious persuasion.

If your answer is yes, then the Piano is your movie. Too bad we only have stars to choose from, I would have definitely given this one two spheres if I could have. It's not a bad movie if you like to watch a mute and see a man who should not be revealing himself reveal himself. I leave it to you, but be warned curiosity killed the cat and damn near took me.

Be Careful.

Archibald Lasalles

Campion's subtle drama about a young mute woman (Hunter) who is given a arranged marriage to New Zealand farmer (Neill) translates into an extraordinary personal story about love, communication from a woman's point of view. Hunter's beloved piano is the centre point of the film and symbolises the relationships between the characters. Like nearly all art house productions, its the acid test of how deep a person you really are, how you understand and are moved by the subtle undertones and friction between the characters like those seen in Visconti's equally brilliant "Death in Venice" and Hugh Hudson's "Chariots of Fire". The music fits the film perfectly and heightens the emotion, but the real stars are the actors, Kietel, Hunter and of course the young Paquin giving the performances of their carreers. Beautiful photography and locations add to the mystic.

The Piano is truly a hypnotic film. It takes you away to a bleak, desolate New Zealand island where Ada McGrath, a shy woman who stopped speaking at the age of six is getting off a boat to meet her soon-to-be husband Stewart, arranged by her father, with her daughter Flora. Ada communicates through Flora, who can talk. Ada uses her old family piano as a way to express her feelings, and she needs it to remain calm and stable. The men could not get the piano up to Stewart's house, which frustated Ada immensly. Stewart's neighbor George Baines then brings it to his house after much of Ada's pleading and lets Ada play it in exchange for sexual favors.
This is an extremely intriguing, beautiful, unique romantic drama that all interested in film should definitely check out. It is one of my all time favorite movies.

The Piano
Directed by Jane Campion
Starring Holly Hunter, Ann Paquin, Harvey Keitel, and Sam Neill
Rated R for moments of extremely graphic sexuality

If your answer is yes, then the Piano is your movie. Too bad we only have stars to choose from, I would have definitely given this one two spheres if I could have. It's not a bad movie if you like to watch a mute and see a man who should not be revealing himself reveal himself. I leave it to you, but be warned curiosity killed the cat and damn near took me.

Be Careful.

Archibald Lasalles

Campion's subtle drama about a young mute woman (Hunter) who is given a arranged marriage to New Zealand farmer (Neill) translates into an extraordinary personal story about love, communication from a woman's point of view. Hunter's beloved piano is the centre point of the film and symbolises the relationships between the characters. Like nearly all art house productions, its the acid test of how deep a person you really are, how you understand and are moved by the subtle undertones and friction between the characters like those seen in Visconti's equally brilliant "Death in Venice" and Hugh Hudson's "Chariots of Fire". The music fits the film perfectly and heightens the emotion, but the real stars are the actors, Kietel, Hunter and of course the young Paquin giving the performances of their carreers. Beautiful photography and locations add to the mystic.

The Piano is truly a hypnotic film. It takes you away to a bleak, desolate New Zealand island where Ada McGrath, a shy woman who stopped speaking at the age of six is getting off a boat to meet her soon-to-be husband Stewart, arranged by her father, with her daughter Flora. Ada communicates through Flora, who can talk. Ada uses her old family piano as a way to express her feelings, and she needs it to remain calm and stable. The men could not get the piano up to Stewart's house, which frustated Ada immensly. Stewart's neighbor George Baines then brings it to his house after much of Ada's pleading and lets Ada play it in exchange for sexual favors.
This is an extremely intriguing, beautiful, unique romantic drama that all interested in film should definitely check out. It is one of my all time favorite movies.

The Piano
Directed by Jane Campion
Starring Holly Hunter, Ann Paquin, Harvey Keitel, and Sam Neill
Rated R for moments of extremely graphic sexuality

If your answer is yes, then the Piano is your movie. Too bad we only have stars to choose from, I would have definitely given this one two spheres if I could have. It's not a bad movie if you like to watch a mute and see a man who should not be revealing himself reveal himself. I leave it to you, but be warned curiosity killed the cat and damn near took me.

Be Careful.

Archibald Lasalles

Campion's subtle drama about a young mute woman (Hunter) who is given a arranged marriage to New Zealand farmer (Neill) translates into an extraordinary personal story about love, communication from a woman's point of view. Hunter's beloved piano is the centre point of the film and symbolises the relationships between the characters. Like nearly all art house productions, its the acid test of how deep a person you really are, how you understand and are moved by the subtle undertones and friction between the characters like those seen in Visconti's equally brilliant "Death in Venice" and Hugh Hudson's "Chariots of Fire". The music fits the film perfectly and heightens the emotion, but the real stars are the actors, Kietel, Hunter and of course the young Paquin giving the performances of their carreers. Beautiful photography and locations add to the mystic.

The Piano is truly a hypnotic film. It takes you away to a bleak, desolate New Zealand island where Ada McGrath, a shy woman who stopped speaking at the age of six is getting off a boat to meet her soon-to-be husband Stewart, arranged by her father, with her daughter Flora. Ada communicates through Flora, who can talk. Ada uses her old family piano as a way to express her feelings, and she needs it to remain calm and stable. The men could not get the piano up to Stewart's house, which frustated Ada immensly. Stewart's neighbor George Baines then brings it to his house after much of Ada's pleading and lets Ada play it in exchange for sexual favors.
This is an extremely intriguing, beautiful, unique romantic drama that all interested in film should definitely check out. It is one of my all time favorite movies.

The Piano
Directed by Jane Campion
Starring Holly Hunter, Ann Paquin, Harvey Keitel, and Sam Neill
Rated R for moments of extremely graphic sexuality

I am giving a single star to this movie because Amazon will not allow me to give "zero stars."

There are some movies that shouldn't have been made. This is one of them. The film starts fine for a Tarantino movie. The usual violence, the psycho who robs a bank, the creatively offbeat dialog, etc. That's all par for the field.

But all that ends when the robbers take hostages and drive down to Mexico. The rest of the movie is an incredibly cheap and predictable sequence of horror-gothic effects and extra-super violence. There are even monsters and vampires that pop out of nowhere and God knows for what purpose.

If you enjoy bloodshed for bloodshed's sake, if you like to watch humans get mutilated for no reason whatsoever, and boringly long sequences of fighting with no plot points, then you are welcomed to watch this movie.

But if not, then stay away from it. Even George Clooney and Harvey Keitel were not enough to save this pure disaster.

Seth and Richard Gecko (George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino) are two "...mean motor scooters..." on their way across the mexican border with a motor home and hostages (Harvey Keitel and Julliette Lewis). Their rendevou is at a bar called the "Titty Twister" which is appropiately open from Dusk 'tll Dawn. "One night is all that stands between them and freedom, but it's going to be one Hell of a night". Another masterpiece by Director Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, El Mariachi, Four Rooms and the new release, The Faculty), his use of the camera is so unique showing the audience a different point of view. George Clooney plays a cool (very cool) runaway thief, his portrait of the character is done to perfection, I would like to see George in other roles like this. Tarantino plays his psycho brother who doesn't know the difference between real life and make believe. Keitel plays a faithless preacher along with Lewis. I own this film and I watch it atleast 2 or 3 times a month. The fantastic camera work, twisted plot, unique dialogue (e.g. The scene when George is giving the 3 rules to a hostage) makes this one of my favourite films.

This is one of my favorite films, it combines the raw kinetic action stylings of Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, The Faculty) with the dialogue and character writing skills of Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, True Romance) in a gore filled splatterfest that no film has yet to live up to. It features George Clooney in he breakout role as Seth Gecko, escaped convict, bank robber, murderer. Seths brother Richard (played by the films scribe Quentin Tarantino) broke him out of jail, they then made their way across country and down to the boarder... As much praise as I can give this film I can also say that this film does have a few flaws. Theres somewhat of a dichotemy when Seth is the big tough guy who takes no [stuff] from anyone is punched out by Jacob, and old man preacher, Seth stands up and retaliates in no way and almost apoligizes. I found that to be rather annoying and one of my all time top ten movie screw ups... This film also features an annoying chinese kid, with a clearly white american father (I'm not racist nor is this a racist comment but...) but his reasons for having the father he had were never revealed. The boy did also backfired on him, every time he tried to act tough or do something heroic he was stomped thouroghly. This I found to get a little old after his third attempt to protect his sister and he's smacked across the room. All in all I give this film 5 stars because it truely is one of the great films of all time... at least in my humble oppinion.

I am giving a single star to this movie because Amazon will not allow me to give "zero stars."

There are some movies that shouldn't have been made. This is one of them. The film starts fine for a Tarantino movie. The usual violence, the psycho who robs a bank, the creatively offbeat dialog, etc. That's all par for the field.

But all that ends when the robbers take hostages and drive down to Mexico. The rest of the movie is an incredibly cheap and predictable sequence of horror-gothic effects and extra-super violence. There are even monsters and vampires that pop out of nowhere and God knows for what purpose.

If you enjoy bloodshed for bloodshed's sake, if you like to watch humans get mutilated for no reason whatsoever, and boringly long sequences of fighting with no plot points, then you are welcomed to watch this movie.

But if not, then stay away from it. Even George Clooney and Harvey Keitel were not enough to save this pure disaster.

Seth and Richard Gecko (George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino) are two "...mean motor scooters..." on their way across the mexican border with a motor home and hostages (Harvey Keitel and Julliette Lewis). Their rendevou is at a bar called the "Titty Twister" which is appropiately open from Dusk 'tll Dawn. "One night is all that stands between them and freedom, but it's going to be one Hell of a night". Another masterpiece by Director Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, El Mariachi, Four Rooms and the new release, The Faculty), his use of the camera is so unique showing the audience a different point of view. George Clooney plays a cool (very cool) runaway thief, his portrait of the character is done to perfection, I would like to see George in other roles like this. Tarantino plays his psycho brother who doesn't know the difference between real life and make believe. Keitel plays a faithless preacher along with Lewis. I own this film and I watch it atleast 2 or 3 times a month. The fantastic camera work, twisted plot, unique dialogue (e.g. The scene when George is giving the 3 rules to a hostage) makes this one of my favourite films.

This is one of my favorite films, it combines the raw kinetic action stylings of Robert Rodriguez (Desperado, The Faculty) with the dialogue and character writing skills of Quentin Tarantino (Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, True Romance) in a gore filled splatterfest that no film has yet to live up to. It features George Clooney in he breakout role as Seth Gecko, escaped convict, bank robber, murderer. Seths brother Richard (played by the films scribe Quentin Tarantino) broke him out of jail, they then made their way across country and down to the boarder... As much praise as I can give this film I can also say that this film does have a few flaws. Theres somewhat of a dichotemy when Seth is the big tough guy who takes no [stuff] from anyone is punched out by Jacob, and old man preacher, Seth stands up and retaliates in no way and almost apoligizes. I found that to be rather annoying and one of my all time top ten movie screw ups... This film also features an annoying chinese kid, with a clearly white american father (I'm not racist nor is this a racist comment but...) but his reasons for having the father he had were never revealed. The boy did also backfired on him, every time he tried to act tough or do something heroic he was stomped thouroghly. This I found to get a little old after his third attempt to protect his sister and he's smacked across the room. All in all I give this film 5 stars because it truely is one of the great films of all time... at least in my humble oppinion.

Those who read the book knows that the movie is not 100% accurate. This really annoys me.

In the book, Francis Dollarhyde was supposed by really ugly. Ralph Fiennes does not seem to be ugly. In fact, he was more good looking. This is important because it is one of the reasons why he is messed up. His mom left him because of what he looked like and thus his grandma took care of him. That's why he still lives in his grandma's house. Anyway, there is more to Francis' background.......BUT WHERE WAS THIS IN THE MOVIE????There was barely any info on Francis' life. That's why audiences are like, "what the heck? why is he like this?"

Hint of advice for movie creators- Read and understand the importance of the book!

Why replace a good film (Manhunter) with a cookie cutter - fax quality copy like this. Answer: $$$. Maybe Brett Ratner can butcher Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, or 2001 next.

If you like one dimensional characters, formulaic pacing, wasted talent, and derivative style, THIS IS THE MOVIE FOR YOU! Red Dragon can take it's place with other 'lowest common denominator' hollywood blockbusters such as Independence day, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, et al.

All of the actors in this film have given brilliant performances in their careers, a testament to Mr. Ratner's utter misuse and abuse of their talents.

Manhunter v Dragon:

Ed Norton's Will Graham - Squeaky, whiny, wooden and way too young. No depth, life experiences or smarts.
William Petersen's Will Graham - Brooding, damaged, and lonely. A man who love/hates his career choices.

Brian Cox's Hannibal - Quiet, smart, understated and narcissistic. A true sociopath.
Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal - Cartoonish, over the top and WAY too smart for Norton.

Tom Noonan's tooth fairy - Physically powerful, strange looking, halting, awkward and shy. A social misfit/outcast.
Ralph Finnes tooth fairy - The boy next door (with a scar). More of a Bob than a Francis.

Some noteworthy scenes that deserve comparison:

1. Will Graham's first encounter with Lector in his cell.
Manhunter - Brilliantly understated performance by Brian Cox in a cold clinical hospital/prison environment.
Red Dragon - Retread of the over the top Hannibal in "Silence" with a dungeons and dragons setting.

2. Reba McClane with tiger.
Manhunter - Haunting, slow and sensual with the voyeuristic outsider Dollarhyde looking on and getting off.
Red Dragon - Stiff and un-moving. Why are they there? Oh yea, it's in the book.

3. Jealousy scene with Dollarhyde watching Reba McClane.
Manhunter - True insight into the delusional misinterpretations of an inocent act by an obsessed and emotionally stunted loner.
Red Dragon - Reba rebuffs suitor, Dollarhyde shoots suitor, blah blah blah.

4. Will Graham solves the case while watching the victim's home movies.
Manhunter - The tension builds to a climax with the help of a great score and Graham's linear thought process.
Red Dragon - No build up, Norton's Graham has his 'epiphany' out of thin air.

5. Dollarhyde in bed with Reba the morning after.
Manhunter - Dollarhyde starts to cry when he realizes that someone might have loved him and he could have been a normal person but it's way too late for that.
Red Dragon - Dollarhyde wakes up alone and finds Reba walking in the garden. B.F.D.

If you think Will Smith is a great actor, you will love Red dragon. If you think Michael Bay is a great director, you will love Red dragon. If you think Zoolander is a great movie, you will love Red dragon. If you have never seen Manhunter, you might think that Red Dragon is a passable movie. If you have seen Manhunter and preferred Red Dragon...

First things first:

As big a fan I am of Edward Norton, I think he was miscast as Graham. Norton is a superb actor, but even the best actors often have onscreen traits they simply can't shed. Tom Cruise can't go through a movie without being cocky, for instance, and Ed Norton is a just a little bit weasely.

That said, I liked Red Dragon far more than Manhunter, the original adaptation of Harris' book. Keitel was as solid as ever as Crawford, Ralph Fiennes was exceptional as Dolarhyde, and Emily Watson was spot-on perfect as the potential redeemer. Anthony Hopkins was back to menacing form ... no goofy "Okey-dokey"s here. Brett Ratner's direction was at least a notch above adequate. I also appreciated the fact that in several places lesser characters (e.g., Dr. Chilton and Barney) were played by the same actor as in the other two Lecter films.

Red Dragon doesn't have the same visual impact as Ridley Scott's Hannibal, but it comes much closer than Hannibal to matching the hawser taut suspense of Demme's Silence of the Lambs.

Those who read the book knows that the movie is not 100% accurate. This really annoys me.

In the book, Francis Dollarhyde was supposed by really ugly. Ralph Fiennes does not seem to be ugly. In fact, he was more good looking. This is important because it is one of the reasons why he is messed up. His mom left him because of what he looked like and thus his grandma took care of him. That's why he still lives in his grandma's house. Anyway, there is more to Francis' background.......BUT WHERE WAS THIS IN THE MOVIE????There was barely any info on Francis' life. That's why audiences are like, "what the heck? why is he like this?"

Hint of advice for movie creators- Read and understand the importance of the book!

Why replace a good film (Manhunter) with a cookie cutter - fax quality copy like this. Answer: $$$. Maybe Brett Ratner can butcher Citizen Kane, Lawrence of Arabia, or 2001 next.

If you like one dimensional characters, formulaic pacing, wasted talent, and derivative style, THIS IS THE MOVIE FOR YOU! Red Dragon can take it's place with other 'lowest common denominator' hollywood blockbusters such as Independence day, Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, et al.

All of the actors in this film have given brilliant performances in their careers, a testament to Mr. Ratner's utter misuse and abuse of their talents.

Manhunter v Dragon:

Ed Norton's Will Graham - Squeaky, whiny, wooden and way too young. No depth, life experiences or smarts.
William Petersen's Will Graham - Brooding, damaged, and lonely. A man who love/hates his career choices.

Brian Cox's Hannibal - Quiet, smart, understated and narcissistic. A true sociopath.
Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal - Cartoonish, over the top and WAY too smart for Norton.

Tom Noonan's tooth fairy - Physically powerful, strange looking, halting, awkward and shy. A social misfit/outcast.
Ralph Finnes tooth fairy - The boy next door (with a scar). More of a Bob than a Francis.

Some noteworthy scenes that deserve comparison:

1. Will Graham's first encounter with Lector in his cell.
Manhunter - Brilliantly understated performance by Brian Cox in a cold clinical hospital/prison environment.
Red Dragon - Retread of the over the top Hannibal in "Silence" with a dungeons and dragons setting.

2. Reba McClane with tiger.
Manhunter - Haunting, slow and sensual with the voyeuristic outsider Dollarhyde looking on and getting off.
Red Dragon - Stiff and un-moving. Why are they there? Oh yea, it's in the book.

3. Jealousy scene with Dollarhyde watching Reba McClane.
Manhunter - True insight into the delusional misinterpretations of an inocent act by an obsessed and emotionally stunted loner.
Red Dragon - Reba rebuffs suitor, Dollarhyde shoots suitor, blah blah blah.

4. Will Graham solves the case while watching the victim's home movies.
Manhunter - The tension builds to a climax with the help of a great score and Graham's linear thought process.
Red Dragon - No build up, Norton's Graham has his 'epiphany' out of thin air.

5. Dollarhyde in bed with Reba the morning after.
Manhunter - Dollarhyde starts to cry when he realizes that someone might have loved him and he could have been a normal person but it's way too late for that.
Red Dragon - Dollarhyde wakes up alone and finds Reba walking in the garden. B.F.D.

If you think Will Smith is a great actor, you will love Red dragon. If you think Michael Bay is a great director, you will love Red dragon. If you think Zoolander is a great movie, you will love Red dragon. If you have never seen Manhunter, you might think that Red Dragon is a passable movie. If you have seen Manhunter and preferred Red Dragon...

First things first:

As big a fan I am of Edward Norton, I think he was miscast as Graham. Norton is a superb actor, but even the best actors often have onscreen traits they simply can't shed. Tom Cruise can't go through a movie without being cocky, for instance, and Ed Norton is a just a little bit weasely.

That said, I liked Red Dragon far more than Manhunter, the original adaptation of Harris' book. Keitel was as solid as ever as Crawford, Ralph Fiennes was exceptional as Dolarhyde, and Emily Watson was spot-on perfect as the potential redeemer. Anthony Hopkins was back to menacing form ... no goofy "Okey-dokey"s here. Brett Ratner's direction was at least a notch above adequate. I also appreciated the fact that in several places lesser characters (e.g., Dr. Chilton and Barney) were played by the same actor as in the other two Lecter films.

Red Dragon doesn't have the same visual impact as Ridley Scott's Hannibal, but it comes much closer than Hannibal to matching the hawser taut suspense of Demme's Silence of the Lambs.