If one movie critic had their way, 1986 would be considered the best year in cinema history.
And to prove it, a list of movies from that year would include two filmed in Wilmington.
While Hugh Scott of CinemaBlend wants to remind people that "we're just having fun here," the writer makes their argument with a blend of films from 40 years ago that span several genres. Some of those remain classics, such as Best Picture for that year in "Platoon."
Out of the 20-plus films selected include Wilmington-shot "Blue Velvet" and "Manhunter."
Scott gives a nod to "Blue Velvet" by noting director David Lynch made some wild films, and this "is one of the wildest. Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper, and Laura Dern all put in amazing performances
in this neo-noir film that helped define Lynch's unique style."
Lynch received an Academy Award nomination for best director but lost the Oscar to Oliver Stone for "Platoon."
"Blue Velvet" tells the story about an all-American college boy who discovers a dark, criminal underbelly beneath his small town's blandly wholesome veneer. Film locations include the Carolina Apartments, Barbary Coast bar (its neon sign reading "this is it" is taken from a line in the movie), New Hanover High School and what is now Savorez restaurant.
Then there's "Manhunter." While the critic notes it's the least memorable based on books by Thomas Harris -- especially compared to "The Silence of the Lambs" -- "the movie did one very important thing, it introduced the character of Hannibal Lecter, played here by Brian Cox, to the movie-going world. For that, it deserves recognition."
"Manhunter" stars William Petersen as traumatized FBI agent Will Graham, who had caught Lecter prior to the action of the film but still bears physical and psychic scars, in part from having to inhabit Lecter's icky brain.
In terms of Wilmington locations for "Manhunter," a temporary "beach house" was built on Masonboro Island for scenes set in Florida, where Petersen's character lives with his wife and son.
The old New Hanover Memorial Hospital is used for one interior scene, and a safe house where Petersen's wife and son are sent looks to be in some local woods.
Other movies that made the critic's 1986 list include "The Color of Money," "Pretty in Pink," "The Fly," "Hoosiers," "Top Gun," "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and "Three Amigos!"
Owen Hassell is the local news editor for the StarNews. You can reach him at ohassell@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2 Wilmington-shot films on '1986 is the best year in movie history' list
