Nails (1992)

Fresh and Exciting

Don't listen to the negative reviews

As Good As It Gets

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

Nails is one of those good b film's, you pass in the video shop, and not give it a fair hearing. At the advice of my half brother, I decided to rent this very good actioner, made by a director, whose films I really like, Rolling Thunder being a favorite of mine. In this wild cop tale, kick arse cop, Hopper, who like Devane, or more so Seagal, is on a trail of hot revenge. In a double hit, half gone right, thanks to Hopper's survival, where him and his late partner (Earl Billings- One False Move) are set up, a maddened Hopper vows revenge, against his slain partner, and it's his character which is beautifully and excitingly delivered, that makes this film fun. By the way he acts, it's hard to believe that he actually is a cop. Harry Niles, (Hopper) is a loose cannon, but you love em' none the less. His older veteran partner/best friend (Milan) is a Mexican food lover, like me, where I got hungry watching him eat all the type. Some actors who show up in the film, you aren't surprised to see, or to see why they were cast. Political ties are brought into the story too, bigger bad asses, higher up. Though Cliff De Young, a corrupt campaigner, didn't really do anything for me here, his idol, Keith David an ex con who's now being elected mayor was much more effective, his nasty angrily smiling, sitting profile, a haunting shot etched in my mind. where especially, in a film like this, you wouldn't expect an open ending, where there's a lot more unfinished business between Hopper and him. Hopper's wife's (Archer) life is made very difficult, as unfortunately she works (you guessed it?) for De Young and cronies. With a cool upbeat soundtrack in the end credits, Nail's is not a badly formulated movie, although it's not without faults. It's kind of smart in bits too, the ambush in the opening, for starters, but congrats really go to Hopper, for forming just a exciting, entertaining, laughable and likable character, not the first movie, where he's acted like a kid, the revenge potboiler Boiling Point, was another one that sprung to mind. His partner, Milan is another asset. Watch for a younger John Hawkes, in a small but memorably great role, as antique thief, where Hopper busts up the joint, declaring, how he loves animals to people. It'd be great in reality, if they're were more Harry Nile's in the world. Things would get done more properly.

I want you to view it and not listen those who are turning down such a thriller. I have seen thousands of movies and this is in the top 10%. He is in shape and when he runs, you really feel he hates the mobs. He also comes out is residence naked running after another mob! There is action all the time. You have to be spoiled at an unseen level to feel cheap-mind in turning down such good classic movie of good and bad with a spicy outraged cop! Every movie of that caliber merits some attention and a more balanced judgment. Have a good time fellows! xx xx xx xx xx xxMichel from Montréal

Dennis Hopper is properly designated as a film personality rather than as an actor because he essentially plays himself, regardless of role requirements, and as with most performers of that type, Hopper is seldom able to rise above the quality of his material; therefore, when a production is as poorly written as in this instance, it can be no surprise that his showing is preordained to be awkward, at best. As action opens, a contract hit is being arranged to dispose of veteran Los Angeles Police Department homicide detective Harry "Nails" Niles and his partner Jack, and while it is never explained why, it is possibly not worth knowing and, soon after, the two whiskey swilling (while on duty) lawmen are uncannily duped into an ambush which they stupidly abet by not requesting assistance, Jack thereby being gunned down. This naturally disturbs Niles who, still in clothing saturated with Jack's blood, meets with his estranged wife (Anne Archer) for a session of role playing sex, after which he grimly proceeds to locate his ex-partner's killer, additionally discovering in the process a large-scale heroin smuggling operation, and whereas his investigative methods are brutal, there is no longer a question of their appropriateness, due to his suspension from duty. Shot atmospherically by cinematographer Mac Ahlberg in Los Angeles and Santa Monica, and smoothly edited by Michael Knue, the film's screenplay reveals a complete lack of knowledge regarding policing procedures along with wholesale failings in logic, and while many of the supporting cast are clearly enjoying their turns, acting honours go to Cuban Tomas Milian as a detective nearing retirement cajoled into aiding Niles, an ably created part but not nearly enough to save this poorly directed and scripted affair.

In Rebel Without A Cause, Easy Rider, Apocalypse Now, Blue Velvet and River's Edge, Dennis Hopper took us to the edge, this time he pushes us over! This man is an amazing actor who brings his trademark intensity to this film. He makes Dirty Harry look like a wimp! This film is a high wire through hell from start to finish and Hopper's performance is what does it. Anne Archer gives a great performance as his long suffering wife and the two have amazing chemistry. One thing that you have to say about Dennis Hopper, he is never boring and always delivers!