PICK OF THE WEEK: EASTERN PROMISES

Reuniting after their celebrated work on 2005's "A History of Violence," director David Cronenberg and actor Viggo Mortensen have made another provocative and offbeat action drama. "Eastern Promises" takes viewers into the underground world of the Russian mob through the story of a nurse (Naomi Watts) trying to protect the baby of a dead teenage prostitute.

Nearly all of the film's characters harbor secrets that are revealed in unexpected ways, and there are several memorably bold sequences including a bath house brawl graphic for both its violence and its nudity. The entire cast—including Armin Mueller-Stahl and Vincent Cassel as key members of the mafia—is excellent.

Both Mortensen (who performs with a Russian accent) and the film were nominated for Golden Globes, and Mortensen also picked up a nomination from the Screen Actors Guild. That puts him in prime contention for an Oscar nomination, which would help make up for the Academy's snubbing of "A History of Violence" in several key categories.

Despite the quality of the film, the "Eastern Promises" DVD contains minimal extras. There are just two brief featurettes: one on the making of the film and another on Mortensen's character's many tattoos. It's especially disappointing that there's no commentary from the engaging Cronenberg, whose brainy musings are always worth a listen.

"Eastern Promises" is also available on HD-DVD.


Also released:
"American Pie Presents: Beta House" (Unrated)
"The Brothers Solomon"
"The Heartbreak Kid" (also HD-DVD)
"Jackass 2.5"
"The Kingdom" (also HD-DVD)
"Living & Dying"
"Shattered"

Boxed set:
"Lost and Found: The Harry Langdon Collection"

Hi-def:
"Cat People" (HD-DVD)
"Pan's Labyrinth" (Blu-ray and HD-DVD)
"Timecop" (HD-DVD)

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