Eastern Promises (David Cronenberg, 2007)

[Via_Chicago]

Poster

It's like a scroll-down fug. The top 2/3 is perfect and then you look down and see the distributor's pathetic need to put those recognizable faces on the poster.

It's not so bad. At least it doesn't succumb to the deadly sin of the floating heads.

[domino harvey]

It's not so bad. At least it doesn't succumb to the deadly sin of the floating heads.

they're saving that for the DVD release

[Via_Chicago]

It's not so bad. At least it doesn't succumb to the deadly sin of the floating heads.

they're saving that for the DVD release

Well as long as it doesn't look like the original History of Violence DVD (Also known as: Menace II Indiana).

[exte]

Poster

It's like a scroll-down fug. The top 2/3 is perfect and then you look down and see the distributor's pathetic need to put those recognizable faces on the poster.

Exactly my thoughts. It's like they're almost onboard the idea that Cronenberg's name and the concept can sell the film - and then they show just how much they don't trust that, in the same poster.

Well as long as it doesn't look like the original History of Violence DVD (Also known as: Menace II Indiana).

That's just plain awful.

[Antoine Doinel]

Liam Lacey speaks to David Cronenberg about the film and it would appear that one of the film's more interesting moments is a full on nude fight scene in a bathhouse.

[Mr Sausage]

one of the film's more interesting moments is a full on nude fight scene in a bathhouse.

Didn't that happen in Red Heat (although I think the towels stay miraculously on)?

What's nice, tho', is that this isn't an attempt to shock or be edgy, but just something that grew naturally out of the pragmatics of shooting.

[Hai2u]

The naked fight scene makes me want to see the film even more. Not cause I'm into naked guys or anything, but I just want to see the expressions of everyone else in the theatre cause I know 99% of the people there have no idea this is going to happen.

[Lino]

Liam Lacey speaks to David Cronenberg about the film and it would appear that one of the film's more interesting moments is a full on nude fight scene in a bathhouse.

Women in Love, the Bathhouse Story?

[inri222]

Naked men fighting

[Antoine Doinel]

full theatrical trailer

Right now, the only part of the synopsis not working for me, is the whole "golden hearted midwife versus the mob" aspect. I sort of just don't get why she wouldn't immediately report something suspicious to the police (and isn't that what she has to do legally anyway)? Unless, like in A History Of Violence, the mob is blackmailing her, in which case I'm disappointed Cronenberg is revisiting the same themes in nearly the exact same manner.

[Andre Jurieu]

...and isn't that what she has to do legally anyway...

I can't even remember the last time that the narrative within a movie worried about the proper legal course of action.

[Matt]

Saw a commercial for this on CNN this afternoon. It's being billed as "the year's most anticipated thriller." Opens Sept. 14 limited, Sept. 21 wide.

[Jeff]

It looks as though Cronenberg will be the critical darling again this year. They haven't weighed in with their reviews yet, but critical heavyweights J. Hoberman, Amy Taubin, and Nathan Lee have given it a 95, 92, and 91 respectively at the National Society of Film Critics homepage. If it keeps that up, it will certainly be one of the best-reviewed films of the year. Here is Emmanuel Levy's take.

[Antoine Doinel]

If you are in Montreal, try and snag tickets for the advance screening on September 10th as it will be presented by both David Cronenberg and Viggo Mortensen.

[THX1378]

I really would hope that this is going to be another critical darling for Cronenberg. I've been reading around the web that it's chances for a best picture nom are next to none since some of the people that have seen it say that it's a very empty film comparted to History. But them seeing the National Society of Film Critics page makes me think otherwise. But those same people are saying that there won't be a best picture nom are saying Armin Mueller-Stahl will get a best supporting actor nom come Oscar time.

[Jeff]

I really would hope that this is going to be another critical darling for Cronenberg. I've been reading around the web that it's chances for a best picture nom are next to none since some of the people that have seen it say that it's a very empty film comparted to History. But them seeing the National Society of Film Critics page makes me think otherwise. But those same people are saying that there won't be a best picture nom are saying Armin Mueller-Stahl will get a best supporting actor nom come Oscar time.

Being a critical favorite and getting a best picture nomination hardly go hand-in-hand (see also: Children of Men). While I suspect it will end up being one of the best reviewed films of the year, I would say that its chances with the Academy are indeed next to none.

[Mr. Jones]

I've been treating myself to a feast of Cronenberg's films, many of which I haven't seen previously. Eastern Promises will serve as being the perfect desert and keeping me up to the mark on this great director who finally is getting the almost unanimous respect from critics and participators alike.

When it comes to the Academy, my prediction is that he'll be eventually forced down the same path that once led Hitchcock and Altman to their lifetime achievement Oscars.

[Faux Hulot]

This just in:

On Thursday, September 13, 2007, Cronenberg will appear with a preview screening of Eastern Promises, a thriller starring Viggo Mortenson and Naomi Watts, at the Directors Guild Theater in Manhattan. The screening will be followed by a conversation with the director.

Thursday, September 13
7:30 p.m.
EASTERN PROMISES
With David Cronenberg in person
Location: Directors Guild Theater, 110 W. 57 Street, Manhattan.
2007, 100 mins., 35mm print courtesy Focus Features. Directed by David Cronenberg. With Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts. David Cronenberg (A History of Violence, Videodrome, and Naked Lunch) reinvents the crime movie with this intense psychological thriller about a mysterious man tied to a London crime family and a midwife who has accidentally uncovered evidence against them. Tickets: $12 Museum members/$18 non-members/free for Sponsor level and above. Call 718.784.4520 or order at movingimage.us.

[Cronenfly]

When it comes to the Academy, my prediction is that he'll be eventually forced down the same path that once led Hitchcock and Altman to their lifetime achievement Oscars.

I'm not sure he'll ever even break mainstream enough for that: even with his recent success, he still seems very much on the fringe, even further so than Altman, Hitchcock, etc.

[colinr0380]

I thought that Steven Knight's script for Dirty Pretty Things was very good but hamfistedly directed by Stephen Frears (though maybe I'm just bitter because it forced me to break my ban on Audrey Tatou DVDs entering the house).

That made me laugh. I could imaging Matt opening the door of his house in the morning and being confronted by a scene similar to The Birds, except instead of birds it would be a flock of Da Vinci Code DVDs. Matt would have to slowly creep past them, startled once or twice when they flap their cases open and closed at him and Tatou seems to wink suggestively from the cover, until he can dive for the safety of his car!

But just when he thinks he is safe what is that on the passenger seat? Oh no! It is a copy of Amelie! Matt is doomed to watch it for all eternity on his in-car DVD player!

(My main reason for posting was to link to this article!)

[souvenir]

Film Comment interview with Cronenberg

[exte]

Film Comment interview with Cronenberg

I stopped in the middle. People should wait till after they've seen it at least, I think...

[Jeff]

A superbly wrought yarn set in the milieu of first-generation Russian mobsters in London that is simultaneously tough-minded and compassionate about the human condition, "Eastern Promises" instantly takes is place among David Cronenberg's very best films.

[miless]

anybody know what "select cities" Eastern Promises is premiering in next Friday?

I really cannot wait for this, I watched the trailer again (on TV) and many of the shots in it looked so un-hollywood I was beginning to get really excited. Cronenberg seems to really be on to something with his latest films.
much more subtle (in terms of their maintream subversion factors) than his horror-sci-fi-gore days (not that I'm not a fan, but Cronenberg really seems to be metamorphosing into a 'completely respectable auteur' in world cinema).

[Jeff]

anybody know what "select cities" Eastern Promises is premiering in next Friday?

It's only opening on a total of 11 screens on Friday, and I'm pretty sure all of those are in New York, L.A., and Chicago. They've doubled the expansion for the following week to 1,200 screens though. So in less you're in one of the big three, Miles, you're probably going to have to wait until the 21st like me.