A Fresh Perspective on the Mafia Genre: A Review of “Eastern Promises”

In “Eastern Promises,” director David Cronenberg and screenwriter Steven Knight weave a gripping narrative set against the backdrop of London’s Russian mafia, anchored by a powerful performance from Viggo Mortensen. This review explores the film’s intricate exploration of themes such as loyalty, identity, and redemption, alongside its intense, graphically violent scenes that bear Cronenberg’s trademark touch. With contributions from Howard Shore’s atmospheric score and Peter Suschitzky’s brooding cinematography, “Eastern Promises” stands as a compelling entry in the crime drama genre, celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of the violent, morally complex world of organized crime. This analysis delves into the film’s nuanced characters, particularly Mortensen’s Oscar-nominated role, and the film’s cultural and social commentary, offering a rich examination of its enduring impact and cinematic craftsmanship.

Verdict Video: Rabid (1977)

Summary: One of David Cronenberg’s earliest films, Rabid depicts the effects of disease and hysteria that usually accompany these types of horror films. A young woman (Marilyn Chambers) suffers a motorcycle accident with her boyfriend. Both of them are taken to a nearby clinic where a egotistical surgeon decides to try his experimental treatment on […]

The American Nightmare: An Exploration of Humanity’s Shadow

Every once in a while you watch a documentary the changes the way you look at something. In this case it’s horror films and a documentary called “The American Nightmare.” Some of our favorite talents in the horror film industry like David Cronenberg, Tom Savini, Wes Craven, as well as the late and great George […]

A History of Violence: A Film About the Shadows We Carry

Have you ever wondered about the lives of people in your community? It seems in our day-to-day lives we only see what people present on the outside. We get peeks into their inner lives and those who we become intimate with offer a wider opening into their psychological sanctuaries, but even then there is a […]