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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Eastern Promises
Genre: Thriller

Reviewed In Issue 129 (Mar 2008) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Vincent Cassel & Armin Mueller-Stahl

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 4
DD Sound Rating: 4
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4.5
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Special Features
Special features include up-front previews and the following featurettes: Secrets And Stories (ten minutes) and Marked For Life (seven minutes).


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): Universal Studios Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 62033300
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

Strong brutal and blooddy violence, graphic sexuality,language ans some nudity
(Retail Price): $29.98
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 201
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 2007
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 12/23/07
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): David Cronenberg
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
An unidentified Russian teenager is rushed to a London hospital after going into labor. The teen, lured to London with Eastern Promises of a good job, instead finds herself traded as a sex slave by the Russian Mob. With the help of Anna (Watts), a midwife, the teen delivers a healthy baby girl, before tragically dying from complications from the birth. Even though the unnamed girl has died, her secrets have not, as she kept a diary. When Anna enlists the help of a restaurateur, Semyon (Mueller-Stahl), to translate the diary, she soon fears the kindly man is not what he seems. Before long the truth begins to unfold, and Anna believes two members of the Russian Mafia, Krill (Cassel) and Nikolai (Mortensen) mean to harm the innocent newborn. (Stacey Pendry)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.83:1 DVD has a harsh appearance, with a gritty texture and a warm, earthy color scheme. It makes the imagery look much older than it actually is. Details are captured well, with good resolution, and contrast is balanced well. Black levels are not as deep as they could be, but shadow delineation is nicely rendered. The picture can have an acceptably dimensional look to it, but can also look somewhat washed-out at times. Pixel breakup is not much of a problem and edge enhancement is relatively minor, although it can be noticed on high-contrast transitions. (Danny Richelieu)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby