Mortensen says dark works focus attention

NEW YORK, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Viggo Mortensen says his involvement in the dark movies, "Good" and "The Road," have helped him focus on the important things in life.

The "Eastern Promises" star said the movies about Nazi Germany and an apocalyptic world, respectively, altered his outlook on the world by making him a more active member of society and social circles, the New York Post reported Sunday.

"It makes you value paying attention, you know what I mean? As a family member, or friend or member of society, if you don't pay attention or you don't participate to some degree, then you can't complain later if that person leaves you, or your country gets out of control," the 50-year-old actor said.

Mortensen said it was unfortunate the release date for "Road," a film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's popular novel, was rescheduled from November to an undisclosed time in 2009.

"I would have loved to see it come out now, because it's moving into winter and that seems appropriate, story-wise," he said of the bleak movie's original release date.