SPIRAL

Directed by Adam Green and Joel David Moore
Written by Jeremy Danial Boreing and Joel David Moore
Cinematography by Will Barrat
Music by Todd Caldwell and Michael “Fish” Herring
Cast: Joel David Moore, Zachary Levi, and Amber Tamblyn

2007/91 Mins/Color/Dolby Digital Surround
1.78:1 anmaorphic/English/US/NTSC Region 1

Review from Anchor Bay DVD

Mason (co-director and co-writer Joel David Moore) is a disturbed, young telemarketer and painter. One day, he meets a fun, sweet co-worker by the name of Amber (the ravishing Amber Tamblyn). She becomes his new art subject. But when his madness begins to take hold; it all goes straight down to hell.

Co-directed by lead actor Moore and HATCHET director Adam Green, this is a truly amazing film. It succeeds at being creepy and disturbing, yet touching and heart wrenching at the same time. It is a stylish looking movie, with some amazing shots and stunning film composition. The editing is also wonderful and gives the scene the type of feeling, the director wants to convey.

There is a twist at the finale that while I saw coming, works quite well, and ends up delivering a powerful gut punch. In the end the movie is very emotionally draining. This is proof that quality PG-13 horror can still be made.

The acting is flawless. Moore is sympathetic, yet, creepy and weird. He is able to change this a moment’s notice fully delivering the right emotion at the right time. Tamblyn is a goddess. It is easy to fell in lover with her. She may come off as too gorgeous for Moore’s character, but the writing is so good, that one can believe it. Plus, there is some great chemistry between them. Levi is very likable as his friend and boss Berkeley.

SPIRAL spins into DVD thanks to Anchor Bay. It is presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescreen. The picture is flawless with great colors that are vibrant and alive. The Dolby Digital Surround (which can also be heard in Stereo Surround) is pulsating and excellent, as well. The jazz filled soundtrack sounds simply great!

As far extras go, I wish there was more indebt stuff, but alas there is not. “Spinning Spiral: The Making of Spiral” is less than eight minutes long and is just behind the scenes stuff. “Cinefile Promo 1-3” are three short featurettes from the Starz network They too consist of behind the scenes stuff, as well as interviews, but nothing special. Basically, they are just fluff pieces.

On the brightside, the running commentary with Adam Green, Joel David Moore, writer-producer Will Barrett, and actors Amber Tamblyn and Zachery Levi is quite good and fun to hear. It really brings a smile to your face, and they all keep things moving and light. There are some cool facts and anecdotes that make you appreciate the film even more. They touch on some good themes, and they helped to sell me on the relationship between Amber and Mason, even more.

The disc comes in keep-case that has a slip-cover with reflective artwork. It really looks nice. It also has an inlet card that lists the sixteen chapters that the film is broken up into. On the other side of the card is a nice replica of a poster for the film. The menu for the film is also rather cool; included are trailers for the movie, itself, as well as: HACTHET, HE WAS A QUIET MAN, and WRESTLEMANIAC.

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Review by Giovanni Deldio. All Right Reserved. 2007. ©

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