Spiral (2007 film)

Last updated

Spiral
Spiralposter.jpg
Promotional poster for the film
Directed by Joel David Moore
Adam Green
Written by Jeremy Boreing
Joel David Moore
Produced byCory Neal
Jeremy Boreing
Starring Amber Tamblyn
Joel David Moore
Zachary Levi
Tricia Helfer
Cinematography Will Barratt
Edited byCory Livingston
Music byTodd Caldwell
Michael "Fish" Herring
Release dates
  • January 27, 2007 (2007-01-27)(Santa Barbara Film Festival)
  • February 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)(United States)
Running time
90 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3,072 (US) [1]

Spiral is a 2007 American psychological thriller directed by Joel David Moore and Adam Green, and starring Moore, Amber Tamblyn, Zachary Levi, and Tricia Helfer. The original screenplay for the film was written by Moore and Jeremy Danial Boreing.

Contents

Spiral was an Official Selection and was awarded the "Gold Vision" Award at the 22nd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2007. The "Gold Vision" Award is given for the "most innovative and unique film with an inspiring and groundbreaking vision."

Plot

The story follows lonely introvert Mason, a telesales insurance company worker by day and talented painter as well as a lover of classic jazz by night. His only friend is his boss, Berkeley (Levi), who keeps an eye on him and humors his bizarre behavior. When awkward Mason meets social Amber, a new co-worker, he begins to come out of himself, and reveals the depth and darkness of his mind.

Cast

Production

Spiral was filmed in Portland, Oregon.

Soundtrack

Because jazz is such an important part of the plot, Joel David Moore wanted to use a completely original score. [2] It was composed by Todd Caldwell and Michael Herring. It features Brad Leali on alto sax, Jay DaVersa on trumpet, Royce Chambers playing tenor and soprano sax, Todd's father Don Caldwell on tenor sax, and Ted Greenberg on drums. [3]

Reception

Box office

The film grossed $3,072 in the United States. [1]

Critical

The film received mixed reviews from critics. As of February 17, 2008, the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 60% of critics gave the film positive reviews, based on 5 reviews. [4] Metacritic reported the film had a weighted average score of 40 out of 100, based on 4 reviews. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coen brothers</span> American filmmakers

Joel Daniel Coen and Ethan Jesse Coen, together known as the Coen brothers, are an American filmmaking duo. Their films span many genres and styles, which they frequently subvert or parody. Among their most acclaimed works are Blood Simple (1984), Raising Arizona (1987), Miller's Crossing (1990), Barton Fink (1991), Fargo (1996), The Big Lebowski (1998), O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), No Country for Old Men (2007), A Serious Man (2009), True Grit (2010) and Inside Llewyn Davis (2013).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amber Tamblyn</span> American actress

Amber Rose Tamblyn is an American actress and author. She first came to national attention in her role on the soap opera General Hospital as Emily Quartermaine at the age of 11. She followed with a starring role on the prime-time series Joan of Arcadia, portraying the title character, Joan Girardi, for which she received Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. Her feature film work includes roles such as Tibby Rollins from the first two The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Megan McBride in 127 Hours (2010), as well as appearing opposite Tilda Swinton in the critically acclaimed film Stephanie Daley, which debuted at The Sundance Film Festival and for which Tamblyn won Best Actress at The Locarno International Film Festival and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. In 2016, she made her directorial debut with the film Paint It Black starring Alia Shawkat and based on Janet Fitch's 2006 novel of the same name. In 2021 she starred opposite Diane Lane in FX's Y: The Last Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricia Helfer</span> Canadian and American actress (born 1974)

Tricia Janine Helfer is a Canadian and American actress. She is known for portraying Number Six in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009). She also voiced Sarah Kerrigan in the video game StarCraft II and its expansion packs (2010–2015), and portrayed Charlotte Richards/Goddess in the urban fantasy series Lucifer (2016–2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel David Moore</span> American actor and director (born 1977)

Joel David Moore is an American actor and director. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Moore studied acting in college before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a film career. His first major role was as Owen Dittman in the 2004 comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, followed by roles in the comedy Grandma's Boy (2006), Terry Zwigoff's Art School Confidential (2006), and the independent slasher film Hatchet (2006).

<i>Undead</i> (film) 2003 Australian film

Undead is a 2003 Australian zombie science fiction comedy horror film written and directed by Michael and Peter Spierig and starring Felicity Mason, Mungo McKay and Rob Jenkins.

<i>Skin Deep</i> (1989 film) 1989 film by Blake Edwards

Skin Deep is a 1989 American romantic sex comedy film written and directed by Blake Edwards and starring John Ritter.

<i>The Grudge 2</i> 2006 film by Takashi Shimizu

The Grudge 2 is a 2006 American supernatural horror film directed by Takashi Shimizu and written by Stephen Susco. The film is a sequel to The Grudge (2004) and the second installment in the American The Grudge film series, based on the Ju-On franchise created by Shimizu. It is the sixth and last Ju-On or The Grudge film directed by Shimizu. The film stars Arielle Kebbel, Amber Tamblyn, Jennifer Beals, Edison Chen, Sarah Roemer, and Sarah Michelle Gellar, the latter reprise her role from the first film.

<i>Art School Confidential</i> 2006 film by Terry Zwigoff

Art School Confidential is a 2006 American comedy-drama film directed by Terry Zwigoff and starring Max Minghella, Sophia Myles, John Malkovich, Jim Broadbent, Matt Keeslar, Ethan Suplee, Joel Moore, Nick Swardson, Adam Scott, and Anjelica Huston. The story follows Jerome (Minghella) who enrolls in art school and is loosely based on the comic of the same name by Daniel Clowes. The film is Zwigoff's second collaboration with Clowes, the first being 2001's Ghost World, which was also released by United Artists. The film received polarized reviews from critics.

<i>Surfer, Dude</i> 2008 American film

Surfer, Dude is a 2008 American comedy film directed by S.R. Bindler and starring Matthew McConaughey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Green (filmmaker)</span> American actor and filmmaker (born 1975)

Adam Green is an American actor, filmmaker and musician, best known for his work in horror and comedy films, including the Hatchet franchise, 2010's Frozen, and the television series Holliston. He was also the lead singer for the hard rock and metal band Haddonfield.

<i>An American Carol</i> 2008 film by David Zucker

An American Carol is a 2008 American satirical comedy film directed by David Zucker and written by Zucker, Myrna Sokoloff and Lewis Friedman. Using the framework of Charles Dickens' 1843 novella A Christmas Carol, the film follows liberal filmmaker Michael Malone as he is visited by three spirits to teach him the importance of Independence Day. The film satirizes liberalism in the United States, with focus on Moore's documentaries. It stars Kevin Farley as Malone, alongside an ensemble supporting cast that includes Kelsey Grammer, Leslie Nielsen, Trace Adkins, Robert Davi, and Jon Voight.

<i>Battlestar Galactica</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the reimagined science fiction television series Battlestar Galactica premiered on Sci Fi in the United States on October 6, 2006, and concluded on March 25, 2007. Unlike the previous season, it was not split into two parts and did not have an extended hiatus during the middle of the season. The third season contained 20 episodes.

<i>Wieners</i> (film) 2008 American film

Wieners is a 2008 American comedy film directed by Mark Steilen and starring Fran Kranz, Kenan Thompson, Jenny McCarthy and Darrel Hammond. It was written by Suzanne Francis and Gabe Grifoni.

<i>Grassroots</i> (film) 2012 American film

Grassroots is a 2012 American biographical political dark comedy film directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal, based on the book Zioncheck for President by Phil Campbell. Shot in Seattle, the film revolves around a grassroots campaign for Seattle City Council and explores what happens when a dedicated activist tries to realize a vision by seeking political office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeremy Boreing</span> American filmmaker (born 1979)

Jeremy Danial Boreing is an American political activist, producer, director, screenwriter, and commentator. He is a founder, contributor, and co-chief executive officer at the conservative news and opinion website The Daily Wire.

<i>X/Y</i> 2014 American film

X/Y is a 2014 American drama film written and directed by Ryan Piers Williams and starring America Ferrera, Ryan Piers Williams, Melonie Diaz, Jon Paul Phillips, Amber Tamblyn, David Harbour, and Common. The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 19, 2014.

<i>Authors Anonymous</i> 2014 comedy indie film directed by Ellie Kanner

Authors Anonymous is a 2014 American comedy film directed and produced by Ellie Kanner. It stars Kaley Cuoco, Chris Klein, Tricia Helfer, Jonathan Banks, Jonathan Bennett, Teri Polo, Dylan Walsh, and Dennis Farina. The film was released on March 18, 2014, through video on demand prior to its limited release on April 18, 2014, by Screen Media Films and Starz Digital.

<i>Not Cool</i> (film) 2014 film by Shane Dawson

Not Cool is a 2014 American romantic teen comedy film directed and edited by Shane Dawson, written by Dan Schoffer, and produced by Lauren Schnipper, Dawson, and Josh Shader. The film centers on a group of high school friends reuniting over their Thanksgiving break during college. Along with Hollidaysburg, it is one of two films that were produced for the Starz reality competition show The Chair, where the competitors use the same screenplay to create their own film. The film stars Cherami Leigh, Shane Dawson, Drew Monson, Michelle Veintimilla, Lisa Schwartz, and Bill Laing. The film grossed $36,026 in the US against an $800,000 budget and received negative reviews. As of 2024, it is Dawson's only directed feature film.

<i>Santa Clarita Diet</i> 2017 American horror-comedy television series

Santa Clarita Diet is an American horror sitcom created by Victor Fresco for the streaming service Netflix, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. Fresco serves as the showrunner, and is an executive producer alongside Barrymore, Olyphant, Aaron Kaplan, Tracy Katsky, Chris Miller, Ember Truesdell and Ruben Fleischer. The series centers on husband and wife real estate team Joel and Sheila Hammond whose normal, mundane lives change dramatically when Sheila shows symptoms of having become a zombie. The bewildered family seek a cure for her condition while dealing with its consequences, such as Sheila's new craving of human flesh and radically altered personality that has become more primal and impulsive.

<i>Vicious Fun</i> 2020 Canadian film

Vicious Fun is a 2020 Canadian comedy horror film directed by Cody Calahan, written by James Villeneuve, and starring Evan Marsh, Ari Millen, Amber Goldfarb, Julian Richings, Robert Maillet and David Koechner.

References

  1. 1 2 "Spiral".
  2. "Spiral + Bad Santa with Joel David Moore". Double Feature (Podcast). February 12, 2009. Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  3. Kerns, William (July 9, 2006). "The Feeling of Intensity: Jazz Musician Todd Caldwell pours hundreds of hours into film" . Retrieved July 29, 2015.
  4. "Spiral - Movie Reviews, Trailers, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 2008-02-17.
  5. "Spiral (2008): Reviews". Metacritic . Retrieved 2008-02-17.