1408 (Widescreen Edition)
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Movie Reviews of 1408 (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: A Chilling Tale With Heart
Summary: 5 Stars
Stephen King's works have uncertain box office fates, mostly because his epics don't translate well to the big screen. There's too much story to completely translate, and the movies are often flimsy in comparison. His most successful movie adaptations: Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, and Stand By Me were based on short stories, and the movies of his novels have suffered dismal fates: Dreamcatcher, Dark Half, Desperation, and the original `70's version of The Shining are excellent examples. The notable exception is Needful Things, mostly because of actor Ed Harris's capable performance.
King's miniseries usually fare better because they do his works more justice, but even then, they don't always succeed. Though Tim Curry nails Pennywise the evil clown, the mini-series It is laughable compared to its 1000+ novel counterpart. Rose Red was a great series and so was `Salem's Lot, but the actors cast in both fit their characters superbly - especially Rob Lowe in Lot. In The Stand, Gary Sinese fit the role of Stu Redman comfortably, but the mini-series doesn't approach the novel's epic proportions. Last summer's TNT mini-series, Nightmares & Dreamscapes, was wonderful - but again, based on his short stories.
The latest movie adaptation of a King story - 1408, a short story from his 2002 collection, Everything's Eventual, starring John Cusak and Samuel L. Jackson - blessedly belongs in the winner's circle. This is King at his finest; there are spooks, creepy crawlies, and armrest-grabbing scenes galore, but at the core is something more resonant than just a good scare.
Michael Enslin is a renowned but cynical horror novelist whose career is evaporating. Nursing deep wounds from his only daughter's untimely death, separated from his wife, Enslin has traveled around the country, staying in "haunted" houses, hotels, and mansions, debunking supernatural stories. He's lost faith in God, heaven, life after death, and now seeks to disprove every haunting he can find.
With his latest project Ten Nights in Ten Haunted Hotel Rooms almost finished, Enslin receives a enigmatic postcard from the famed Dolphin Hotel in New York, inscribed only with, "Don't Go Into 1408". Thinking it's just another elaborately designed hoax - right down to the hotel manager's, (played by Jackson), desperate urgings against the matter - Enslin checks into 1408, expecting another uneventful night.
He soon discovers that in his pride and arrogance, he's made a dreadful mistake, and whether or not he'll survive his hubris depends on how much terror he can take before the room forces him to kill himself.
1408 is delightfully creepy, but it's artfully frightening, unlike the gore-fests of the Hostel or Saw movies. You'll jump at creaking floors and slamming doors, but like many Stephen King stories, the evil "big bad" is merely a plot device used to enrich character development.
From a faith perspective, it's always intriguing the themes King repeatedly uses: the power of faith, free will, the existence of God, and how loss of faith equates loss of self. As Enslin struggles to acknowledge the supernatural, the evil room plays out the most painful moments of his daughter's death, and he grapples with the concepts of heaven and God. At a pivotal moment, the evil room offers Enslin a choice, reminding him that opting for their "speedy check-out service" - a clever nom-de-plumb for suicide - is completely up to him, because like all the other hotel services, free will is part of the package.
Cusak gives his usually wonderful performance, sinking into the role of a grieving father and self-absorbed author easily, and Samuel L. Jackson is of course, Samuel L. Jackson - striking, intimidating, wise, and flippant all at once. This is not just another scare-fest to be pulled out every Halloween and endured as a test of bravery; it's a chilling tale that's just as thought-provoking as it is frightening.
1408 is rated PG-13 for thematic material, disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images and language.
Movie Review: Outstanding Scary Flick!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was really pleased to see this genuinely scary flick WITHOUT all the blood and guts and slashing and killing. I am sooo sick of all that shock-value trash! I want suspense. I want to hear my heart thump because I don't know what's gonna happen next, and this is it! This was a well done horror flick. I watched it right before bedtime, so I had to have a little pep talk with myself before I went to sleep.
John Cusack is outstanding in his role as Mike Enslin, a cynical hardened writer of mainly books that challenge "haunted" hotels. Mike stays in the "haunted" room for the night, but never sees any ghosts. Then he comes back and debunks the so-called haunted hotel. Mike is a hardened soul who really doesn't seem to believe in anything, nor really care about anything since the death of his young daughter and the subsequent break up of his marriage. You get the impression that his books aren't very good either. He seems to have just kind of dried up inside.
Anyway, Mike meets his match when he arrives at the Dolphin Hotel in New York, to stay at the alledged haunted room 1408. Prior to his arrival, the Dolphin will not even accept a reservation from him for that room. Upon his arrival and insistance, he is greeted by Samuel L. Jackson, the hotel manager. Mr. Jackson tries everything to persuade Mike NOT to stay in 1408. He even tells him the room is just "fxxxxxx" evil, but cannot convince cynical Mike. He shows him black and white photos of some bloody dead people (which is as gory as it gets) from that room and tells him about many many deaths associated with the room, but Mike thinks it's just a snow job and insists on staying. By the way, Samuel Jackson adds just the right amount of creepyness to his part.
So, Mike is led to his room and the manager departs his company at the elevator. Things begin to happen very soon after Mike gets this attitude that nothing is going to happen. First a window comes down and cracks open Mikes hand, and the clock mysteriously resets itself on a 60 minute countdown while it starts playing "We've Only Just Begun" by the Carpenters'. A little at a time, all heck begins to break loose. I can't tell you anymore without ruining the movie for you, but if you want a good scare, this should do it. It's full of surprises and real heart-thumping terror. When it's finally over you say, "Whew!" and are glad you're alive.
No, I do NOT recommend it for children. Let them have their sweet childhood dreams as long as they can. By the way, I am pleased to say that I don't remember any foul language in the movie other than the comment by the hotel manager (above) for emphasis. He was frustrated that he could not convince Mike to stay in another room, so the comment fit perfectly.
Movie Review: Lucky 13
Summary: 5 Stars
Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a travel writer who specializes in haunted locations. When he discovers the Dolphin Hotel has a room responsible for numerous fatalities he can't resist the challenge of spending the night. The hotel manager, Mr. Olin (Samuel Jackson) tries to talk him out of it, literally begs him to forego the night's stay but Enslin won't hear of it. Enslin may write about the paranormal, but he doesn't actually believe in it. Needless to say, room 1408 will change all of that. Things start slow and then get progressively nasty as the room torments him relentlessly.
John Cusack gives an excellent performance as burned out Mike Enslin. As we learn more about his past involving the death of his child and his failed marriage, Cusack does a great job of conveying the emotions of his shattered character. Samuel Jackson is also strong as Olin. He's strong, poised, and believable as an upscale hotel manager. The two actors also work well onscreen together. In some ways, the highlight of the movie is early on when they go head-to-head in Olin's office.
Like any good horror movie, things start off slow and then the tension starts to build. There are plenty of creepy happenings, some "gotcha" jump moments, and the underlying story is more than interesting. The ending is fairly inventive and satisfying.
Those interested in the original short story by Stephen King that inspired this movie can find it in Everything's Eventual : 14 Dark Tales. The movie is similar up to a point but goes in its own direction for most of the second half.
My criteria for a horror film are simple. If I feel plenty of tension from the suspense of what will happen next and it doesn't completely gross me out with gore, then it's a winner. In this case, the tension is definitely there, the gore is almost nonexistent, and the characters are far more compelling than we normally see in horror movies.
Movie Review: Thoroughly engrossing
Summary: 5 Stars
You probably can't get a much better endorsement for a horror film than this--I found 1408 fairly scary. Now that might not sound very remarkable, but I'm someone who almost _never_ finds films scary. For me to get into that state over a film, it has to resonate with me in a way that few films can.
Of course, I'm a sucker for horror in general, especially haunted house flicks--probably my favorite horror subgenre. I'm a big fan of Stephen King (down to liking the majority of King-related films), a big Samuel L. Jackson fan, and I like John Cusack. It was an excellent idea to have Cusack's character, Mike Enslin, be a jaded skeptic. I could empathize with him, because I'm also a writer and a skeptic with an interest in horror-related topics and the supernatural. I thought the unusual move of setting this in a major, working New York hotel was well thought-out. I also love the atmosphere of the hotel--the interior decoration, the design of the sets, etc.
All of the above primed me for the film, combined with some fine scriptwriting and performances--for example, the extended scene featuring Jackson's character, Gerald Olin, pleading with and trying every way to bribe Enslin into rethinking his decision to stay in Room 1408 was one of the better I've seen in some time.
The scariest moments arrive fairly early--shortly after Enslin begins his stay in 1408, but the whole film is incredibly engrossing, even if it begins to turn into more of a "rubber reality" trip by the end--ala Jacob's Ladder (1990), Memento (2000), The I Inside (2003), and maybe not just coincidentally, the too-little-known Nightmare on the 13th Floor (1990) (different than the Thirteenth Floor from 1999, even though that's another rubber reality film) . . . and that's another favorite genre for me. The ambiguities in 1408 are a lot of fun to speculate about afterwards, but they're also not aggravating, as some rubber reality films can be.
Movie Review: Hotels are naturally creepy places, don't you think?
Summary: 5 Stars
When it comes to horror movies, I'm skeptical. Especially when they're based on the works of authors I admire. When it comes to horror writing, Stephen King is above par--he is the guy you compare all others to. There have been some wonderful adaptations of his novels; there have been some horrendous adaptations as well. Fortunately for all concerned, "1408" fits snugly into the former category.
Mike Enslin is a non-believer. No ghosts, no goolies, not even a god. He's searching, though; he looks everywhere for evidence of the paranormal, but has yet to see a glimpse. Then he gets word of the Dolphin. And room 1408. He's warned to stay away. The manager bribes him with expensive liquor. But Mike doesn't listen. And once he enters 1408, he has one hour to live.
This movie creeped me out. I say that so bluntly because movies rarely creep me out. "The Exorcist" does it. "Jaws" does it. A couple others, perhaps, but not many. Of course you have your genuine shock moments--turn around and a guy slashes with a knife, some creep-o pops out of a ventilation shaft. But true horror is atmospheric; and what's more atmospheric than a dingy, supposedly haunted hotel room?
If nothing else, "1408" shows that John Cusack has what it takes to carry a movie by himself. Don't get me wrong--the acting is great. Samuel L. Jackson's performance is top-notch; his scene with Cusack in the office is tremendously entertaining. But Cusack gets the majority of the screen time, mostly by himself. His dry wit comes in handy to counter-balance the stark horror of the movie. Not saying "1408" is a horror comedy; just saying, you'll probably get a laugh or two before you wet yourself in terror. That should make up for any discomfort, I think.