1408 (Widescreen Edition)
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Movie Reviews of 1408 (Widescreen Edition)
Movie Review: 1408 Widescreen Edition
Summary: 5 Stars
The PG-13 rating given to 1408 belies this film's truly terrifying effects on its audience. Though it's far less gory than its peers, it has frightening moments and a creepy mood throughout. John Cusack (IDENTITY) plays Mike Enslin, a gifted writer who has turned his talents to paranormal travel books. His stays in haunted hotels never shake him, but he's intrigued by New York's Dolphin Hotel. Room 1408 has been the site of dozens of deaths, and this is a selling point for the skeptic in Mike. Despite the warnings of the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson, BLACK SNAKE MOAN), Mike resolves to stay in the haunted room. No one has lasted more than an hour in 1408, and Mike has his work cut out for him. Though Cusack got his acting pedigree in comedies, he proves he's able to adeptly carry a horror film. He's in practically every frame of the film, often alone, and he's great at making the audience share in his fear. This is the second English-language film from director Mikael Hafstrom (DERAILED), and he does a good job of establishing tension. A lot of the credit is due to the film's sound crew, whose detailed work goes far in giving 1408 its unsettling feeling. Like THE SHINING, this is based on writing from horror master Stephen King, and it's a similarly creepy tale set in a hotel. But in its execution, 1408 is far more indebted to classic horror films such as the original 1963 version of THE HAUNTING. I was most skeptical but I found that I really enjoyed this film. You have to give it a chance and you will be surprised, I did and I was .Movie Review: Does justice to the story
Summary: 5 Stars
I approached 1408 with low expectations. I think the short story is probably the scariest thing King has ever written, and the definitive haunted room story. I've been hoping for years that somebody would do a film adaptation, but King is notoriously difficult to adapt to film. Moreover, I don't remember hearing anything about a theatrical release, and the first I heard of it was a TV ad for the DVD. Worse, there were scenes in the TV trailer that I knew were not in the story, so clearly the short story had been expanded for the screen--usually bad news with a King story (Children of the Corn, anyone?).
To my great delight, the film fully does justice to the short story, and is probably the best Stephen King adaptation since The Shining. The additions and elaborations are fully in spirit of the original. There are a couple of things from the story missing, but they are things that would have been difficult to convey on film.
John Cusak turns in a tour de force performance, most of it solo, as the jaded writer of occult travelogues who tries to spend the night in the evil room 1408. Samuel Jackson is also excellent as the hotel manager, in a scene that is almost verbatim from the book, and prime Steven King. The ending is perhaps more benign than in the original story, but it works, and there are a couple of alternative endings on the disk if it doesn't suit.
Movie Review: Not just bed bugs you need to be afraid of
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow, I thought all I had to worry about when staying in a hotel room was taking bed bugs home or sleepwalking to the mini bar, grabbing a Snickers and then finding out the exorbitant amount charged to my room. It turns out there's a whole lot more to be afraid of and you'll find out in Room 1408. This room has a very odd past with a history of unspeakable and gory tragedies that have occurred over the years.
A writer who specializes in the debunking of paranormal activity comes to this NY hotel and requests to be placed in Room 1408 after hearing rumblings about it. After much dissuasion (and out and out begging) from the general manager to not stay in this room, he gets his wish and the keys to 1408. Any movie that can make a Carpenters song frightening is one for the books. I don't want to share any more because there really isn't any need to go beyond this point, but if you like a good horror film that's not rooted in "slasheresque" style, you will really like this one.
Movie Review: It's an evil ****ing room
Summary: 5 Stars
I went to go see 1408 in theaters a day after its release in the United States. It far exceeded my expectations, and is also one of the best horror movies I have ever seen along with "The Shining", which is a classic. John Cusack delivers a great performance as writer Mike Enslin, who has lost his daughter at a young age, and Samuel Jackson has never been better as the manager of the Dolphin Hotel. While the acting may be great, the thing I like about 1408 is that it differentiates itself immensely from the modern horror films of today. A week before I saw 1408, I saw "Hostel: Part 2", an unbelievably idiotic "horror" film that relied heavily on gore, rape, and violence to frighten the audience. 1408 isn't like that; it has substance and style, with minimal gore and violence.
The movie isn't without flaws: it starts off a little slowly and the acting of Mike Enslin's daughter is forgettable, but it isn't enough to stop me from giving this movie my highest recommendation.
Movie Review: Creepy!
Summary: 5 Stars
I was pleasantly surprised or should I say scared by this incredibly creepy film! This is one of the best screen adaptations of a King novel to a movie since The Shining.
John Cusak is a myth debunker who spends the night at places that are reputedly haunted and then writes books about his non-eventful night. He is warned not to stay in room 1408 at the New York Dophin. Of course he then insists on staying there and no amount of persuasion can stop him. Even documented records of 54 deaths in the room don't phase him.
During his time there it is bone-chilling horror that may claim his inner soul. Along the way he re-examines his relationships with his father and his daughter who are both dead.