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John Cusack checks into Room 1408 at Manhattan's posh Dolphin Hotel and finds that the joint is jumpin' with ghosts who will do their damnedest to make sure the dude will not get out alive. It's a hellish premise, just the wicked mastery you expect from Stephen King, whose short story gives this mindbender its spine. King's recent work has been royally botched onscreen (hello, Secret Window, Needful Things and Dreamcatcher). Not this time. For that all praise to Cusack, who brings his welcome smartass savvy to the role of Mike Enslin, the author of bestsellers that debunk the idea of things that go bump in the night. Mike has his own demons, notably the death of his daughter (Jasmine Jessica Anthony), a tragic event that shattered his marriage to Lily (Mary McCormack). He makes Mike's cynicism palpable as he checks into Room 1408 despite the objections of hotel manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson), who informs him that more than fifty people have died trying to spend the night there. Just to hear Jackson intone the line -- "it's an evil f**** room" -- is enough to shiver your timbers. Swedish director Mikael Hafsrom, who scored with Evil in 2003 and fizzled badly with Derailed two years later, seems to have regained his footing. The mid-section of 1408 is saddled with tacky and needless special effects, but Hafstrom ratchets up the tension big time as Cusack pulls out all the stops in a performance way beyond frightfest duty. The fact that 1408 is relatively free of gore has encouraged some critics to use it to attack what they call the torture porn of such directors as Hostel's Eli Roth. But Roth is a gifted filmmaker with his own goals and methods to achieve them. Hafstrom wisely takes the path King intended: to plumb the violence of the mind. Heebie-jeebies are guaranteed. If you go out and buy this movie, you will not be disappointed! I just got this from blockbuster tonight!Read full review
"1408", a very scary Stephen King thriller from 2007, stars John Cusack as Mike Enslin, an author who specializes in exposing legends of so-called "paranormal" occurrences in different places as the frauds they are, writing books about them for his livelihood. Mr. Enslin hasn't been overly successful as far as book sales, but something drives him on to investigate every place with a ghostly history. Until, one day, he receives a postcard from a fan advertising the Dolphin Hotel in New York City, which reportedly has a room in which many people have died in macabre fashion. His curiosity piqued, he arranges to spend a night in the accursed room, threatening to sue the reluctant hotel manager (well-played by Samuel L. Jackson) if he is not allowed to use the room. Despite an impassioned try at dissuading Enslin, he is finally allowed to move into Room 1408. At first, Enslin believes he has just been "hyped" once again; however, it isn't long before terrifying things begin happening almost without let-up. No guest in the room has lived longer than 1 hour, and the electric clock in the room mysteriously stops showing the time and instead starts displaying a one-hour countdown... Although not a gory CGI-dominated slasher flick, 1408 succeeds in getting the viewer involved in the main character's terrible plight. With edge-of-your-seat regularity, we follow the ordeal of Mike Enslin as his time slips away, seemingly taking his sanity along with it. This movie makes you THINK, as well as use your imagination to try and figure out what is real and what is hallucination. All in all, this thriller will keep your pulse thumping through most of its hour and forty-five minutes. What else can you ask of a horror flick? Rated PG-13 for disturbing and scary scenes, and some language. 4****Read full review
Ive' always loved haunted house movies, but this was something different. Until now, I never thought that hotel rooms could be the least bit scary, boy was I wrong! This is a neatly staged and acted little horror film, that relies on both the visceral and the psychological to get the viewer to react and the fact that it succeeds at both, make it a keeper in my library. Featuring great performances by the leads and at once both the creepiest and the most mundane looking hotel room you have ever seen, with a chilling atmosphere that never lets up! Recommended!
Here's why. Stephen King's psychological horror rarely ever shows its face on the screen the way it appears in his writing. This movie captures a lot of the mental torture that Stephen King writes so well (embodied in room 1408). I typically always see Cusack as playing himself in every movie he's in. Fortunately, this role appeals to that character. I would say see it and judge for yourself. I specifically enjoyed the background music and director's choice of camera angles. I also appreciated the mix of surprise horror and psychological. All too often, a horror film loads up too much on one angle and is predictable at times. 1408 is a fresh perpective on horror, and needless to say a spectacular performance.
I wasn't really to into seeing this movie. I was at the movie store, happened to see it on the shelf and rented it. I mostly gave in because John Cusack and Samuel L. Jackson where in it. It was a little slow start but once Cusacks character gets to the hotel where the room 1408, it really starts to pick up and become interesting. This is based off of a Stephen King short story (which I didn't know until the movie started and I saw the credits). I have never read the short story this is based off so I can't compair the two together. The movie though, was wonderful. The plot of the story was what you think is going to be the same old "haunted place" story, but it wasn't. The twist through out keep you guessing as to how the movie will end. The acters so a wonderful job, but mostly you see Cusack through the movie. Though Jacksons part is not very big, he still delivers awsome lines that no one else could have pulled off. My hubby doesn't like horror movies, but really enjoyed this one. It isn't filled with gore and blood. It takes a step back in time almost, to when not seeing something can be more scary and those small special effects like a turning key in a lock can give you chills. This is a really great movie all around. A++ :).Read full review
This movie was unlike any thing I have ever seen. It was scary and entertaining. I love it. John Cusack and Samuel Jackson were awesome in the leading roles. The movie kept me on the edge of my seat and I never knew what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed it. I decided to buy this movie because I had never seen it before and it seemed interesting, and it did not dissapoint. If you like thrillers and horror combined and on the edge of your seat goodness, check it out. It's the "thrill that chills".
For every 10 thrillers made today, 5 stink, 4 are average and 1 is real good. THIS ONE IS REAL GOOD! Mike Enslin (John Cusack), who once wrote a well-regarded but unsuccessful novel about a tormented surfer, now hacks out quickie books about haunted places and despises the readers who ignore his strenuous debunking and continue to believe in spirits. His psyche is lousy with his fizzling career, miserable childhood and failed marriage to Lilly (Mary McCormack), whom he abruptly abandoned after their little daughter's death. The disillusioned ghost writer is wallowing in sun-washed California squalor, catching a few waves and drowning his sorrows the time-honored way while trying to finish "Ten Haunted Hotel Rooms" when a mysterious postcard washes up in his P.O. box. Do not enter room 1408 of Manhattan's Dolphin Hotel, it warns! Enslin goes through the motions: 1+4+0+8=13. Spooky! Reports abound of guests checking in and then checking out via razor, rope or window. But the clincher is when Dolphin manager Mr. Olin (Samuel L. Jackson) curtly informs him that 1408 is "not available." Not next week, not next month, not ever. Convinced the room is the last chapter he's been looking for, Enslin packs his spook-catching gear, forces Olin to rent him the "evil f---ing room" (were it not for the film's teen-friendly PG-13 rating, Jackson would no doubt want the motherf---ing ghosts out of his motherf---ing hotel) and waits for the scary stuff to start. The minute it does, the movie starts a precipitous decline into flashy special effects, psychodrama and multiple "gotcha!" endings that make it feel almost as long as the one-hour eternity Enslin spends trying to escape slime-oozing walls, extremes of heat and cold, and sundry malevolent apparitions. Good story line, Super Cast! Great effects. Positives:An excellent story, likeable characters (even Cusack as Enslin who becomes more and more likeable as the film goes on). Great scares, and some very great visual effects. Negatives:The overall jist of the movie can be taken in different ways. After seeing this film, you'll probably see the situation from three different perspectives, and Mike Ensline as either a good or bad man. Or maybe a little in between. I felt the ending should've been more clear and resolute than the way it did end. Overall:I'm not sure how well this movie did but I'd pay to see it in a theatre house. It's a slow, steady build up with terrifying and interesting plots. "1408" might go over the head of most audiences looking for explosions and high body counts in their horror films. But hopefully people will give this one a chance, if not for the A list STRONG cast alone. Definitly get the movie !!Read full review
I am not into the horror movie scene. Taking a chain saw to a bus load of nuns does nothing for me. I rented the movie by default. It was one of the few new release movies available. I trusted that John Cusack and Samuel L Jackson would not let me down. It was a pleasant suprise that the movie was not a blood and guts gore fest. Oh..there is a zombie chase or two..but Stephen King played to a deeper level of fear. The movie catered more to primal fears as the fear of drowning..the fear of heights..the fear of falling..the fear of fire..the fear of being buried..the fear of the unknown. He even addressed mans greatest fear..the fear of losing a child. Even a greater horror was the loss of a child..unless you consider the horror of living after the loss of a child. If you have a weakness it can be found in room 1408. A great horror movie for those of us who do not like horror movies.Read full review
A film based on Kings writings. Mike Enslin makes a living as an author, who specializes in the paranormal phenomenon. After receiving a postcard saying DO NOT STAY IN 1408, Mike becomes intrigued. After much hassle and waring from the hotel Manager, Mike finally makes it into the room. What at first seems to be a normal hotel room, turns into a horrific nightmare and Mike only has one hour to live. Another john cusack movie but one that is different from most of his films. 1408 is not your typical horror flick in stead its a room from hell with vented vengence untill it meets its match and this is where the tables turn as the a normal hotel room goes postal on jhon things heat up and there is a twisted ending that all will never be the same. If you like horror with a twist of action and drama the unfolds a great story then this film is for you. I bought this movie for the fact i enjoyed watching on the big screen and once owned it before. So what are you waiting for run out and buy this dvd and enjoy what movies were made for good entertainment like this film gives you.Read full review
If you like a good ghost story, then 1408 is for you. No castles or graveyards required as 1408 pulls off a great tale in a modern hotel with minimal actors whom, each, are completely believable.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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