1408 (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)

"1408" is based on an original Stephen King short abandons for the most part the use of overt gore and jumpy "boo" scenes in a smart move away from a trend we've been seeing in some modern horror movies, such as "The Hostel" or "Cabin Fever". Don't get me wrong though, gore in a horror movie (or otherwise) can have its place, if it's done well and inserted properly. But some films just don't need it. "1408" is such a film and relies on spooky tension building to get its point across.

The film, which received an 18 certificate in Britain and remarkably a PG-13 certificate in the US, stars the under-used John Cusack as Mike Enslin, a sardonic and cynical writer of paranormal debunking who checks into the Dolphin hotel in New York to embark on his latest project. The 1408 of the title is a room that has seen a large number of deaths, ranging from window jumpers to drowning in soup and the manager of the hotel, Gerald Olin (Samuel L Jackson), is reluctant to let Enslin stay in it. Nobody has lasted more than an hour in room 1408, Olin informs Enslin and hands him a thick dossier on the people who have been driven insane to the point of their demise in the room.

Enslin won't be deterred however and insists on staying the night, intent on proving that there is nothing supernatural about the room at all. After entering the room, he remains unconvinced for the better part of the first half of the movie, but the increasing level of strange goings-on help him to come to his senses. It seems Mike Ensln has finally found proof of the existence of the paranormal he is so dismissive of in his everyday life.

The viewer is helped to believe this too, by the top marks effort of John Cusack, who for a great many scenes is completely alone. There is only him and the audience dealing with the ghostly occurrences playing out on the screen and Cusack does well to covey what Enslin is thinking and feeling, by not only making use of his great ability to deliver a timely wisecrack or deadpan one liner, but also convincingly performing his characters ever growing fear.

A quietly unsettling Samuel L Jackson offers a sterling support performance in what I believe to be one of his better onscreen efforts and he does a lot to help build the foundations of the suspense that drives the first part of the film.

Fine support also comes from Mary McCormack and Jasmine Jessica Anthony, who play Enslin's estranged wife and dead daughter, in the movie's sub-plot, which is one of the stronger elements of the production.

The weaker sides to 1408, however, become apparent in the second half of the movie as the room's subtle attempts to drive Enslin nuts are replaced by the over the top. The "turn down service" toilet roll creepiness and spine tingling repetition of "We've Only Just Begun" on a clock radio give way to severe climate change and some on-location hallucinations that just aren't as effective as the events that actually take place within the confines of the hotel room. It's also clear that the producers were unsure how to finish the film, which has led to a number of alternative endings. The "Director's cut" DVD has replaced the ending in theatre's with the one that Mikael Håfström originally wanted and there is also another ending involving Enslins publisher, Sam Farrell (Tony Shalhoub).

Inevitably, there have been unfavourable comparisons to Stephen King's other hotel horror, "The Shining", but "1408" is a different creature altogether. Whereas Kubrick's "The Shining" kept me interested for its full running time, Håfström's effort unfortunately trailed off after the 45 minute mark. This is a shame because the first half setup indicated a very enjoyable overall movie. But "1408" just runs out of steam and instead of driving smoothly to it's ending, it tumbles toward it, leaving the viewer unsure whether it was an wholly successful experience.

*1408* was an alright movie but I wouldn't exactly call it a scary movie. To me, *1408* is just a movie version of *Tales from the Crypt* or *Amazing Stories*, something like that.

Cusack plays Enslin, a doubtful author who visits and publishes books on noted places of paranormal phenomena. One day, Enslin gets an anonymous postcard about the famed room, 1408, of the Dolphin Hotel in NYC. Unable to resist the temptation to debunk the hype, Enslin registers for the room.

Upon arrival, the hotel manager (Jackson) tries to dissuade Enslin from staying in that room. Enslin is told of the grisly murders and strange occurrences/histories of room 1408. However, nothing will prevent Enslin from staying in the room.

Upon entrance of 1408, Enslin is in a twilight zone. Things are what they seemed to be. Gradually, Enslin starts to believe that paranormal activities are real. The question is...can Enslin come out of the room alive?

I thought *1408* was ok. It wasn't scary or anything like that. It was more of illusions or perceptions from Enslin, which could have been scary for him. However, there was nothing scary for the audience. There's a little too much talk. More action, please!

This movie was a great thriller and great performence, this movie was better then any other horror movie ive seen, this took place in one room in an apartment and look at how great it was it had great acting, great performence, and great thrill to it this was a spectacular masterpieace that stephen king created and most of his movies i did'nt care for, but this movie was great a wonderfull performence.

I picked up this DVD cuz I was looking for a great thriller and because of John Cusack and Sam Jackson. I had super expectations so I guess disappointment was inevitable. I really had no knowledge of the story so I was in away expecting a different kind of a thriller. I expected a cleverly woven story of a mysterious room that had a fantastic story behind it which unravels throughout the movie. That's not exactly it. It is about a mysterious, devil of a room. And not much else. I also hoped to be frightened out of my wits but sadly it isn't that kind of a movie either. Although there are occasions where I was startled by sudden entrances of ...ghosts?

Nevetheless, John Cusack and Sam Jackson were awesome. Sam Jackson plays the hotel manager who tries to convince John to stay away from the room - 1408. And John defies Sam's plea. This was an awesome prelude to the main plot. If the Jedi master tells you not to do something, it must be something scary. Hence the more intriguing the room became (at least to me).

For the rest of the film, it's a one man show by John Cusack and he pulls off quite a performance. The ending of the film was also quite alright.
I wouldn't recommend this movie to thrill-seekers though.

I am not a huge fan of horror. I like "thriller," but in last 25+ years most horror films have been "slasher" - blood, guts, and gore - instead of good, honest, edge of your seat psychological thriller. 1408, however, successfully returns the thriller genre to the big screen.

1408 pulls you in quickly and keeps on going. The pacing is just right. The intensity of this film is excellently timed, bringing you to your edge of your seat, and then releasing you. This rollercoaster effect actually increases the "thrill" of the thriller; you do not get numb and disconnected from constant slashing and bashing, fright and horror.

The performances are terrific. John Cusak is great as always. Samuel Jackson is riveting and appropriately spooky. The little girl, Jasmine Jessica Anthony, is extremely talented. The rest of the supporting cast does a similarly nice job.

As I said, there is very blood, guts, and gore in this film; it is a true thriller. It is the LACK of said blood, guts, and gore that gives this film its psychological edge, and prevents it from becoming a slash `em up film.

I recommend this film. For a good, old fashioned, yet up to date thriller, 1408 is the movie to see.