1408

October 2, 2007

Rated: R Runtime: 112 min Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is a writer who specializes in books about haunted locations, specifically hotels. His method is to learn the history of a hotel, visit it, stay in a “haunted” room and then write about his experiences. Like a movie reviewer, he hits the high and low points and then awards a rating (his are on a 10 point skull scale.) And also much like a movie reviewer, he’s seen it all and looks forward to being surprised by a real haunting one day…

1408 He received a post card in the mail from the Dolphin Hotel in New York City with “Don’t Visit 1408″ written on it, so of course he starts to investigate. Upon learning about the deaths that have occurred in that room he calls the hotel and inquires about booking a stay and is denied. No self respecting man would take an answer like that so he gets his publisher on the case, who gets their attorney on the case, who finds a law that requires the hotel to let him stay in the room if it’s not occupied. Off to New York!

When he arrives for his night of adventure the hotel manager (very well played by Samuel L. Jackson) does his best to change his mind, but in the end gives him access to the room. You know from the previews that weird things start to happen, and it’d be a strange horror movie if the worst thing he saw in the room was the cost of a can of beer nuts while viewing the Spectravision menu. Seems that nobody has ever lived more than an hour in that room, and even short exposure can cause problems.

First it’s little things, but it takes no time at all for the room to let Mike know this isn’t a drafty spot near a window.. this is the real deal. As Mr. Jackson said, this is an evil f!#ing room.

John Cusack does an amazing job in 1408, he really sells everything that’s happening. When he’s trying to calm himself down, when making little quips, all of it.. perfection. Seriously, you’ll buy into what he’s going through which is something you can’t say for most horror movies. The effects are also first rate, absolutely nothing looks cheap.

I saw this movie in the theaters but didn’t like it all that much due to the ending. However, this DVD has the uncut directors version with a different (and obviously the original) ending and it’s MUCH better. In addition to the ending there are a few longer scenes and some that were added back in. I’m guessing they changed the ending due to a dumb ass test audience, and trimmed out the scenes in the interest of time, both things were a mistake.

Even if you’ve already seen the movie, you haven’t seen THIS version of the movie. Highly recommended, 4 stars.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Posted by John | Filed Under 4 Stars, Christopher Carey, DVD, Horror, Jasmine Jessica Anthony, John Cusack, Mary McCormack, R, Samuel L. Jackson