Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
2/4
"1408" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 11/21/2012
A cynical writer who specialises in debunking ghostly guest houses checks into a hotel room with a reputation for a long history of mayhem and soon begins to question his assumptions and sanity. Dear Lord, it's yet ANOTHER Stephen King adaptation containing the usual hokey premise and telegraphed "twists" that lumber over the horizon directly on cue in a Twilight Zone inspired chiller by numbers. It actually starts rather well as John Cusack is as watchable as ever and the scene in which he verbally spars with Samuel L. Jackson is quite good fun and like the similar Identity, also starring Cusack, it's quite intriguing right up until the moment you realise it's just the usual half-hearted horror nonsense rather than the off beat thriller you were hoping for. Most of the film just sees …
Rating of
2.5/4
1408 review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 10/29/2012
Sometimes less is more, and simplicity works for the betterment of the plot. No gore or monsters needed to scare people or to make an intellectual film. Mike Enslin (John Cusack) is an enthusiastic author who would like to discover the mystery of room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. Hotel manager Gerald Olin (Samuel L. Jackson) warns Mike about the dangers of the room. One of the underrated psychological thrillers around with one of Cusack's best performances. Jackson provides ample support. It's premise is more on inner demons, persistence and moving on with the past. Though 1408 is not at par with an almost similar premise in The Shining, the movie is still entertaining because of the effective acting, realistic effects and wonderful story/themes.
Rating of
N/A
1408- A Journey into your Mind
Dangus - wrote on 08/02/2010
It can be very hard to describe the movie 1408. In one moment, it is a calm and relaxed hotel movie. But if you watch a little bit longer, you will feel the mysterious power that it brings to your mind.
It lets you discover parts of your mind that you didn´t know exist. While watching the movie, you dig into holes, you open up secret doors, and all this in your mind.
You really get dragged into the movie. You feel the deep pressure, and the heavy breathings from a man standing behind you with a hammer in his hand, ready to swing it to your head and make it bounce like a basketball.
You can´t stop watching it, either. It keeps you sitting in front of the screen, it won´t let you go. You try, but you can´t escape the thrilling evil and excitement of the master of them all- Stephen …
Rating of
3.5/4
Horror at its Finest
DarkCritic - wrote on 01/07/2010
Normally, I would turn down a movie about a haunted hotel room, but this one seemed different. At first, everything ended up being the same, and then the story really started to role, and I couldn't tear my eyes off of the screen.
The story revolves around John Cusack's character, who is a write that tells stories about the most haunted places in the world. With the bland, unoriginal story evolving into terror each moment, I couldn't help but feel I was given a brand new experience, each second evolving into a more and more unique story. Taking a spin on an old idea and making it new gets bonus points from me.
Now usually, I'm disappointed with the acting in movies like 1408, but I couldn't help but feel relieved when the film ended. The acting in the movie was great, and the …
Rating of
3.5/4
At it again
chiggles - wrote on 05/31/2008
I approached 1408 expecting tons of scares and very creepy stuff. Thats what I got. The film puts a different approach then modern day horror films, instead of spilling the screen with blood and gore, the director uses sounds and just eerie images of horror to terrify the audience. From the opening of the movie, I was deeply intrigued by the character of Mike Enslin, who is actually crazier then the hotel room he stays in. The theatrical version of this film runs 104 minutes, with the Unrated edition spanding 112 minutes. In the end, I was thrilled with all the craziness and just about every other aspect of it.
The film follows Mike Enslin (John Cusack). a haunted attraction specialist. He travels all over the world to test "haunted" areas. From graveyards to hotels, hes never …
Rating of
2/4
1408
Franz Patrick - wrote on 12/29/2007
I expected more from a Stephen King story. It started off really well and then it lost its touch when those static-ky figures, which were supposedly ghosts, started emerging. I'm not easily scared but I can appreciate movies that don't scare me if it is executed well. This one isn't. Although, I must say that the best scene was when John Cusack interacts with his daughter. To me, it was surprisingly moving and ironic because you're not supposed to feel sorry for a ghost. Little scenes like that made this movie worth watching. John Cusack did the best he could. He was pretty much in every frame so I had to give him kudos for that. But if you really want a scary movie that involves a hotel written by Stephen King, check out "The Shining." This one had potential but it didn't live up to it.
Rating of
3/4
One Hell of a Room
Chris Kavan - wrote on 07/14/2007
This film is carried by John Cusack, who is pretty much acting alone for at least half the movie. He does a good job portraying a man who is trying to stay rational while suffering through a nightmarish turn of events. As time goes by, you can see him losing his grip on reality and he makes it look pretty convincing.
As a straight horror film, 1408 doesn't quite get the job done. There are a bunch of those "gotcha" moments - either sound or images - that made me jump and there is an overall aura of creepiness, but there are a few too many flashbacks that seem to break completely. I think they could have done away with the whole daughter subplot completely and still had an effective film.
I also can't help but compare it to the short story. 1408 is one of my favorite Stephen King …
Rating of
3/4
Just plain creepy to watch
Josh C - wrote on 06/30/2007
I felt so creepy after watching this film. I left the theater and was just weirded out and a bit uneasy at what was real and what wasn't. That was what made this movie stand out for me, it weaved in and out of reality until you didn't know what was real. John Cusack was very convincing and though his role and character was very similar to that of "Identity" he showed more depth in this film.
The movie primarily takes place in one room and much of it takes place in Mike's (Cusack) mind. Mike struggles with what is all in his mind and what is real. He thinks it could be a dream, but if it is a dream how will he know when he is awake? At the end enough is answered and you are not left hanging which is another reason I like this movie. I wasn't left feeling like I just watched 2 hours of …
