Review of 1408 (2007) by Rocknblues 8 — 22 Jul 2012

The year 2007 was a year of many really good films, so it's not surprising that 1408 got overlooked. Even before seeing the film one gets the feeling that this is an updated take in Kubrick's 1980 film "The Shining". And that's far criticism. There is not a lot that is new here. You have the creepy motel room that guests are forbidden to enter. And you have a ghost writer who drinks and digs into his work to try and avoid talking about a tragedy in his past (Which is revealed later in the film). But Mike Enslin (John Cusack) doesn't really believe in ghosts and evil spirits. Mike cynically dismisses every claim that they do exist. Every claim of evil turns out to be a disappointment.

That is until he forces Dolphin Hotel manager Gerald Olin (Sam Jackson) to let him stay in 1408. A room known to have hosted many deaths. Many strange deaths. This does not phase Mike as he knows how the game works. He knows how people build up events and things that don't happen. Nevertheless, he is finally able to rent the room where he plans to stay the night and leave as normal; Disappointed and even more cynical than before. But this time he gets a surprise when the radio starts coming on by it's self, he seems images of dying people... etc...

Nothing that surprises the viewer, but there are some good effects, and we get the back story on how Mike become so bitter and cynical. It's well done and entertaining. Worth watching once anyway... But Cusack is really what makes it work though. He sells it all the way. Every "creepy" image, every special effect. He sells it all. Sometimes it's humorous, sometimes it's fun and sometimes it's good legit selling to some special effects. Just don't expect too much and you will probably find the whole thing worthwhile.