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1408 |
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By : Suzanne Philips |
Movie Reviews List | |
| 1408 Written by: Matt Greenberg and Scott Alexander based on a story by Stephen King Directed by: Mikael Hafstrom (DERAILED) Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson Rated: PG-13 Running Time: 1 hour 50 min. Writer Mike Enslin (John Cusack) has made his living exposing "haunted" hotels and inns for his series of popular books. After a tip leads him to the Dolphin Hotel in New York, he checks into fabled room 1408 where over 50 people have died. Expecting to find yet another scientific explanation for the phenomenon, Enslin is thrown into his worst nightmare. 1408 is a wonderfully crafted thriller from start to finish. The story by Stephen King is terrifying more so because of the actual possibility that this man might be losing his mind than the actual horror of the story. Hafstrom does a fantastic job of pulling the viewer into the plot. He uses a variety of different sound and lighting techniques that causes the audience to experience some of what Enslin himself is going through. The plot is nicely timed, and Hafstrom gives star John Cusack plenty of room to just emote in scenes. He takes his time and has pulled a wonderful performance from Cusack. John Cusack shows a wonderful range in 1408. He is cocky and world-weary at the start and shows his fear and sense of loss and brings a lot to what is both a physically and emotionally demanding role. Samuel L. Jackson is in a smaller role, but is interesting to watch and a key piece of the film nonetheless. 1408 manages to be really scary without the typical blood and guts carnage of recent horror films. The disturbing images are usually brief but are used with terrific effect. A good date film (take someone to grab on to) and a really moving piece. Rating: 4 out of 5 |
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