Awesome cerebral scare-fest.

Rating: 8/10 (27 June 2007)

1408 - Before it's lost in a deluge of cartoon rats (another film I'm eagerly awaiting), John McClane, and robots in disguise, I think you should all know about 1408. It's based off a Stephen King, and is LOADS better than all those TV movies that use his name for some reason.
The film involves supernatural-yet-skeptic writer Mike Enslin (John Cusack, in a meaty role that suits his wonderful talent), who stays a night in room 1408 (1 + 4 + 0 + 8 = what?) at the Dolphin Hotel, despite being told no by Samuel L. Jackson over and over again. No one says no to Sam Jackson! That should be a new movie rule. They have a couple of good scenes together and then Cusack goes into the room, and there are enough "holy *insert swearword here*" moments to more than satisfy any horror fan, myself included. There's very little gore and blood, but fans of those probably already went to see Hostel II. This movie is for people who like their scares cerebral. There's loads of creepy atmosphere and this is what last year's "Silent Hill" endeavored to be.
The movie starts up slow, then builds intensity as Cusack realizes what he's gotten himself into, but by then it's to late. It would be criminal to reveal too much, but the room basically toys with him and you mentally and physically for an hour. Cusack acts very well, as all hope slowly escapes him. He pretty much holds up the human spectrum of the film, but the Room is a marvelous creature. The film kind of lags a little at the end, as it's a concept movie, and nearly all concept movies crap out a little. But man, talk about a hidden gem among the granite! This is the scariest movie since last year's "The Descent", and it's still at a mild PG-13. I'm not sure if it would hold up to repeat viewings, but a high B+