creepy buildup that leads to nothing

Rating: 4/10 (16 April 2010)

I am always eager to watch movies based on Stephen King's work, some are amazing but some are let downs. I think the story is important, but the screenplay and direction doesn't come across in the same chilling manner and it disappoints the viewer. I have not read the short story, but I do blame it on those factors.
John Cusack plays a writer who goes all over visiting so-called haunted places so he can stay and write about them and let his viewers know that nothing has ever happened to him. When he is told to visit 1408 he doesn't pay it much attention. Samuel L. Jackson plays the hotel manager who begs him not to go there. The room is no longer in use, but writer Mike insists. Once there he quickly realizes the room is indeed no joke, and his night in 1408 is a living Hell.
The directing wasn't very great, I think all of the shots of John entering the room and looking around the room should have been from his point of view, the fact we are often in the room looking out at him, takes a creepiness away from it. I think the ghosts are badly shown and there could've been some great chances to spook the audience but it wasn't done. Cusack and Jackson both did a great job in their parts, most of the other cast members had tiny roles, but all were okay.
The movie goes by pretty fast and that was a good thing, I was never bored at any given time. There were too many things I didn't like, as I said above the p.o.v. angles should've been altered, the movie should've did scary set-ups to scare the viewer, esp. with the little girl. There were horrible scenes where John thinks he has gotten out and is with his wife only to find its a mind trick, I thought that whole section was taking so much away from the film.
The film had a promising beginning and kept setting up for a scare, it just never happened.. not scary...avoid this movie if you wanna be scared or creeped out, but if you like psychological thrillers it might satisfy you.
4/10 just because it does entertain to a degree.