S10 Reviews: 1408 (2007)

Rating: 8/10 (22 June 2007)

John Cusack stars as Mike Inslin, a talented writer who becomes obsessed with the possibly of the afterlife when his young daughter dies. Now a godless paranormal book writer, Mike runs across a quant little room in a New York hotel that will treat him like he could only dream. The room throws everything it has against him but will he survive the sixty minutes that no one else will. Mary McCormack (Private Parts) and Samuel L. Jackson (who as you can guess gets to spout out the solo f-bomb that the PG-13 rating would allow) round out the cast in this adaptation of the really short story by Stephen King.
'1408' wasn't a very long story if I remember correctly so I imagined that some padding was involved. John Cusack does a good job of carrying the film. I've been watching his flicks since I was a teen and always thought he should do more stuff. The tension of the piece is pretty good with a decent atmosphere is prevalent through-out his stay with a mixture of boos and regular scares. It wasn't as freaky as I would have liked it but I watch too many horror flicks anyway. The direction and writing is solid and the dialogue and delivery is pretty good as well.
The gore-head set will most likely poo-poo it but those who like a decent haunted house kinda flick may very well want to check into room '1408'.
S10 Rating: 'B'