Really?

Rating: 2/10 (23 June 2007)

I was excited to see 1408. All of the previews made it seem that this would be another great entry from Stephen King into the horror genre. However, I left the theater absolutely furious.
While walking out with a friend, I commented, "I feel like I'm going to go home, sit down, do some things, start seeing random people from the movie theater and then be transported back into the theater and forced to watch that movie again. Then someone will say, 'You can either relive the experience of watching 1408, or you can burn the theater to the ground to escape'". I would definitely choose the latter.
One character, in one room, for an hour and a half. It was Phone Booth without the brilliant acting. There were thinly veiled attempts to string together a plot, but in the end I could only see the film making three valid points. One, that today's movie goers are all about style over substance - preferring cheap thrills and cool visual effects over actual plot and solid acting. Two, if you are ever in a hotel room that is trying to make you commit suicide, just sarcastically mock the evil, demonic force in the room - "Be David Caruso in Jade" - and it can't do anything to you. Three, if you are ever in said hotel room, there is never a good reason to go near the window.
Sam Jackson was an unnecessary addition, as was Tony Shaloub (whose part last about 10 seconds). I think I preferred "13 Ghosts".
John Cusack delivered an admirable performance, however it was like watching the captain of a sinking ship doing everything possible to save his boat before it finally went under. He just couldn't carry this film by himself. Everyone in this movie over-acted and Mr. Cusack was no exception.
Overall, a brutal brutal movie. 2/10