1408
Easily the most terrifying film of the year.
Review by Sirus

The horror genre is a strange thing. Most horror movies are loved by some and hated by others and there seems to be some cycle that Hollywood goes through from too many horror movies to too few horror movies. Right now we are in the part of the cycle which many fear to be filled with too many horror movies. All but the die hard fans tend to get burned out on too much of anything even if it is a good thing. Many predicted that this glut of horror movies entering the market would lead to a bunch of crap getting released, especially as the majority of film critics are disgusted by the trend toward what is now being called the torture porn flick. It is unlikely that any analysts could have predicted the level of quality and pure unadulterated horror a small movie called “1408” could bring. Some people are able to justify seeing the movie simply because the previews flaunt the fact that it is based on a Stephen King story, even though only some of his stories are genius. Still, when a Stephen King story is good, it’s REALLY good.

Before going to see “1408” I had read quite a few blurbs from reviews that were praising the movie for being truly terrifying without excessive gore. I certainly had my doubts, and for the beginning part of the movie I still kept my doubts. The movie starts out with a dose of humor and satire that almost made me think I was in a movie from a completely different genre. It was refreshing to say the least to see a horror movie that didn’t start with a bunch of idiot friends goofing off on some pointless vacation. The movie begins with the story of a washed up writer named Mike Enslin (John Cusack). Enslin is going around from hotel to hotel in search of a true experience with the paranormal. He has written multiple books about places he has visited, to see if there is anything to the ghost stories they use to attract customers. Enslin has stopped believing in anything having to do with ghosts almost to the point of boredom, but one day a postcard he gets in the mail catches his eye. The front of the postcard has pictures of a hotel in New York City while the back of the postcard simply says “Don’t stay in 1408”.

Something about the postcard intrigues Enslin so he calls up the hotel to see if they will let him book the room the postcard warns about. After going through a hell of a time, somebody working with his publisher has an idea that allows him to get an appointment to stay in 1408. From the moment Mike Enslin steps through the door to the hotel, he laughs mockingly at all of the warnings given to him by everyone from the lowliest clerk to the hotel manager (Samuel L Jackson). With a little wit and a lot of persistence, Enslin is able to get the key to 1408 and an experience he will never forget. What happens in 1408 ranges from terrifying to mind-bending and once the experience gets started, the movie doesn’t let go for anything. The film’s writing makes everything interesting because Enslin is intent on explaining every strange occurrence with logic and making just the right amount of wise cracks to shrug off the torment.

John Cusack does a fantastic job portraying his tormented character as he tries to survive the horrors of the room and the pains of his emotional past. Samuel L Jackson plays the hotel manager perfectly and his character is given just the right amount of screen time so that he doesn’t overstay his welcome. The music is sparsely used, but when it is there it has the right effect. Being a huge fan of the recent influx of torture porn myself, I wasn’t sure that I could be manipulated and terrified at the level which “1408” achieves. I was truly entranced by the power of the movie and scared shitless multiple times at a level that I don’t know if I have ever experienced before. If you have grown tired of the direction the horror movie has taken in recent years, you owe it to yourself to see “1408”. It is this summer’s must see horror movie and easily the most terrifying film of the year.

Final Score: 5/5

Second Opinion by Dack

1408 is a very good movie. Going into it I was expecting more of a drama/thriller. However, after an excellent set up for the how he comes to be in the room, 1408 is truely terrifying. The horror genre has gone to lame PG-13 adaptions, and gore centered movies, so it's very refreshing to have a PG-13 movie that is original and truely scary without being gory. There's only about three or four "jump out of your seat" scenes, but the atmosphere the film creates is truely unsettling, making you feel uneasy the entire film yet captivated. The majority of the movie is just John Cusack interacting with the room, which is really enhanced by an amazing performance by Cusack. Samuel L. Jackson also gives a very strong performance, though being small. If you are a fan of horror, thrillers, or just a well made movie, go see 1408.

Final Score: 4.5/5

Overall Score: 4.75/5