Reviews

1408

Have you ever read that Tom Waits quote about how he couldn’t laugh at This Is Spinal Tap because it was “too real”? I found 1408 frightening because I think I work in that room. I like to warn people before I might post something that could be considered a spoiler. So here’s your warning.

John Cusak plays an author who has gone from writing what he cares about to writing about haunted hotels. If you’ve seen any of the commercials or trailers for 1408 you know Cusak’s daughter has died which is the catalyst for his actions. It’s a shame going into the movie knowing this as I think 1408 would have had more tension if I went in “blind”. Anyway, after visiting numerous haunted hotels, none of the truly haunted, he receives a postcard, “Stay out of 1408”. 1+4+0+8=13

Cusak being the curious sort decides to check in even after the stern warning from Sam Jackson that 1408 is an, “Evil effen’ room”. It goes without saying all hell breaks loose once Cusak checks in and gets comfortable.

1408 might be a story without a lot of meat on its bones but I think that works in its favor. I’m so tired of long drawn out back stories that do nothing but push the plot along. In this movie the hotel room is just evil. Fine with me.

The majority of 1408 is Cusak alone in his hotel room. I’m not into one man plays but Cusak does a great job of holding the audiences attention. He makes notes to himself before he realizes the trouble he’s in. He attempts to contact the outside world when things start to get weird. Eventually he just rambles to himself as he becomes unsure what is real. Even when he’s not talking Cusak does a great job of conveying emotion. All this effectively tells the story of 1408 since there isn’t a lot of dialogue.

To be blunt, I was surprised a PG-13 horror movie is this good. 1408 has its fair share of problems. In fact one of the plot twists is just lame. I like the idea of the room being an alternate reality but it’s an idea that gets taken a little too far. Swearing is nonexistent and I honestly may not have noticed if Sam Jackson wasn’t so clearly nurtured.

If you’re like me and you love movies about ghosts and hauntings you won’t be disappointed. If you’re looking for gore this is not your movie. 1408 is not without faults but it is better than most campfire stories. Now if I can go back to comparing work to being trapped in a soul eating hotel room.

- Spoiler heavy –

Sure I don’t I have to hug dead children but at least Cusak had a suite to roam around. My working quarters is a 6 1⁄2 to 12 foot drywall mausoleum. Paintings of ships at sea that suddenly come to life don’t scare me. The bland, Garden Ridge, mass produced “art” that couldn’t arouse an emotion out of a nursing home resident scares me. Cusak has to repeat his hour in the room once he survives. So what, working stiffs like me survive 8+ hours everyday from here to eternity in our 1408, there’s no retiring for my generation… and my walls don’t even go all the way up to the ceiling. 1408 has auditory hallucinations. My office has a white noise machine. Sure my coworkers don’t come at me with a hammer but we do get the occasional ex who calls and threatens the wellbeing of the people who work here. Am I worried my employers will read this and be upset that I’m poking fun and comparing my job to an evil room? I’ve worked here for eight years without them attending any party or Last Call event. I don’t think they read this site if they even know it exists. And in a way… that’s like being in 1408 too.

7.5/10
Andy

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