Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD EAN: 0796019807746 Format: Closed-captioned Label: Weinstein Company Languages: Array Manufacturer: Weinstein Company MPN: 80774 Number Of Items: 2 Publisher: Weinstein Company Region Code: 1 Release Date: 2007-10-02 Running Time: 112 Studio: Weinstein Company Theatrical Release Date: 2007-06-22
Editorial Review:
(Thriller) Based on a short story by Stephen King, a man who specializes in debunking the paranormal checks into the infamous room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel, only to discover… the terror is real. As creepfests go, 1408 is right up there with The Shining, also inspired by a Stephen King work and featuring a menacing hotel and the wobbly sanity of a writer lodging there. "It's an evil [bleep]-ing room!" intones Samuel L. Jackson, who plays the smooth but vaguely sinister manager of the Dolphin Hotel. John Cusack is stellar as Mike Enslin, a cynical Everyschlub who writes "occult travel guides," but believes in nothing, especially anything resembling an afterlife.
What happens in room 1408 of the Dolphin may change Enslin forever--if he survives the first hour. The thrills range from jumpy "gotcha" moments involving mirror images, to more traditional horror fare like bleeding walls, to truly diabolical touches like the recurrence of the Carpenters' "We've Only Just Begun." (Shudder.) The film does a nice job of weaving the operatic horror effects with the truly heart-breaking backstory of the death of Enslin's young daughter and his marriage--perhaps the only two things Enslin has ever believed in. And thankfully, there's just enough humor to leaven the intensity at key moments; Cusack is unparalleled when it comes to delivering a self-deprecating wisecrack, even as his life passes before his eyes. Get your adrenaline pumping and check into this room. Oh, and sorry, no refunds. A.T. Hurley
Customer Reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: not too bad Comment: I got this movie free with my pepsi points and was surprised its actually a pretty good movie.Was worth spending my points on but wish that pepsi had more good movies on dvd to get there really isn't much for choices. Customer Rating: Summary: This one surprised me! Comment: Mike Enslin (Cusack) thinks he's seen all the so called hauntings, spirits, and apparitions. He hadn't tried to spend a night in room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel. As an author of books on the subject Mike thought he'd seen it all before. He was wrong.
!408 doesn't have any monsters, or blood and guts, but is a really good retelling of Steven Kings short story about the hotel room from hell. Samuel L Jackson plays the hotel manager who tries to discourage Mike from spending the night there. Although he part is small in the film Mr Jackson's character wash skillfully done, and helps make the film the jewel that it is.
The story is told in the style of a twilight zone episode, only better.
I really enjoyed this movie, I had read some bad reviews from the professional movie critics and if I had left it at that, I would have missed a good film.
Don't forget to watch the alternate ending. Customer Rating: Summary: Unpredictable!! Comment: Fascinating. I can watch this movie over and over. I am very picky movie fan. I hate gore and predictable movies. But I do like to be scared and this one will haunt you and keep you thinking!! Customer Rating: Summary: EXTRAS & SPECIAL FEATURES AMAZON INSIST ON IGNORING Comment: THE EXTRAS
The audio commentary by director Mikael Håfström and writers Scott Alexander and Karaszewski (available on the Director's Cut only)
John Cusack on 1408 and Inside Room 1408 (5 minutes total) are two Webisodes taken from the movie's official site. The first is a short interview with Cusack, who expounds on his character, while the second offers a look at the movie's primary set.
The Secrets of 1408 (23 minutes total) is a series of four featurettes dedicated to the story's characters, production design, effects, and director Håfström.
Five deleted scenes (11 minutes total) are also included. Håfström, Alexander and Karaszewski provide optional commentary for these scenes.
Closing out the extras is the movie's theatrical trailer. Customer Rating: Summary: confusing Comment: Very very confusing and not scary. I love horror films, and this isn't one of them, in fact it's a rip off of The Shining.