Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack, Tony Shalhoub, Len Cariou, Isiah Whitlock Jr.
More info: IDMb
Tagline: No one lasts more than an hour.
Plot: The cynical and skeptical writer Mike Enslin writes books evaluating supernatural phenomena in hotels, graveyards and other haunted places, usually debunking the mystery. While writing his last book, he travels from Los Angeles to New York to spend one night in the evil room 1408 of the Dolphin Hotel, which is permanently unavailable for guests. The reluctant manager Mr. Gerald Olin objects to his request and offers an upgrade, expensive booze and finally the reports relating the death of more than fifty guests along decades in the cursed room. However, Mike threatens Mr. Oiln, promising to sue the hotel, and finally checks in the room. Along the night, he finds that guests of room 1408 can check in when they like, but they can never leave the room alive.
My rating: 7.5/10
Will I watch it again? Yup.
Great flick. I caught this one in the theaters way back when and again recently on Blu-ray. I was totally into it until the ending which wasn't what I wanted but it's not a deal killer. The performances are great (LOVE that Sammy Jackson) but it's the goings-on in the room that take the center stage. It's a fun mind-fuck of a ride that Cusack's character takes (and by the way, great performance by him as well). I'm impressed at how well it was pulled off. Usually I shy away from movies based on a Stephen King story because they're mostly mediocre at best but Hafstrom did a fine job holding the suspense and keeping this away from face palm territory. He did so well that I'm going to have to dig into his catalog and check out some of his other horror pictures.
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