DVD Review: 1408

Emma Loggins September 18, 2008
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Garnering $72 million at the box-office, John Cusack (Identity, Runaway Jury) and Samuel L. Jackson (Snakes on a Plane, Star Wars films) star in the paranormal thriller 1408 from Dimension Films and Genius Products. Special features include commentary by Director Mikael Hafstrom and Writers Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, two alternate endings, deleted scenes with optional commentary, The Secrets of 1408 and webisodes with John Cusack on 1408 and inside room 1408, in addition to the theatrical trailer. The disc is presented in English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD and English 5.1 Dolby Digital with English CC and Spanish subtitles.

Review:
1408 is the best film adaption of a Stephen King novel that I’ve ever seen. While most horror movies come off being cliche and predictable, 1408 presents a story that is terrifying in a realistic way. A roller coaster ride of emotions into a world of paranoia is what’s in store for you.

What I liked most about this film was that there wasn’t an excessive amount of blood, no crazy people running around with giant sharp objects, and not a whole lot of violence. The best horror films are the ones that send chills down your spine, play with your mind, and keep you on the edge of your seat.

John Cusack brings a great deal of depth to the lead role which is another reason this film works as well as it does. Cusack plays Mike Enslin, a writer who is investigating the reportedly haunted room of 1408. Apparently, no one has ever survived a full hour in this room. A tad skeptical, Enslin dismisses the warnings of the hotel manager and soon finds himself facing evil worse than he could have imagined.

The pace of the film is consistent throughout and the writing was intelligent. Combined, you get a movie that is riveting, engrossing, and will leave you with nightmares. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, then this film is for you. Check out the Blu-ray release for a number of extra featurettes, deleted scenes, alternate endings, commentaries, and the best-looking viewing experience. There’s no other way to watch to this film.

Review by Emma Loggins

Grade: A-
Official site: http://www.1408-themovie.com/
Buy on Amazon: 1408

Categories: Movie News, Movie Reviews, Movies
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Emma Loggins
Emma Loggins Sprinkle is the Founder and Editor in Chief of FanBolt. Frequently referred to as the "Geek Girl," Emma has been writing about the entertainment industry, geek culture, and pop culture for more than 20 years, with her work appearing on FanBolt, CNN, Autotrader, and a number of other publications. She's also done on-camera host and media personality work for numerous fan and comic conventions. Additionally, she can be seen in the documentary Rise of the Superheroes, where she was featured as an expert on the evolution of comic book and geek culture. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Emma covers the latest entertainment news, her opinions on current happenings in the media, movie reviews, screening/filming opportunities, inside scoops, and more on FanBolt. As a big film nerd, Emma is also an active member of multiple film critics associations, including the Critics Choice Association, Southeastern Film Critics Association, Atlanta Film Critics Circle, and Georgia Film Critics Association. In addition to her love of writing and the entertainment industry, Emma also loves to travel, having spent considerable time in the UK, Italy, and Egypt.

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