1408

1408 is a nice respite from sequels, if the term nice could be applied to a horror movie. The movie is based on a Stephen King short story (which I've never read) and luckily has a running time of 94 minutes so the movie doesn't fully run out of steam. I mostly liked 1408. The movie was suspenseful and suggustive rather than slasher blood and guts. If you've ever stayed in a haunted hotel room or any creepy hotel room, you can relate to the main character as his own mind plays tricks on him. As the movie takes the turn into full blown horror, it went a bit over the top and rambled at the end but mostly, I liked the movie.

John Cusack fans will be happy as he delivers a great performance as the writer of hotel ghost stories. His character is believable and likeable. Samuel L. Jackson is the creepy and intense hotel manager who knows the history of haunted room 1408 and has to mop up after all the deaths that have happened in that room. Between these two actors and a good ghost story the movie is worth going to if you are a fan or the Stephen King genre or either of these actors.

The movie is rated PR-13. There's minimal gore but small children with vivid imaginations will be disturbed. I liked 1408, didn't love it. I do respect the movie for being different and in this summer of sequels, that goes a long way in my book.