1408

Review by Jason Gaston

John Cusack is a writer of book pertaining to hauntings and, ironically, he's a cynic who doesn't believe in ghosts at all. However, when he's given the keys to room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel in New York City, this cynical little shit just might have to change his mind.

For a while, the little woman and I have been trying to make plans to drive down to Louisiana and stay at this place called Mrytle's Plantation which is reputed to be the most haunted hotel in the United States. This movie has got me thinking twice about that little adventure.

I loved this movie... loved ever little unsettling freaky-deaky moment of it. 1408 represents what horror is and what Hollywood should respect horror as... it's not gore, torture, or lame CGI stunts. It's atmosphere, it's suggestion, and it's pacing!

John Cusack owns this movie and, if he hadn't, it would have failed miserably given that he's alone on camera 75 percent of the time in in the evil room. Bravo, Mr. Cusack! Of course, I should comment on Samuel L. Jackson but why should I given that I would pay ten dollars to watch this man read a phonebook.

It's amazing... a hundred million dollars worth of CGI and scenery doesn't scare me, but you put one guy in one room with a masterful script and great direction and it becomes something that sends the heebie-jeebies all the way through you. I loved this movie for its execution, it's humbleness, and most of all... it's simplicity.

The directing of 1408 is the capper to a very surprising horror movie in that as the story progresses, the dread increases and the tension rises. I haven't seen work this good with building suspense since The Others.

If you haven't watched this movie, don't let it disappear without a trace. Obviously, this is the scariest movie I've seen in 2007 so far and, believe me, when it comes out on DVD, I'll be the first in line for a room with a boo.