Unlucky For Some (1408 (DVD))

Member Name: kitschkitty

Product:	1408 (DVD)
Date:	27/12/08 (125 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A great performance from Samuel L Jackson, eerie plot and plenty of scary moments

Disadvantages: Slightly disappointing plot, could have been better.

As a lover of horror films I've recently reignited my passion for films that terrify me and overcome my fear of watching them alone in the dark. So to follow on from the disappointing Population 436, I opted for 1408. In true horror tradition, both films have 'cleverly' used a combination of numbers that add to 13, which should mean thrills, spills and chills are in store for the viewer.

The film is based on a short story by the master of horror, Stephen King. Unsurprisingly, this means the film's protagonist, played by John Cusack, is a writer. Perhaps surprisingly though, the events unfold in a hotel in New York, 300 miles from King's usual setting of Maine. I have to confess to not having read the book but I have read a summary on Wikipedia which included a spoiler as always and completely revealed the ending. From what I can tell, the film has quite a lot of differences in comparison to the original short story, most noticeably in the conclusion of the plot.

1408 tells the story of Mark Enslin, a writer who has achieved success through visiting and writing about purportedly haunted inns, castles and graveyards. After another disappointing and uneventful night at a bed and breakfast, Enslin receives an anonymous postcard of the Dolphin Hotel in New York, warning him not to enter room 1408. Being a skeptic, Enslin decides to spend a night in the room to provide him with further material for his newest publication, Ten Nights in Ten Haunted Hotel Rooms. According to the hotel's manager, the room has been responsible for 42 deaths including 12 suicides in the over a period of 68 years. Naturally, Enslin refuses to heed the warnings of the hotel's eerie manager, played by Samuel L Jackson, and instead settles into the room for an unforgettable night of horror.

Apologies if my plot summary sounds a tad clichéd but to be honest with you, the story is. That said, I still enjoyed the film and whilst it wasn't the best I've seen, it probably scrapes through the five star ratings at just above average. Cusack plays the role of Enslin surprisingly well considering the majority of the film shows him alone in the haunted room and Samuel L Jackson did a fantastic job as the sinister and foreboding hotel manager whose warnings go ignored.

The scenes in the hotel room are genuinely creepy with a couple of scary moments that will have wimps such as me jumping out of your seats. It's a thrilling ride of a film and there's plenty of suspense wondering what will happen next and when. The special effects were impressive and the atmosphere of the film was dark and sinister with an underlying story at the heart of it to ensure those in search of a moral leave happy. I personally don't think the sub-plot of Enslin's estranged wife and daughter who died was really necessary but it didn't distract too much from the thrilling anticipation and horror of the film.

The plot of the film is rather predictable at times but the supernatural events that unfold are imaginative and diverse enough to hold the attention of even the most skeptical of viewers. Room 1408 is personified and becomes a recognizable character within the film although I was a little disappointed to never find a cause for the evil that lurks in the room's walls other than the fact that it is located on the 13th floor (as with many hotels, the Dolphin doesn't acknowledge a 13th floor so technically the 14th floor is the 13th) and of course the digits of the room number add to 13. Unlucky for some, doubly unlucky for the film's protagonist.

However, this is a nice little horror film that will help you pass 90 minutes or so on a dreary winter's evening. The film isn't a blood and gore horror but more of a tense psychological thriller with plenty or eerie supernatural elements to hold your attention and build up the suspense. As with most films within the genre, some things will never be explained and you just have to suspend belief for an hour and a half and enjoy the ride, sweaty palms and all.

DVD Extras

"Secrets Of 1408: The Characters" featurette
"Secrets Of 1408: The Director" featurette
"Secrets Of 1408: The Physical Effects" featurette
"Secrets Of 1408: The Production Design" featurette
"Secrets Of 1408: Deleted Scenes"

The extras on the DVD made for quite interesting viewing. There wasn't anything particularly awe inspiring on here but it's a decent selection of additional information for avid fans of the movie or those who are simply curious to learn a bit more about the production and direction sides of the film.

Summary: A decent enough horror film that's worth a watch.