Director – Mikael Hafstorm
Screenplay – Stephen King, Matt Greenberg, Scott
Alexander and Larry Karaszewski.
Plot
Mike Enslin(John
Cussack) is a renowned writer who specializes in writing about real life paranoia
events. For his latest book, he has to research about 10 most haunted hotels.
For his last chapter, he goes to the Dolphin Hotel in New York. The Urban Legend is that whoever
has stayed in Room 1408 of that hotel, has died on the same night under the
most mysterious and abnormal circumstances. The Hotel Manager, Mr Olin(Samuel L
Jackson) warns him and even refuses to let him stay in the room. However Mike
is determined and convinces Olin to let him stay because he wants to prove that
the urban legend on 1408 is just a myth. However when he does get the room, his
whole life is going to change forever because he is soon going to get out the
world experience.
Critic’s Comments
Another Stephen King
writing work has been adapted for a film, making him the author with most
number of books adapted as stories for films. Nothing much to offer for King
Fans and people who have watched and been raised on horror films. For those who
are not that, keen, horror movie fans, this movie has a few scenes which will
give you a big fright. John Cussack is ok. Samuel L Jackson excels in the 3
scenes he has in the movie. The special effects are quite good. Like all horror
movies, not worth watching twice but definitely worth watching atleast once and
that too in a chilled cinema hall. For better kicks, watch this movie alone at
night.
Psst -
*1) Many Stephen King
Story trademarks – protagonist being a writer and references to previous
novel(In this case – The Shining).*
*2) The scene where
John Cussack says that is going out to get some smoke was a reference to
Stephen King’s father, Donald, who said he is going out to get some cigarettes
and never returned back.*
*3) The short story
1408 was almost not written. Stephen King was writing a non fiction “On Writing”
and 1408 formed the first few pages of how a draft should be written. King liked
it so much that he decided to make it as an audio-book. This is also referenced
in the movie where John Cussack constantly records in his mini recorder.*
*4) Lots of references
to the number 13. The number 1408 adds up to 13. The key lock of the room has
the number 6212 which adds up to 13. The Street number 2254 where the hotel is
situated also adds up to 13. The first victim dies in the year 1912 which adds
up to 13. The shooting of the movie commenced on 13th July 2006.*
*5) The movie was made
on a budget of$25 million and has grossed over$71 million worldwide. The DVD
of the movie also had an alternate ending.*
*6) The real
inspiration of the movie came from a real life incident of a parapsychologist Christopher
Chacon’s investigation of a haunted hotel room in California.*
Quotes
1) "It’s an evil fu room. "
2) "The first victim, Mr. Kevin O’ Malley, sewing
machine salesman, checked into the hotel the first week it opened, October,
1912; Cut his own throat, right? ell that’s not the horrific part. Afterwards,
in a fit of insanity, he tried to stitch himself back together using an old
sewing needle before he bled to death; Easy, man."
3) "As I was, you are. As I am, you will be."
4) "A few years ago a young maid from El Salvador
found herself locked in the bathroom. She was only there for a few moments, but
when we pulled her out she was; She was dead? No. Blind. She had taken a pair
of scissors and gouged her eyes out. She was laughing hysterically."
5) "Why don’t you just kill me? Because all guests of
this hotel enjoy free will, Mr. Enslin. "
6) "You do drink don’t you? Of course. I just said I
was a writer. "
7) "Yes, one Mr. Grady Miller drowned in his chicken
soup; That’s hard to do, how did he do that? How indeed."
8) "Eight dollars for Beer Nuts? This room is
evil."
Oops-
None that I could see.