1408

So, we made it out to see '1408' this weekend. I was excited for this movie on several levels:

1) It's horror/suspense
2) It takes place in a hotel, one of my favorite horror settings
3) It's based on a story by Stephen King. Oddly, I have never read King, but I pretty much love every movie that's been made from one of his stories.

So, I convinced Bean to go. Normally, she's all up for horror movies, but she felt this one wasn't scary whatsoever. Bean's a hard one to please sometimes. Me, I am easier to please, especially when it comes to horror stories.

I thought this film had a few really neat, genuine scares, which unfortunately, the trailer blew some for us. But, there were a few not in the trailer, too. And while I wouldn't say it truly scared me, there were moments when Bean and I both jumped a little. It's really all in the director, we decided later. Kubrick set up images that have never left my head, and which still scare me today.

But still, I loved the feel of this film, and I loved the ideas behind it:

A writer who has lost his child and has left his wife (John Cusack), who is a 'ghost hunter' of sorts, learns about Room 1408 in a hotel in New York. And, since it's his livelihood to write about haunted places, he decides he needs to stay in this room, too, to study it. He is warned by the hotel manager (Samuel L. Jackson) that 56 people have died in this room, and no one has lasted longer than an hour.

But he's a cynic, and he feels no fear of the room or its 'curse.' So he goes in for the night, and all of the fun begins. There's dead people from his life (his father, his daughter), dead people who could not escape the room, and even paintings that sort of come to life (this was especially cool, and could have been expanded, I thought). There was also a great scene in the snow, when it starts snowing in his room (hint: it's not really just a room).

All in all, I enjoyed it. I was really curious about it because I have a story about a hotel in the works, except in mine, the entire hotel is a place of horror.

I'd recommend this movie to King fans, and to fans of horror in general. Because while it wasn't 'The Shining' (or even 'Identity,' one of my other very faves), it was very entertaining, and well-done. The only part I'd have focused less on was his relationship with his family. More scares, less family drama. But that's just me.

Grade: B

In other news, we enjoyed our lunch with Terre and Marilyn. I 'think' Bean's hunger was satisfied. haha Poor thing was starving. And I'm the one that's been on the diet! I thought it was very cute that, as we went around discussing what our favorite movie was, Marilyn asked what mine was. Apparently, I have not made my uber-fandom clear. haha (It's 'Star Wars,' people! STAR WARS!) haha

Here's hoping you have a great Monday.