the movieGOOMBA

I love John Cusack. He just looks like a good man. He could play a very convincing serial killer without making me doubt his genuine, good-natured sincerity. Heck, he could be a real serial killer and I'd still bat my eyes at him. But a blow of dread beat at my stomach when I found out that he, my boom box holder, my favorite antihero, my number 1, had joined forces with Samuel L Jackson, fresh from Snakes on a Plane and Black Snake Moan, to do a horror flick ::faints::. Oh the humanity! What was my John doing?! Does he need the money? Don't do it John! Don't do it! I'll give you $10 via the box office! But it was too late . . . he had already made the movie. I gave him my $10 anyway; to show my support, you know.

A typically themed horror movie that brings out a man's own inner haunts, 1408 stars Cusack as Mike Enslin, a non-believing ghost hunter who investigates and reviews paranormal activity in hotel rooms. Someone or something mysteriously sends him a hotel postcard that reads "Don't go into room 1408." Of course, Enslin is intrigued, and visits and stays in the hotel room against all recommendations and bribes from The Dolphin Hotel manager.

True to his reputation (thank goodness!), this movie was thoughtfully acted and skillfully performed by Cusack, who basically carried the entire movie on his back. It isn't nearly as cheap as you'd think a movie like this would be. The film had a kind of The Shining feel to it, but rather than turning an average guy into a killer, the venue brought this average man to his humblest and most heroic state of grace. It wasn't all that scary, but that didn't stop me from covering my ears (<---pictures don't scare me, sounds do).

What I didn't like about this film was the ending. It was kind of weird and abrupt. I wasn't sure if the room still had him hostage. Everything looked "real" . . . and what does the ending mean for his wife/ex wife? I hate it when I'm left with question that should have been answered, or at least do something to tell me that they're not suppose to be answered.

Anyway, the bottom line is I love John Cusack. Go see it if you're a fan. Go see it if you're into the Psychological Thriller genre. Don't see it if you're a casual movie watcher. You won't like it. Did I mention that I love John?

"Let's Encyclopedia Brown this bitch."