Well what did everybody think of 1408?

[Rabid Assassin]

I personally thought it was excellent and is probably one of my favorite SK movies. Now I just need to read the Short story.:smile2:

[blunthead]

I loved the story. It's scary, creepy, and, though the movie is good the story's superior.

[mylife4usk]

I loved it as well, it's definitely up there in my fav's. Cusack did a great job! I'd be curious to know what you thought of the short story after you read it. I didn't like it all that much. Say Sorry, Steve! (SSS- new acronym!) And if you go back and read my posts, I don't say that very often. I just don't recall very much happening in the story so I liked the additions they made, then again they had to add stuff.

I'm not a big fan of the short story in general by any author, though, so my opinion may be biased. Maybe a re read is in order, but I say, BRING ON UNDER THE DOME! ;)

[ally88]

Hi Rabid....what can i say except...read the story:laugh:.

1408 is a brilliant story, and I agree it is also one of my favourite movies, I have already lost count of how many times I have seen it. John Cusack really pulls off the role of Mike perfectly. I am also still undecided as to which ending to the movie I prefer which shows how good it really is IMO:cool2:.

[Prince of Darkness]

Hi,

I watched it last night again directly after a re-read of the short story. IMO, SSS, the movie was superior.

But that doesn't make the short story dull, anything but! :biggrin2:

Long days and pleasant nights

[Beaker]

This is one of the few times I prefer the movie to the story.

I thought the movie did a better part of fleshing out Mike's reasons for being so interested in finding ghosts that truly exist, and I preferred the movies version of what happened in the room (basically expanding on it much more than the story did.

I saw the movie first and was actually surprised it was as short the story was. I was anticipating more of a novella-ish feel to it. Partly because there was the one sided door to another dimension ala the dark tower which once I found out wasn't in the story I thought was a nice way to keep it having a King like feel.

[Rabid Assassin]

[QUOTE=ally88;302560]Hi Rabid....what can i say except...read the story:laugh:.

1408 is a brilliant story, and I agree it is also one of my favourite movies, I have already lost count of how many times I have seen it. John Cusack really pulls off the role of Mike perfectly. I am also still undecided as to which ending to the movie I prefer which shows how good it really is IMO:cool2:.[/QUOTE

I will have to go read it the next chance I get, but I cant remember what book it is in, can someone let me know?

[Srbo]

Well, IMO, the movie was nothing special.

Watchable, yeah, better than Dreamcatcher, yeah...but nevertheless, nothing special.

[Matthew.Degnan]

I thought it was one of the few recent horror films to actually scare me.

[RandomMan]

Won't watch the movie because I don't like scary movies....as for the story, I expected more than what I got. Still a good story just left me wanting more.

[sheba41]

Great!:cool2:

[pandora]

I thought it was pretty cool. And that says a lot because I was expecting it to be horrible. Always love SK stories but can anyone come close to telling one?? Rarely!

[ally88]

Hi, you will find the story in the Everything's Eventual collection, if you like short stories I would definitely recommend giving this book a read:smile2:.

[Rudeboy2025]

I thought it was a great movie and definitely one of the better adapted SK movies.

The creepiest part was when Mike is looking out the window and waves to the person across from him. Really creeped me out. I still haven't gotten around to watching the Director's Cut though.

[territweety]

It was weird but I kind of liked it.

[Girl87]

Great movie.

[Natjen24]

One of the better adaptations. It's in my top five. :smile2:

[King Jacob]

One of my favorite movies for sure.

[Kahllie]

I didn't know there was a movie.
I liked the short story. There is a lot of detail in the story that allows you to be right there in the hotel.
I'm one of those readers who are like Orson Pig in Garfield and Friends. When I read, I become immersed in the setting and with the characters. I can see the dust motes dancing in the beams of light that are coming through the cracks in the worn walls of the tower room where William was searching dusty, parchment manuscripts in The Name of the Rose. I can smell the mouldering, sweet parchment, ancient glue and dried leather as well as the dust and dry-rotted wood and the pervasive scent of the damp stone of the monastery. I experience the reading.
I think maybe you can experience more with books than with movies. I do. Movies only show the interpretation of someone else. They don't necessarily show what impresses, frightens, uplifts, or saddens you, personally. When you read, you see the monsters that scare You. Most movie monsters aren't scary. The ones that are the scariest are the ones that you don't see for a very long time and your imagination gets to fill in the sounds, smells, and effects, while rendering you helpless to see and define what you fear.

So. I liked this story. It had enough definition to set the scene and enough left to my own imagination to flesh out the rest in a way that affected me, personally.
I enjoyed it.

[lilredkdn]

I liked it because it was very "is this happening or is it all in my head?"-kind of thing. I like movies like that, so this one was a keeper for me. Although, I remember reading the story and I wasn't much impressed with it. It wasn't bad, it just seemed a little passive.

[MonaRoseRed]

I enjoyed every min. of it!

[Tooley]

For PG-13 horror... it was pretty sweet. Yet, it was like the story - it left me wanting more.

[Perse Jr.]

This is true and happened to me last night. I'm in the middle of reading 1408 right now, and last night I started watching the movie (alone, at about 11:00 pm). About 45 minutes into the movie, I heard a loud bang in the kitchen. I got up, checked it out and found nothing. About 10 minutes later into the movie, I hear another odd noise, only this time it's upstairs. I check it out, find nothing and am a little amused this is all happening during the movie. I am so "into" the story; between the book and the movie, you know? Then I hear some loud footsteps coming from above me, and I swear someone's out of bed. I pause the movie AGAIN, this time it was right after the part when Mike was out on the ledge , so I was completely absorbed in the movie. I go upstairs and find nobody is out of bed. That was enough for me! The house was just so quiet and dark (and add the fact my street has no street lights and it was super windy), and for the first time ever, I actually shut the movie off and watched something else! I got spooked!

I'll try to finish the movie tonight...and will probably finish the story during lunch...either way, it's been an interesting and entertaining experience. Great read and movie (so far...)...

[SiN_kInG]

i thought it was a very good attempt at adapting the story for the silver screen, although was very disappointed that they didn't include the 'my brother was eaten by wolves on the Conneticut turnpike' and the 'nine! this is nine! we have killed all your friends!' parts and changed his background a little. but i guess that's the movies for you. overall though i think they nailed the suspense part perfectly.

[HannahE1994]

I LOVED IT.... John Cusack is my favorite actor and for him to play in a Stephen King movie.... It was heaven!! :love:

[mramire1120]

Well I thought it was pretty good, but I'm a sucker for the imagination Mr. King opens up for me so I was in a little darker place but like it was said before its the movies, so it was a good try....yay my first post...Thanks reading

[bwayne]

1408 was one of the better movies made fron Mr. Kings books. It helped me with the fact that my own deceased daughter's name is Katherine.

[cellfan1992]

that movie was wow john cusack was great in it he was the only person who could play mike

[deltadog32]

I believe that the movie was not as good as the story. I think that there were a lot of details that deserved to make it into the movie that didn't. I just didn't feel as threatened watching the movie as I did when I read the story.

[samiam]

Books are always and I mean always sooooooo much better than on screen....

[Dombey]

I thought that the film was great!
The idea itself as a story was very unusual but I think the makers of the film have done a great job, as well as the actors. But it was funny in places, I loved that.
So yeah, thumbs up, I had a great time watching it! =)

[brenda w]

I thought the movie was really good. I had read the story so long ago, that I had forgotten parts, my husband nevers reads and thoroughly enjoyed it and yes I did go back and reread the story, the written is always better I agree samiam

[mit48]

loved it,great movie,great story

[Brayden]

I thought it was really good. I personally think it is one of the better movies adapted from a Stephen King novel.

[ellysiumfields]

1408 great, right up there with the Secret Window.

[nevermind]

I usually don't like the movies of written works but this was really good! They didn't messed it up like they did with The Mist...

[LadyDi4476]

I thought the movie started out really well with a creepy atmosphere and lots of tension, but then kind of fell apart towards the last half hour. I didn't like the added story with the daughter. It would have been better if it was just him doing battle with the room like in the story.

One of the added parts I did like was the radio playing the Carpenters. That was awesome and it made me jump the first few times I saw it.

But I agree the line about his brother being eaten by wolves should have been included as well as the crooked door, feeling queasy, and the menu changing languages. I wanted more of the room messing with him.

Still I like the movie and I LOVE John Cusack!

[LadyDi4476]

I liked the first half which had lots of tension and creepy atmosphere, but it kind of fell apart towards the end there. I didn't really like the added storyline with his daughter. I felt it would have worked better if it was just him and the room like in the short story.

The added part I did like was the radio playing the Carpenters. That made me jump the first few times!

I agree the line about his brother being eaten by wolves would have been cool as well as the crooked front door making him feel queasy and the menu changing languages.

Still it was pretty decent and I love John Cusack!

[Perse Jr.]

I love John Cusack, and I love the short story, but now, after watching the entire movie, I think it was horrible (from a personal perspective). Honestly, I wouldn't watch it again. The parts with his daughter were just too sad and far removed from the story in EE. Anyone with kids, or actually, anyone who has lost a child or children, might feel the same way. Especially the end, with her voice on the recorder. :(

[lenny126]

The book was good but the movie was way better i thought.

[Mr Nobody]

Some good embellishments to the original story. Atmosphere is created well and there's the real/unreal question that's nicely posed.
Initially, I was a bit concerned by the film version because of some of the critical reaction it got, but it's not bad at all - and better than some of the 'horror' coming out of Hollywood in recent years. Maybe some people didn't like it because it wasn't a 'here's a bag of bloody guts...and look! Here's your lunch in your lap!' effort.
It was a good job by all concerned, IMO.

[Charms7]

I loved it. Both the short story and the movie. Love, Love, Loved it!

[michal]

It was OK, wouldn't go as far as saying I loved it. But of course, it's not easy making horror when a person is supposedly all alone in a room for the most of the film.

[JRLauer]

I didn't like the movie as much as the short story but I did enjoy the movie.

I actually prefer the directors cut over the theatrical release.

[Ubasti]

I liked the movie. I thought it portrayed the story well and pretty accurately. I did the the story better, but that's usually the way it goes.

[leighG]

I personally think it was great, not as intense as the short story, but, what ever is?, the emotionally attachment of introducing his daughter's character, who wasn't present in the short story, was actually welcomed by me, as I felt it added a little more depth, unlike the family they added in War of The Worlds, now that was pointless

Overall, good attempt

[sgmonje]

I'm glad that John Cusack was set in the role of Mike Enslin, I think its the perfect role for him. I thought it was a good movie, not amazing, but really good. I liked it :D

[hemingway2z]

Going by the poster on the theatre I though it was about the second coming, but when I saw the the film i saw my own tragic life unfold before me.Tank you tank you tank you !

[THISisWHEREiMAKEmySTAND]

OMG I just saw this last night ( I know, I know, I should be flogged! ) and I LOVED IT!! Super freaky, and def. did the story justice! The cinematography was amazing and fresh; I felt like a lot of the shots I had never seen anything like. Kudos Mikael Hafstrom, and of course Sai-King!! Great movie, haha I tried to watch with my Mom but she got too freaked out and had to leave, I loved it though!!

[ally88]

Great movie, haha I tried to watch with my Mom but she got too freaked out and had to leave,

My brother was pretty freaked out by this movie also:laugh:...I think it's amazing.

[jordystams]

I loved it

[Nutty Bavarian]

The movie was really good. The story was awesome. I loved the way everything was described. It was creepy as hell. I love it

[jules17330]

I love this movie. I love King for keeping it real (the daughter dying; people get upset because there's a dead kid involved in the story but IRL kids DO die of diseases and it was one thing the room used to get under Mike Enslin's skin), and I love a strong actor like Cusack that can carry most of the movie by himself. Kudos!!!

[karend3]

The Movie was awesome, when the radio kept turning on to We've only just begun, freaky.

This one you will like because the radio keeps coming on with a song and eventually it starts to warble, really freaky.

[btch29]

I loved the film 1408 havent read the book yet. I cant wait for more of Stephen Kings work as i have been a big fan of his for years.

[benbennett]

I enjoyed the film. Which surprised me. Have to say it was well executed.

[becks]

I've watched it about three times now and it seems to get better with every viewing. Cusack is fantastic. One of the best actors around. And Jackson makes me smile.
Best, Becks

[Mark R]

I thought that this was a fantastic movie. It was really clever in the way that it was put together. It is up there as one of my favouite movies based on a SK novel.

[zexyblondie]

I loved it! Now I really have to read the book...:biggrin2:

[BlackThorn]

The short story is sick. Sick. Don't read it! Let Stephen King read it to you!

My sister read it, and didn't even find it interesting really.

I've only ever heard Kings narration version, that was in 'Blood and Smoke'. Honestly, don't read it, let King read it to you.

It's only like, an hour and a half or something like that. I'm sure it's available in multiple audio formats on the internet as well. But it's, the sickness. I've had to shut it off on rereads before, because it was too dark and too late and I was just the only one around. It goes in a slightly different direction than the movie, but Oh God, that story goes beyond brushing against hell. That story shows you the structure of it.

Great movie too though. I was on the edge of my seat, and I was like saying things all horrified like, "Holy **cking God!" every time something horribly nasty would happen to the guy.

King gets me with his horror that just pushes my mind to a place, and lets me see thing that would happen. Given the world, given the characters, given the ways everyone can fall. Then he lets it happen, or not. Either way, you can easily compare it with your reality, because he's always so fluid when he speaks of these other worlds his visions of stories are happening in.

1408 Kicked my ass, big time. Really fuc'in scary stuff. W00t w00t!

[Sarahlou]

I liked the movie and although it's been a long time since i read the story i think the add ins added to it!
I do think tho the comments above sort of prove the problem with King book/story to movie process, either the book is too long and they miss loads out of the story or the story's too short and add ins are needed (of course it could just be that i'm never satisfied lol)

[Felipe]

1408 is great, but could be more frightening:smile2:

[Ophelia]

I freaked myself out watching it in the middle of the night last night. But then it got to the point where it was so far beyond possibility, it wasn't scary anymore. Does that make sense?

I noticed John Cusack's character adding up numbers to get thirteen. I'm reading the DT books right now, so I immediately identified adding up letters and numbers to get a symbolically significant sum* as something characteristically SK.



*Look mommy, I just alliterated!

[mousenmile]

1408 is great, but could be more frightening:smile2:

I loved it, could be scarier, but then Iam used to his works, so scary doesnt bother me.

[mousenmile]

This is one of the few times I prefer the movie to the story.

I thought the movie did a better part of fleshing out Mike's reasons for being so interested in finding ghosts that truly exist, and I preferred the movies version of what happened in the room (basically expanding on it much more than the story did.

I saw the movie first and was actually surprised it was as short the story was. I was anticipating more of a novella-ish feel to it. Partly because there was the one sided door to another dimension ala the dark tower which once I found out wasn't in the story I thought was a nice way to keep it having a King like feel.

I agree w/ you. .sometimes they have to make changes the story to make it more feasable to the big screen. I loved the story and the movie. John was perfect as the main character.
I always love it when one of his books is made into a movie, and i
I love the DT touch that is brought into play in a lot of them.

[Andreas89]

:biggrin2::biggrin2:
1408 is great, but could be more frightening:smile2:

[Noonan Groupie]

I personally think 1408 is one of the very best King adaptations, one of the few that is superior to the source material in spite of the many changes.

[MickyMcStaggers]

Next to Green Mile, this is one of my favorite movies made from a Stephen King novel/short story. Its scary on a level that's different from a dead guy in the closet - it's more of a psychological scare that anything else. Kind of like Gerald's Game. Also, John Cusack was a great pick.

[MyJadedEpiphany]

I loved both the story and the movie version!! JC was a perfect casting in my opinion (albeit a little biased as he is a fave of mine) and thought it was done very well considering the length of the story. Two thumbs up in my book!

[Shandor]

1408 is all about human subconsciousness. 1408 let Mike find answer to the question that troubled him (inside his subconsciousness) - And deep inside himself (behind the door at last scenes) he found that it was death of his daughter that he tried to forget all the time. But Mike hadn't to forget (he understood this when he found his daughter lonely inside ruined room - his subconsciousness). And at last realizes he has to move on and not to be overwhelmed with bad thoughts (for example to hang himself). And this desire to move on is simple human will. That's all. And will (fire in movie) destroyes all bad thoughts and let him to become strong (to power over his thoughts).

[Boni]

My opinion is that the movie is better than the short story, it's all about fears, not gore, I love movies/books/games that deals with the psychological aspect of terror, and not the blood and flesh and stuff like that...

[JRM]

When I first watched this movie I thought it was just so confusing and pointless...but I watched it again a few days ago (and bought it since it was on sale, haha)...and I couldn't believe I didn't like it at first. I love this movie now.

[kitt]

Stephen.... DON'T SAY SORRY! I hate to get all heated here but are you people MAD?! The story is superior for 2 reasons. 1. A movie based on a story is ALWAYS INFERIOR! Why? Because there would be no movie without it(the story)! 2. What we have to read makes us imagine, to imagine we must utilize or minds in a way movies do not ask of us. Movies paint the picture for us, tell us when to be frightened or safe, happy or sad, turned on or turned off!

The short story terrified me in a way the movie could never accomplish. Stephens right, the short story is a lost art, but only to people who have a serious lack of imagination and prefer Hollywood to make there decisions for them.:glare: For an example, the way Stephen described how the wall paper in this room felt, like old dead skin, immediately made me sick and sent a shiver of displeasure down my spine... I would like to know how the movie did that for anyone here.

**** that SSS ****! Stephen rocked that story out like ac dc rocks you like a hurricane, sorry for the weird comparison but it's true. It is, and may always will be, one of my most loved shorts.

[cwinter4]

looking forward to seeing this one.

[Sarlinov]

i liked the story just fine but this movie left me cold

not ball-breakingly terrible but cheap thrills throughout nonetheless

[SaraLady]

1408 a really great movie it whas scary and exaiting it whas fun to wach it :)

[Not Me]

I don't remember there being a daughter or marital strife in the story. Did I forget about that or was it an example of artistic license?

BB

[Sarlinov]

I don't remember there being a daughter or marital strife in the story. Did I forget about that or was it an example of artistic license?

BB

just a little bit of human interest...which did not interest me

[Nabila]

I saw the movie and liked it as it sure was entertaining. It wasn't scary. Now I must read the story and I'm sure it will scare me. SK's books always scare me more than the movies.

[Cognac]

certainly one of the better adaptations.

[mgencarelli]

Seriously the movie scared the hell out of me!! I saw it once and havent rewatched since!! Is the second viewing any better? Anyone?

[carlaswindell]

After watchng the great movie we were on our way home and noticed the road we were on was CR 1408...Im still wondering how SK could get into the heads of people trying to quit smoking? He is brillant in describing the withdrawal symptons...

[The Serious Police]

What a great movie. I watched it many times. Wifey is too scared to watch it. lol

[Jax]

'my brother was eaten by wolves on the Conneticut turnpike'


When I read that sentence in the book, it creeped me out bad. This was one of the most disturbing movies/stories to me. I guess that's why I love it.:love:

[vampyricXfaerie]

I loved 1408. I thought that movie had a definite edge to it and you had to pay attention to the movie to figure it out.

[ponygirl01]

i have not read the story yet. the movie was good. i have it on DVD and watch it every once in a while.

[Mary Strickland]

Watched 1408 and The Mist back to back. 1408 was excellent, good acting. The Mist would have been a lot better if the special effects people hadn't used such silly looking monsters. The story and acting were good. Oddly enough, I haven't read either one of these, so I expect the excellent versions are in print.

[Space Hitler]

I like both endings, but the more....depressing one feels better to me. But hey, Stephen could publish his grocery list and I'd buy it and John Cusack could do Leonard part 7 and I'd watch it.

[SuzannaDean]

I thought the film was really good, weird but really good! Best one Ive seen I reckon although ancient pet sematary is probably still my fave SK film!:cool2:

[dejolane]

After watchng the great movie we were on our way home and noticed the road we were on was CR 1408...Im still wondering how SK could get into the heads of people trying to quit smoking? He is brillant in describing the withdrawal symptons...

Although I don't smoke and never will Stephen King did do a good job.

[Mookie]

I too, thought 1408 was excellent! But the story for me is always better. I can't wait to read it. I can lose my self in a story far better than a movie.

[Anagantios]

I thought it was one of the few recent horror films to actually scare me.

same here...
i couldn't sleep for a couple nights after seeing it... horror movies now have become a bit tedious...but that was one film i wasn't expecting to scare the #### out of me...:eek2:

[deroche]

The story itself was really great I thought,because I am a big fan of short horror stories. The movie was good it had everything I expected it to have, but the ending was the creepiest part and that gave me goosebumps the most.

[nikkij124]

I loved the movie and didnt like the short story very much :eyebrow:

[Er0tic NeUr0t1c]

best stephen king movie... havent read short story yet which is why i might think so

[Property of the Overlook]

One of my favorite King movies. I loved the ending. His wife was just speechless. I love ghost movies and 1408 and The Shining (1997) are my favorites.

[davidracz]

John Cusack irritated me. I liked the movie, though.

[mtdesign]

John Cusack irritated me. I liked the movie, though.


I feel the same way.

[AlexTuis]

I think this movie was great, with a silent hill touch at the end.
Cusak is great to play writers, I do not know why, but it warks well.


The most horrible scene is certainly in the air tunnel or maybe when he realize that someone who looks like him is in the other building.

[OhmyGod!]

Great movie!! Really great! Without being a cliché or being flooded with gore etc. But it could've been a bit scarier in my eyes...like the short story!

[peaceluvnsploosh]

I thouht this movie was great!--- Y i dont know i guess cuz it wasnt full of gorey, bloody, bone breaking nudity ... lets just say it was an actual movie unlike some that are so stupid that they are funny:) Love king movies and stories an di specifically love this one:)

[LongestNight]

Sorry folks, but I'd take a beating before being forced to watch 1408 again. Loved the story though! I can't believe that Hollywood thinks they can improve on King!

[j.simon]

not bad...story was creepy as hell

[thistwilight]

Definitely on the top of my list. I think John Cusack portrayed Mike Enslin very well.

[Misery Knight]

very good movie, can't wait to read the book now :d

[Diamondfire]

I actually really enjoyed the movie. The acting wasn't terrible for once and the back story was actually interesting. Wasn't really scary though, the few times they broke from their storyline to add elements horror they felt kind of out of place or rushed. I don't know just my opinion. Also kind of wished that the movie was more literally like the story. Their were obvious parts from the story but they all seemed highly interpreted. Would definitely rank the story over the movie but still thought it was good and could stand alone as its own separate entity.

[xP3AC3MAK3Rx]

One of my favorite Stephen King filmings. Love everything about it.

Tommy

[knightconuk]

the movie is better 2nd time you watch it! i got the directors cut edition does anyone know where to see the alternate ending

[steve-w]

I enjoyed the film but I watched it before reading the story, it was actually the reason I bought Everything's Eventual.

[Mary Strickland]

1408 was recently on TV and I thought it was pretty good. Last night I read it for the first time and thought it was much better than the film version. I had just finished "On Writing" and remembered that I saved 1408 from "Everything's Eventual". I wanted to read it all at one time--pretty unique experience.

[annetacey]

loved the film, watched it twice to get me head around the whole thing. not much scares me but that did!

[CrazyAbe]

Hi

to all Stephen King fans

i'm new here

i personally think that 1408 is a good thriller-horror movie
i saw it last year on tv

:cool2:

[Spideyman]

Noticed that TNT will be showing this movie on Sunday January 31 at 8 and 10PM Eastern USA time. Just in case you missed it, or would like to view it again.

[Snoopy1234]

I thought it was a very good film :biggrin2:

[Dan is Dead]

i thought it was a great movie. cant wait to read the story now to see if they got it all right :biggrin2:

[kitten32]

hi there, i loved the movie because it was a good movie and i own the dvd now. i just ordered his signed books
so hopefully i will get them next week. i would try and find the book on 1408 if i could.
i like all your books and movies, stephen king. you did a great job on the books.

kitten32...... from calif.

[wendymartt]

i thought 1408 was a great movie, very twisted:)

[Nisi]

It is a really great movie, and I was getting some kind of paranoid, and I liked it. I love movies which brings up emotions like that :grinning: