John Cusack in "1408"
courtesy of Genius Products
"It's Not A Year, It's A Room"

When I first saw the title "1408" I thought it must be some kind of historical drama, but then I learned thew numbers did not refer to a year but rather to a room. And a creepy, possessed room at that. This new DVD release stars John Cusack in a thriller based on a short story by Stephen King. This is a movie with a fair amount of chills, but it paints itself into a corner with its story of a haunted hotel room. When it comes time for the movie to end, the film cops out and leaves the audience disappointed.

Mike Enslin (Cusack) is a writer who debunks "haunted" places. He goes to different haunted locales and finds out the truth behind the legends. He then collects these facts, turns the stories into books and makes his living that way.

One day he learns about a supposed haunted room, number 1408, in the Dolphin Hotel in New York City. He browbeats the hotel manager (Samuel L Jackson) into letting him rent the room for a night. Legend is that no one has ever lasted longer than one hour in the room, and when they do leave it is usually feet first.

Once inside the room Enslin finds himself mystified by all the strange occurrences. Soon he is ready to leave but the room will not let him. It seems he has been picked as a victim and the room is determined to have its way with him.

One way the room tortures Enslin is by bringing up memories of his dead daughter (Jasmine Jessica Anthony). This is his key weakness and the room knows it. Enslin is allowed to reach out to his wife (Mary McCormack) by internet service, but his contacting her only puts her life at risk.

The movie does a very good job of showing the horrors Enslin faces, but having done so it has to figure out a way to end it all without alienating the audience. That it can't do. The ending as written becomes a cop-out and leaves the audience dissatisfied.

"What About Brian?" was a TV series that only lasted a couple of years, and its cancellation disappointed a lot of fans who thought any show starring Barry Watson of "7th Heaven" fame should be a success. But for those mourners and others "What About Brian: The Complete Series" is available on DVD.

There are twenty-four episodes on this five-disc set, and that means you get every single episode that aired. This means you get every story about Brian and his friends. He is the only single member of his group and that means they need to get him fixed up. Watch them as they try.

D L Hughley was one of the outstanding stars of the TV series "Studio Sixty On the Sunset Strip." He showed his flair for comedy and dramatic acting. Now on his DVD "D L Hughley: Unapologetic" Hughley sticks to comedy and this show is one laugh after another. 

Hughley has an acerbic wit and he goes after anyone and everyone as he finds comic fodder everywhere. You might be shocked at some things he says but you will also be hilariously entertained. This show was on HBO recently but it is already out on DVD with some unaired footage. So get it and get laughing.

Roger Corman is known for making movies cheaply and with a wild spirit. His subject matters can range from raunchy to deadly serious. Two of his first movies are not out on DVD. They are "The Intruder," a story about the desegregation of our schools. It features William Shatner.

The other film is "Eat My Dust" which is about a young man and a wild car ride. This one stars Ron Howard in one of his first screen roles. Howard is now known primarily as a director but he once had a burgeoning screen career.

If you are a Corman fan, or if you are curious about his early movies, then you are going to want to get this DVD. It lets you in on the Corman mystique.

"Black Book" is a film directed by famed director Paul Verhoeven. He is the man who directed "Basic Instinct." Now he is back with a story about World War II. In this film a woman played by Carice Van Houten goes to work for the Dutch Underground. She is a spy who must seduce a German officer to get information.

The film is sexy and suspenseful and Van Houten's performance is outstanding. It may be a little too adult for some viewers but for others it will be a perfect movie entertainment. Sebastian Koch and Thom Hoffman are the co-stars of the film.

For the kids in your family, especially the boys, there is a new DVD titled "Power Rangers: Operation Overdrive: Volumes 1 and 2." These chapters deal with adventures to find the jewels of the "crown of the gods." It involves a lot of excitement and bravery.

In this DVD you also get a chance to see the Power Rangers as they really are. Your kids will love that. Plus there is an interactive game that I could never figure out but kids will be able to do it in a snap.

Joe Don Baker had some success with a couple of "Walking Tall" movies. Even "The Rock" had to try his hand with an update a couple of years ago. Now Kevin "Hercules" Sorbo takes his turn with this franchise. His movie on DVD is titled "Walking Tall: Lone Justice."

In this film the sheriff has retired and heads to Dallas, Texas. There he finds just as much corruption and crime as there was I his hometown in the South. It is up to him to protect his loved ones and clean up the streets. Which he does. Watch the DVD and see all the action as Sorbo walks tall and carries a big stick.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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