Guy Candy: John Cusack

Usually, Guy Candy shies away from scary films, but this week we make an exception to pay homage to our eternal movie-star crush John Cusack, who stars in “1408.”

The Evanston, Illinois born Cusack won our hearts almost two decades ago, starring as lovable underachiever Lloyd Dobler, who endured a painstaking summer trying to woo valedictorian Diane Court (Ione Skye) in “Say Anything.” Ever since he held up that boombox and blasted Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” into Diane’s window, we’ve been a big, drooling, Cusack-crushee!

In the years since, Guy Candy’s love for Cusack has failed to wane. While he’s played the lead in a host of romantic movies like “Serendipity” and “America’s Sweethearts” (opposite Kate Beckinsale and Catherine Zeta-Jones respectively), we love him best when he picks those parts in projects very close to his heart.

The ever-talented Cusack lit up our hearts and imaginations by not only writing but by starring as hitman Martin Q. Blank in the 1997 murder-slash-love story “Grosse Point Blank.”

Later, his good taste (another trait we adore about him) led down the path to celebrated British author Nick Hornby’s “High Fidelity.” Writing the screenplay, Cusack helped bring to life in 2000 the love story of “High Fidelity’s” geeky, super-music enthusiast Rob Gordon.

His acerbic, straight man speak – a classic Cusack trait – helped set the template for Vince Vaughn and a host of actors who get by on more than just looks.

This weekend, catch our brown haired boy playing failed writer Mike Enslin, who turns into a paranormal investigator following the death of his young daughter in Stephen King’s “1408.” Again, Cusack proves endearing as a daddy driven almost insane with grief over the loss of his child. As he investigates the paranormal and specifically room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel, it’s almost all Cusack on screen at all times as the movie twists and turns in classic horror fashion. Leave it to Cusack to pick a super suspenseful project without the gore.

For interview footage with John at the red carpet premiere for “1408,” please click the video on the right!