Stir of Echoes

Rating:
Summary: Very engaging ghost story, better than "The Sixth Sense"
Review: I bought this DVD after reading reviews claiming that this film is better than the (commercially) more successful "The Sixth Sense". I agree with those opinions and would recommend this DVD to everybody who likes ghost stories, especially if they share my opinion that "they are not being made as good as in the old days". The director doesn't overzealously go for the "shocking". The cast is perfect, there is not one weak link in there. They all and the setting provide for a believable story, an aspect which is a must in any ghost tale. The DVD does not have many extras but is adequate.

Rating:
Summary: stir of echoes
Review: This was a great movie. It has alot of suspense and alot of excitement. If you liked stigmata or the sixth sense then this movie is for you.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Film if You Liked Sixth Sense
Review: This movie is every bit as entertaining as the Sixth Sense and it is a shame it didn't get more press when it was playing in theaters. Kevin Bacon turns in his usual solid performance as a frustrated laborer whose boring life takes a dramatic turn when he allows his flaky sister-in-law to hypnotize him, giving him the ability to sense the supernatural. How Bacon's character reacts to these powers is frightening and sometimes amusing. A good example of the blend of humor and suspense is a scene in which Bacon takes on an interesting construction/desctruction project in his basement. A major part of the plot involves the relationship between Bacon and his young son who shares the supernatural sense. Although the relationship is not at the same level of the relationship between Willis and Osment in the Sixth Sense, it is still interesting, and the young actor (quite a bit younger than Osment) is very convincing and quite creepy when the situation calls for it.

For a good, underrated thriller, don't hesitate to check out Stir of Echoes.

Rating:
Summary: A reason to never be hypnotized!
Review: I put off watching this movie because it had Kevin Bacon as the star. When I told a friend that I liked "The Sixth Sense," she told me to watch "Sir of Echoes." "It's much scarier," she said. Well, she was right.

This movie has one of the eeriest plots I can recall. It becomes difficult to discern what are Bacon's visions and what are the reality scenes.

Kevin Bacon plays a middle class father, whose life is changed after he volunteers to be hypnotized. As the movie progresses, so does his madness.

A true spine-tingler, I recommend this movie to everyone who likes to be scared on a higher level. This is not "Halloween" or "Friday the 13th," it is much more intellectual.

Rating:
Summary: Sleeper (no pun) Hit
Review: This movie was just good. Really good. Kevin Bacon does a terrific as an average joe who becomes a vehical for dead person to uncover her death. Kathryn Erbe is sexy as hell. The acting as a whole isn't as good as the Sixth Sense, but the story line is at least as good and about as smart. You know you know the ending but it swithces up on you. Really fun to watch. The only thing that really brings this movie down is the comparrison with the Sixth Sense. The interactive menu is a major selling point of this movie. Really well done. Bunch of different trailers, production notes and a really good featurette. This is a must buy.

Rating:
Summary: Forget Comparisons, This Movie Is GREAT
Review: It seems this movie will forever be compared with "Sixth Sense". The unfortunate timing that had Sense opening first seemed to push this movie off to the side. That is a terrible shame, because this movie is as good as any around. Comparing Echoes to Sense is like comparing DaVinci to Michealangelo. Both are great in their own distinct ways.

The story of an ordinary working class guy (Kevin Bacon) living in his version of a safe, ideal neighborhood whose world is throw out of whack when he is hypnotized by his ditzy sister-in-law (the always good Illeana Douglas). When he starts to experience strange things, it turns his and his family's world upside down. It would be a shame to say more and possibly spoil the suspenseful plot, but the twists and turns this tale takes are wonderful.

This movie will keep you on the edge of your seat and give you a good half-dozen or so jump out of your skin scares. Well acted (Bacon and Douglas are the "big" names, but Kathryn Erbe, Kevin Dunn, AJ Oto lead a great supporting cast, and Zachary David Cope does an amazing job as Bacon's son) and written, this movie should have been a much bigger hit. The second life it has received on video/DVD is well-deserved.

If you missed this one when it was first out, grab a copy. It is a GREAT film, and worth adding to your DVD collection.

Rating:
Summary: This is a really good movie
Review: I was very pleasantly surprised by this film. I think it may have suffered some at the box office because of perceived similarity to 'The Sixth Sense' but this film is as much murder mystery as thriller.

The acting is good, and the plot has enough twists to keep you interested. I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a slightly creepy good suspense mystery. If that's you, then buy it.

Rating:
Summary: not a horror movie
Review: I rented Stir of Echoes by accident one night-it was in another movie snap-case. I'm glad because this was one of best directed movies I've seen in the 90s'. It's like The Sixth Sense only not as sophisticated. Kevin Bacon (Jake) gives a very convincing performance as the freaked out brother-in-law of Illeana Douglas (Lisa). Illeana Douglas is just plain convincing (as an actor) in anything she's in. Not scary but somewhat a "mind movie" Worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Better than I thought!
Review: I thought this would have barely any special effects or supernaturalness to it, but i was wrong. It was a lot more exciting and creepier than i first thought and I don't think it got the credit it deserved. They should have advertised better in the commercials, because it was a lot better than they had led me to believe. See for yourself though.

Rating:
Summary: Scary But Not Great
Review: It's a renter.
If you want to buy something, try "The Sixth Sense".
If you REALLY want to buy it, then read on...

"Stir of Echoes" is suspenseful, it's scary and it's sad.
Unfortunately, I think the movie loses its momentum somewhere
and that it could have been much more creative. I found myself thinking
that the movie was good, but I wanted it to be better.

On a side note, if you're from Chicago, you'll really notice Kevin Bacon's
try at a Chicago accent and you'll enjoy seeing some of your hometown.