Saturday night Horror movie - Stir of Echoes with a good horror feel and interesting screenplay with the edge of the feel to know what is going to happen at next!

Stir Of Echoes is not outright horror, not plain old thriller but rests somewhere in between, a nerve frying festival of suspense and the type of scares which send those lovely shivers down your spine. Kevin Bacon plays Tom Witzky, an ordinary dude who agrees to be hypnotized, just for funsies, by his sister in law (Illeanna Douglas). As soon as he's under, he's subjected to a terrifying and confusion vision that suggests violent torment. It turns out that he's one of the fabled 'one percent' of humans who are so succeptible to hypnotism that they unwittingly soak up other psychic energies in their vicinity. Something, or someone from the other side has found him and latched on, which is bad news for him and us, as we get to sit through several sequences that will cause you to need new pants. The initial vision is nothing outright or discernible; just images and abstract impressions that eventually serve as clues. That's what makes it so creepy though. Someone being murdered is someone being murdered, but specific, harrowing little glimpses unnerve us all the more in their fleeting nature. Reminds me of that infamous videotape from The Ring in it's style. Tom finds himself trying to solve a murder mystery, never sure whether the forces guiding him are on his side or pose a threat, always hit with a sense of dread upon turning every corner. This is the only kind of horror that actually scares me, in the true sense of the concept. Creeping, uneasy and subtle, where anything could be haunted and the scares aren't predictable. What's more, it's a smartly written, tightly paced, remarkably well made film. One of the best paranormal thrillers out there, plain and simple. There's a sequel with Rob Lowe (of all people lol), but I've avoided it thus far, it looks kind of cheap. Stick with this original fright fest, it holds up wonderfully.

Tom Witzky (Kevin Bacon) is a Chicago blue collar lineman concerned that his wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) is pregnant. They have a son name Jake. Her sassy sister Lisa (Illeana Douglas) hypnotizes him at a party and he starts having visions of vanished neighborhood girl Samantha Kozac (Jennifer Morrison). They get Samantha's sister Debbie Kozac (Liza Weil) as babysitter to Jake. When Jake tells her about visions of Samantha, she tries to take him to her mother. Tom becomes obsessed with Samantha's disappearance.There is great creepiness and moodiness. Kevin Bacon's performance is brilliant. His obsessive turn is amazing. The dark creepiness is perfect for the supernatural story. It brings out the darkness in a very everyday neighborhood. It's a great ghost story.

Stir of Echoes (1999): Dir: David Koeppe / Cast: Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, Kevin Dunn, Illeana Douglas, Jennifer Morrison: Similar to The Sixth Sense with a title that represents crimes unsolved that will not die. Illeana Douglas plays a hypnotist who gathers a group of friends including a couple played by Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Erbe. She hypnotizes Kevin Bacon but he begins to see images of a missing teenage girl. His son talks to the girl as if she is present, and on top of that Bacon comes to realize that his neighbour's son is about to shoot himself. Intriguing plot with many surprises and effective humour. The conclusion is conventional and too rushed. Directed by David Koeppe who presents a natural quality in the marriage relationship generated by fine chemistry between Bacon and Kathryn Erbe that is the best element of the film. Bacon is bent on solving a crime, and Erbe is trying to understand what is happening until she is in a position where she needs to rescue him. This is the best part of the film while supporting players are an odd mix of morons and crazies. Douglas has a role that is key but way too familiar and predictable. Kevin Dunn is also featured as a neighbour but the role really doesn't come to life until the third act. The result is a film that is inferior to The Sixth Sense but will still stir those seeking an interesting approach to an old paint job. Score: 6 / 10