The Beyond: Stir Of Echoes

The Film
   "A Stir Of Echoes" was written by Richard Matheson, and the original copyright date was in 1958. Aside from a few homages, that should end the debate on how much Stir Of Echoes stole their ideas from other films. Doesn't matter to me though, because I'm illiterate, and didn't read the damned thing.

   I DO understand why some people didn't appreciate this one like I did. I mean, they're right. It DOES possess a lot of the same themes and ideas that have shown up in many films. Particularly the movies made in that time frame sort of got lumped together, and people just got bored with them.

   My review of the film is a pretty quick one. I loved it. It unfortunately sort of got lost in the shuffle because it came out like a week or something after The Sixth Sense. Even though it didn't do as well in the box office, I DO feel that it was a better film. The only thing I didn't like in the movie was that awfully bad whining bastardization of 'Paint It Black'. How dare they?

Hypnosis & The Beyond
   I know a little bit about hypnosis, MORE than a little bit, in fact. Based on my own experiences, the premise of this story can EASILY happen if you believe in ghosts. Granted, it was just a movie, and I know the ideas were exaggerated greatly for effect and entertainment.

   For those of you that don't know, hypnosis is nothing more of a way to relax the body, and speak directly to the subconscious mind. There are no magical spells or drugs or anything. It's just you and your mind. The hypnotist talks to you, and YOU choose to listen, or not to listen. You CANNOT be hypnotized if you're completely unwilling.

   I've never been hypnotized. I'd like to, and I've allowed people to TRY to hypnotize me, but it always fails. The reason why it fails is because I analyze EVERYTHING. They talk me through the relaxation techniques, and then they get me visualizing things, and that's where things go wrong. I try to do what's asked of me, but I find my mind straying, thinking about, 'Wow, that was a good idea, I'm going to try that the next time I hypnotize somebody.' Maybe someday I'll be able to stop trying to learn, and just allow it to happen. Who knows?

I'm still on the fence on the subject of using hypnosis as a tool in dealing with paranormal situations. On one hand, using it to get someone to remember an event that happened long ago could be very helpful. On the other hand, could a doorway be opened in someones mind that could cause problems down the road like it did in the film? Although my recklessness would allow someone to hypnotize me to be more 'open-minded', I have to admit that I'd have a problem with subjecting someone else to that sort of thing.

   Up until now, there have been no documented reports of any type of supernatural or paranormal occurrences during hypnosis. I suppose they happen, and people just don't report them. I really haven't publicly spoken of mine until now.

   The mind is a very powerful thing. When you're in a hypnotic trance, I can tell you pretty much anything I want, and you'll believe me. So, what if I tell you that if there are ghosts or spirits in the room, you can see them, and communicate with them freely? Would you REALLY see them?

   I can't answer that question. I've never given someone that suggestion, and I don't plan to.

Here are some other Stir Of Echoes related Pages:

Imdb
Rotten Tomatoes
Fantastic Fiction

Hypnosis: Stir Of Echoes Fanlisting

SITEMAP