`STIR OF ECHOES' SPEAKS VOLUMES FOR REVIVAL OF QUALITY-HORROR GENRE.

Byline: Bob Strauss Film Critic

The well-made horror trend continues with ``Stir of Echoes.'' Solid characters, coherent storytelling and a number of good jolts mark this second directing effort from David Koepp, Hollywood's screenwriter du jour of the mid-'90s. He's growing into a much more interesting filmmaker than those ``Jurassic Park'' scripts would have indicated.

Based on a lesser-known book by genre writer Richard Matheson, ``Echoes'' tells a more predictable ghost story than ``The Sixth Sense'' and is certainly conventional, even old-fashioned, compared to ``The Blair Witch Project.''

But it bothers to do things that few horror films even think of, like portraying working-class life in detail or examining the fallout a haunting might really have on family relationships. It even has a persuasive sense of setting and how the people who live there would probably act - and react to a growing nightmare.

Along with that, performances are consistently excellent. Kevin Bacon strikes another new chord in his unassuming but increasingly impressive career as Tom Witzky, a telephone lineman and once-aspiring rock musician whose dreams have been not-so-unpleasantly detoured by loving wife Maggie (Kathryn Erbe) and their adorable 6-year-old son Jake (Zachary David Cope). He's not very educated but not exactly dumb, and his main frustration in life - at the film's outset, anyway - is that his is so ordinary.

As you might imagine, a careful-what-you-wish-for lesson is right around the corner. The Witzkys recently moved into an under-the-El-tracks, blue-collar Chicago neighborhood, where they live in a just-restored (but still crummy) row house that apparently has a history. And little Jake, like the ``Sixth Sense'' kid, has made a new, imaginary friend there who may not live just in his mind.

Once sister-in-law Lisa (Illeana Douglas) hypnotizes Tom at a party, he starts hearing and seeing things, too; violent, horrible, incomprehensible things that slowly drive him nuts.

Tom's headachey, obsessive descent is accompanied by insular bonding with Jake who, though less dramatically, is also sensitive to the spirit world. This leaves Maggie not only a crazy husband to deal with, but a growing feeling of isolation from both of the guys she loves.

Meanwhile, as the psychic intrusions grow more alarming, they also grow more credible. It doesn't take too much brain work to figure out that someone - or something - wants a terrible crime resolved. You may guess what it is, but you should nonetheless appreciate the meticulous care with which it's laid out.

Though the movie contains its share of flashy, freaky visuals, Koepp always keeps the focus on the human element, while clues to the supernatural mystery are doled out at a leisurely but still unnerving pace Although it's definitely third among the late summer's spooky trinity, ``Stir of Echoes'' earns its place beside Willis and the Witch.

THE FACTS

The film: ``Stir of Echoes'' (R; violence, language, drug use, sex, nudity).

The stars: Kevin Bacon, Kathryn Erbe, Zachary David Cope, Illeana Douglas, Kevin Dunn.

Behind the scenes: Directed by David Koepp. Written by Koepp, based on Richard Matheson's novel. Produced by Gavin Polone and Judy Hofflund. Released by Artisan Entertainment.

Running time: One hour, 39 minutes.

Playing: Citywide.

Our rating: Three stars.

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Photo

Photo: Kevin Bacon's acting is among the strengths in ``Stir of Echoes.''