Strong and Moving!

Excellent but underrated film

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

I like Rob Lowe as an actor. Even a good actor couldn't have pulled this one out of the toilet. The writing was cheesy, cliché, and formulaic. The acting was terrible. Just terrible.From other reviews I've read there was supposedly some message to the story, but one would probably have to watch the whole movie to arrive at it. I just couldn't do it - I turned it off halfway. I loved the original Stir of Echoes, thought it was a great movie. This one shouldn't have tried to hang its hat on that name - they're not even in the same ballpark. This movie was a waste of time. I find it hard to believe that anyone involved in the production could have signed off on its release. It's that bad.

I was never really sure why people didn't like this move as much as the first. I was really impressed with the way this film was made. the plot is very similar to the first and just as entertaining. Another thing that I should mention is that this sequel is much scarier and creepier than the first one. The ending was not the best of the best but it was acceptable for the situation. The acting was just fantastic and most of the scenes were played out very well and quite believable. When the movie was over I almost immediately wanted to see it again. Not much to dislike about this sequel, unless you're not a big fan of tragic endings, but overall a very good sequel and great way to get some good scares.

Political ranting aside, I think the movie deserves better than a sub-five average rating. It's well acted by the leads and Rob Lowe seems 'engaged' in his role. The DVD extras explain in detail the limitations of the production but at the same time the investment in the film by the director and cast members. It works as a ghost story and also as a mystery. The make-up and effects are well done and it has a decent pace. In a way it still has a distant connection to the first Stir of Echoes in that it portrays a working class American family. Yes, the film does make a comment on racism, but I didn't feel this was a generalized anti-American slag the way some other reviewers did. I look forward to other movies by this director and thumbs up to Rob Lowe for bringing his 'A' game to this small film. And where else can you see a Stouffville, Ontario sand pit doubling for Iraq?

When coming across a direct to DVD sequel of a mainstream horror or sci fi movie movie, usually one cannot be blamed for staying away. The rental stores are full of such sequels that are abysmal due to poor acting, poor special effects, and most of all poor directing. One will both waste their time and their money trying to enjoy such nonsense.Imagine the surprise when Stir of Echoes: The Homecoming, yes a sequel to a mainstream horror movie, proves itself to be a surprisingly intelligent thriller. The Homecoming won't win any awards but it does hold its own and is able to give a convincing story.Captain Ted Cogan (Rob Lowe) holds himself responsible for the death of an Iraqi family during his tour of duty. Like many veterans, Ted only wants to return home to his family and forget the war so that he can go back to the life he once knew. The problem is that such memories never fade easily and home is never the same once you have been gone for so long. Ted's wife Molly (Marnie McPhail) and son Max (Ben Lewis) find that the husband and father they once knew is a different man.However, something else haunts Ted. A series of graphic images of those who died in Iraq, including strange visions of what appear to be the future, stalk Ted. While he believes it to be mere post traumatic stress disorder, it soon becomes clear that something else is going on and that Ted is facing a different kind of ghost then he expected. While his family falls apart around him, Ted realizes that if he is to keep his sanity then he needs to solve the mystery of what is happening.Much like the previous Stir of Echoes, a spirit demands vengeance and unless that vengeance is fulfilled then that spirit will take its anger out on whoever it can reach. The truth, however, is more horrific than even Ted could imagine and will force him to make the most difficult choice in his life. The ghost isn't one that followed him from Iraq. The truth is that the ghost wants vengeance against Max for a crime he committed......Stir of Echoes Homecoming doesn't rely on gore to push the horror that Ted is experiencing. Instead it uses dialog and mood setting to give the feeling of Ted's isolation and confusion. Not the best movie but it is a good sequel that shows the original idea of Stir of Echoes is still interesting.7/10