Science fiction and horror films have a long history of addressing social and political issues through their unique ability to create their own worlds that don't have to obey the rules of everyday reality. Rapacious aliens might represent mankind's destructive exploitation of native peoples and natural resources, or zombies could symbolize the mindlessness of consumer culture as survivors turn on each other to illustrate the darkness of human nature when pushed to the brink.
So you can imagine that I was pretty excited to hear about Vanishing on 7th Street, where a mysterious, living darkness descends on Detroit, shutting off power, shortening the days and causing people to disappear right out of their clothes unless light is shining on them. It's a concept ripe for allegory, especially since the film takes place in a city that has seen its streets darkened and much of its population vanish as a result of the plunging economy. The financial crisis has been addressed in dramatic films like Up In the Air and The Company Men as well as several documentaries (including recent Oscar-winner Inside Job), so I was excited and curious to see how it would look through the prism of the sci-fi and horror genres.
But it didn't work out that way. See my ReThink Review of Vanishing on 7th Street for What the Flick?! below.
Vanishing on 7th Street is in select theaters now and is also available on Video On Demand.
For more ReThink Reviews, visit ReThinkReviews.net
To subscribe to ReThink Reviews on YouTube, go here.