Review by JAM
Some of the scariest experiences in horror come from what is NOT there, rather than what is. The imagination fills in when the logical side of the brain does not see what it expects, much like the mind during Vanishing on 7th Street. Psychological horror that will have you searching the shadows for what is not there, even as you see what is.
Something happened throughout the earth as a new day dawns, and suddenly nearly everyone is gone. Only a few are saved whether by the luck of wearing a head lamp like Paul the projectionist (John Leguizamo) or the striking of a cigarette at the perfect moment like Rosemary the nurse (Thandie Newton) or a backup generator at a bar Like James the 12 year-old (Jacob Latimore) or for reasons unknown like Luke the reporter (Hayden Christensen), but each continues their survival only due to the light surrounding them. Glow sticks, flashlights, candles, gasoline generated lights… Whatever they can use, they use and it keeps them safe as much as possible from the life (or is it death) within the shadows.
Psychological fear tactics as well as physical scare tactics keep the viewer on the edge of their seat as the shadows search, taunt, and track the lives they wish to steal. The shadows have some supernatural aspect to them as they track people, mimic sounds and voices, and control/extinguish daylight to make the darkness last longer. It is psychological warfare as well as just fear as doubt, fear, and distrust set in as the darkness overwhelms them physically and emotionally. Picked off one by one, they become even more distraught as the loneliness and inevitability of losing takes over.
Someone does escape the darkness at the end in an almost supernatural type reasoning, but you have to truly ask yourself did they escape, or did they just prolong the inevitable in the end. Check out the Vanishing on 7th Street to see what you think.
JAMS Ink on Vanishing on 7th Street
Remember how I said Black Death was dark? Try dealing with a horror film based on a living darkness void of all life, desiring all life. That is what this is. The horror lies in what isn’t there rather than what is. Much like a true hunter it takes on the properties of its prey, stalking and taunting them until it becomes so much like them that it is hard to differentiate.
It is kind of weird to have such a small ensemble cast play such a role in a movie that seems so large. The scope of the darkness is worldwide, and the movie feels huge even though the party is trapped in a single section of a single town. The parts played are well done, the actors playing them are great by themselves, and the movie is strengthened by it. If anything, at times it can feel overdone with the reactions to the darkness but in the ideal that everyone else is gone, how else would someone react. Nothing is the same, no one is alive, and all hope seems to be lost.
For this release, I don’t know that the Blu-ray truly did it so many favors. So much of the movie is dark and grainy that it seems that much of the power and strength of the Blu-ray seems over redundant here. The clarity remains beautiful, but there is much to work for with color differential when the movie deals with dark grainy shadows throughout. I would of course still recommend the Blu-ray just for the fact that your movie is going to much more durable and long lasting, but for image I don’t see the need.
EXTRAS
The extras provided are fairly typical for a Blu-ray release with pieces that relatively enhance the release. Audio commentary from the director gives no major insights into the film. He is willing to talk shop it seems, but not script or story. Alternate endings really just a reshoot of the final scene that really is not needed overall. Revealing and Creating are kind of cool extras with on-set interviews and a discussion of the suspense and fear within the movie. Behind the scenes is really a cool look at on set work with scenery and hardware taking center stage. The other additions are just additions, but the overall aspect of the extras helps the film release, but not so much as to make the purchase that much easier. The film is worth the buy, but the extras are not by themselves.
Bonus Features
Audio Commentary
Alternate Endings
Revealing the “Vanishing on 7th Street”
Creating the Mood on 7th Street
Behind the Scenes Montage
Fangoria Interviews
HDNet: A Look at “Vanishing on 7th Street”
Theatrical Trailer
Darkness, distrust, and dystopia combine to make Vanishing on 7th Street a psychological horror film worth a check. Don’t expect any overwhelming insights into why you will be scared, but allow yourself to feel the fear and dread as the darkness surrounds you on May 17, 2011 from Magnolia Home Entertainment.
Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.
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