Michael Ledo
Les Sabo (Brant McCrea) is released from jail and is searching for the killer of his mother whose death he witnessed as a child. He is known as "The Ghoul" as he takes skin from his victims and is hard to kill. He is a hero to the poor in Chicago standing up to thugs and dishonest cops (which could have been better developed with a number of flash scenes or headlines).The film is part art-house, part grindhouse, part 70's gorehouse with a little MTV tossed in. I loved the opening scene during the credits as his dead mother plays the piano from the back of pick-up truck creating an existential scene that borders on surrealism. The director was very careful in creating scenes, but seemed to have neglected the plot. The Ghoul never seemed to care about finding his mother's killer, never questioning anyone or tracking clues. The characters were not developed at all. I am pretty sure every horror and grindhouse fan will find something to like about the film. The style mixing was mostly effective, although there were times when it didn't work that well such as the first bathroom scene where we get 70's gorehouse music.Guide: F-word. Nudity
michaelkopsick
I was not necessarily a horror film fan until I saw Chicago Rot. Watching this movie is not just a good time, it's an incredible experience. This film activates all of your senses and leaves you wanting to watch it all over again. I am a new horror film fan and I hope the producers / directors make more films, horror or otherwise!
ahahow
Chicago Rot is a gory masterpiece with all the earmarks of an indy cult horrific thriller. From the guy in the background jerking off while wearing a blue leisure suit, down to the significance of the license plate on a green Cadillac, there's enough in the cracks of this film to dissect and discuss for years.Unfortunately, the story of "The Ghoul" is lost in the show stealing barrage of blood. It's a hard to follow sea of death where a voice on the radio detailing the back story is the only time you're sure to have it right.The characters don't command emotional attachments leaving the audience feeling apathetic toward who lives and who dies. However, the fight, murder and death by dildo scenes are so well shot and assembled, competently revealing brutal moments with striking detail, that you are compelled to wish for everyone in the film to die, simply to take pleasure in the carnage.The special effects are incredible. The sound effects are fantastic. The music is great albeit at times ponderous to the point I was eager to hear a voice without music beneath it. An amazing job from start to finish on the visual candy and the construction of the scenes were the enabling forces that allowed me to finish watching this movie even when not completely in tune with the narrative.I look forward to their next film, where perhaps I'll find myself being emotionally involved with the characters.But, what do I know? I enjoy Adam Sandler movies.
Leofwine_draca
CHICAGO ROT is a gritty horror film made on a micro budget. It's a revenge story about a former convict hunting for a sicko murderer responsible for the death of his family. As a film it's fairly well shot, so it's just a shame that the subject matter is equal parts distasteful and equal parts predictable. The end result offers plenty of gloomy atmosphere and some unpalatable moments of extreme bad taste gore.