By Geno McGahee
I have been hearing about the film “SKID ROW” for quite some time. New York indie filmmaker, Michael Shershenovich, has created a buzz and is now set for release with this project and, much like Michael, SKID ROW is raw and gritty and brings a lot of personality with it. The minute I began watching it, I was brought back to a better time for horror films. It felt like I had rented this one from Hollywood Video…oh the good old days.
We begin with a prostitute in a seedy hotel room with a drug problem. She gets a call and invites a new John over but it turns into a masked killer with murder on their mind. She gets beaten to death and then burned beyond recognition. This brings in Detective Lynch (Irina Babushkina), a tough and attractive cop that has seen what the area could do. Her sister fell victim to the streets. He partner, Vincent Ross (Frank Stallone), is the grizzled veteran and has been grooming her to deal with the crime. They are working alongside the hospital doctor, played by indie filmmaker, Jim Haggerty (GRAVE DANGER, THE SLASHER, FROM THE INSIDE).
The murders continue to add up and every victim is part of the unsavory element of the city. The vigilante is taking out the trash and we even get a Charles Bronson reference from Ross…Bronson being the ultimate vigilante from the DEATH WISH series. Lynch and Ross shake down some criminals, including some prostitutes and the dirty bar owner, Terry (Michael Shershenovich). The duo is desperate to solve the murders and the Mayor (Robert Youngren) is putting a great deal of pressure on them.
The dirty elements of the city continue to be the focus of both the killer and the film. Lynch is kidnapped and gang-raped by a mob of goons. A man has sex with a dying man’s face…well, that’s not really a crime. That’s more of an accident. I wonder if the killer felt bad for the guy they killed getting screwed in the mouth or the guy that unknowingly did it. I’m guessing it’s all good. Just collateral damage. To the credit of Shershenovich, I have never seen a film with a guy buried, with only his head above ground, getting nailed in the face while the guy assumed he was sexing up his girl. And they say everything in film has been done.
There is a final showdown and bloodbath and the killer is revealed. The wicked have been punished and some decisions must be made. The conclusion is satisfying and the killer’s look was cool. It reminded me of THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN.
SKID ROW is low budget. Make no mistake about it. It is raw. It’s in your face. It is unapologetic. This is part of what makes is a good film. Michael Shershenovich knew exactly what he wanted to do with this production and he does it. Although I can classify this as a “horror” movie, this is more of a crime drama with some slasher elements. This is the story of two detectives chasing a killer and it brings you through the seedy element of the city. The city becomes as much of a character as the killer or the detectives.
As with all lower budget productions, some of the acting is less than stellar, especially in the minor roles. Some of the dialogue, especially the political dialogue, seems a little forced, but neither issue was too distracting.
Irina Babushkina did a great job. Her accent, tough look, and obvious dedication to the role made her easy to support. She was the standout in the film and it’s clear why she was chosen for the lead. As much as he’s a filmmaker, Michael Shershenovich can act and was a notable character from this film as well.
SKID ROW reminds me so much of the films I used to rent from the early 2000s at the video store. It’s got this great look and grit to it that should be appreciated. It’s a very unique flick with a seventies feel. It screams New York at every turn. A film is usually a product of its environment and it is so apparent here and if you’re going to do a gritty crime film, there is no better setting than New York.
A little bit LAW & ORDER, a little bit DEATH WISH, and a whole lot of New York spirit, SKID ROW proves to be a winner. I highly recommend it.
Rating: 7/10
