My Review Of “Bleeding Hearts”

Kenneth Del Vecchio’s  “Bleeding Hearts” is a follow up to the deliciously wicked crime/horror “Scavenger Killers”. The film takes the dark satirical madness to a small town inhabited by psychotic sisters who lure in men to torture, play and kill as a budding documentarian sets out to explore the town’s darker side. “Bleeding Hearts” is directed by Dylan Banks and stars Dustin Diamond, Robert Loggia, Charles Durning, Tony Todd, Suzi Lorraine, Rachael Robbins, Robert Bogue. Melantha Blackthorne, Jamie White, Seregon O'dassey.

Where Vecchio’s last film leaned more toward exploitation/splatter film mixed with crime thriller, “Bleeding Hearts” leans toward black comedy/fetish horror with a psycho killer kink. The story is straight forward, easy to follow and quick witted. Vecchio shines in his writing style and disheveled characters, along with writing partner Rachael Robbins. There is a lot of camp and trash worked into the characters and dialog that makes “Bleeding Hearts” fun, and entertaining. Although “Scavenger Killers” was a much stronger piece than this one.

The acting is decent enough with enough recognizable celebs playing a role in the film, from both the A list and D list. Some of the over-the-top execution of dialog falls flat and feels contrived, but for the most part the cast has great timing, delivers some very amusing lines, and really gets into the story. The story arc isn’t completely solid, but “Bleeding Hearts” isn’t a cerebral piece demanding one to think too hard on what is taking place. It is meant as a wicked, lighthearted slice of horror comedy that almost passes as soft-core porn. Personally I think the sex and nudity could have gone into Lars Von Trier territory but there is plenty o’ flesh a go-go here.

The special effects and kill sequences carry on the fun, high octane attitude of “Bleeding Hearts” using practical effects, plenty of blood, and all sorts of kink as men get beat, kicked, screwed, tied down, caged….you get the point, before eventually facing the slaughter. The scenes are a bit much at times, with the intended humor falling flat as character’s emotions seem forced. It isn’t consistent, nor is it too extreme as to kill the delightful mood of watching this bit of trash-tastic horror homage.

Overall, “Bleeding Hearts” will fail to meet the more serious horror fan’s expectations, but for the peeps-especially the guys-that like shameless cheeky horror, this film offers more than enough camp, fetish, flesh, blood to entertain. The acting is just as you would expect, “less is not more in this situation, more is more” when it comes to the melodramatic delivery of the cast, witty dialog, insane atmosphere, and campy vibe. “Bleeding Hearts”, as I said earlier, isn’t as strong a film as “Scavenger Killers”, but the familiar actors, and twisted humor of Vecchio and Robbins is very much present.