THE BLEEDING (2011)

Directed By: Charlie Picerni
Written By: Lance Lane
Cinematography By: Tom Priestly Jr.
Editor: Db Bracamontes, Brad E. Wilhite

Cast: Michael Mattais, Michael Madsen, Kat Von D, Vinnie Jones, DMX, Armand Assante, William McNamera


This film is about a man whose family is massacred, So he seeks revenge on the gang who killed them. Only to find out that they are vampires and that it is his fate to do kill them. As he is the only person who can kill or even hurt the head vampire.

I should have known better as soon as i saw DMX was in this film. Luckily he only has a few scenes. As does Kat Von D who they advertise as being a star of this film though she is more of a featurerd extra, Considering she has no lines nor is her role really defined as just hot vampire henchwoman. So going in these were warning signs. then you have vinnie jones in a ridiculous 1970's looking outfit which i hoped was the film trying to show this film was not meant to be taken seriously and was more camp like. just a silly old time. I remember when Vinnie used to actually be a scary presence in films. Now it seems like each role brings new embarassments for him to suffer. He really deserves a little better then this or to hopefully hook back up with Direcvtor Guy Ritchie. Who seems to be the only director to use him best.

For the most part the film takes itself seriously with scenes such as vampires torturing DMX by stabbing his hand and playing with objects in the wound. Then in the next scene writing with that same bloody hand with ease. you also get winning dialogue like this "i'm irish and italian, So i didn't what to do first drink or seek revenge. I decided to do both." Then there is the lead Michael Mattias who seems like a bad Vin diesel Rip-off with a heavy brooklyn accent. Our hero who can't believe it's vampires he's hunting but acts like a seasoned pro. The action sequences look too practiced and still not that noteworthy. The films one saving grace is Michael Madsen who at this point seems like he will play any role if you can afford him. He seems to be the only one who is willing to treat this film how i wanted it to be campy. At least he seems to be having fun as a drunk dead beat priest, Who is the hero's advisor. The film has a cast and look that deserve better fates then this. I can't even compliment the story as it presents nothing new. Even Armand assante is in the film, but is only around for a brief scene, Why? you got me.

Even for a straight to dvd movie it offers none of the cheap and simple thrills. It ends up boring you, As it goes through it's motions, that you have seen way too many times before. It doesn't even try to dress them up and present them kind of different. Which i can applaud it for if it knew what type of film it wanted to be.
Skip it

GRADE: F