What do you get when you mix the story outlines of Final Destination with Jumanji? Álvaro de Armiñán makes his horror directorial debut with Open Graves set for UK release on DVD February 15. The film stars the gorgeous Eliza Dushku who plays Erica, the love interest to Jason, played by the sexy ex-Levi's model Mike Vogel. Open Graves is set in Spain and based around a group of international surfers who come into contact with an ancient artifact called Mamba.
Jason (Mike Vogel) comes into possession of the ancient board game when he stumbles upon an offbeat merchant down a side alley. After a drunken, fun-filled night, the mixed group of travelers decide to show interest in the board game and play it for a few laughs. The ancient board, made from the skin and bones of a witch, has sealed their fate upon the roll of the die. The group of hot young surfers are picked off one by one and their gruesome fate awaits. Erica and Jason soon come to establish that they must unravel the events already set in motion by the game. They are made to fight the curse of the Mamba to bring a stop to the demonic events but they race against the clock.
Open Graves opens with a storyline that has great potential. The viewers are taken back to torturous times in the 15th century and we are shown the gruesome demise of the witch whose skin and bones the board was created from. It then throws us into the present day in the northwest of Spain, where an international mix of attractive surfers occupy their time with waves and beach parties.
Eliza Dushku, also known for her roles in Buffy and the hit series Dollhouse, fits the attractive lead female role and this gives any adoring fan reason to view the film. She plays the part to the script and it's unfortunate that it was not written to exploit the true capabilities of a promising actress. Mike Vogel (Cloverfield, Texas Chainsaw Masacre) plays the hot surfer guy as well as it can be played. Again the script lets him down and it's difficult for him or any of the actors to show their full potential. There are several other people introduced briefly into the film who are soon taken out by the game before we can really know who they are. The two other central characters are played by Ethan Rains (Tomas) and Naike Rivelli (Elena). They are good looking enough to be great eye candy but the plot is lacklustre enough that it's difficult to find any reason to become attached to any of the characters.
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Article comments
1 - toresimonsen
I am trying to save Eliza Dushku's Dollhouse. I have online petitions set up.
Please help.