Mikes Film Talk

Directed by Álvaro de Armiñán and written by the Father/son duo of Roderick and Bruce A. Taylor Open Graves  2009 serves us sizzling Dushku.

There’s nothing new here on offer. An old board game that “magically’ comes alive to inflict horrible deaths on the losers. Perhaps give the winner their ultimate wish. Sort of like Jumanji on acid or PCP.

One complaint about the film on IMDb user board was this. “The board game was created in 1465 Spain, how come all the directions and cards are in English?” Fair point I suppose. But if the game is magic it stands to reason that if English-speaking folks play it, the game switches English? So if Spaniards or French folks start to play the same would be true. The cards and directions would be in Spanish and/or French, respectively.

Just a thought.

I liked It

I will openly admit to liking the film. Mainly because it features the sexy, sultry, and sizzling hot Eliza Dushku. She was obviously on break from the 2009 telly series Dollhouse. Dushku plays the love interest in the film.

Eliza has a little competition from actress Naike Rivelli. Incidentally,   if they ever film Ava Gardener’s life story she would be quids in to play Ava. She could be The Barefoot Contessa’s twin.

The male “love interest” is Mike Vogel whom you might recognise from Cloverfield. He makes a pretty fair romantic match for Dushku’s character.

The Cast

Eliza Dushku is Erica.

Mike Vogel is Jason.

Naike Rivelli is Helena.

Ethan Rains is Tomàs.

Open Graves the Story

The film opens with scenes of torture. A lot of nude women are cut, maimed, burnt, et al. All in the pursuit of proving their innocence or guilt in the area of witchcraft. All this murder and mayhem happens before the opening credits. The end result of all this “Witchfinder General” activity results in one of these victims being found guilty of witchcraft.

The lady in question is skinned alive for her poor career choice. Mamba is her name and her killer use the dead woman’s skin and organs. These make up the “cursed” game. Somewhat similar to  the board game in Jumanji. Cards are drawn that state (in rather morbid prose) what the player’s fate will be . This after their “token” lands on a certain space. Like an evil Monopoly.

It is now “present day” and a group of twenty-somethings are on holiday in Spain. Jason and his mate Tomàs are at the beach. Jason notices Tomàs chatting up a gorgeous beach babe . Her name is is Erica. Jason is immediately smitten and Erica reciprocates the feeling.

Love and Death in the Air

These two lovebirds decide to play a game that Jason has found called (appropriately enough) Mamba. Erica seems to know an awful lot about the game. However, the two of them talk the rest of the gang into playing.

By the game’s end, the losers die gruesome deaths not long after getting bumped off the board. Jason and Erica must complete the game in order to save their friends.

Low Score

IMDb gives Open Graves a 4.2. I thought the film was pretty enjoyable, though. The pacing is good and the effects impressive. The story, while not blazingly original, did not insult the audience intelligence level too much. Plus there was a good old sense of urgency to the groups survival.

I’d love to go into the film’s “nuts and bolts” a bit more. That would, however, be skirting dangerously near spoiler territory and I don’t want to go there.

The Verdict

I can easily give Open Graves a solid 3.5 stars. The film is available on Prime, Tubi and Peacock at the moment. So pop yourself some popcorn, prepare a big glass of your favourite beverage. Sit down and enjoy this ‘board’ game adventure. You won’t be ‘bored’ I promise.

The Trailer

POSTSCRIPT.

Film critic Roger Ebert passed away today. Many times I disagreed with his views on film. I will, however, miss his often acerbic observations on films. I wonder what he would have made of this one . If I’m correct, I don’t think he would have thought too much about its relevance or value. I guarantee though, that he would have stated his views vociferously and scathingly as only he could.

RIP Roger Ebert (B: 1942 – D: 2013)