Mandarina Melies
As in the previous Bogliano's film -Sudor Frío-, Penumbra's Script is simply horrible. The movie is boring, and in the first 30 or 40 minutes, with the only exception of a flawless attack scene at the first minute of the movie, it seems more like a bad "artie" film in which nothing happens than a Horror/Thriller/Fantasy movie. During the entire movie the dialogs are extremely long (aaaaghhhhh, extreeeemelyyyy long!!!), expository, and unnatural. The attempt to keep mystery and reveal the plot essence gradually failed totally, obtaining a very unattractive and dull development of the events.The acting of "Berta" Muñiz is awful and the one of Camila Bordonaba is poor too. Different is the case of Arnaldo Andre's performance, but his character is not exploited enough in the film. At this point is obvious that Bogliano believes acting is not important in Horror films.Like in Sudor Frío, in Penumbra Bogliano underestimates and miss the erotic aspect, so appropriate at Horror Thrillers. Penumbra has a Plot linked with a Cult-like small group, the main characters are most of the time inside the same apartment, and above all it's an empty-plot bad- filmed silly movie, so some scenes of dark, nasty sex and erotic playing would have been absolutely suitable.It's important to stress that (unlike the rest of Bogliano's works) Penumbra is not such a Horror movie, but more close to a tepid film about people settling a rent contract for an apartment.
JoeB131
I'm scratching my head watching this thing.What I am guessing is that this woman from Spain who has nothing but contempt for South Americans is trying to rent her apartment in Argentina to someone, and comes across some whacky eclipse cultists who have been squatting there.I think.because even though I am treated to the opening bit where some poor Columbian girl gets drugged, I know there is something off about these folks, and can't see why the lead actress doesn't see it, either.The ending is just weird and I guess the writers/director just thought having weird ending was easier than trying to clean up this mess of a plot.I guess there is some political/cultural subplot I'm not getting being an American and stuff.
kosmasp
A very suspenseful little movie, that might not go exactly the way you expect it to go. At least that rings true with my expectations and I was happy it had some surprises up its sleeves. Also I loved the ending. I think you can interpret things into it (but that might only be true with me of course).I loved the actress in it. She is so OTT, that of course she also might spark up other feelings. But that's the way she is (her character) and the actress really relished in it. Great performance by her and the other cast members of course. You might feel the story has inconsistencies and is not true, which will make the movie unbearable of course. I can tell you that I didn't have that sort of problem. I really loved the movie with all its little twists and mistakes it had
billcr12
A pretty black girl reads a newspaper with a headline of a total solar eclipse and spots a classified ad for a job. She calls by pay phone and arrives at a strange building with mannequins in the stairway leading up to a door. She enters the room and is stuck in the neck with a needle and passes out.A well dressed woman has a conversation with her sister regarding the rental of an apartment they have inherited from their parents. She is Margarita Sanchez, a lawyer with important clients and no time to waste. The busy beaver meets a man in the hallway and asks if he is there for the rental. He tells her that his client, Mr. Salva, wishes to rent immediately and will pay four timed the market value for the property. She is impressed and leaves to pick up some things at a store. A homeless man follows her and begs her for money. He is lectured about the ruination of polite society by the lower class. She also tasers the guy, knocking him to the ground. The people of the neighborhood gather round and tell her off. Ms. Sanchez goes back the apartment and sees two men and two women now there. They explain that they are from the real estate agency and are awaiting there client, Mr. Salva. In between, Miss hot shot lawyer is constantly on the phone with both work projects and an apparently married lover planning a midnight rendezvous. A voice mail message states that the person for the rental can't make it; uh oh, who are the impostors? Margarita is in deep s**t and gets tied to a chair. The cute gal from the first scene reappears and so does Mr. Salva in a white suit. Miss sexy, who has awakened after an unscheduled nap, is bound and naked(Maria Nela Sinisterra in a highlight, her body). The gang of four, plus Senor Salva, are awaiting the eclipse and the end of the world as we know it. The finale is decent, with a slight twist which worked for me.
AD
