Posted on 01/24/2008 5:59:09 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
What's Behind ‘Cloverfield' Illness?
Wave of Nausea Hits Moviegoers
By Michael W. Smith WebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MD Latest MedicineNet News
Jan. 22, 2008 -- Scan the news and blogs and not only do you see that Cloverfield had a record-breaking opening weekend, but there was an unforeseen side effect: nausea. And it didn't come from the popcorn, or the writing -- but the camerawork.
In Cloverfield, a giant monster attacks Manhattan. The problem -- at least for those prone to motion sickness -- is that it's all filmed through a very jerky handheld camera.
"I saw it this weekend and was so sick to my stomach that I had to leave the theater," says Sara Butler, a WebMD programming manager. "I have a friend who's an EMT in New Jersey, and she was called to several theaters this weekend to deal with people who were sick."
While motion sickness is usually caused by plane, boat, or car movement, bumpy camerawork could definitely do it, too. What Causes Motion Sickness?
Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting messages from the inner ear, the eyes, and other parts of the body.
While watching Cloverfield, viewers were sitting still in their seats, so their inner ear was telling their body they were motionless. But the bumpy camera movements -- and their eyes -- misled them into thinking they were moving around erratically.
These conflicting messages to the brain lead to symptoms of motion sickness, most notably nausea. Other symptoms include vomiting, headache, and sweating. What Is the Treatment for Motion Sickness?
Obviously, the best treatment is to avoid situations that make you sick. But if that's not possible, there are a few things you can try. Also, if you're prone to motion sickness, remember that prevention is best because once symptoms start, relief is tough to find until motion stops.
* If you love cruising but it doesn't love you, choose a center cabin where there is less movement. * On a boat or ship, stay on the deck and look at the horizon. * In an airplane, sit near the wings. * In a car, sit in the front seat and look through the window. Don't read or focus on an object inside the car. * Drive, don't ride. Drivers are less prone to motion sickness.
I was just about to say...the fight scene in Bourne set me off as well. I was sitting 3rd row from the screen that night because the theater was packed.
Totally there with you.
So now movies need a barf alert?
Funny, we did the same... my stepson recommended we sit in the back for that very reason. When we got to the movie theater (early) a big cluster of people were already sitting in the back. One guy sat up near the front during the entire move. I wonder how he felt when it was over... LOL
I wouldn't have gone to see this movie, except my stepson wanted to see it. It was somewhat imaginative, I suppose, but I think I'd also give it a "C" grade overall.
Some parts about that movie were horribly dumb but I thought the great thing it DID do was work you up into a self-imposed suspense.
The annoying part was that it was all about a guy searching for a way to get to a girl who wasn’t even his girlfriend. HOW ABOUT THE THING THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN IS ATTACKING AND KILLING AND SPAWNING OFFSPRING ALL OVER NEW YORK CITY?
WTF?
This idiot spent the entire film moping around and crying that he couldn’t get to this friend.
Yet, didn’t shed a tear about his brother getting killed in front of his eyes.
We used to eat yogurt and drink fruit punch before going on them. We took projectile vomiting to a whole new level.
Most of today's movies need a barf alert.
Some movies, like this one, need a barf bag to go with it.
My fiancee emptied her popcorn bag into mine and kept it at her side the rest of the film for that exact reason. She wasn’t convinced she was done throwing up.
1 hour and 2 minutes long? Think I’ll pass & just wait to rent it from Redbox for $1
Why didn't you walk out and ask for a refund?
Stupid question: What does 'online viral marketing campaign' mean?
>1 hour and 2 minutes long? Think I’ll pass & just wait to rent it from Redbox for $1<
Yup, Went in the theater 1:26...the trailers went on until 1:40 pm.
1:41 pm start...ended at 2:43 pm.
Keep your dough for the dvd.
Since the very first viral marketing stuff appeared for Cloverfield, I’ve been waiting impatiently for its release. But now that I’ve heard from everyone that the film will make those prone to motion sickness very nauseous, I’m going to have to miss it. Unfortunately, as I’ve grown older, I do get somewhat motion sick during some movies. United 93 was the WORST. My wife and I couldn’t even look at the screen the last third of the film as the first 2/3rds had made us so motion sick. We almost walked out. It was torture. I suspect the Cloverfied is far worse and I’m going to have to avoid it.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/advertising/2005-06-22-viral-usat_x.htm
BWP scared the crap outta me. Yeah...it’s embarassing to admit that. It didn’t make me sick but Open Water did. Oh...and so did my daughter’s Playstation2 ScoobyDoo game. I got sicker than a dog after 5-10 minutes of playing that game.
Fortunately, I saw it on DVD. It was stupid. But it had one of the great PR campaigns ever waged.
Wow! She was determined. I think I would have given up and gone home after one barf. LOL
Thank you very much for that info and links for “viral marketing” in #54. Looks like I learned something new today... :o)
Yes any of the shooter or first person walking games on x-box or playstation make me sick as well.
Never thought about it to be honest. Is it the theater’s fault?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.