Scary movie making viewers sick
Scary movie making viewers sick
Theaters showing "Cloverfield" are posting
warnings of possible motion sickness.
By Danielle Dellorto, CNN
“Cloverfield” is the first adrenaline-pumping monster hit of the year, bringing in
more than $40 million on its opening weekend. The thriller is told from the
point of view of five young New Yorkers using their handheld camera. But for
some viewers, being “part” of the movie is making them sick - literally. One
blogger on the popular movie database IMDB.com said, “I had to get up and
leave the theater for nearly 20 minutes just to keep from hurling.” Other
moviegoers have reported being nauseated and dizzy.
Classic
Most viewers are unaffected by the film, but for those who are, experts say the
problem is in their heads. “This is a classic case of vertigo,” said Dr. Michael G.
Stewart, chairman of otorhinolaryngology (ear, nose and throat medicine) at
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weil Cornell Medical Center. “You can look
around and feel like things are moving, when they aren’t.” Vertigo is caused
when a person’s balance system gets confused. Your body feels a strong visual
sensation of movement but in reality, you aren’t moving at all. The disconnect
confuses your brain sensors and can cause dizziness and nausea, Stewart said.
AMC theaters across the country have posted signs warning moviegoers of
The Times, 2008
otential “side effects associated with motion sickness similar to riding a roller-
coaster.”
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So why does the film style affect some viewers and not others? “People have
different levels of susceptibility, similar to how some people cannot ride on a
small boat without getting sick,” Stewart said. “It’s just a natural variation.”
The good news is, experiencing vertigo is rare for most people. So if you are
itching to see “Cloverfield” but are worried you might get sick, you could try
taking a dose of over-the-counter anti-vertigo
medicine, sold under such brand names as
Bonine and Dramamine II. “It might not
protect you from all the symptoms, but it could,
and it certainly can’t hurt,” Stewart said.
And …
Another tip is to briefly close your eyes during
the movie. It may be enough to recalibrate your sensors and soothe your
symptoms long enough to finish the movie. If you’re really concerned, just wait
to rent the movie. “A person would probably be fine watching from home,”
Stewart said. “When you are on your couch, you have perspective around the
screen so your mind knows the movie is moving and the room isn't.”
Danielle Dellorto is an associate producer with CNN Medical News.
http://edition.cnn.com