Year One (2019) and a little extra (2018)
2018 November Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Robin Hood (2018)
Director Otto Bathrust
Robin of Loxley does a weirdly placed upchuck around the corner of the city street. He has just seen Lady Marian with another man. They get the obligatory barf scene done early in the film. Mind you, the audience has already witnessed Robin fighting a gruesome war with time spent to show the terrible conditions of battle. He was also accused of treason, was announced as dead 2 years prior, and lost all his monetary possessions.
But, it is seeing his old flame with a new man that invokes the upchuck.
I challenge anyone who claims the same visceral reaction.
Rating: Dry Heave
Burning (2018)
Director Lee Chang-dong
After naively thinking barfing to show emotions was an American novelty, this South Korean film bitch slaps us to how it’s done. The film delivers late in the story. Jong-soo lets it rip after stabbing Ben for the first time, in a rather surprising, intimate, in your face encounter. His journey leading up to this moment takes us with him, every mile he runs, every gasping breath, every greenhouse he investigates.
Rating: Full Spew
The Favourite (2018)
Director Yorgos Lanthimos
Queen Anne, Abigail, Sarah……..oh my. These 3 women are so filled with bile that it is with delicious surprise they all had their moment to purge. Whether it be blue cake, drunkenness, or poison, they all deserve a strong nod to their purge. It would have been disappointing if only one of them had their moment, given the wretchedness of character and narcissism. Nicely played.
Rating: Full Spew
2018 December Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Anna and the Apocalypse (2017)
Director John McPhail
Yes, even zombie movies make the list. This one added human bile to the zombie invested world when John makes his first zombie kill in the bowling alley. He lets it hurl and we know all is right in zombie apocalypse. There will be more flesh eating, limb ripping, and face gouging, but all is meaningless without the hurl.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Vice (2018)
Director Adam McKay
The beauty of this vomit moment is that it is completely implied. The audience gets a lingering look at the vomit on the floor and underneath Dick Cheney’s head as he lays on his bed at Yale. The scene helps us understand lifestyle and perhaps a premonition of his future “accomplishments” without all the actual barfing scenes. Yes, there were plenty of opportunities to play out the barf scene, but the movie kept it classy.
Rating: 2 Heaves
Lux Vox (2018)
Director Brady Corbet
Young Celeste hurls over the toilet in some dingy bathroom in Stockholm after learning the better side of adulthood, the fun side as Willem Dafoe narrates. Movies like to portray entering adulthood and the freedoms it brings with the person barfing in a dingy bathroom. Seems like a good reason to hang onto your inner child.
Rating: 1 Heave
2019 January Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Escape Room (2019)
Director Adam Robitel
Even though opportunities abound in this film, the hurl came late in the film when Zoey clutches her throat in the hospital room, gagging and sweating with great theatrics….making sure we notice. I may have thrown up a little in my mouth over all the corny dialogue in this film, but the scene delivers a fun half barf half foaming at the mouth experience.
Rating: 2 Heaves
Ben is Back (2018)
Director Peter Hedges
Holly faces many heart wrenching moments with resolve throughout the movie. However, learning that Ben had “an arrangement” with a former history teacher is the one thing she cannot stomach. She quickly stops the car, opens the door and lets it go neatly, out of site, wiping imaginary left overs from her upper lip. Hair and makeup in place.
Her reaction to learning only that there was “an arrangement” is curious and disappointing.
Rating: Dry Heave
Perfectos Desconocidos (2018)
Director Manolo Caro
This one caught me off guard. I didn’t see it coming. I even asked my movie companion “Did she just barf on Mario?” Indeed, she did.
This barf scene happens quickly in a movie that has a lot happening already. So much tension, so many secrets. Vomiting on the sweater occurs once Flora sees a photo of Gabriel’s junk. It is not the junk that turns her stomach, it is the idea that this junk and Ernesto’s junk have met. She spilled wine on Antonio earlier, and as the pace of the movie amps, barfing wine on Mario matches the increasing tension of the movie.
Rating: 2 Heaves
If Beale Street Could Talk (2018)
Director Barry Jenkins
Even though we watched Tish progress through her full pregnancy, it is not until late in the film, and the pregnancy, that the mandatory “pregnant puke” happens. We hear the heave in the other room while her father waits in the kitchen. The window for this heave to make sense passed after the first trimester. This is when the puking typically happens. It seems a disconnect to the story and an afterthought to the pregnancy. The powerful emotion in the previous scene with Lonny was quickly forgotten and replaced with “Really?”
Rating: Dry Heave
2019 February Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Miss Bala (2019)
Director Catherine Hardwicke
“Sometimes we have to do horrible things to survive” so says Lino after Gloria rids her body of the poison within through a good puke off the balcony with some even getting in her hair. It magically vanished in the next scene. Why are people afraid of owning the vomit? Are we all that vain? Asking for a friend.
Back to Gloria. She sure did a bunch of horrible things before it finally got to her. Perhaps the scene was to underscore her realization of what she was becoming. It feels to happen a bit late in the film given the previous events. Her up close and personal contribution to the point-blank execution is a bit upsetting.
Rating: 1 Heave
The Least of These: The Graham Staines Story (2019)
Director Aneesh Daniel
Manav is in a tough spot. But not as tough as drinking water from the bottle offered by a helpful stranger on the bus only to realize the stranger is a leper. After some chaos related to this realization, Manav and Kedar, the leper, are kicked off the bus. A full-on effort to rid the water, and everything else in Manav’s stomach, ensues. He pukes like a man on a mission.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Cold Pursuit (2019)
Director Hans Peter Moland
There are some missteps in this movie and the placing and lack luster effort of the spew in the snow by John “Gip” Gipsky after seeing a dead man tied to a road sign is one of them. My first observation was the dead man really didn’t look dead. His injuries weren’t so disgusting to elicit even a slight “EW!” We get that Gip isn’t into doing hard police work as he trains Kim Dash. No need to try to highlight this point further.
Rating: Dry Heave
The Prodigy (2019)
Director Nicholas McCarthy
The opportunity to have a good ralph in this movie is the build to and discovery of the murdered family dog. Sadly, there is no deep visceral show of repulsion for the ghastly mutilation the beloved pet endured. Instead, it came later while Sarah faced her decision to shoot Margaret. Alone in the bathroom, she lets the revulsion and fear of what she is about to do leave her body through what appears to be a few good heaves.
The problem here is the immediate follow up of Sarah, shaking, dropping a bullet in a vomit free sink.
Rating: Dry Heave
The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then The Bigfoot (2018)
Director Robert Krzykowski
This movie lumbers along slowly and when the scene happens – it is surprising, gross, and hilarious. Let’s just say, The Bigfoot has him some skills! A good laugh out loud at the surprise and the attention to detail on this epic puke.
Rating: Full Spew
2019 March Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019)
Director Mike Mitchell
Lucy is a busy woman. But it is the yellow weapon star that gets the nod making everything Awesome. The beauty of the barf in this scene is two-fold. One: motion sickness is the cause of the spew. We can relate to this and feel the twisty-roll-over-turning-too-fast, even for a star weapon. Then comes Two: a colorful, glitter spew of wonder.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Captain Marvel (2019)
Director Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck
You must be a true Marvel fan to see this spew. I mean, true Marvel fan. The theater crew is sweeping up popcorn and you are still in your seat fan. Let’s just say that Goose does what we all thought was going to happen a time or two earlier in the movie. One momentous hairball is coming our way. Buckle up.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Woman at War (2018)
Director Benedikt Erlingsson
As she flees for her life, freezing, wet, only barely one step ahead….in a crevasse, she smells the disgusting aroma of a fermenting dead animal. A putrid dead goat. She wears it as her own skin. Her face, hair and clothes covered in entrails, and whatever else is inside a fermenting dead goat with enormous balls, just like our heroine……... But it is not here where the hurl happens. It is later, in broad daylight, clean clothes and hair, for her out of frame ralph.
An ongoing gag in the movie follows the actual hurl scene, which is quickly forgotten as a result. The fermented dead goat was the place for the puke.
Rating: 1 Heave
2019 April Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
2019 Phoenix Film Festival (PFF) and International Horror and Sci-Fi Festival (IHSFF):
Volition (2019)
Director Tony Dean Smith
Time travel is hard. Your current molecules are not thrilled with your past or future molecules jumping back and forth messing with your mojo. It is in fact very upsetting and Ray appears to have the flu throughout the rapid ride through time. The pounding nausea and growing suspense is underscored by the music. The heave is not a complete surprise, but it is a good one.
Stay in the present Ray.
Rating: 3 Heaves
2019 PFF and INSFF:
The River Within (2018)
Director Ivan Botha
“What’s the worst that could happen?” Vivian called it…”Sunstroke, infection, drowning, snakes, tetanus….toilet paper!” She left out barfing, but it really isn’t the worst thing that happens on this river rafting adventure. The moments leading to the spew are humorous and shed some light on the journey within Vivian for self discovery.
Rating: 1 Heave
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
Off the Rails (2018)
Director Damian Fitzsimmons
There are 2 scenes making the list in this movie, which isn’t surprising given it is a coming of age story about young men who open a bar with no previous experience…other than drinking. The importance of knowing your product is important. After a night of testing their skills as mixologists, Liam dashes across the screen for an off scene hurl. Meh.
It is the second spew that is the winner winner chicken dinner. Or should I say turkey dinner? Gross and a complete “Ew.” Christmas came early to this holiday feast.
Rating: 3 Heaves
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
Them That Follow (2019)
Director Britt Poulton, Dan Madison Savage
There is indeed trouble at the church. However, the puking doesn’t happen in areas one would think, such as amputation old school. It is the age old obligatory pregnant purge. At least it was properly placed in the first trimester. We hear it, don’t see it, which is a theme of tested faith throughout the movie.
Rating: 2 Heaves
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
Keloid (2017)
Director Brendan Pollecutt
Libby wants her engagement gift back. Jason wants to help. It takes a long time to get to the hurl, but when it happens it is a pure delight.
Rating: Full Spew
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Director Shinichiro Ueda
There is nothing like a good – direct on your face - zombie purge to re-evaluate your life and career choices. The scene happens quickly in this fast paced movie that is gross and funny. All the elements we love in a good zombie apocalypse, plus more.
Rating: Full Spew
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
ASIA A (2017)
Director Andrew Reid
Roommates can be such a pain. Noah proves this and offers an unexpected foamy weird gaggy spew. Turns out, he wasn’t so bad after all.
Rating: 3 Heaves
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
Southern Pride (2018)
Director Malcolm Ingram
Spewing does indeed happen in real life, as this documentary captures, but the scene is unnecessary to the depth of the issues portrayed and the day to day challenges faced. Lynn’s yoke in the garbage can after a battle with crawfish feels out of place in the flow of the inspirational story and the southern small town realities of safety for the LGBTQ community.
Rating: Dry Heave
2019 PFF and IHSFF:
The Incident (2017)
Director Meedo Taha
The hurl becomes the key to the mystery in this movie. It is the uncelebrated star. The barf is not seen, and not exactly heard……but it is the evidence of the guilt or innocence of the accused Syrian migrant worker.
Rating: 3 Heaves
2019 May Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Gloria Bell (2018)
Director Sebastian Lelio
Gloria’s new boyfriend Arnold seems like a dream. Then the dream does that weird thing dreams do……takes you down a rabbit hole and suddenly you are flying naked with no teeth. In this case, Arnold mysteriously disappears from Gloria’s family gathering….stealth like. He was so distraught by not being able to catch her gaze at the family gathering he had to leave and throw up. Swipe left.
Rating: Dry Heave
The Chaperone (2018)
Director Michael Engler
Rebellious 16-year-old Louise chooses the Velvet Cat to pursue the age-old quest of freedom by getting lit during Prohibition. You go Girl. “Nobody puts Baby in the corner.” Unless, of course the toilet is in a corner. Her heaves are visceral and poetic, worthy of a professional dancer. Bravo.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Booksmart (2019)
Director Olivia Wilde
The scene is gross and unexpected. Lots of great visuals leading up to the scene and immediately following, leaving me wishing I could do a pause and a rewind, pause, rewind, pause, rewind. I do admit, I was jonesing for the scene to happen during the doll sequence at the Murder Mystery party but am thrilled that I had to wait until the next party. The reason for the purge, thankfully and refreshingly, had nothing to do with sexual exploration. Instead, it was the result of a very, very poor beverage decision.
Rating: Full Spew
2019 June Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Rocketman (2019)
Director Dexter Fletcher
Bernie returns to the plough and the howling old owl in the woods while Elton realizes his future does indeed lie beyond the yellow brick road. But first, body purging the poisons is in order. And, just like Dorothy, he wears glimmering red rhinestone shoes. The shoes steal the scene.
The choice of song, choice of fashion, and choice of lighting are brilliant.
Rating: Full Spew
The Dead Don’t Die (2019)
Director Jim Jarmusch
The heave is coming, we can see it build up as Chief Cliff Robertson reacts to the carnage, and then Officer Ronald. But it is Officer Mindy Morrison that brings it home. She does not care too much for the zombie inspired buffet Fern and Lily offer up at the Diner. Perhaps a condiment is needed. A little Sriracha sauce for chili and garlic undertones? Her off scene, next to her car barf is expected and is, surprisingly, louder than her Prius engine. Kudos for the spit finish.
Rating: 2 Heaves
Toy Story 4 (2019)
Director Josh Cooley
The scene happens with no mention and no relevance. Giggle McDimples does an Olympic dive into the cat’s mouth and is later ralphed out. Best Bud Bo Peep – not a peep, recently voice boxed Gaby Gaby – zilch, Man in Charge Sheriff Woody – right to remain silent. Even Giggle McDimples, a toy with a lot to say, goose eggs. The visuals happen quickly, and it feels more aligned with throwing in (and throwing up) scenes for 3D in place of story contribution.
Rating: Dry Heave
2019 July Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave .
Midsommar (2019)
Director Ari Aster
The first ralph is early in the story. Teri already intrigues and suggests something menacing leading up to the scene of her after-barf. We do not need to see the spew happen to understand her struggle. The detail of the spew is a reminder of the horror and intimacy of Teri’s plan. Hers is a more violent approach that, at the same time, affords her parents a more peaceful experience.
The second spew is the obligatory barf when you see your significant other having sex with another person. The detail of the purge is there for us to experience and then magically vanishing from the scene when Christian passes over the same spot moments later. I really wanted him to step in, and then slip on, the puddle of vile.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Stuber (2019)
Director Michael Dowse
This movie offers 3 ralph scenes. We know there will be vomit, one of the main characters is an uber driver. It’s already implied. My regret is I had to sit through the entire movie for these 3 offerings of bile.
The first is expected. Uber wants us to know riders can be inappropriate, exhausting, and gross. The scene is humorous and part of the fun of the beginning minutes of the movie. Then things went to that special place of “WTF” am I still doing watching this movie? The second caught me off guard and was a nice combination of dog goo and heroin. Very PETA. The third and final was just…….marshmallow fluff. Literally. Poorly placed late in the movie with no lead up to why the Stu spew had a strong resemblance to marshmallow fluff. This will haunt me for another 30 seconds.
However, I did spend a moment recalling the joy of a fluffernutter sandwich.
Rating: Dry Heave
2019 August Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
The Kitchen (2019)
Director Andrea Berloff
I always wondered what a kosher barf looks like. Apparently, it comes with dignity and composure, shielded from view by a clean, bright white, folded kerchief. The scene furthers the notion that our lead characters will do anything to protect The Kitchen. Oy vey Gevault, these Irish Goyim are going Babyloo!
My effort to apply Yiddish is about as good as the scene’s ability to further develop the characters as bad asses.
Rating: Dry Heave
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Director Andre Ovredal
The 2 scenes in this movie are well placed and help the audience feel the discomfort and doom for the characters involved. The first has a great build up to Tommy ralphing hay - Harold the Scarecrow style. The scene is loud and uncomfortable. The sound effects add to the scratchy throat feeling that no barfing is going to cure.
The second scene also has the delightful loud uncomfortable lead in, teasing the audience with the notion of someone eating The Big Toe. Augie’s wrestling with the pot of stew is suspenseful and gross. Discovering any appendage in your mouthful of stew is spew worthy. The scene does not disappoint.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Where’d You Go, Bernadette (2019)
Director Richard Linklater
Dreams do come true, so do self-fulfilling prophecies around motion sickness on a boat ride to Antarctica. Thankfully, for us, agoraphobic and delightfully eccentric Bernadette delivers her bile in a neatly dressed ice bucket, shielded from view by her signature towel folding. This fits nicely as a repeated signature move Bernadette offers throughout the movie.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Ready or Not (2019)
Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olphin, Tyler Gillett
The old adage “I know where the bodies are buried” plays out beautifully in the goat barn. Gross, squirm worthy, and fully spew-a-licious. Our bride is no longer wearing white as she emerges with the coating of those who lost before her.
With great glee – the movie offers a second bile filled scene. This one is a group effort, mired by ritual. Goblets, ceremonial gowns and chanting are often bed buddies with poison, but the surprise and delight still results from the scene.
Rating: Full Spew
Good Boys (2019)
Director Gene Stupnitsky
Epic journeys and twelve-year old boys will absolutely include barfing, dick jokes, and awkward sweating. Two scenes make the cut, fitting nicely into the tale of shenanigans. Lucas, who is one resilient kid, starts the fun. A dislocated arm does not discourage him from the mission. Max and Thor react with the heave puke 2 punch.
However, the second barf scene is pure delight. Thor’s Dad has a CPR doll. The CPR doll has a tragic accident. Lucas and Max deliver impressive pukes that are both gross and funny.
Rating: 3 Heaves
2019 September Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
The Peanut Butter Falcon (2019)
Directors Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz
First rule, PARTY!
Zak finds out that a house is not a home, oh, and that he gets motion sickness. There are 2 fabulous and funny up chucks with delightful chunks to gross us out and relate to the experience.
Rating: 3 Heaves
IT Chapter Two (2019)
Director Andres Muschietti
Richie makes me want to see this movie in 3D. The camera angle of his spew over the balcony is shot perfectly. I was dodging debris in my seat. The second hurl is also well placed and executed.
The third seemed more for comedic release when Eddie visits his hidden secret and gets a full facial, projectile style for that deep pore cleanse. He stands and takes it, like the psychotic clown killer he is.
Rating: Full Spew
The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)
Director Simon Curtis
Eve is not feeling well. Enzo lets us know that he smells the poison in her and we know what this means….dogs can talk.
There are some awkward scenes in the kitchen with barf and heave noises, but we are relegated to a quick look at Eve’s back over the counter.
The movie is not shy about showing what comes out of a dog. We see lots of lingering close ups, and over yonder scenes of this, that, and some other brown chunky thing, but somehow are denied the barf.
Rating: Dry Heave
Hustlers (2019)
Director Lorene Scafaria
Annabelle knew the spew. We are warned about this early in her entering the story. There are 3 scenes, each better than the one before, ending with a laugh out loud experience.
Rating: 2 Heaves
Official Secrets (2019)
Director Gaven Hood
Katharine looks like she’s going to barf throughout most of the movie. When it does happen it feels like part of a scene that was meant to be cut but the edges were not trimmed. There is a speed dash to the loo, husband in tow with an equally quick cut to a completely different scene.
The pending doom and overall nausea Katharine shows throughout the story is where the real discomfort lies. No need to “loo” it up for added impact.
Rating: Dry Heave
The Goldfinch (2019)
Director John Crowley
Everyone needs a Boris in their life. If you are a Boris in someone’s life, Rock On.
Theo has saturated himself with a V and V cocktail and one of the V’s does not stand for Vitamins. Luckily, he has a Boris in his life. It is Boris, the puke initiator, that makes this scene so great. He gets things started, and even appears to pull back Theo’s hair safely out of harm’s way. Ahhhh.
Granted, the fact that Boris showed up at all, given his condition in the previous scene, is not a smoothly told tale. But all is forgotten once we get to the business of Boris and the Barf.
Rating: 2 Heaves
Brittany Runs a Marathon (2019)
Director Paul Downs Colaizzo
Training for a marathon is not easy. It doesn’t even sound easy. And there is that dreaded “hitting the wall” during the marathon. Brittany’s “wall” was thinking she could be her old self, the non-marathon training goddess of bad decisions and broken dreams.
And, just like hitting the wall at mile 20, her body tells her what an idiot she is. Fatigue, self-doubt, and negativity set in. The barf doesn’t happen during training scenes. It is set in a dingy bathroom, alone, reminding her of the life she is trying to put in the rear view.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Before You Know It (2019)
Director Hannah Pearl Utt
Just like most of the movie, the scene is over played. Rachel is set for the hurl while in the bathroom looking all hurl ready, for no real hurl inducing reason. She races to her mother’s dressing room and barfs into a small wastebasket. Surprisingly, she then pulls the plastic lining out of the wastebasket and carries her debris with her.
How responsible, you must be thinking. But, no. The scene cuts to her walking away from the building with no bag. There it is by the front entrance of the building. No explanation or even mention. Feels like someone forgot her prop.
Rating: Dry Heave
2019 October Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Peoria Film Festival
Dirty God (2019)
Director Sacha Polak
While Jade is trying to make sense of her life, I am trying to make sense of the nonchalant stroll to the sink for the morning after spew. She partied hard, I mean the usual: drugs, sex, Yawn. The release of her poisons took their time. One can argue this aligns with the overarching theme of the movie, one that definitely takes it’s time. However, it does not come across as a scene that had that much thought.
Rating: Dry Heave
Zombieland Double Tap (2019)
Director Ruben Fleischer
Do you know that weird feeling in the back of your throat that makes you vomit just before you turn into a zombie? Me neither. Great spews happening in Albuquerque, Flagstaff, and Madison. There is a fantastic surprise at the end - so don't leave early. Let's just say the weatherman predicts high winds and category 5 ralphing.
And, as a special bonus, remember the rules, ziplocs, seatbelts, never assume a zombie is dead, avoid strip clubs……..and
If you love someone…..shoot them in the face before they become a flesh eating monster….. and puke all over you.
Rating: Full Spew
2019 November Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Doctor Sleep (2019)
Director Mike Flanagan
Running for your life in an ice maze is another day care activity compared to the horrors Dan faces as an adult. He pukes his way through New Jersey, New York, and on to New Hampshire. The sound effects show the proper care and attention to the hurls, and the despair they purge.
Shine on Brother.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Charlie’s Angels (2019)
Director Elizabeth Banks
Elena starts the fun early in the movie….right when you are wondering if you can still get a refund. The puke in this movie has a unique running gag throughout. Most movies include hearing and/or seeing the hurl. Here, we smell it.
Rating: 2 Heaves
21 Bridges (2019)
Director Brian Kirk
Michael has a lot on his plate. More specifically, cocaine. Oh, and a bunch of dead cops. Which apparently makes him puke. For such a bad ass, his heave seems unnecessary. Perhaps it shows he has a soul, feels remorse. However, the character isn’t played quite this way leaving the ralph empty, meaningless and forgettable.
Rating: Dry Heave
Knives Out (2019)
Director Rian Johnson
Every spew is better than the one before. And, is a main character in this movie.
Now I know why I keep an empty Big Gulp cup in my car. Thank you Marta. Problem solved.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Parasite (2019)
Director Bong Joon-ho
Moon-gwang isn’t feeling very well. Being kicked down the stairs to the bunker is leaving her feeling a bit woosy. The juxtaposition of her hurl into the toilet and Ki-joeng’s return to the family’s basement apartment, flooded with sewage, is brilliant. The scene will make you smile out loud.
Rating: Full Spew
2019 December Movies
Ratings:
Didn’t see it coming and excellent execution = Full Spew
Makes sense and good effort = 3 Heaves
Sorta get it and good effort = 2 Heaves
Sorta get it but poorly executed = 1 Heave
Unnecessary = Dry Heave
Honey Boy (2019)
Director Alma Har’el
James pukes after a smack down fight with Otis, following a night of doing drugs that were pretty damn smack. All this smack-a-lusciousness can weaken a stomach. James does not ignore the body heaving and the audio that accompanies a good hurl. Nor does he just move on from the hurl, as is done in most movies. No sir. He continues with the lingering aftermath of burping and the dry heave while he continues through the scene. Real life informs the art of storytelling and is applied well.
Rating: 3 Heaves
Black Christmas (2019)
Director Sophia Takal
For a movie aiming for strong and smart feminist themes, there is still the stereotypical clueless sorority girl vibe. Thankfully for this blog, Helena is not so strong or smart; muttering she thought Vodka and Tequila would go well together. The off camera ralph is easily forgotten as we brain dead our way through the rest of the movie.
Rating: Dry Heave
Waves (2019)
Director Trey Edward Shults
Tyler’s first heave was a weird quick cut to him on a track. It felt out of context and there was no natural lead up to this scene. He does a very quick massive puke while standing on the track. What is so alarming visually about the scene is the bright yellow thick marshmallow slime oozing out of his mouth. I have never seen bile this color come from a human, in real life or in the movies. The color is quite an unmellow yellow and more of an in your face I just ate 5 pounds of Peeps yellow.
Just as we are trying to figure out what we just witnessed, the scene makes a quick cut to something completely unrelated.
Tyler gives us another heave after a night of partying. Thankfully, I think they ran out of yellow dye for the follow up.
Rating: Dry Heave
Bombshell (2019)
Director Jay Roach
Before there was “blood coming out of her eyes…blood coming out of her wherever” there was massive puking. I mean prime time anchor news puking. We later learn Megyn might have been poisoned by the President to keep her from questioning him at the debate. Interesting curve ball and seemed a bit out of left (or should I say right) field.
Rating: 2 Heaves.