Those of you who have followed the blog for a while will be aware of my consternation over tongues being used in movie kissing.
For decades the film industry has been serving up the phoney kiss and nobody has complained but tongues are starting to flick into mouths on a regular basis.
Now, I want to bring up (almost literally) another subject which has aroused my disgust - puking on the big screen.
I am sure that we didn't used to see people being sick on the big screen..
Now a vomit scene in a 'edgy' picture is almost as obligatory as a pair of knockers in a French flick.
Here, in Passenger Side, the retching came from left field, was totally unnecessary but, presumably, ticked a box for the 'alternative' film-maker (in this case, Matt Bissonnette).
I think I should start a 'no puke at the pictures' campaign.
The exception, of course, would be Mr Creosote in the Meaning Of Life. Possibly, the only time regurgitated carrots were central to a scene and genuinely funny.
Why, am I digressing so much? Well, because Passenger Side really didn't warrant much of a review.
It tries to be funny but it only prompted one use of the laughometer. It would have provoked two had it not used exactly the same gag I saw in Hangover 2.
The story is that a former junkie (Joel Bissonnette) persuades his failed novelist brother (Adam Scott) to take him on a drive to find an old love.
Along the way they bump into an array of freaks, oddballs and strange cameo-type incidents which don't string together in any sort of fashion.
Neither sibling is particularly likeable so their interminable too-clever-by-half conversations drift into white noise.
Ok, I have to admit I was watching it as my wife was sitting at her dying sister's bedside but I really don't feel I was jaundiced against Passenger Side.
It just wasn't a very good movie.
Yesterday, I gave 9/10 to Life After All which the same cloud of despondency overwhelmed our family.
So please, no complaints this time. I'm not changing the review.
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