Category Archives: Motifs

Dialogue is used to express what a character is thinking; however, it is a film’s visual aesthetic that subconsciously talks to the audience. In 2006, Martin Scorsese directed the film The Departed, which would win him his first Academy Award … Continue reading →

The red balloon has found its way into films of different styles, genres, and eras. It is an image that evokes feelings of hope, imagination, and childlike wonder. Innocent and free from concern, it has been notably present ever since … Continue reading →

Director, Henry Selick, routinely utilizes stop motion to seamlessly relay critical themes and motifs while supporting his cinematic content. Selick demonstrates his influence and artistic control via stark color contrasts, similar themes, and dark cinematic concepts across each of his … Continue reading →

It is easy to assume that action films are artistically insignificant. Many people truly believe that action films are all the same and serve little to no purpose in terms of filmic artistry. However, this belief is harsh and inaccurate. … Continue reading →

In the movie Wonder (2017), directed by Stephen Chbosky, August “Auggie” Pullman (played by Jacob Tremblay) suffers from a facial deformity. As he braces himself for his first year in public school, he must deal with bullies, standing out, and … Continue reading →

The film Ashes and Diamonds (Andrzej Wajda, 1958) is chock-full of visual motifs that display the movie’s main theme of fate. The film follows Maciek (Zbigniew Cybulski), a young man who is part of the Polish resistance in post-WWII Poland, … Continue reading →

One of the most influential films in cinematic history, Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 science fiction masterpiece, 2001: A Space Odyssey, is as mysterious as it is inspiring. Who can forget the amazing shots of space shuttles flying peacefully through the cosmos … Continue reading →

The late and great Brittany Murphy stars in the romantic dramedy Uptown Girls (2003), portraying Molly Gunn, the spunky daughter of a rock-and-roll legend who tragically died, when she was a little girl, in a fatal plane crash, leaving her … Continue reading →

Classical Music Classical music is a visual and sound motif throughout Call Me by Your Name (2017). Elio’s (Timothée Chalamet) first obsession that is shown in this film is music. He is seen writing, studying, and playing music in his … Continue reading →

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) explores love, memory, and intimacy through the lens of the complicated relationship of Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet). Clementine, a free-spirited and outspoken woman, challenges Joel’s stoic nature from … Continue reading →