Category Archives: Motifs

The Departed in Three Symbols. A Motif Analysis by Joey McDevitt

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

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Red Balloon Motif Analysis. By Logan Wells

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

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Coraline (2009). A Motif Analysis by Tia M. Adkins

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

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The Deeper Meaning Within Chad Stahelski’s Neo-Noir Action-Thriller, John Wick (2014). A Motif Analysis by G.M. Smith

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

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The Astronaut Helmet in Wonder. By Miranda Sprouse

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

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Visual Motifs of Fate in Andrzej Wajda’s Ashes and Diamonds. By Olivia Outlaw

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

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The Subliminal Influence of Ninety-Degree Angles in 2001: A Space Odyssey. By David Flaherty

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

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Bringing Sparkle to New York in Uptown Girls. By Grace Miller

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

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Motifs in Call Me by Your Name (2017). By Amy Hicks

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

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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Analysis of Direct and Indirect Examples of Emotional Expression. By Christian E. Gainey

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

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