The Cinematic Sage

 In the Stash Short Film Festival: Comedy (2017), the films "A Tale of Momentum & Inertia" and "Fear of Flying" stand out because of their unique use of animation and comedy tropes. These shorts leverage well-known conventions to deliver their narratives effectively.  A Tale of Momentum & Inertia  This film utilizes the classic trope of the hero with a twist. The story revolves around a stone golem who hesitates before deciding to save a city from destruction. The comedic element comes into play when the golem's last-minute decision and his instant regret, which flips the tradiitonal hero trope on its head. The animation enhances the humor through exaggerated expressions and movements, making the golem's internal conflict amusing. The film also uses the "unexpected consequence" trope, where the golem's good dead causes more choas, adding to the comedy.  Fear of Flying  "Fear of Flying" demonstrates the trope of fearful protago

  As film enthusiasts, we know that trailers are more than just a preview, they are a promise of the experience to come. The 1996 trailer for “Matilda”, based on Roald Dahl’s book, sets out to attract audiences with a glimpse of the whimsical and magical world of a young girl  who grows up feeling alone and not apart of her twisted family. Her father sells used cars for a higher price and her mother runs off to play bingo every chance she gets. Matilda is ultimately ignored but what they don't know is the power that she holds inside. But does it achieve its purpose? Let’s break down a couple of key choices the trailer makes: its use of color and the overall tone.    Before diving into the trailer’s choices, let’s establish the rhetorical situation. The trailer for “Matilda” aims to attract a broad audience, including children who can rel ate to Matilda’s story of feeling left out yet magical. Its purpose is to generate excitement and curiosity about the film, promising a mix of

 "Everything Everywhere All At Once" is a movie that plays with the idea of absurdism in fascinating ways. Absurdism is about the belief that life is random, meaningless, and sometimes strange. This film digs deep into the concept but also flips it around.  This movie fully embraces absurdism by throwing the main character, Evelyn Wang, into a series of wild and bizarre realties. In one world, people have hot dogs for fingers and in another rocks have feelings. These strange situations highlight the absurdist idea that life can be chaotic. The movie's plot is and at times feel random and unpredictable as you don't know what will come next, much like the idea of absurdism that life doesn't always make sense.  Not only does the film challenge the positive side of absurdism, but also the negative aspects by adding a lot of heart and meaning to Evelyn's journey. Even though she's surrounded by extreme madness, her adventure is about understanding herself and r

 In Barry Jenkins' film Moonlight (2016), a young black man by the name of Chiron is growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood, and he is struggling with identity and masculinity. This theme is particularly touching where Chiron, now a teenager, shares a deeply personal moment with his friend Kevin on a moonlit beach. In this scene Chiron is exemplifying extreme vulnerability because he opens up to Kevin, expressing his deepest insecurities and fears. Kevin, in return, shows tenderness and understanding, leading to an intimate moment between the two. This scene marks a pivotal point in Chiron's life where he feels safe enough to reveal his true self. The moonlight, symbolizing harsh realities of his daily life, creates a space where Chiron can momentarily shed his tough skin.  The author, Jenkins, uses visual and auditory cues to showcase this vulnerability. The sound of the waves, the soft lighting, and the close-up shots of the characters' faces all contribute to a feeling