janfrankowski Reviews

Suzume (2022)

Makoto Shinkai's most impressive movie?

[10/10 · 5 December 2023]

Your Name and Weathering with you were some of the most unique movie experiences I've come across in the last few years. Especially Your Name made me appreciate animated movies after a very long time. With its breathtaking animation, incredible soundtrack and heartwarming story it truly cemented itself a spot in my favorite movies of all time. Therefore I really anticipated Makoto Shinkai's new project Suzume. I already heard lots of positive critiques about the movie but I was convinced it would not surpass the high qualities of Your Name. And I proofed to be right...and wrong. The premise of the story seems at first glance very understandable. The female lead who lives in a rural area gets in contact with a city boy. Together they have to accomplish supernatural challenges to save themselves and try to find a good ending for both of each other. And as you progress in the movie, it really reminds you of Shinkai's previous work. But if you look deeper into this movie you discover some very interesting perspectives as of how to approach this story. Throughout the story the characters visit many several places spread all across Japan to ensure that the supernatural foe (the worm) won't spread and cause destruction in the currently targeted area. Whilst it is declared as a calamity which will destroy the endangered cities and landscapes, the worm symbolizes the great natural force who always was a threat and tragedy for the country of Japan. As a special tribute to the many casualties and people who lost their existence and lives of their loved ones the movie pays tribute of visiting many locations where those catastrophic events occurred. In the end the movies focus shifts toward the individual (Suzume) who represents the trauma of those left behind in the catastrophe of the earthquake and tsunami of march 2011, which devastated the Japanese nation and its people. The movie really impressed the viewer (or especially me) how to rise above the caused trauma and to accept the circumstances given despite their emotional heaviness and consequences.

I think overall Your Name was the better movie in my opinion, but Suzume gave me the exact same emotional feeling with the first watch of this movie and I truly appreciate this work of art.

The Night Comes for Us (2018)

Brutally brilliant

[6/10 · 11 November 2023]

I got it recommended by my roommate as we talked about the most brutal movies we watched. Even though I do prefer the Kingsman movies I got to say that this movie blew me away with its stunning choreographic sequences, especially the hand to hand combat was delivered just as violently as it should in such a brutal movie. It's safe to say that its not my favorite movie and also not my favorite action movie but if someone ever asks me which action movie to watch I really could recommend this one. Especially the actors delivered an outstanding job(watch if possible in the Orginal Indonesian cut. Sometimes I wish American movies would try new things out and maybe get inspired by movies like this.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

A masterfully written sequel

[10/10 · 10 November 2023]

Watched the movie in cinema and now on stream. Each time I really expected to have the first movie higher ranked because it's one of my favorite Comicbook movies of all time. But part 2 of this amazing series just amazes me with the stunning animation and its brilliant musical choice. The lightning and shadowing in each frame is well thought out as well as the writing of the dialogue. This movie contains one of my favorite chase scenes in cinema history and the many plot twist throughout the entire movie made it truly unforgettable the first time viewed in cinema. On the second watch you spot many differences and especially Easter eggs you missed out in the cinema. I used to grow up watching the Spider-Man movies with Peter Parker and with Miles Morales the franchise just got a brilliant addition of character. His development in the first movie blew me away(a leap of faith) but AtSV just cemented his characters to one of my favorites in fiction. That's how you write PoC with realistic problems and real even more realistic challenges. Undermine it with a phanomenal sidecast of characters and you have the perfect sequel which acts as a great build up movie for the third one.

Spy x Family (2022– )

Well paced and funny Pilot

[9/10 · 9 April 2022]

I went without any particular expectations into this first episode but as soon as the credits rolled I was already invested into this odd story. I'm very exited what the coming episode will be like but as I know WIT Studios they won't disappoint me with their great Work. Compared with WIT's First episodes like Attack on Titan or Vinland Saga it isn't as groundbreaking but still im hyped to learn more about this German inspired spy world anime.