Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

The performances are great, the cinematography is inviting, the score is pleasant and the drama is potent, all signaling the budding talent of a young director. Review

Shipei Wen's direction is confident, the presentation is lavish and the central performances are strong, turning this into a veritable delight. Review

It's a string of impressive performances and an unwavering commitment to handling its delicate themes that sets this film apart, just come prepared if you're easily triggered. Review

Great performances, a stylishly gritty presentation, pleasant befuddlement, and plenty to chew on once the credits start rolling. The Box Man has it all, just make sure you heed the film's warning/mantra. Review

When the cinematography is splendid, the score is tailored to perfection and the performances are exceptional, you know you're getting a lovely film from Iwai. Review

The impressive animation is the film's clearest selling point, but the intriguing fantasy premise and the smart reveal of the plot help ground the experience. Review

The maximalist styling and the breakneck pace aren't going to be for everyone. They're right up my alley though, and I wish more directors would have the creative freedom to do what Li does. Review

The superb performances, the stylish presentation, and the perfect balance of plot and character focus make this one of the better contemporary Japanese dramas. Review

The maximalist presentation, the vast array of quirky ideas and moments, and the flashy action scenes all add up to make a vastly entertaining film. Review

The film is short and to the point, Iwai creates a lush and vibrant atmosphere, the performances are strong and the central concept is emotionally poignant as well as extremely cinematic. Review

This is straight-up genre fare, but it's elevated by a polished presentation, confident and self-aware performances, and a mean and malicious sense of humor. Review

From the End of the World is a superb urban fantasy, sporting stylish cinematography, nice lore, and some solid performances, but it's more toned down compared to Kiriya's previous efforts. Review

It's an overwhelming sensory experience, sporting insane visuals, and a splendid score, bringing to life an elaborate and complex story that warrants multiple watches. Review

Wonderful World End is one of the many Japanese dramas dealing with adolescents, but it manages to stand out thanks to its original setting, its unpredictable plot, and its youthful presentation. It offers a nice twist on the traditional Japanese drama, without turning the genre on its head. Review

The setup of the plot is smart, the styling is a bit edgier, the performances are strong and the way everything unfolds propels you through the first half of the film. Review

Daaaaaali! is a fitting and refreshing ode to one of the biggest painters of the 20th century, and it's every bit as madcap as the man's paintings. Review

Kowloon finally gets the film it deserves, sporting a great cast, a distinctive score, and some dazzling action scenes, layered on top of a sprawling crime epic. With two more films planned down the line, Walled In has become a rare instance of a movie series where I'm looking forward to the sequels. Review

The cinematography is on point, the score is beautiful and the performances are powerful. Review

The actors are solid, there are quirky narrative details, the cinematography is on point and the pacing is slick. All that is needed for some prime entertainment. Review

The performances are strong, the cinematography is stylish and the pacing is perfect. I love the versatility she showed in her first two films, sadly, availability might be an issue. Review

The premise is interesting enough to support an hour's worth of material, and Dupieux trims all the fat so only the essentials remain. Don't watch this film for the presentation or the strong narrative, instead, have a good chuckle, marvel at its wittiness, and take a minute to consider the points it raises. Review

The fantasy-fueled drama offers a warm and endearing premise, but the lovely cinematography combined with some strong performances lift the film. Review

The Coffee Table is a film stripped of any excess, with a strong focus on its core premise and working hard to get the most out of it. At its heart it's basic genre fare, but Cayas' clever writing and pointed, confident direction add the needed flair and polish to turn it into a memorable film. Review

The vibrant cinematography and the poppy score set the mood for a mix of light-hearted fun and more deep-digging drama, perfectly carried out by the actors. Review