Filmrecensies van Niels Matthijs

They delivered a raw, energetic and wildly entertaining film that felt fresh and unique. The solid dub, booming soundtrack and exceptional animation are the icing on the cake. I can only hope this wasn't the end of their successful collaboration. Recensie

The moody and vibrant city shots, the stand-out performance of Xun Zhou and the mysterious romance all add up to a slightly grittier film set in the outskirts of a booming Shanghai. Recommended for people willing to leave rural China behind. Recensie

End of Sky is a seemingly endless attempt at making every moment bolder, bigger and better than the one that came before, the beauty of it is that Kubo actually succeeds in his mission. Recensie

Code 46 serves a vivid vision of the future, a world that looks and feels plausible, even when reality should've caught up with it by now. A sign of clever, relevant sci-fi if there ever was one. Recensie

When Doremus ventures into genre territory, he hits my sweet spot. This is genre cinema with the signature of an auteur, mood cinema with smarts and depth. Lush visuals, a superb soundtrack and slick performances only make it better. Recensie

The comedy is hilarious, the pacing is excruciating, the film rolls from one memorable scene to the next and the level of variation is exemplary. Recensie

There's no guarantee you'll end up liking it, it has quite a few technical shortcomings and it might even bore you out of your wits, but it's one of the craziest films I've ever seen. Sakaguchi's performance is stellar, the action is almost meditative and Shimomura's direction does everything in its power to draw the attention towards the implausible feat they pulled off. Recensie

The sense of adventure, wonder and delight is what set this film apart, combined with a great eye for detail and perfect pacing it makes for a sprawling, joyous fantasy film. It's not Miyazaki's ultimate masterpiece, but it's a confident and powerful step forward that would foreshadow his dominance in the animation scene. Recensie

Antiviral is unsettling and disturbing, an uneasy take on obsession and celebrity culture that mixes moments of surreal body horror with an extremely stylish delivery. Recensie

Guns Akimbo is extremely energetic, in your face and funny, packing a couple of neat surprises, a splendid central duo and enough action to fill at least two 90-minute films. If you're looking for some madcap, over-the-top action, don't miss out on this one. Recensie

Inugami offers a unique trip through Japanese folklore, serving rural mysticism and respect for tradition with fine cinematography, a beautiful score and solid performances. Recensie

Pintó and Casas crafted a very meticulous, funny and intriguing film that looks great, sports a superb soundtrack and is sure to keep you guessing until the very end. Recensie

Cool gangs, dystopian settings, huge brawls and lots of posing. And for every checkbox, it's best in class. Well recommended if you know what you're getting yourself into. Recensie

It's delightfully and excessively violent, sporting superb creature designs, a bold and expressive art style and brisk pacing. Everything you'd ever want and need in a gory, macho action film. Recensie

It's raw, primordial and unfiltered emotion, an audiovisual experience that gripped me from the very first frame and didn't let go until long after the final credit had faded from the screen. Recensie

While a little rough around the edges, there are many moments of raw beauty, contrasting cruelty and tenderness in a way only Ki-duk can, creating one of the most contorted romances ever put on film. Recensie

The cinematography is lush and varied, the soundtrack is impressive, performances are great and the story intrigues, but it's the ridiculously perfect editing that left me floored. Recensie

It's extremely atmospheric, the build-up is impeccable, performances are great and the finale is exactly what I wanted from this film. A horror film that has the full package. Recensie

Dancing Mary is a beautifully crafted, constantly surprising and joyous little film that entertains and delights, while also offering something extra to chew on for those who care. Recensie

An ambitious, raw, vibrant and energetic gem, sporting fine cinematography, a great soundtrack and some stand-out performances that all help to give birth to a unique universe. It's not a blind recommend for Iwai fans, but if you love off-beat and distinctive Japanese cinema, it's a must-see. Recensie

Wonogawa is a film with superb designs, overflowing with creative ideas, more than enough intriguing lore to fill at least three films and executed in a way that hides most of its financial struggles. Recensie

It's not quite as zany or extravagant as some of his other work, but there are plenty of vintage Miike moments that are sure to delight. Apart from the horrendous dialogues and stilted acting, this is another 120 minutes of creative and crazy entertainment. Recensie

The animation is absolutely stunning, the balance between fantasy and romance is perfect and the ending is quite challenging, which makes it, at least in my book, a better film than Your Name. Recensie

Hakuchi is quality film making, sporting a superb cast, a solid soundtrack and eye-popping cinematography. A slice of urban fantasy/retro sci-fi that mixes classic and contemporary cinema to great effect. Recensie