Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

Not everyone is going to love this film, but that's okay. It's a bit of a weird beast with a very peculiar sense of humor. I'm sure though that there are just as many people out there who are going to love this film to bits. Review

A.I. Rising is a slice of juicy, old-fashioned science fiction. Review

The film looks beautiful, the core drama is intriguing, ambiguous and heightened by minor fantastical elements and the payoff is more than satisfying. I found it very easy to forgive the film some bumps along the road, but your mileage may vary. Review

It strikes a difficult balance between shock, amusement and absurdity that is better experienced than explained. Though there is some technical decay noticeable, Battle Royale is still an amazing experience. Review

Blue Spring is well-balanced, featuring a great cast, intriguing characters and a director with not only a clear vision, but also the ability to execute that vision flawlessly. Review

The Shadow Play is a film that will appeal to crime/thriller fans who don't mind a more solemn approach to the genre, or to arthouse fans who don't mind deep-rooted genre elements driving the narrative. Review

Nakashima's style is unique, different and overwhelming, and the best thing about it is that he doesn't hold back at all. Review

There's quite a lot of quirkiness to get through, but on the other side of that lies a beautifully made, emotionally touching and deeply humane drama. Review

Soderbergh pursues a unique and particular sense of humour that is sure to confuse and irritate people who are hoping to see a more coherent film. Review

It's a pleasant, easy and slightly challenging watch that leaves you wanting more. Review

Paris Is Us is not an easy watch. It's a film that challenges its viewers, digs deep into its main characters and chases an entire city's state of being. Review

Sick Nurses is a film that will appeal to genre fans who appreciate a film that knowingly and expertly breaks some of the established rules in order to create something a little different. Review

A powerhouse performance by Yu Aoi, some rather stylish visuals and a highly atmospheric soundtrack make this a standout entry that highlights Shiraishi's talents. Review

The animation is exemplary, the art styles wildly original and the stories support the madness. There are two shorts that don't quite cut it, but the boundless quality of the others easily makes up for that. Review

Mirai is lushly animated, features a competent score and above average voice acting, but most of all it has a strong and beautiful heart that keeps the drama both relevant and touching. Review

Waititi's first feature is a perfect introduction to his body of work. There's loads of quirky comedy, the delivery is dry and disorienting, but the characters have soul and even though the film keeps throwing problems their way, it never gets too heavy-handed. Review

While the film is actually quite small in scale, it never feels cramped or limited, it just feels like a more modest part of a bigger whole. Add some beautiful imagery, a great soundtrack and solid acting and you have an impressive sci-fi film. Review

Cashback is a charming, inventive and dreamy coming-of-age romance with several stand-out moments and memorable ideas. Review

Radiance is a fine, accomplished, well-rounded Japanese drama. It's not a film that reinvents the genre, it's not a breathe of fresh air, but it's a beautiful, respectful and endearing film that charms the whole way through. Review

A breathe of fresh air. It's an exhilarating experience, a visual rollercoaster in the best sense of the word, but also a painful reminder of the unrealized potential that has bogged down US animation for the past 25 years. Review

Debie's cinematography is first class, the soundtrack is spot on, the dance routines are impressive and the final hour is Noé at his finest. Review

On the technical side the film is more accomplished than his earlier work, it contains more than enough quirky Miike touches and while certified strange and off-kilter, it's not all-out insane. Review

The confusing ambiguity, the constant mystery and the flawless presentation make The Book of Birdie into an intriguing film that stands well on its own. Review

Yuasa delivers a wildly original, splendidly executed and surprisingly emotional animation that defies categorization and comparison. Review