Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

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

The film feels delightfully maximalist, with sprawling sets and costumes, bigger-than-life performances, an epic storyline, and some eye-popping visuals. Review

Bad Lands is a ride, a film that takes a personal story and turns it into a sprawling crime film. The styling is pristine, Ando is exemplary and there isn't a boring moment in sight. Review

Loved Gun is a moody crime flick, built on an excellent cast and enriched with a layer of comedic touches, aptly hidden behind a veil of introspection and subdued stylistic choices. Review

In the hands of someone else, this could've been a decent but somewhat tepid drama, thanks to the direction of Igashi, the fine audiovisual presentation, and some strong performances by the two leads, Leave in Summer is a film that stands as one of the better Japanese dramas I've seen. Review

The excellent cinematography combined with a lush score, a dedicated crew, and impeccable technical skills make this film a fantastical adventure like no other. Review

The cinematography is on point, the performances are way above average and the action scenes are vibrant, everything is there to become a niche favorite. Review

The comedy is spot on, the cinematography is solid, the film works up to a strong crescendo and there are some very memorable scenes scattered throughout. Review

Thanks to the raw cinematography, the polished sound design, and some stellar performances it hits all its emotional notes, without failing its cinematic roots. Review

The stylish cinematography, the beautiful soundtrack, and two amazing central performances make this a lively and empathic LGBTQ+ romance, though lacking a few distinctive touches to turn itself into a strong personal favorite. Review

The cinematography is crazy, the performances are all-in and the score is fitting. Add to that a wildly entertaining and unique premise, and you have a film that lingers. Review

The animation is top-notch, the art styles are bold and out there, and with six separate stories to tell there's plenty of variation. Review

It's a neat mix of indie, arthouse, and horror elements, and it's nice to finally see South Korea venture in this direction. Review

There is no excess here and Iwai's youthful enthusiasm creates a lovely blend of traditional drama and genre elements, resulting in a condensed bundle of joy. From the pleasant cinematography to the outspoken score and the standout performances, this is the kind of film that establishes a filmmaker. Review

Thanks to the lush cinematography, the superb score, and several beautiful dance choreographies this is way more than the umpteenth inspirational sports flick. Review