Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

Under the Light is pure visual bliss, a film that bathes in color and light and leaves no frame untouched to explore the limits of how far you can push the cinematography. Review

Thanks to Damien Lewis' stellar performance, a very visceral style of direction, and a sublime finale the film hits like a sledgehammer, which I can only applaud. Review

Strong and fitting performances, superb editing, stylish cinematography, and a moody score all add to an intriguing film that was pretty meaty to begin with. Review

The mysterious setup, the stylish cinematography, and the solid performances all contribute to a lovely drama that neatly balances genre and arthouse elements. Review

The gritty look and grungy score accentuate the pent-up anger that runs underneath the film, while some spirited performances make sure that the dramatic side hits its targets. Katsumi Sasaki should be proud of what he accomplished here. Review

My Father, the Bride is a bright and endearing Japanese comedy, mixing island appeal with dry, quirky comedy and queer themes, but doing it in such a way that it feels fresh and exciting. Review

If you want a love story set in early 20th-century China that subverts traditional gender roles, complemented by impeccable styling and stand-out performances, this should be your go-to film. Review

Annular Eclipse is a dashing genre effort, blending different genres, a conceptual story, and polished cinematography to create something that dazzles from start to finish. Review

The stylish presentation, the refined pacing, and layered performances support a smart and well-balanced drama that isn't afraid to confront the audience with some challenging questions. A hidden gem. Review

The animation is wondrous and detailed, the dub is powerful, the fantasy world feels exciting and adventurous and the finale is appropriately overwhelming. Review

The intricate styling, the mix of classic folklore with contemporary culture, and the slick thriller elements make this a pretty accessible film while keeping that Japanese feel intact. Review

The gritty cinematography and the eerie soundtrack are genre staples, but the Brazilian setting, the spirited performances, and the puzzling finale add that little bit of extra spice. Review

Tadanobu Asano shows he has a knack for combining cinematography and music to create warm, wholesome, and mysterious films, though they're not the most accessible ones. Review

The execution is slick, the performances are strong, the score is a bit more refined and the themes are handled with the proper respect and gravitas. Review

I found it a fun way to reconnect with the show, then again I don't really see any option to revisit the TV series, so your mileage may vary. One of the better small-to-big-screen adaptations I've seen. Review

There's a dark comedy streak that keeps the film on the right track, the polished presentation and the captivating central performance do the rest. Review

The lush cinematography, the moody setting, and the hyper-focus on what makes a good action thriller tick make this a condensed bundle of genre fun. Review

The cinematography isn't top notch and the score is forgettable, but the jokes are memorable and Chow's delivery is best in class, making this a 90-minute-long delight. Review

Bipolar is a stunning road movie, a mysterious trip through the heart of China that doesn't lose itself in the usual contradictions, but sculpts a delicate portrait of its lead character. Review

Its slight horror influences may make it harder to find an appreciative international audience, but the slick cinematography, spirited performances, and the mix of darker themes with witty and self-aware styling choices make this one of the better films to come out of Hong Kong in recent years. Review

Thanks to the strong performances of the central cast, the stylish black-and-white cinematography, and the fitting soundtrack it is still an impressive film with a gutwrenching finale. Review

Yoichi Narita shows he has a knack for drama with a minor genre twist, serving intriguing characters and a playful plot while offering a stylistic finish that puts more expensive films to shame. Review

Slick styling, a sizeable budget, and proper scares lie at the core of the film's appeal, with each director injecting a dose of local folklore to set the different shorts apart. Review

Bad-ass action scenes, striking cinematography, and a bunch of colorful characters elevate a rather basic filler flick into a clear and confident genre highlight. If you're craving some prime Asian action cinema, Furies is a film that won't disappoint, but you'll need to be a style whore to get the most out of it. Review