Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

A stylish and well-executed fantasy film, sporting Ghibli's polished animation, a lovely soundtrack, and a morally ambiguous lead character. Review

The astounding visuals are a given, the soundtrack is a welcome surprise, the rest is just pure bonus. Review

Dupieux's absurdist comedy is on full display here, the performances are on point and while I didn't fully vibe with the styling I can't but admit that the film has its own, unique style. Review

The Stranger from Afar is a peculiar film, strangely efficient in creating a dreadful and uncomfortable atmosphere, sporting a superb score and a terrific lead performance. Review

The stylish locations and ditto cinematography, a slightly more distinct and contemporary score, and solid performances elevate a simple crime/action film to something more distinct and valuable. Review

The Wandering Moon may sound reprehensible and wrong on paper, but the delicate styling, Lee's nuanced direction, and some stellar performances make all the difference. Review

The presentation is still pretty fitting and stylish, the performances are top notch and the somewhat edgier dramatic elements give the film a unique perspective. Review

The action choreography is superb, Li is at the top of his game, the comedy is bonkers and there are at least a few scenes that will linger well beyond the credits. Review

Slick and atmospheric cinematography, an appropriate and varied score, and stellar performances further increase the appeal. It's a little diamond in the rough, but I fear it is doomed to slip into obscurity as it won't be getting the needed backing from the usual hype channels. Review

The aesthetic and the art style are lovely, the technical competence is insane, the worldbuilding is wildly imaginative and the score plus sound design are virtually unmatched. Review

Make no mistake, this is an excellent film. It's high concept, highly original, and impossible to reproduce, and Jonze has a proper handle on his film at all times, even when things get pretty hectic and confusing. Add a quality cast, some clever writing, and a welcome lack of predictability and you have a film that is strong enough to withstand the test of time. Review

Oshima delivers a very polished and accomplished film, offering splendid cinematography, a lovely score, stellar performances of its main cast, and an intriguing plot. Review

If you care for absurdist tableaus, bleak, dry, and dark comedy, unpleasant characters, and a relentless unwillingness to push forward a clear narrative, this film will be right up your alley. Review

Satoshi Miki made a great pastiche of the genre's weakest elements, resulting in a comedy that might be smarter and slyer than it is laugh-out-loud funny. Review

Slightly elevated cinematography, a more contemporary soundtrack, an unflinching camera, and very strong performances from the central cast turn this social drama into a rare success for me. Review

The cinematography and score are polished and stylish, the performances are top-notch and the themes are dark and challenging, resulting in a very fine drama that underlines Okuhara's talent. Review

The stellar lead performance by Tadanobu Asano, the crisp styling, and the balance of delicate drama with some rougher edges turn this into a quality film. Review

If you're an action fan and you love a good roller-coaster ride that commits to the genre from start to finish, Carter is one of the most exhilarating films I could recommend. Review

The performance of Bale is stellar, the pacing and characterization are on point and the dark comedy is razor sharp, though I'm certain it won't be for everybody. Review

The plot is kept pretty basic, but the performances are superb, the cinematography is polished and the score is on point, resulting in prime edge-of-your-seat cinema. Review

With the help of a perfect build-up, some solid performances, and polished cinematography, Kitamura delivers a fun and thrilling genre exercise that entertains from start to finish. Review

Blazing Famiglia looks appropriately gritty, it sports a fine soundtrack, some great performances and a cool plot with a proper dramatic foundation. It's a little niche and may come off a tad inaccessible at first, but give in to what Kumakiri serves and you might discover a little underseen gem. Review

The stylish black and white cinematography, the excellent performances, and the strong dedication to its candidly absurd moments make this a delightful comedy. Review

Earwig is unmistakably a Hadzihalilovic film, while also offering something a little different from her previous work. It's an exuberant mood piece that dares to be bewildering, that isn't afraid to challenge its audience and that marries operational excellence with vision and creativity. Review