Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

The stylish cinematography, the moody score, and the devastating central performance all help to flesh out and strengthen a captivating drama about processing loss. Review

The elaborate plot, the quirky characters, the explicit cinematography and atmospheric soundtrack all build up to a beautiful finale that anchors the film as a future classic. Review

Govaerts crafted a near-perfect piece of entertainment that gets progressively better as time passes, without ever losing sight of the cinematic craft and creativity that blesses the best of genre films. Review

The loveable characters, the stylish score and cinematography, and the slightly fantastical moments all add up to a very likeable and capable drama without any real weak points. Review

Minor details, like some very smart soundtrack choices, noticeably elevated cinematography, superb performances and more tempered dramatic influences make the real difference here. Review

Flux Gourmet looks great, sports an awesome soundtrack and insane sound design, the cast is great and the mix of self-deprecating comedy feels like a breath of fresh air. Review

Take a bunch of wonky hitmen, add the necessary explosive firepower, pepper it with an over-the-top approach, and you have a film that still stand proud today. Review

The build-up is meticulous and the mystery slow to reveal itself, which pays off when the finale finally starts to take form. The stylish cinematography and superb sound design create a unique and tangible atmosphere, the performances and strong characterization add extra flair to the whole. Review

Thanks to the wonderful art style, the atmospheric soundtrack and the proper amount of mystery and intrigue, this film is poised to become a future fantasy classic, though one that holds clear niche appeal over broader appreciation. Review

The art style is wonderful, the animation is lovely, the characters are pleasantly different, and Watanabe's bold dramatic choices pay off nicely in the end. Review

Solondz' unique talent is making extreme tragedy fun, pushing things into uncomfortable territory, and there is no better film than Happiness to illustrate this very particular skill. It's the reason why this film still feel poignant, even though the boundaries of comedy have shifted a lot more since its original release, a little over two decades ago. Review

The lovely cinematography, the superb production design, the solid integration of the score and the pleasant performances all add up to a very charming and disarming film. Review

Both the writing and the direction stand out, combined with the superb performances, the perfectly paced build-up and the fitting finale, it makes for an excellent black comedy. Review

The lush visuals, great score and superb cast all add to this epic journey, which truly shines whenever people dig out their swords and start to hack, slash and twirl. Review

Takahata delivers a rather tricky and thorny topic with the proper nuance and depth, sugarcoats it with excellent animation and a proper score, and makes sure it remains entertaining from start to finish. Review

Giddens Ko finally banks on his talent and serves a wildly creative and unique film, with the necessary visual flair, a notable soundtrack and strong performances to back it up. Review

The sheer enthusiasm, the brutally graphic nature of the horror and the solid pacing make this by far the best infected flick I've seen in years, if not decades. It's a lovely showcase of Jabbaz' talent, who I suspect will have little trouble securing funding for his next project. Review

Poupelle of Chimney Town is one of the most visually impressive films I've ever watched, a joyful and creative fantastical adventure that should be able to capture the imagination of all who put in the effort. Review

From the stylish cinematography and the accomplished score to the strong performances and intriguing plot, Chung delivers quality across the board. Review

Ulloa and his team crafted a beautiful, dark and haunting modern fairy tale that plows its way through the narrative without a single word spoken. The stylish cinematography, emotive soundtrack and strong performances kept me involved throughout and solidified the already peculiar experience. Review

The audiovisual qualities are nothing less than impressive, the structure is meticulously executed, and the finale is one of the most memorable ever. Oshii will test your patience, but rest assured that it's worth it. Review

The subject is taboo and Hiroki's approach is unflinching, yet the result is a subtle, nuanced and touching drama that well exceeded any expectations I had up front. Review

The lush cinematography and outstanding soundtrack set the stage for a bristling, touching relationship drama, the superb performances seal the deal. Review

The animation is splendid, the characters are extremely lovable, Kiki's growth feels earned and realistic and there isn't a single moment where the quality even dips just a smidgen. Review