Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

Dancing Mary is a beautifully crafted, constantly surprising and joyous little film that entertains and delights, while also offering something extra to chew on for those who care. Review

An ambitious, raw, vibrant and energetic gem, sporting fine cinematography, a great soundtrack and some stand-out performances that all help to give birth to a unique universe. It's not a blind recommend for Iwai fans, but if you love off-beat and distinctive Japanese cinema, it's a must-see. Review

Wonogawa is a film with superb designs, overflowing with creative ideas, more than enough intriguing lore to fill at least three films and executed in a way that hides most of its financial struggles. Review

It's not quite as zany or extravagant as some of his other work, but there are plenty of vintage Miike moments that are sure to delight. Apart from the horrendous dialogues and stilted acting, this is another 120 minutes of creative and crazy entertainment. Review

The animation is absolutely stunning, the balance between fantasy and romance is perfect and the ending is quite challenging, which makes it, at least in my book, a better film than Your Name. Review

Hakuchi is quality film making, sporting a superb cast, a solid soundtrack and eye-popping cinematography. A slice of urban fantasy/retro sci-fi that mixes classic and contemporary cinema to great effect. Review

It's nice seeing a solid thriller coming out of Taiwan, a genre they're not commonly producing but clearly have the chops for. The result is an incredibly stylish, moody and enthralling film sporting lush cinematography, great sound design and a killer lead that keeps the audience on its toes until the very end. Review

Kai Doh Maru will not deliver a tight story or well-developed characters, but if you appreciate a unique art style, moody atmosphere and technical experimentation there's plenty to look forward to. I... Review

I expected just another mediocre 80s horror flick, but ended up with a stylish, perplexing and completely unique vampire film that hasn't lost much of its shine almost 40 years later. Review

This is a lush and beautiful-looking film, with powerhouse performances, strong drama and some very poignant scenes. Review

The horror bits are still up to par, the contraptions are as iconic as they are repulsive and the end twist is pretty cool, it just would've been better if the others elements of the film would've been on the same level. Review

The film is stylistically slightly more subdued compared to Ninagawa's other work, but all her core qualities are still very much present and No Longer Human is all the more interesting for it. Review

It looks stylish, boasts a fun soundtrack and delivers a quirky range of gangsters, ticking all the boxes that makes this niche great. A fine blend of crime and comedy, nothing more, nothing less. Review

Diner is tons of fun, grotesquely over the top and consistently surprising. Review

It kick-started an entire range of similar films that would go on to conquer the world. Ong-bak still stands as one of the better ones, with a superb central performance of Jaa, amazing fight and chase scenes and some of the most bone-crunching martial arts moves recorded on film. Review

Human, Space, Time and Human is a strong, visceral and aptly executed allegory. A rough ride that combines beauty and darkness in a way that invariably links them together as an inescapable part of the human condition. Review

It's a high-energy, tense and brash action/crime flick that has a few neat surprises up its sleeve, but is mostly geared at offering the best genre experience possible. Review

Fulltime Killer is a sprawling action/crime blend, bustling with cinematic joy and providing ample opportunities for To show off his unique talents. Stylish, fun and never a dull moment in sight. Review

A creative, stylistic and technical marvel that honors its fantasy elements in the best way possible. Review

A beautiful drama with some raw edges that thrives on a sublime score and killer central performances. Add a very strong ending and some memorable scenes and you have another Ki-duk classic that probably deserves a little more attention than it has been getting so far. Review

Chiwawa is a vibrant, confrontational and sincere drama, sporting sprawling cinematography, a great score and lively performances. Review

Stylistically it's clear this is a film from a bygone era, but Tanaka's superb sense of humor, several stand-out performances and a couple of very memorable scenes make Drive worth your while. Review

Promare is bonkers, hyperactive, grotesque and madcap, a dream come true for those who chase adrenaline cinema, executed in such a way that it oozes unbridled quality and creativity. Review

Gretel & Hansel is an extremely atmospheric film, with a strong cast, amazing cinematography and an exemplary use of its score. Review