Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

The animation is exemplary, the art styles wildly original and the stories support the madness. There are two shorts that don't quite cut it, but the boundless quality of the others easily makes up for that. Review

Mirai is lushly animated, features a competent score and above average voice acting, but most of all it has a strong and beautiful heart that keeps the drama both relevant and touching. Review

Waititi's first feature is a perfect introduction to his body of work. There's loads of quirky comedy, the delivery is dry and disorienting, but the characters have soul and even though the film keeps throwing problems their way, it never gets too heavy-handed. Review

While the film is actually quite small in scale, it never feels cramped or limited, it just feels like a more modest part of a bigger whole. Add some beautiful imagery, a great soundtrack and solid acting and you have an impressive sci-fi film. Review

Cashback is a charming, inventive and dreamy coming-of-age romance with several stand-out moments and memorable ideas. Review

Radiance is a fine, accomplished, well-rounded Japanese drama. It's not a film that reinvents the genre, it's not a breathe of fresh air, but it's a beautiful, respectful and endearing film that charms the whole way through. Review

A breathe of fresh air. It's an exhilarating experience, a visual rollercoaster in the best sense of the word, but also a painful reminder of the unrealized potential that has bogged down US animation for the past 25 years. Review

Debie's cinematography is first class, the soundtrack is spot on, the dance routines are impressive and the final hour is Noé at his finest. Review

On the technical side the film is more accomplished than his earlier work, it contains more than enough quirky Miike touches and while certified strange and off-kilter, it's not all-out insane. Review

The confusing ambiguity, the constant mystery and the flawless presentation make The Book of Birdie into an intriguing film that stands well on its own. Review

Yuasa delivers a wildly original, splendidly executed and surprisingly emotional animation that defies categorization and comparison. Review

The film looks gorgeous, the story is smart and creative and even though there isn't that much actual action, it never gets dull. Review

It's a shame films like these are few and far between, on the other hand it does make Crank all the more special. Recommended for hardcore action fans, others should approach with caution. Review

It's an impressive film that neatly balances drama, romance and musical bits without letting any one thing overpower the rest. Review

Visually pleasing, it features a fine soundtrack and has a stellar lead actor that carries the film with ease. Review

A must-see film, especially for people who have a soft spot horror and experimental cinema, just be prepared for a little unevenness. Review

Shadow's eye-popping visuals amaze from start to finish and with all the other elements adequately covered there are plenty of stand-out scenes that have the potential to become pillars of the genre. Review

A unique experience, an amalgam of three different timelines that come together to create one dramatic romance. If you like Aronofsky's work, just watch it, it you can't stand the man, chances are this won't be for you either. Review

A fun, creative and modern coming of age drama, fueled by a strong drive to do things differently. Review

Han created a sprawling and aesthetically pleasing futuristic world with enough visual prowess to catapult you seamlessly through its 100 minute running time. Review

The Machinist thrives on a strong and gloomy atmosphere, intriguing characters and a stand-out performance. It's a film that goes beyond its novelty value and delivers a solid experience. Review

Features sprawling animation, an amazing art style and some wacky action, making it a blast from start to finish. Batman fans beware, anime fans rejoice. Review

A film for people who can handle weird and nonsensical comedy with a dash of horror. It's a crazy film, full of oddball characters, strange conversations and overstated emotions, executed in such a way that it becomes madly funny. Review

There is not a single element out of tune, the styling is lush and delicate, the action is spot on and every single scene is memorable. It's a must see for fans of crime cinema. Review