Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

Call Boy is a very direct, somewhat impenetrable yet beautiful and ultimately touching film that relies on sublime styling and great performances to craft a dark and alluring universe. Review

It's a film that combines a myriad of crazy ideas and styles, blending black comedy, musical and claymation as if it was the most normal thing in the world. Review

A few minor nuisances aside, The Brand New Testament is a smart, funny and original film that charms all the way through. Review

Despite its rather strong reliance on CG, it doesn't feel like Re-cycle has aged all that much. Superb cinematography, sharp editing, a very moody score and some truly creative world building all help to keep the film fresh, attractive and most importantly, original. Review

While not amongst his very best, this is another upbeat, hilarious and delightfully directed Miki comedy that easily entertains and has a string of memorable scenes that make it well worth the watch. Review

Quite simply put, there's no film like Tears of the Black Tiger out there. It's a mad blend of western and soap drama, wrapped in Thai goodness, rendered in the craziest color combos imaginable and sporting one of the cheesiest soundtracks I've ever heard. Review

Hidden Man is an insanely entertaining, clever, tongue in cheek revenge flick that features a stellar cast, stylish visuals and some very solid action sequences. Review

Love on Sunday is an endearing film with a warm, summery vibe, strong performances and effective drama without any false sentiment. Review

If on the other hand you're looking for an edgy, fresh and challenging genre film, then do yourself a favor and give Downey's first a fair chance. Review

Fiendishly amusing, darkly funny and pleasantly sadistic. Review

Not everyone is going to love this film, but that's okay. It's a bit of a weird beast with a very peculiar sense of humor. I'm sure though that there are just as many people out there who are going to love this film to bits. Review

A.I. Rising is a slice of juicy, old-fashioned science fiction. Review

The film looks beautiful, the core drama is intriguing, ambiguous and heightened by minor fantastical elements and the payoff is more than satisfying. I found it very easy to forgive the film some bumps along the road, but your mileage may vary. Review

It strikes a difficult balance between shock, amusement and absurdity that is better experienced than explained. Though there is some technical decay noticeable, Battle Royale is still an amazing experience. Review

Blue Spring is well-balanced, featuring a great cast, intriguing characters and a director with not only a clear vision, but also the ability to execute that vision flawlessly. Review

The Shadow Play is a film that will appeal to crime/thriller fans who don't mind a more solemn approach to the genre, or to arthouse fans who don't mind deep-rooted genre elements driving the narrative. Review

Nakashima's style is unique, different and overwhelming, and the best thing about it is that he doesn't hold back at all. Review

There's quite a lot of quirkiness to get through, but on the other side of that lies a beautifully made, emotionally touching and deeply humane drama. Review

Soderbergh pursues a unique and particular sense of humour that is sure to confuse and irritate people who are hoping to see a more coherent film. Review

It's a pleasant, easy and slightly challenging watch that leaves you wanting more. Review

Paris Is Us is not an easy watch. It's a film that challenges its viewers, digs deep into its main characters and chases an entire city's state of being. Review

Sick Nurses is a film that will appeal to genre fans who appreciate a film that knowingly and expertly breaks some of the established rules in order to create something a little different. Review

A powerhouse performance by Yu Aoi, some rather stylish visuals and a highly atmospheric soundtrack make this a standout entry that highlights Shiraishi's talents. Review

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