Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

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

The splendid animation and detailed art style, the wondrous score and quality dubbing and the imaginative fantasy elements support a wealth of well-grounded themes, giving life to this epic undertaking. Review

The styling is on point, the actors know what they're doing, and the film gets progressively crazier and dafter. This is everything I want from a good black comedy, and Wirkola's execution is spotless. Review

The atmospheric cinematography, the strong performances and the intriguing lore make this a fun yet challenging manga adaptation that captivates from start to finish. Review

It's not the most stylistic or polished film, but Hamaguchi's focus lies elsewhere. A superb cast, intriguing characters and electrifying conversations paint a picture of likeable, 3-dimensional people who find themselves in somewhat awkward situations. Review

A Very Long Engagement is a more than worthy successor to Amélie. The film isn't quite as good, but the way Jeunet avoids most common pitfalls is laudable. Review

The hellish setting, Tippet's fantastical creations, the intricate and lush stop-motion animation and the inspired camera work add up to a trip that knows no equal. Review

It's a unique film that thrives on mood, appears polished all the way through, and offers familiar themes in a novel and often surprising genre package. Review

Ikeda keeps digging up new surprises and reiterating on old ones, which kept the comedy fresh and had me constantly guessing what he would come up with next, even when the vibe of the film itself is extremely singular and one-note. Review

The creepy vampires, the polished cinematography and moody soundtrack only enhance the icy dread. It's not a film that is going to grow beyond its target audience, but if you love a dark, brooding horror flick with some pleasant flashes of gore, then it's difficult to imagine 30 Days of Night will disappoint. Review

The beautiful cinematography, the stylish score and the raw performances make for a powerful and entrancing experience, establishing Umemura as a potential future stronghold of Japanese arthouse. Review

The imaginative designs, the cinematic presentation and the dedication to deliver original lore make this a fantastical adventure that kept me gasping for air until the very end. Review

It's not an audiovisual wonder, and it may skip over some expectations of the road movie genre, but the characters are appealing and layered, while the performances are beyond stellar. Review

Patrick Ridremont serves a delightful mix of horror and dark fantasy, with stylish visuals, a fitting soundtrack, a solid cast and a great ending to boot. Review

The colorful and vibrant cinematography, the hilarious soundtrack and the spot-on performances all feed the darkly comedic and grotesque atmosphere that adds flavor to a pretty basic crime story. Review

Not only are the dynamic camera work, spirited performances and insanely choreographed action scenes a pleasure to behold, there's also not an ounce of fat to the film. Review

An arsenal of quirky characters, terrific cinematography, a meticulously detailed universe and an incredible ease that defies belief, considering the extreme density. This is vintage Anderson. Review

The premise is original, the visuals are bold and colorful and the performances are on point. Office Royale serves action and comedy in equal measures and does so with plenty of flair. Review

The Bastard and the Beautiful World has everything I expect from a good anthology film. It is eclectic, creative, no weak links and each short comes with its own fun surprises. Review

A beautiful fever dream that transports you to the seedy underbelly of a different place and time, built on dazzling cinematography, a well-tailored score and excellent performances. Review

Titane is a powerhouse feature, made with a bold signature, confidently blending genre and drama elements while tackling contemporary issues in the best of cinematic ways. Review

Sleepless Beauty combines clinical torture porn with diabolical science experiments, maximizing impact with a terrific score and some inventive visual touches. The result is a smart, surprising and visceral take on a familiar concept. Review

At its core, it's a very basic genre film, but the exquisite styling, haunting soundtrack and involved performances make it an enthralling ride that lets the film transcend its genre roots. Review