Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

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

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