Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

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

I don't think it's the grandest or most remarkable film ever made, but there's a baseline quality that hasn't faded in the slightest. Dark, dry wit, a can of excellent performances, deliberate styling choices and a series of iconic scenes make this a film that is armed to withstand the test of time. Review

With Junk Head, Hori delivers a sprawling sci-fi adventure, meticulously styled, set in a dark and perilous universe that harbors neat surprises around every corner. Review

Drunken Master II isn't quite as consistent, but it does deliver the goods. The pairing of Liu and Chan results in some of the coolest and frantic martial arts moments ever put on film, making it that much easier to forget about all the film's shortcomings. Review

Mortier delivers a mysterious, entrancing film that draws a lot of strength from its audiovisual qualities, but ultimately works because of the complex and captivating relationship between the two leads. Review

They are built on quirky fantasy elements, lots of visual flair, a fun vibe and a light narrative. And if something doesn't work, the insane pacing makes sure you won't remember it for long. There's nothing serious or overworked about these films, except maybe their eagerness to please and amuse. A Chinese Ghost Story III dazzles from the opening scene all the way through. Review

A perfect blend of the artsy and the fantastical, an experience rather than a narrative, a film that uses everything at its disposal to create something unique. Review

Regardless of what you think when the credits start to roll, this is a film that screams dedication and conviction, pushing the limits of what is deemed acceptable and respectable. And for that, it deserves praise. Review

Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter... and Spring isn't particularly groundbreaking or innovating, it's a comfortable arthouse film that relies on execution to win its audience over. The pleasant cinematography and extraordinary setting, the lovely score and the relatable themes make this one of Kim's most accessible films, perfect if you need an entry into his oeuvre. Review

There's a tiny amount of cultural kitsch present, but that's a given for blockbusters. Other than that, this film checks all the boxes. It's grand and epic, technically extremely proficient, it delivers fresh and exciting fantasy realms to explore and the pacing is excellent. Review