Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

The vibrant cinematography and the poppy score set the mood for a mix of light-hearted fun and more deep-digging drama, perfectly carried out by the actors. Review

The film feels delightfully maximalist, with sprawling sets and costumes, bigger-than-life performances, an epic storyline, and some eye-popping visuals. Review

Bad Lands is a ride, a film that takes a personal story and turns it into a sprawling crime film. The styling is pristine, Ando is exemplary and there isn't a boring moment in sight. Review

Loved Gun is a moody crime flick, built on an excellent cast and enriched with a layer of comedic touches, aptly hidden behind a veil of introspection and subdued stylistic choices. Review

In the hands of someone else, this could've been a decent but somewhat tepid drama, thanks to the direction of Igashi, the fine audiovisual presentation, and some strong performances by the two leads, Leave in Summer is a film that stands as one of the better Japanese dramas I've seen. Review

The excellent cinematography combined with a lush score, a dedicated crew, and impeccable technical skills make this film a fantastical adventure like no other. Review

The cinematography is on point, the performances are way above average and the action scenes are vibrant, everything is there to become a niche favorite. Review

The comedy is spot on, the cinematography is solid, the film works up to a strong crescendo and there are some very memorable scenes scattered throughout. Review

Thanks to the raw cinematography, the polished sound design, and some stellar performances it hits all its emotional notes, without failing its cinematic roots. Review

The stylish cinematography, the beautiful soundtrack, and two amazing central performances make this a lively and empathic LGBTQ+ romance, though lacking a few distinctive touches to turn itself into a strong personal favorite. Review

The cinematography is crazy, the performances are all-in and the score is fitting. Add to that a wildly entertaining and unique premise, and you have a film that lingers. Review

The animation is top-notch, the art styles are bold and out there, and with six separate stories to tell there's plenty of variation. Review

It's a neat mix of indie, arthouse, and horror elements, and it's nice to finally see South Korea venture in this direction. Review

There is no excess here and Iwai's youthful enthusiasm creates a lovely blend of traditional drama and genre elements, resulting in a condensed bundle of joy. From the pleasant cinematography to the outspoken score and the standout performances, this is the kind of film that establishes a filmmaker. Review

Thanks to the lush cinematography, the superb score, and several beautiful dance choreographies this is way more than the umpteenth inspirational sports flick. Review

Poor Things is a fun, brave, and creative film that manages to surprise on every level, mixing a unique universe with spectacular performances and stylistic prowess. Review

The overall quality is well above average, with peaks for the performances and the narrative drama, slowly working itself up to an emotional crescendo without ever getting sentimental. Review

It's not a film that will win over the masses, but it is unique and the execution is well above average. If you're looking for something weird, original, and funny, fully dedicated to its genre and aiming to surprise from start to finish, look no further than Mad Cats. Review

Under the Light is pure visual bliss, a film that bathes in color and light and leaves no frame untouched to explore the limits of how far you can push the cinematography. Review

Thanks to Damien Lewis' stellar performance, a very visceral style of direction, and a sublime finale the film hits like a sledgehammer, which I can only applaud. Review

Strong and fitting performances, superb editing, stylish cinematography, and a moody score all add to an intriguing film that was pretty meaty to begin with. Review

The mysterious setup, the stylish cinematography, and the solid performances all contribute to a lovely drama that neatly balances genre and arthouse elements. Review

The gritty look and grungy score accentuate the pent-up anger that runs underneath the film, while some spirited performances make sure that the dramatic side hits its targets. Katsumi Sasaki should be proud of what he accomplished here. Review

My Father, the Bride is a bright and endearing Japanese comedy, mixing island appeal with dry, quirky comedy and queer themes, but doing it in such a way that it feels fresh and exciting. Review