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Initial thoughts? "Oh no, not another one of those unnecessary Dracula movies. Like most of these, this one will probably go straight to DVD and end up with a 3,4 score on IMDb".

But what a surprise: What We Do in the Shadows is one hell of a movie. Everything about it pulls you straight in: the small details, every new character that is introduced, the story as a whole. Almost immediately, we re-watched it twice with friends and I re-watched it once by myself. Now that doesn't happen often...

At the moment that I write this review, the score is 7,6. Not far off, but it deserves even a bit more. And that for a Dracula-style movie... Hats off. So thumbs up if you like Biskety!

There is much talk about 21st century women turning away from emancipation. Or at least from inconvenient parts of it, like struggling, uniting, committing, and unattractive hassles like 'thinking things through thoroughly'. 50 Shades of Grey is part of that movement, but more importantly: the audience full of bitter 40-something women are exactly that.

There is something very wrong with the semi-whispered remarks, the uncomfortable giggles and the disingenuous laughter - the atmosphere in the theater is almost poisonous. Come to think of it: the atmosphere is somewhere around 5 shades of grey, all shades in the very dark and gloomy spectrum. I used to find these observations about 'women my age' confusing and worrying, but nowadays I find them fascinating, so I sat all the way through this movie. What an insufferable drag.

Days later I ran across a remark from Jim Jefferies: "To all the people that like 50 Shades of Grey... Have you heard about porn? I think it will blow your mind!". That says it all - happy April 18th y'all!

This documentary shows the uphill struggle of an outstanding man. Norman Finkelstein is arguably the only one who is bent on resolving the Isreal-Palestine conflict. In his methodical research, he focuses on what the United Nations say, what international law says, what people and organizations in Israel and Palestine say. His conclusion is that -contrary to popular belief- the conflict is not overly complicated nor controversial: Israel, backed by the United States and European governments, simply does not adhere to international law and blocks a peaceful settlement of the agreement. Watch a two hour lecture on YouTube, and decide for yourself how strong his case is.

That is exactly the weak point of the documentary: it shows someone who swims against the current, but why this man keeps going is not well shown. You get the feeling that Finkelstein had better let it go since it is no use fighting. But had the film maker even only briefly summarized the content of Finkelsteins case, it would be clear why. And the audience would bond with him. I think that is a missed opportunity.

Of course the film makers had to stop somewhere, but the sad fact is that since the assault on Gaza, end of 2008, and the shameful treatment of the Goldstone report, international public opinion has shifted significantly and a lot has happened. Our governments are pressuring Israel to stop the settlements and to change its course. People see through the 'anti-semite' or 'self hating Jew'-argument, with which some try to divert all critique of Israel. The documentary does not touch on that, which calls for a sequel!

All in all very interesting, but investing two hours on YouTube to watch a lecture is many times more powerful and enlightening.

PS: I saw this movie at the IDFA in Amsterdam.