I've made it!

   30 days and 30 films later and happier than ever.

  I'm writing this post in advance because on the 16th of October I'll be somewhere in Borneo among orangutans, pygmy elephants and baby turtles. Chances are that I'll be cruising the river kinabatangan or maybe just relaxing in Pulau Tiga. I'm only sure that I won't be working, that I won't have my laptop on me, no internet and I will not watch a film! See you all back in Saigon folks! I'll try my best to show up as tanned and happy as possible!

Day 30: Saving Private Ryan

Saving Private Ryan | 1998 | USA | Steven Spielberg

7.2 / 10

   I think this film is completely overrated and it stands miles away from Apocalypse Now or Full Metal Jacket.
   It's well done and technically exceptional. It's raw and realistic (exception made for the typical "Spielberg ending"). It's well acted but nothing outstanding. Great cinematography but not engaging. It surely didn't live up to my expectations.

Day 29: Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver | 1976 | USA | Martin Scorsese

9 / 10

"Listen, you fuckers, you screwheads. Here is a man who would not take it anymore. A man who stood up against the scum, the cunts, the dogs, the filth, the shit. Here is a man who stood up." 

5 reasons to watch Taxi Driver:

1. It's the ultimate Martin Scorsese's masterpiece.

2. It's one of the greatest films of all time.

3. Not a single line was wasted, not a single frame was meaningless.

4. It was perfectly shot, beautifully directed,  superbly acted, amazingly edited.

5. Takes you on an amazing journey into the twisted, disturbed and psychologically complex mind of Travis Bickle.

Now just stop reading about it and watch it.

Day 28: Boyhood

Boyhood | 2014 | USA | Richard Linklater

6.9 / 10

   Boyhood is probably one of the most overrated movies of the decade.
   I don't care how a movie was made, I care for the result. And to be honest, I can think of better ways to spend 12 years directing movies.
   It's not a bad movie but it's not great either. Nothing was particularly amazing. It lacks substance and it's mundane. The performances are inconsistent, it was way too long and a lot of events shouldn't have made it to the screen. But they did. All the landmarks are there. And why? Because of the concept that seemed to obsessed everyone except me. You can't miss a thing even if it's not adding anything to the story. Even if it's meaningless. 
   Do me a favor and pretend for a second that this movie was made in 10 months. Now tell me how good it was.

Day 27: The Godfather: Part III

The Godfather: Part III | 1990 | USA | Francis Ford Coppola

7.9 / 10

The Godfather Part III or How to single handedly ruin a film.

   The Godfather Part III is the weakest of the trilogy and it owes it to Sofia Coppola's performance who takes it down a notch. If you can get over it, which isn't easy, you realize it's actually not a bad film at all. 

    The story is about an old Michael, haunted by the ghosts of his past, trying to protect his family and trying to find someone to continue his work. The way Al PAcino carried his character until the end is absolutely brilliant and leads to an epic ending! Andy Garcia also gives an outstanding performance and his energy shines. 

    The Godfather Part III is a solid film, well written, partially well acted and gives a great closure to the trilogy. 

Day 26: Raging Bull

Raging Bull | 1980 | USA | Martin Scorsese

8.4 / 10

"You didn't get me down, Ray."

    There's only one film like Raging Bull. And that's Raging Bull. 34 years have passed by and no boxing film ever came close.

    This film is a magnificent piece of art with flawless acting. Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci's performances are outstanding.

      There's no message to learn. There's psychotic violence. Blood in the ring and psychological violence outside. It's ambitious, it's heavy, and it lives up to all the expectations I could have ever had.

   

Day 25: Schindler's List

Schindler's List | USA | 1993 | Steven Spielberg

7.9 / 10

"Power is when we have every justification to kill, and we don't."

  I'm not a big fan of Steven Spielberg and this film didn't change my mind. I think he's a wonderful story teller but not an outstanding director. 

   The Schindler's List  is a remarkable film that everyone should watch. Fantastic writing, strong script, powerful story... a well done heart touching film. The big issue for me is towards the end, it gets overly preachy. I guess like always Spielberg just couldn't hep himself.