Japanese Movies you must see!

[Pureboy]

Edit: Keep this Anime-Free! Post Anime on that other thread.
Simple- list the movie, director, and why its a must-see. I could write pages, so I'll start with the absolute best, but please add your own, or challenge what has been written!

Akira Kurosawa:

His Best

Seven Samurai - Should be within the top 5 films of all time. Don't let the looong running time dissuade you. Fantastic characters, great action, and a good lesson in class struggle in feudal Japan. The direction is incredible, and I'm pretty sure this film invented the training montage (not set to 80's music tho), "enemies coming up over the hill" shot, and some great use of multi-layered tracking.

Yojimbo - you know those movies where the anti-hero plays enemies against each other? They all owe a huge debt to this movie. The first Samurai-Western, and Mifune is a total badass.

High and Low - Worth it for the first half of the film, and Kurosawa's incredible use of a small space. The second half is pure police procedural.

The Bad Sleep Well - Telling that this tale of corporate greed could take place today with only minor updates.

Ran - King Lear as a samurai epic. Again, long movie, but incredible use of color, and an intense war scene. All the more fantastic considering Kurosawa was practically blind when he directed it.

His Very Good

Rashomon - I think its a bit overrated, but its multiple-perspective sequencing make it an oft-emulated film.

Ikiru - Not perfect, I think the voiceover intro is unnecessary, but a great parable about mortality, social change, and the madness of bureaucracy. See it before Tom Hanks remakes it.

Throne of Blood - Macbeth as Noh theater. The final action scene, done with real archery is astounding.

His Okay (but still great compared to most of what is out there)

Red Beard
Drunken Angel
Stray Dog
The Lower Depths
Sanjuro
The Hidden Fortress
I Live in Fear
Sanshiro Sugata
Dreams

His Meh

Rhapsody in August
Dodeskaden

I haven't seen the others.

[Schnoogs]

I think you named the one and only good director...unless we're counting anime

[Adam Blue]

I'm kinda lazy...so here are just the movie titles.

Azumi
Ichi the Killer
Wild Zero

There are probably some others.

[KingGorilla]

No one can live without seeing Audition.

[Pureboy]

NO ANIME! I love it, but there is enough to talk about in live-action.

[Pureboy]

I'm kinda lazy...so here are just the movie titles.

Azumi
Ichi the Killer
Wild Zero

There are probably some others.After Versus and the rediculousness (but still campy awesomeness) that was Godzilla: Final Wars, I could bear to even try Azumi- same director. I know plenty of people will disagree with me, but I found Versus to be overdone, repetitive, and boring. Filming an action horror with a low budget doesn't mean having the same character jump out and get shot for the 50th time is amusing or remotely interesting. Final Wars was fun when the rubber suits were on, but all the live action looked like a bad episode of Power Rangers.

[Krispy]

I have yet to watch them, but the two live action Death Note movies are supposed to be pretty good. Keep in mind I have never read the manga or seen the anime, but the plot has me pretty interested. I think I will give them a watch later tonight.

[Pureboy]

They are both good, besides one really silly use of bullet-timeish effects. There is also a spinoff film with one of the main characters, but don't even look at a plot synopsis for that one, as it contains a big spoiler from the second Death Note.

[VerseD]

Other than Kurosawa's movies, the only Japanese film I can heartily recommend is Kikujiro (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199683/). It's about some deadbeat guy, played by Takeshi Kitano from that Zatoichi remake a few years back, who helps a kid find his family. It's quirky and humorous in a Little Miss Sunshine kind of way.

I also like Tokyo-Ga (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090182/), the ode to 1980s Tokyo and Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu by German documentarian Wem Wenders. The movie is edited like one of Werner Herzog's films, as Wenders looks for antebellum Japan in modernizing Tokyo. The incredible photography partially inspired Sophia Coppola's Lost In Translation.

The Hidden Fortress

Hidden Fortress is certainly not Kurosawa's best, but its definitely worth seeing if you're a fan of Star Wars. The basic plot of A New Hope was lifted directly from this movie, especially the C-3PO and R2-D2 characters.

Toshiro Mifune plays the Obi Wan character and has some bad ass action scenes, including an unforgettable one where he chases guys down on a horse.

[muddi900]

I've heard Yasujiro Ozu is quite good as well. Anybody seen his stuff??

[Bingley Joe]

The one that springs immediately to mind is After Life, (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165078/) directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.

It's an absolutely fascinating, hilarious, and insanely touching film about a group of people who - after having died - are asked to select one memory each from their past-lives, which is then re-created and filmed by the people working at the 'centre' they are required to stay at over the course of a week (presumably this is some sort of purgatory). Once their memory has been filmed, they are free to go, and will cary their memory with them for eternity..

It's a bit tricky to explain, but trust me -- it's an excellent film.

[Carnifex]

I think you named the one and only good director...unless we're counting anime
Really? I have to assume then that you haven't seen anything by Takeshi Kitano, Shinya Tsukamoto, Kiyoshi Kurosawa or Shunji Iwai.

I keep seeing much love for Azumi and Versus around the net. For the record, I thought both were crap. :D

[destoo]

With halloween coming up, there are a lot of horror movies that must be seen. Even if some of them do have ok Hollywood treatment (like Ringu..), most of the original are still way better.

[DangerousDaze]

Casshern by Kazuaki Kiriya's pretty good if you're into sci-fi, if a little trippy at times.

[NoName]

No one can live without seeing Audition.

Audition was... "special".

For horror, everyone should see Tale of Two Sisters. It's a really great movie with an interesting twist.

For the "WTF is wrong with Japan" genre, everyone should see Suicide Club at least once. Really.

[Squidbot]

Casshern by Kazuaki Kiriya's pretty good if you're into sci-fi, if a little trippy at times.

It's bobbins. Great visuals, but a triumph of style over substance.

[Pureboy]

The one that springs immediately to mind is After Life, (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0165078/) directed by Hirokazu Koreeda.+1 After Life is great!I've heard Yasujiro Ozu is quite good as well. Anybody seen his stuff??I watched Tokyo Story for my Japanese Cinema class in college. After everything I read about Ozu and his style, I was disappointed. Most everything is filmed at tatami-height, and the pacing is slice-of-life rather than plot-centered. I'm fine with slow-paced movies, but you need the patience of Buddha to make it through his films. I wound up fast-forwarding most of the movie and speed-reading the subtitles. The theme and plot was interesting, if you could stay awake.

The fact that most of his movies have similar plots (Confucian values: duty and respect to parents vs modern responsibilities and attitudes), and use the same actors makes me think that if you've seen one Ozu film, you've basically seen them all.

Other than Kurosawa's movies, the only Japanese film I can heartily recommend is Kikujiro (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0199683/).
...
I also like Tokyo-Ga (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0090182/), the ode to 1980s Tokyo and Japanese filmmaker Yasujiro Ozu by German documentarian Wem Wenders.
...
Hidden Fortress is certainly not Kurosawa's best, but its definitely worth seeing if you're a fan of Star Wars.
Kikujiro is good, but there are better Kitano films out there. Much of the humor is based on the fact that Takeshi Kitano is playing against type in this role. In his superior films Sonatine, Fireworks, and all of his previous films that he directs and stars in, he plays a badass fearless Yakuza or cop. Those, Violent Cop (Translation of original title: This guy is crazy!), and Kids Return are all great, and of course, his Zatoichi remake is interesting. I think he has a very Scorsese-like sense of violence. Brother, with Omar Epps, was an attempt at American mainstream (I think), but isn't as good as his others. His newer films poke more fun at his reputation, or try to be a bit more Michel Gondry or Kaufman-esque. He used to be a stand-up comic, game show host (that old Spike show was a re-dubbing of his Takeshi's Castle), and has a few shows on TV, including a strange international debate show.

I have to check out Tokyo-Ga! Thanks for the info.

Really? I have to assume then that you haven't seen anything by Takeshi Kitano, Shinya Tsukamoto, Kiyoshi Kurosawa or Shunji Iwai.

I keep seeing much love for Azumi and Versus around the net. For the record, I thought both were crap. :DAdd in Kihachi Okamoto, Kenji Mizoguchi, Nagisa Oshima, Juzo Itami, Kinji Fukusaku, and Ishiro Honda for good measure. I'll have to get to them later...

[menage]

Battle Royale!

Stay well clear of 2 though.

The Great Yokai War is pretty different as well. Not a must see but it's worth a watch.

[Pureboy]

Battle Royale!

Stay well clear of 2 though.

The Great Yokai War is pretty different as well. Not a must see but it's worth a watch.Battle Royale is fantastic, and from what I know, Fukusaku's best. He died while filming the sequel, and his son took over- that might be why its so bad. I haven't seen part 2, though.

BR is one of those classic dystopic commentaries on society like Escape from New York, plus its lots of fun. Check out the Special Edition for added scenes (such as flashbacks), dialogue in the final scene, and even MORE CG blood.

Fukusaku is also famous for his Battles Without Honor or Humanity series, 5 films made within 2 years directly after (and heavily influenced by) Godfather. I wouldn't suggest slogging through all 5 like I did, but the first one or two are worth watching. Interesting because of the demeanor of the hero, and that the guy who causes most of the problems never gets his comeuppance in 5 films. Also, the sheer number of characters are so confusing that each new one needs an informational title, as well as when a character gets killed. Watch for Sonny Chiba chewing serious scenery as a villain in #2.

Either way, watch Battle Royale! Not for the squeamish, but fun!

[Sandman]

I own:

Seven Samurai
Ran
Rashomon
Throne of Blood

have seen:

Yojimbo
The Hidden Fortress

All are recommended.

[Lint of Death]

Seven Samurai

My film theory teacher, who had such great praise for Seven Samurai, arranged for our class to watch it with him in a fellow student's home theater. By the time the film ended I was the only one still awake.

Honestly it doesn't help that the movie's revolutionary techniques in composition and narrative are better utilized by modern works like Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

[Lance Uppercut]

Battle Royale!

The book is much better though (not manga books, but a novel with words in it).

Several people have recommended various Takeshi Miike movies, but nobody's mentioned Happiness of the Katakuris yet. Zombie comedy horror musical? Yes please.

[Sandman]

My film theory teacher, who had such great praise for Seven Samurai, arranged for our class to watch it with him in a fellow student's home theater. By the time the film ended I was the only one still awake.

Honestly it doesn't help that the movie's revolutionary techniques in composition and narrative are better utilized by modern works like Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Some people are allergic to black and white images with words along the bottom.

[Krispy]

I watched the live action adaptation of Death Note tonight and all in all I thought it was well done, but it just felt like it didn't completely owe up to its potential. I think it is fair to say it picked up steam as it moved along with the beginning seeming a bit disjointed and with the introduction of "L" really forwarding the plot. I guess what I felt lacked most was an introduction to the main character, Light. I was just kind of expected to accept that he is a genius and expert in everything and has a motivation to kill people. From what I understand of the anime/manga he is characterized as a calculating genius who is simply so bored with his life he decides to take up the most dangerous game of all, killing. I think I would have liked that vision of Light more. I'll see the sequel when I get the chance but IMDB seems to suggest it isn't nearly as good as the first.

[MalReynolds]

i hate American remakes of Japanese horror movies

[digitalErich]

It's bobbins. Great visuals, but a triumph of style over substance.
Yep, a as a bonus you get to sit through a lot of those philosophy 101 babbling monologues usually reserved for anime.

[Gitaroomaan]

I recommend Samurai Rebellion, Toshirô Mifune is a badass. Another great movie (more modern) is The Twilight Samurai, AKA Tasogare Seibei. I think it won or was at least nominated for an Oscar a few years ago.

[Pureboy]

I recommend Samurai Rebellion, Toshirô Mifune is a badass. Another great movie (more modern) is The Twilight Samurai, AKA Tasogare Seibei. I think it won or was at least nominated for an Oscar a few years ago.If you liked Samurai Rebellion, check out the Mifune-less but superior Hara-Kiri (or Seppuku), by the same fantastic director, Masaki Kobayashi. The theme is the same, but Tatsuya Nakadai is incredible, and the slow burn of the movie... just see it. If I made a top 10 list of all-time best Japanese movies, it would easily be in the top 3.

Twilight Samurai is also a great movie- light on action but heavy on character.

[Cactaur]

For those who prefer light hearted stuff can try Shinobu Yaguchi's stuff. Notable ones are Waterboys and Swing Girls, and a new one called Happy Flight coming soon.

[Carnifex]

If you liked Samurai Rebellion, check out the Mifune-less but superior Hara-Kiri (or Seppuku), by the same fantastic director, Masaki Kobayashi. The theme is the same, but Tatsuya Nakadai is incredible, and the slow burn of the movie... just see it. If I made a top 10 list of all-time best Japanese movies, it would easily be in the top 3.
Seppuku was actually my introduction to "classic" japanese films. I caught it on TV purely by chance many years ago, and was glad I did. The slow pacing works very well in the story, and there is some great cinematography in there. Awesome movie, a must-see.

[Inspector Fowler]

Hana-bi. I liked it a lot.

Twilight Samurai was also good.

I like Dreams by Kurosawa not because it's necessarily good, but because he really captures the feel of many of my dreams as well.

[shunoshi]

Sharkskin Man and Peach Hip Girl by Katsuhito Ishii. It's a fun movie and stars Tadanobu Asano from Ichi the Killer.

[KingGorilla]

Some people are allergic to black and white images with words along the bottom.

The sad state of our education system.

[Sandman]

The sad state of our education system.

Sad but true.

[pomeroy]

Ringu. Still really good.

[Squidbot]

Not really the same category, but Brother is great. Takeshi Kitano is such a bad mofo.

[AbeLincoln]

Yay for good recommendations! Though I haven't seen these mentioned.

For comedy get Mitani Koki's
"Rajio no Jikan (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133170/)" English Title "Welcome back Mr. McDonald"
AND/OR
"Uchoten Hoteru (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0498587/)" English Title "Suite Dreams"

They are fantastically funny.

My no questions favorite Japanese movie though is:
Tampopo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/)

AWESOME, AWESOME movie, I've lost count of how many times I've watched it. Explores the many ways we interact with food while making you laugh, cry, crave ramen, and get an erection. NO JOKE! Check it out!

[OrigamiPanther]

My no questions favorite Japanese movie though is:
Tampopo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/)

AWESOME, AWESOME movie, I've lost count of how many times I've watched it. Explores the many ways we interact with food while making you laugh, cry, crave ramen, and get an erection. NO JOKE! Check it out!
I absolutely 2nd this (well, maybe minus the erection part). Such a good movie that took the idea of a "spaghetti western" to an interesting parody.

[DangerousDaze]

How could I forget Tampopo? The greatest noodle movie of all time!

/edit - also while I remember, though technically not a Japanese movie, Mishima is worth a watch if for nothing else but the excellent Philip Glass soundtrack.

[PathMaster]

Battle Royale, book is also good.
After Life, was suggested on EvAv awhile a go by someone. I grabbed it and was very impressed. I told lots of people about it and none of them wanted to see it. It scared them to come up with what their own memory would be.

[shunoshi]

My no questions favorite Japanese movie though is:
Tampopo (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092048/)

AWESOME, AWESOME movie, I've lost count of how many times I've watched it. Explores the many ways we interact with food while making you laugh, cry, crave ramen, and get an erection. NO JOKE! Check it out!

Never seen nor heard of this. Netflix doesn't have it available either. :(

[DiBiddilyBop]

Everyone needs to see Infernal Affairs. It's the movie that The Departed was based off of, and is far superior.

Fulltime Killer is also pretty good, albeit a bit cheesy.

[pomeroy]

Waitaminute, can I say Oldboy?

Cuz, seriously. OLDBOY.

[AbeLincoln]

Oldboy is a Korean movie yo.

Also if you can't find Tampopo...
It's too bad you don't live in Seattle, Scarecrow video could hook you up. But yeah if it can't be found normally. You may want to find someone who would "share" through some sort of peer on peer action...

[pomeroy]

Oldboy is a Korean movie yo.

Also if you can't find Tampopo...
It's too bad you don't live in Seattle, Scarecrow video could hook you up. But yeah if it can't be found normally. You may want to find someone who would "share" through some sort of peer on peer action...

Ah. Well...I still say Oldboy. Because it is awesome. Even if it isn't Japanese.

[Inspector Fowler]

I liked Infernal Affairs, but I liked the Departed a lot more than I liked the first 1/3rd of Infernal Affairs. As a trilogy, though, it's excellent and the third movie was very emotionally satisfying to me.
It's also not Japanese, though. It's Hong Kong cinema. :D

[Cactaur]

I felt Brother (Aniki) was the weakest of Takeshi Kitano's stuff.

Wasabi was quite good if you're a Jean Reno fan, also try the Japanese version of Shall We Dance. So much better than that J.Lo drivel.

[DangerousDaze]

If we're allowing South Korean movies then you have to see Natural City - one the best sci-fi movies to come out in recent years, period.

[Krispy]

I finally finished the second Death Note movie. It really is a part two more than a sequel since it came out only 10 or so months after the first and literally picks up the scene the last movie left off. Anyways, I felt it was a much stronger film than the first one but the actor who played Light still did a shitty job acting. Regardless, it was what his character did rather than how he did it that was interesting and as far as the plot was concerned, it was a rather entertaining film with many loops and turns. I realize the plot elements were ripped straight from the manga but I think that just goes to show how good of an adaptation the movies were that they could reproduce that same kind of thrill. I understand there was a lot of condensing and rewriting in the ending, could anyone tell me how the end plays out in manga/anime? Since the movie ends pretty much half way through the manga series I know there must have been major revisions.

[Zonkuya]

Waterboys and Swing Girls

I'll give you one better and recommend the best of both worlds with NODAME CANTABILE. It stars one of the male lead from Waterboys and one of the female leads from Swing Girls, mixed with "light hearted stuff" that actually has a deeper storytelling underneath.

YES, I know it's adapted from the manga which is now anime-ted, but the live-action version is THE BEST way to experience it. If you watch the series in 3-4 episode batches (essentially making them "TV movies") it'll be a lot more satisfying. Considering there are only 11 hour-long episodes and 2 Christmas specials (2 hours each) you could probably finish in a month or two if you watch on weekends or something.

I don't want to give too much away, but the story is about CLASSICAL MUSIC that DOESN'T really stay TOO classy. It's slice-of-life, feel-good, funny, high production values kind of series. It wants you to believe that it is predictable, but the show is far from it. It also has that Japanese-style storytelling where the subject matter gets "technical" (which is awesome) and is of the zero2hero type genre.

Really, I can't recommend this series enough.

[thomas]

Violent Cop (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098360/). He pretty much goes around beating the crap out of people. Awesome movie.

[PathMaster]

I have heard some interesting things about Yo Yo Cop. Never seen it though.