Japanese Cinema

happiness of the katakuris
it's a bit odd.

I need to see this film, it looks utterly bonkers....

YouTube- Big Man Japan - Official Trailer [HD]

I would highly recommend The Castle of Cagliostro, Miyazaki's film version of Lupin III. It's actually quite European in it's style/theme, but still counts.

A Bitterswet LIfe is amazingly good.... Korean though.
reminded me of Brother in it's bleekness.

I haven't seen much Japanese cinema beyond what has been reccomended here.

On the otherhand, I can strongly advise looking at Korean cinema at the same time. Start with Sympathy For Mr. Vengance, Sympathy For Lady Vengance and Oldboy. Then perhaps Resurrection of the Little Match Girl.

On a more human note films like Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter... and Spring Again can be quite compelling.

From Hong Kong, do not try to watch all three Infernal Affairs movies in one night, it will hurt your branes. Do make sure you watch Hard Boiled. This is the best non-martial arts action movie ever. FACT

Shimotsuma Monogatari - "The Kamikaze Girls" - a bit girly but very, very funny - [URL="http://www.kamikazegirls.net/news.html"]

I really like Swallowtail Butterfly / Yentown.
Its a bit hard to describe because it includes almost every genre from social drama,
sci fi, gangster movie, music film etc.
Its a real gem. Probably impossible to get, send me an MSG.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SwallowtailButterfly%28film%29
YouTube- Illegal Chinese immigrants fighting in Japan (movie)

YouTube- Swallowtail Butterfly Opening

YouTube- Chara with Yen town band - My way

Also check out Tokyo Decadence

I rewatched howl's moving castle the other day, forgot how brilliant that was, what an incredible imagination these people have

I then watched Earthsea, which has the crappest storyline ever. I mentally gave it 2 stars, and they were both for the drawing skills

2 awesome films by the same director, whose name eludes me, are Twilight Samurai and The Hidden Blade. Both are reflective rather than action-y, but equally awesome.

what an incredible imagination these people have

racist. :)

Twilight Samurai is a fantastic film.

There is a lot of stuff coming out of Korea as well - Bittersweet Life was mentioned already - but for the best I highly recommend Brotherhood (Taegukgi) for one of the most wrenching war flicks ever made. Park-chan Wook's stuff as well.

Versus. Ridiculous, but awesome.

How did I not see this thread before!!!!
Anyway heres a few reccommendations:
Everything by Ryuhei kitamura: versus, azumi, aragami and if you liked versus check out death trance cos its pretty much the same film.
Miike wise, I agree very hit and miss but some good ones are Audition, Ichi the killer, Sukiyaki western django and my personal favourite Crows Zero
Survive style 5 (brilliant and it has Vinnie Jones in it!)
Kamikaze girls
Sakuran
Casshern

Can I also suggest that anyone who hasnt already seen Infernal affairs and A bittersweet life should go and do so. Those of you in leeds should check out www.eastasiancinema.com

Sorry for the long post, Im a bit of an East Asian film geek.

Dead or alive by miike takashi (sp) so brilliant that it has become my favorite film ever.
Ping pong also just for the soundtrack and the tagline:
rocky but with table tennis. It also is striking visually.

Shit also two great ones I saw on a plane:
ikegami about defined times of death.
And one which may be called note book about a kid who when he writes a name in a book that person dies.

The Hidden Blade, as mentioned above, is absolutely brilliant. Slow, but supreme.

In The Realm Of The Senses, was banned in the UK for 20 years. Superb.

Kagemusha is one of Steven Spielberg's favourite films. See why.

Spirited Away is from the Ghibli Studios, as is the afore mentioned gem, that is Howl's Moving Castle.
I absolutely hated the dreary misery of The Grave of Fireflies. Obviously an aquired taste.

When The Last Sword Is Drawn, is quite unique. It appeals to anyone that has loved a place, specially.
As long as that place is important, and has strong fond memories for the viewer, then the film will possibly make you cry.
It made me cry, both times when I watched it. 10/10.

I only mentioned Japanese cinema, as mooted by the OP. That said, I have grown attached to Korean cinema more.

The "Lone Wolf and Cub" films. Amazing.

Shit also two great ones I saw on a plane:
ikegami about defined times of death.
And one which may be called note book about a kid who when he writes a name in a book that person dies.

Death note is the one about the notebook, based on the manga and anime of the same name.

I have to agree with ga2g as well, the current wave of Korean cinema is really brilliant

all Takeshi Kitano films are pretty good

I rewatched howl's moving castle the other day, forgot how brilliant that was, what an incredible imagination these people have

I then watched Earthsea, which has the crappest storyline ever. I mentally gave it 2 stars, and they were both for the drawing skills

Yeah Earthsea was wank, made by his son and not at the approval of Hayao. Howl's is a proper grower though, was always going so suffer, coming straight after the majesty of Spirited Away, but a few years on it's shot right up there for me.

Yeah Earthsea was wank, made by his son and not at the approval of Hayao. Howl's is a proper grower though, was always going so suffer, coming straight after the majesty of Spirited Away, but a few years on it's shot right up there for me.

the movie of howls moving castle is nothing compared to the book... are most book > movies are

Have seen a coulpe of the films sugested in the thread and most have been amazing - so thanks! Going to try to find some of the Korean films mentioned too and give them a watch. Broken wrist = no riding, but lots of film watching. Swings and roundabouts and that.

about to watch tokyo gore school. i hope i can sleep tonight

Yeah Earthsea was wank, made by his son and not at the approval of Hayao. Howl's is a proper grower though, was always going so suffer, coming straight after the majesty of Spirited Away, but a few years on it's shot right up there for me.

I dunno how you guys think that Earthsea is bad - it's wonderful.....much moodier and slower paced. The storyline is just as good as any other, its just there's less fantastical animation. A really nice, mature direction for the Ghibli team to do IMO.

Korean Cinema:

Old Boy is rightly at the top of the tree. The other two in the Vengeance series, were not as accomplished.
Thirst, is a different take on vampirism, and none the worse for it.
Arahan is excellent martial arts escapism. I've watched about 5 times, and still am not tired of it.
Shiri is a cop versus bad guy, with a twist - action drama. Very adequate diversion.
The Isle. Disturbing, but brilliant. A tale of dangerous love, on water.