10 Great Japanese Films

So apparently Darling and Honey Bunny have been discussing my taste in films lately. I don't have a problem with that and I'm actually thrilled that they're both interested in some of them! :3 I understand that some of what I watch is not everyones cup of tea, some is only liked by a select few. I've come up with a list that is comprised of a few that I think will have wide appeal.

Ichi:

A Snake Of June.

This is a beautiful but twisted film. The plot revolves around a woman being blackmailed by a nutcase who forces her into performing his perverted fantasies in public places. It's not porn, it is an amazing piece of art. It's presented in these beautiful blue/green hues and it rains for most of the film.

Ni: 

Tengoku to jigoku (Heaven and Hell) 

The English title of this film is actually High and Low. It was released in 1963, so it could've been a way to deflect notoriety from religious groups. Whatever the case, Akira Kurosawa's vision of the Japanese Hell (Jigoku) is one of the most stunning and haunting things I've ever seen in a film. Way, way ahead of its time and a great film all around.

San:

Ju-On: The Curse

Everyone and their brother knows about The Grudge and that it was based on the Japanese film, Ju-On. What some don't know is that before Ju-On was a theatrical release, it was a made for TV film in the year 2000. This and Ringu (The Ring) launched Black Hair Horror into the public eye and made Takashi Shimizu a sought after horror director.

Yon:

The Happiness of The Katakuris

Takashi Miike is world renowned as one of the kings of modern Japanese cinema. Films like Audition and Visitor Q are known for being strange and brutal, but it doesn't get much more bizarre than this. It's about a family that starts a guest house, but their guests don't survive the night. It's a musical, comedy and horror film rolled into one. I dare you not to enjoy this...

Go:

Suicide Club 

Japanese teenagers are killing themselves at an alarming rate. Whole classes jumping in front of trains, off roofs, what is going on?! Is it the Jpop group using subliminal messages? A strange internet bulletin board? A psychotic rock group? Watch and learn. Because the dead shine all night long...

Roku:

Tomie: Rebirth

Darling and Honey Bunny were discussing this last night, so I figured I'd add it. The Tomie films have always been popular, but this one moreso than the rest. With Shimizu directing, a larger budget and better production, it's not hard to see why. Tomie doesn't die, no matter how brutally she's murdered. I won't spoil the end for you, but it leaves room for another chapter... 14 years later, I'm still waiting! XD

Nana:

Angel Dust

Sogo Ishii doesn't get a lot of attention from most Japanophiles, but I'm not most Japanophiles! This is an amazing crime drama from 1994 with enough artistic flair and gore to satisfy any not most Japanophiles or anyone really. Severed hand in the dryer anyone? Weeeee!

Hachi: 

Freeze Me

This is one of my favorite films of all time. A woman is living a normal life with a fiance and a decent job. All of a sudden, her past literally shows up at her door. Gang raped as a teenager, her tormentors find her and want to relive past glory. Thrust into survival mode, she has to kill them. But what to do with the bodies? She begins storing them in freezers, but how long can she hold her life together and keep this all hidden?

Kyu:

Bullet Ballet

Shot in black and white (in 1998) Shinya Tsukamoto made and stars in this brilliant piece of action art. It's a fascinating journey of a man who has lost his love and then falls in with a gang of thugs who turn on him, then he seeks revenge.

Ju:

Battle Royale

If you haven't seen this yet, come out from under your rock, goddammit! Kinji Fukasaku's final masterpiece before his death. This is one of the most controversial films of all time. The plot: Children are out of control, they've no respect for authority and the world is in crisis. The solution? Promise them a field trip, gas them and transport them to an island where they get explosive collars strapped to their necks and must brutally kill one another until there's one left. It's powerful, gory and action packed. Must see material.

Rei~