Kairo and Oldboy are obvious choices for beginners. After this, check out films by Akira Kurosawa, Yasujiro Ozu, Takashi Miike (just don't watch Visitor Q first!) etc.

ah yes.......babycart :D

and if you are having yojimbo you have to include sanjuro

heresy



nice 2 disc SE out here

Re: Recomendations for a novice
 

honestly it depends on what type of movies you enjoy, plenty of action and horror along with most other genres

I love Visitor Q. My other half picked it up and we thought it was excellent. Not sure what sort of film you would class it as and it's certainly not your typical Takashi Miike film.

Other films of interest:
A Chinese Torture Chamber Story, not what it sounds like and it's got some flying ninjas with kick ass sex techniques!?:p
Dumplings (which I think has a shorter version on the three extremes disc?) Weird but fasinating little tale.
Story of Ricky, for martial arts gore and stupidity.
Ichi the killer, if you like your more savage films, but stay clear of the UK disk, try to find the Dutch 2 disc special edition.
The Untold Story, yet again a bit savage in parts but still a good film.
Uzamaki. This film is just weird but excellent at the same time.
Versus, a good zombie swordfighting and guns film(there's not enough of them about).
Hope this helps.:)

duh .. add Kairo/Pulse of course

Thanks alot guys!

Ive looked for some Akira Kurosawa films in the past, but I'll be damned if Blockbuster carries any...I know they have some of the other ones you guys mentioned though, I'll be sure to check them out.


Thanks again, and keep the recomendations coming!

I came upon PULSE [KAIRO] in a Target store for $20. I didn't pick it up....is it worth it?
For reference...i loved The Eye,Ju-On, even the remake,The Grudge.

grab it for sure .. you wont regret it ..

i dont think i can burn you a copy - mine's in PAL .. region - whatever (UK)

if i didnt have an old badass hackable Apex player - i wouldnt be able to play a large nunber of my discs :D

It's absolutely worth it. In my opinion, this is the one J-horror movie that you definitely should see.