This forum is starting to look lonely -- and we'll be adding some stuff to the convention/clubs forum tomorrow -- so for now, I'll pose this question to all of you:

What live-action Japanese films have you checked out? Which of them would you recommend?

I'm starting to work my way through the Viz Pictures and Geneon live-action catalogs, and I'm open to recs that might help me prioritize the queue!

I really didn't feel the Lov*Com movie very much, to me it didn't really capture the essence of the manga, but that would be hard to do in 2 hours. Lets see the initial d movie was pretty cool, although i think its a korean film, legend of speed is a cool car movie, it's awesome if you like Subaru's or Mitsubishi's. The Zeiram movies are kinda cool, a little power rangery feeling to them though.

Thinking about it, I haven't really seen any live actin japanese movies. But I am a big fan of Asian Dramas (live action tv shows). And if you guys ever get a chance, check out 1 litre of tears. The TV show is really good. But there is also a movie, which I imagine is really good too.

Well, I have to admit I'm into the classics. If it says Kurosawa or Yasujiro Ozu just watch it.

Godzilla and Gamera are always good as well, except for the newer Godzilla films.

From the newer movies, Nana, Death Note, Love Com, Honey & Clover are my favourite movies based on manga. I also love jdoramas.

If you include live action series/dramas get Densha Otoko. Love that show terribly, and also Iryu. As for movies well, Battle Royale was great and the Death Note movie of course.

Are you just looking for R1 DVD's and movies? If not, and you don't mind trying a series, check out Mop Girl. Seriously. The title is a bit silly, but it's a great show. Kind of like Tru Calling, but less dark. And it has Keiko Kitagawa in the lead role. Can't go wrong there. Also, Cutey Honey live looks like a lot of fun. I haven't had a chance to see this one yet, though. And a nod to Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. If you like the SM franchise, you'll like this.

Ever tried a Korean drama? My local PBS affiliate in New Jersey aired them regularly. I'm in Georgia now, which means a wasteland of foreign programming, but I would highly recommend Seoul 1945. The history is a bit suspect, but the series is great. For a more soap opery story check out To Be With You, Yellow Handkerchief, Winter Sonata, and My Sweetheart, My Darling. Those were my favorites of what I was able to see. And for Chinese drama, Mars. The overall manga story is intact (through what I saw of it), though the names are localized and the characters aged to college students.

I would also love to suggest some Korean dramas for a few of you. Stairway to Heaven, it's very soap opera-ish, but I'm absolutely in love with it. The Korean Drama Full House, would probably interested a few of you since it's based off of a korean manga. That's also very good. But I have to admit the dvd boxsets for dramas can be very expensive, and sadly rightstuf doesn't sell them.

I agree, Righstuf should definitely sell japanese and korean dramas! I've seen only 2 korean dramas so far, Snow Queen and Damo, and both were almost unbelievably good.

From the Viz and Geneon lineup, I'd definitely recommend Kamikaze Girls and Onmyouji. Both were excellent.

I'm a big Kaji Meiko fan, so I really enjoy AnimEigo's Lady Snowblood and Media Blasters's Female Convict Scorpion series. They're a little high on violence and sex though, seems to be the trend with edgy experimental Japanese cinema from the late 60s and early 70s.