Opinions, folks-How good are these?

Fudoh is Takashi Miike's best film. Too entertaining for words. If you don't like Fudoh then there's clearly something wrong with you.

Dead or Alive is more of an acquired taste. Hyperkinetic beginning and ending, slows down quite a bit in the middle.

Neither film is anything like Audition.

Audition is a great film by any standard but to me it is the best Japanese horror film you can get. Definitely stay far away from any edited version. I'd recommend Evil Dead Trap as well for Japanese horror.

Audition. Wow, what can one say.
This is a severely disturbed slice of cinema.
I also liked Nakata's "Dark Water".

Audition was soooo good, I bought the cookbook

Augratin vomit anyone?

Who has seen City of Lost Souls, and is it good? It's one of the few Miike films I can find locally (I already have Audition).

I also enjoyed Hideo Nakata's Ringu and Dark Water. I'm a little disappointed that he's coming to America though. This is one case where I wish a good director would not gain Hollywood exposure. How can he win?

City of Lost Souls isn't a horror movie, despite what the title may imply... it's a gangster movie. not bad, but certainly not Miike's best.

Audition is just brilliant, hands down.

Dead or Alive is complete and total ass, with a very good opening sequence so it's actually even worse than ass IMHO since it tricks you into thinking it's gonna be good.

I have City of Lost Souls but haven't watched it yet, I should get on that...and Fudoh, why do I keep forgetting to borrow that from Rogueboy?

the Dead or Alive movies are yakuza movies, as is Fudoh. they are definitely not for everyone, but the same could be said of ANY of Miike's filmography.

I don't own it but I've seen it - I believe the SE is called the director's cut and in my opinion it is weaker than the theaterical cut. This is mainly because the majority of new scenes are, quite frankly, pretty boring. In the middle of such an excellently paced film they just s..l..o..w.. it all down.

The flip side of that coin is that you DO get additional character development in that you see more flashbacks involving more of the characters in their pre-BR reality.

As far as I can remember there are no new scenes involving violence or action. When showing the film for the first time to friends who I think need to see it, I would never choose the SE over the final cut.

I didn't see many of the special features, but the behind the scenes footage of the set was very cool in contrast to the intensity of the film and its subject matter. I'd love a package with the regular theatrical cut but including the extras on the special edition.

added: City Of Lost Souls is the weakest of the Miike films I've seen. You'd be better served hunting down a copy of Dead Or Alive instead; if you're especially resilient to disgust and have a healthy sense of humor, locate the disturbingly, inimitable, Visitor Q. I highly suggest TRY before you BUY if possible.

Visitor Q is more than a little disturbing.

but Happiness of the Katakuris... now THAT is a truly fucked up movie.

If you have a Best Buy near you they carry the unrated Audition for around $20.

What a wacky film that is. It has to be seen to be believed.

The first Miike I've seen was"Ichi the killer".

I've seen a lot since then but it's still my personal favorite. Really wicked.

Still, I recommend "Audition":I'm not easily shocked but this one completely freaked me out!

I've got the uncut SE of Ichi on it's way and I'm hoping that this turns out to be as good as everyone says it is.

It should be noted that the R1 of Katakuris comes out today. Miike is a genius, and the weakest thing I've seen from his is probably City of Lost Souls, though it too has its moments.