You have chosen...wisely.

I've also rejoined Columbia House again(been awhile...oh yes it has) and chose Ran as one of my enrollments. Figured either
A)I'll love Kurosawa and want to watch them all and own them all
B)I'll sell them for close to what I paid , since he seems to be loved by everyone.

Make sure you listen to the commentaries. Makes you appreciate the artistry even more.

Absolutely. Especially Seven Samurai. Whoever that guy was, he really made me understand why Kurosawa is such a great director.

It doesn't matter what you go with, but DO NOT start or watch Dreams too soon. It's a very outthere, experimental film, that can only really be appreciated with having a working knowledge of all AK's work.

His work is fascinating because there's so much yin/yang to it. The first half of his career was black and white, second half color. 1st half nearly always featured Toshiro Mifune in sizable roles, and there was a falling out after Redbeard. And he also bounced back and forth with modern tales and samurai ones. The easiest one to digest is the modern/samurai films, so with that in mind, I'd watch:

Seven Samurai(the definitative AK work)
High/Low
Yojimbo
Ikiru

Hmmm, thanks again for all the advice guys.

I look forward to this new chapter in my movie viewing.

I say...

1. Ikiru
2. Seven Samurai
3. Throne of Blood

...in that order. they are my 3 favorite of his...

I'm just getting started on Kurosawa myself and have only seen Seven Samurai, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, The Hidden Fortress, Throne of Blood and Stray Dog. Having a TiVo and IFC really helped getting into his movies.

I loved all of them except for Throne of Blood. That movie just bored me senseless. I may return to it at some point to see if I appreciate it more, but it will probably be one of the last Kurosawas I picked up on DVD.

I just loved the rest and can't wait to get them on DVD. In fact the Criterion box set (Four Samurai Classics) is currently at the top of my list now that a few other things are out of the way. It'll probably be my next purchase and I'm really looking forward to it.

Throne of Blood is great. I really liked Red Beard too. Honestly, I have almost every one of his R1 disks now and love them all.

I have bought all the Criterion Kurosawa's as they have been released -- but I have never found the time to listen to any of the commentaries. Is the Seven Samurai commentary the one to start with?

My favorite Kurosawa movies are: Seven Samurai, Hidden Fortress, and Yojimbo.

If you can, check out Kagemusha and Dersu Uzala, I enjoyed both of those movies very much. Other than that, my favorite Kurosawa movies has to Ran, Yojimbo, Ikiru, and Seven Samurai. I still need to check out Stray Dog, High and Low, and Red Beard.

I second this.

The commentary on Seven Samurai is excellent. It is very interesting and informative. You get a real appreciation for Kurosawa's directing style. Well worth your time. The commentary for Red Beard is also excellent.

I've also listened to the ones on Stray Dog, Roshoman, and Ikiru which I enjoyed but don't feel are as strong as the ones listed above.

Yojimbo and Seven Samurai are good introductory movies. High and Low is a really good police procedural.

Ran is awe-inspiring on the big screen, but isn't so popular at home.

Roshomon is one of my favorite movies, but you have to go into it expecting to pay attention.

Hidden Fortress and Dreams are not on my top list. But Lucas loved Hidden Fortress, and my wife loves Dreams, so what do I know?

Commentary wise, Seven Samurai and Red Beard are the best.

Film wise, I want to put in a mention for Raphosdy in August which MGM put out in a beautiful looking DVD. It's a great film.

Thanks for the advice on the commentary tracks. Two votes for the same two films -- I guess I'll start with those two (Seven Samurai followed by Red Beard). I appreciate it!

Just finished watching Ikiru last night and to my surprise my wife loved it. She's not big on the Kurosawa samurai movies or the Shakespearean adaptations, both of which I love. The Ikiru commentary track was excellent as well. Ikiru is my favorite 20th century Kurosawa movie- very moving.

Seven Samurai is my favorite Kurosawa samurai movie- they're all excellent in my opinion.

Throne of Blood is my favorite Kurosawa Shakespearean adaptation.

My least favorites are High and Low, Red Beard, Dreams, Madadayo (spelling?) and Rhapsody in August.

chente, nice collection. Its almost identical to mine. Cary Grant as your leading actor and Kurosawa as your leading director get

Ahhh... gee....shucks.

Thanks!

Oh I dunno, I really dug those low-budget art films he made during the Bronze Age.

By the way...I don't think Kurosawa was a samurai, I think he made movies about samurais.

Ran
Seven Samurai
The Hidden Fortress
Ikiru

and don't forget the best director debut of all time, "Sanshiro Sugata"!!

My favorite Kurosawa film is The Bad Sleep Well. Is this slated for a Criterion release at any point?

Eventually. It's just a matter of time.