I just recently purchased and watched the Japanese movie "messenger" from yesasia. I have watched alot of Korean movies but I have only seen a few Japanese movies, I have only seen Ping Pong, messenger, and the returner so far and I was wondering if anyone can recommend some good comedies or romantic comedies available from japan with english subtitles. I am open to suggestions for dramas, action or horror but I am mainly looking for comedies right now.

Check out my favourite Japanese movies of all-time:
Bayside Shakedown (Odoru Daisosasen) 1 and 2 (note: the sequal has two versions, one is the longer cut domestic version and the other is the shorter international version that's THX remastered).
Think of the film as cubicle cops, dealing with the interoffice politics in the Japanese police system, it's a lot of fun. Mostly comedy with some doses of action thrown in.

Azumi, Zatoichi, Umizaru, Juon, The Twilight Samurai just to name a few.

Waterboys would fit right into your comedy search.

I second Waterboys. It ain't deep, but it is fun. The finale alone is worth the price of the film.

In a similar vein, you might enjoy Sumo Do, Sumo Don't, which features a younger Masahiro Motoki (star of The Bird People in China).

Ping Pong
GO
Uzumaki
Visitor Q

is this the Go you are referring to

GO

Hee hee .. I like that recommendation for "comedy"

Although it hits many levels, perspective is a big consideration with respect to treating this a comedy, even though it is in a dark way. Love the film though .. right!?

Two to recommend:

2LDK (about two hot chicks and the deterioration that follows once they move into an apartment together - as strangers.)

Getting Any? (Takeshi Kitano direction of one off-beat slap sticky - no pun intended - comedy.) I haven't seen too many Japanese comedy orientated movies to compare with, but this one has its moments. Worth seeing at least.

Electric Dragon 50,000 Volt
Sharkfin man and Peachhip girl

That's Sharkskin man and Peachhip Girl or known as SM

I saw on yesasia that they have a 2 pack with shark skin man and peach hip girl packed with I think a movie called party 7 anyone know if these are good movies. at $51 for the set it is not too bad for japanese prices.

Also does anyone know if there is a version of the Japanese Live action Cutey Honey available with english subtitles.

For a bizarre comedy (it's great!) check out THE HAPPINESS OF THE KATAKURIS reviewed here:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=5925

I've seen one version around but it's an, um, "unofficial" release.

Swing Girls is good but not sure if it's got the english subtitles
http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/...#more-pictures

Battle Royale is a must, be warned though there is no definitive version. Most prefer the theatrical cut also.

oddly i can't think of any others... most japanese movies I've seen now that I think about it are anime. Ichi the Killer might be one to check out but it is fairly perverse but I enjoyed it, LOL dunno what that says about me.

edit: LMAO, I just finished reading through your post, neither of these are comedies nor romantic.

Party 7 was another one I was trying to think of - so yeah, those would be good purchases - although a rental wouldn't be a bad idea.

Wild Zero
Versus
Returner
Juvenile
Dark Water
Pulse (Kairo)

I'm just typing them as I think of them...

Have to give another recommendation for Waterboys. Has some great moments and is cheap for the HK version.

Be careful not to buy the TV series version of Waterboys.... It was soooo crappy.

Swing Girls (from the makers of Waterboys) is coming out on DVD next week. Haven't seen it myself, but it looks like a lot of fun. (Trailer: http://www.apple.com/jp/quicktime/tr...rls_large.html)

Be sure to check out Bayside Shakedown though, it is so much more than what it might be seemed from the cover. It sure looks like I'm the only fan of it on DVDTalk though.