House

Hausu is the film that made Obayashi's career, especially in the West. He's not all that known here, but most horror fans are at the very least aware of Hausu, Obayashi's madcap horror film. And rightfully so. After a somewhat slow start, the film goes in full overdrive and unleashes a barrage of weirdness you'll be hard-pressed to find outside the realm of Japanese genre cinema.

Oshare is looking forward to spending her summer holidays with her father. But when she hears that his new girlfriend is joining the trip she suddenly changes her plans. With a couple of friends, she goes to visit her grandmother's cottage. What she doesn't know is that her grandmother has died and that her house is haunted.

The film is full-on Obayashi from start to finish, but the intro is a bit dull regardless. It isn't until the girls arrive at the cottage that all modesty is thrown out of the window. Don't expect a vintage horror film though, there are few scares and little gore, but there are a few scenes that will be etched in your mind for years to come. Rightfully considered to be one of Obayashi's best.