Japanese horror films, or J-horror, as they have been dubbed in recent years have become all the rage, for their bone-chilling suspense, preternatural creatures and a crisp aesthetic that builds on mounting tension. J-horror can actually be traced back to the mid 1920's but international acclaim and success were not realized until the 1990's. Popular themes include psychological horror, ghosts and shamanism. Many modern Japanese horror flicks are based on ghost stories from the Edo period; most notably, Western audiences have been introduced to the yurei, a ghost bound to the physical world through emotional attachments. Yurei appear dressed in white (the traditional color of funeral attire in Japan), and often have long, unkempt black hair. Of course, in order to maximize the scare factor, J-horror films are best viewed in high definition. Here are six quintessential Japanese horror films not to be missed; be sure to rent them at your local video store, or check out your satellite TV listings, as they are played quite often.

The Ring or Ringu: This movie centers on a strange and cursed videotape, which contains a series of disquieting black and white images. It appears that those who watch the tape are condemned to die seven days later. Later on, we learn that an odd girl named Sadako seems to be behind it all. Ringu introduced J-horror to American audiences.

Audition: Directed by Takashi Miike, this movie actually caused some viewers to collapse in shock; one patron was sent to a hospital while still others simply walked out before the film finished. This isn't for the faint of heart; if you're into heartwarming stories about underdog sports teams, you may want to stay clear of Audition. It gets gruesome.

Dark Water: A young woman in the midst of a divorce moves into a run down apartment building with her daughter. A mysterious stain on the ceiling is the catalyst to a series of strange events, involving the upstairs apartment, from whence the stain originates. Dark Water was released in 2002. The director, Hideo Nakata, also directed the Ring series. The stark, grimy contrasts of the film are beautifully executed; the desolation of the apartment is captured by lurid colors and black shadows-HD is a must for this film.

Juon: Juon or the grudge is actually a series of films whose stories focus on a haunted house and a vengeful spirit. Although the film was made under tight budgetary restraints, it has been acclaimed for its minimalistic styling, and its uncanny knack for sheer eeriness. Scenes are muted and restrained, which makes it even more disturbing.

Uzumaki: This film is about evil spirals-Uzumaki translates to spiral. It is definitely a departure from the more straightforward horror flicks like Ringu or Juon. Uzumaki is surreal and grotesque. It mixes cinematic styles to achieve a bizarre yet disturbingly effective horror aesthetic. This is another flick that is best appreciated on a 60" high definition plasma.

Cure: This psychological thriller is set in Tokyo, where a wave of murders has swept the city. The sole connection between the cases is an X carved into each of the victim's necks. Detective Takabe is charged with the case and discovers that things are not what they seem.