I didn't like 8 1/2 the first time around, probably due to the fact that I was exhausted when I watched it, but the second time around I loved it. The ending is just mindblowing, one of the best in cinema. It gave me chills. I hope you enjoy it.

As for Seven Samurai, I find it to be immensely overrated, but still good. When you strip it down though, it's basically just an action film.