Movie Review: Ratatouille

Ratatouille

rated G

directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles)

Film making: 5 out of 5 stars

Moral rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Overall: 6 out of 5 stars

Okay, does anyone else find it amusing that the best movie of the summer so far is about a rat?

...that is a chef?

That sounds like the beginning of a bad joke, but trust me, Ratatouille, the latest movie from Diseny/Pixar animation is no joke! This movie featured the voices of Oswald Patton as Remy, the main rat, Peter O'Toole as Anton Ego, the critic; and Ian Holm as Skinner the chef.

Ratatouille is the story of how Remy, a rat with an amazing gift for cooking, and Linguini, a skinny garbage boy, team up to show Paris who is the boss when it comes to cooking. Basically a modern retelling of Cyrano de Bergerac, Ratatouille was funny, smart, original and captivating.

Once Remy and Linguini team up, they find out how much they actually need each other.....Remy shows his human pal that the greatest people can come from the lowest places, and vice versa. Meanwhile, Skinner the chef strongly suspects something...and investigates.

Along the way, the two main characters deal with trust and loyalty issues, and Remy has to deal with balancing the tradition of being in a rat colony, and spreading his wings and soaring to a new height. I won't spoil the ending for you though!

Morally speaking, the only thing objectionable in this film was one use of the word Hell, paired with some slight thematic elements (one of the main characters is an illegitimate son).

Film making wise, this is the best Pixar film yet. Everything looked so photo realistic I could not believe my eyes!

Overall, I believe that Ratatouille is one of Pixar's best movies ever. It was smart and witty, and didnt use crude humor to make people laugh. It had a very involved plot, and lovable characters.

Brad Bird is definitely making a name for himself as director!

My verdict? Go see it....and be sure to catch the Pixar short before the movie.....

The Blogger Returns! Special Double feature review Post

After a long hiatus, I am back! Sorry folks, but teacher training for my upcoming job has been kind of hectic.
This week I am reviewing two movies, and two video games.
Now, to get down to movie business...............................

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

rated PG for action violence, mild language, and innuendo

Film making: 3 out of 5 stars

Moral rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Overall: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars

Well, where to begin? This sequel is quite simple to review..simply because it was one fun movie! If there was any film that deserved the award "Best Popcorn movie" it would be FF2. Why? For the simple reason that director Tim Story kept the story neat and simple. The story begins with Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic (Played by Ioan Gruffud) about to tie the knot with Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (played by the beautiful Jessica Alba). Unfortunately, the arrival of intergalactic cool guy Silver Surfer (voiced by The Matrix's Lawrence Fishburne) to prepare Earth for destruction by the planet eating Galactus sort of ruins things.

That is where the story picks up. Along with Ben Grimm/Thing and Johnny Storm/Human Torch, the Fantastic Four aid the US army in finding and capturing the Silver Surfer. Of course, Dr. Doom is back from the dead. (played by an unconvincing Julian McMahon). So of course, the fab four have to figure out who is really the good guy and who is really the bad guy.

Special effects were fantastic! (no pun intended) and the acting was pretty good. The humor got a bit cheesy at times, but like I said, this is a great popcorn film!

Morally speaking, this is a bit dirty. About a dozen curses and several sexual innuendoes were thrown into the conversation.

Overall, I think that this is the most enjoyable film so far this summer, simply because it is that: simple.

Ocean's Thirteen
rated PG-13 for brief sensuality

Film making: A perfect 5 stars

Moral rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Overall: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars

What is it about the Ocean's films? First we had a highly enjoyable film called Ocean's Eleven, then a flop of a film called Ocean's Twelve. Add another person, and we get a hugely enjoyable fun film called Ocean's Thirteen.
Is it that Danny Ocean (George Clooney) does a better job at his heists when there are an odd number of crooks in on it? Or is it the fact that the crew returned to Las Vegas for their third heist.
Whatever it is , this movie, starring Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Bernie Mac, Al Pacino, Andy Garcia, Matt Damon, and George Clooney was a film as good if not better than the first.

Ellen Bergen as Al Pacino's right hand, um, man was a scene stealer. Especially when she is tricked by Matt Damon's character Linus.

Morally, this film is far from clean. A smattering of language (primarily the s word) and some uncomfortable sensual content mess up the movie a bit, but overall it is cleaner than the first two.
As for a plot.......It is about 13 guys who get revenge........okay.

My verdict......If you like the first, go see it.

Coming Attractions

Hello all!

I just returned from my Atlanta trip, and was it fun!

The art exhibit from the Louvre was astounding, featuring some amazing paintings, sculptures, and furniture from Versaille. Sadly, no pictures since we were not allowed cameras in there.

Our day at Six Flags was incredible. The best two roller coasters where there--Goliath and Superman: Ultimate Flight. The former is one monster steel coaster that is just the biggest hills you can dream of. The latter actually tilts you face down so you feel like you are flying.

Coming up soon we will have movie reviews of Ocean's 13 and Fantasic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. My brother saw Surf's Up and said it was fantastic. There won't be a review of that, but take his word on it and go see it. :-)

Anyway, that is about all for today!
Signing out, the Buckland Fiddler.