Ratatouille

$7.00 OFF Ratatouille

2010-03-17T05:05:00.001-07:00

New (21) Used (8)

Album Details : Soundtrack to the Hit Walt Disney Pixar Animation Studios Film Ratatouillie Australian Version features Four Additiontal Tracks Features Original Music by Michael Giacchino and Song Performance by Camille

Michael Giacchino s score for Pixar s Ratatouille is just as good as the film (2007/07/06)
Like fine wine and great food (2007/07/05)
Wonderful soundtrack to an equally stellar movie (2007/07/10)
Deliciously Delightful (2007/08/10)
excellent soundtrack perfect for anyone who loved the movie (2007/07/05)

Ratatouille Blowouts

2010-03-16T14:15:00.001-07:00

New (2)

Product Description : Each package of Ratatouille Blowouts comes with 8 blowouts featuring Remy s lovable face

$.33 OFF Ratatouille

2010-03-15T23:15:00.001-07:00

New (11) Used (9) Relive the movie s best action scenes through the eyes of Remy and Emile. Smell your way through each adventure using Scent a Vision. Five different action packed worlds to explore. Over 20 challenging missions and mini games. Go head to head with multiplayer games

Product Description : Ratatouille is based on the Disney Pixar film and brings the fun and laughs of the movie to your Nintendo Wii Ratatouille features an acrobatic rat named Remy who must balance his love for cooking with loyalty to his family Features major voice talent from the film

A movie based game that is really fun (2007/06/27)
For Once A Good Movie Based Game (2007/08/19)
love rats (2009/02/02)
Great great great (2009/04/11)
Game review (2009/05/12)

Ratatouille Git

2010-03-15T10:15:00.001-07:00

New (15) Action Figure

Product Description : BASIC FIGURES FROM THE DISNEY PIXAR RATATOUILLE MOVIE CHOCKING HAZARD CONTAINS SMALL PARTS NOT FOR CHILDREN UNDER 3

Inspriational toy makes me strong (2008/01/13)

Ratatouille the Guide to Remy s World Ratatouille

2010-03-14T20:20:00.001-07:00

New (6) Used (11)

Ratatouille Remy s World (2008/01/18)
Excellent book (2007/09/26)

Disney Ratatouille 16 Remy Plush Doll Toy

2010-03-14T06:25:00.001-07:00

New (1)

Cute plush collectible (2007/11/03)

$6.50 OFF Ratatouille Soundtrack Piano Solo Piano Songbook

2010-03-13T15:40:00.001-08:00

New (11) Used (2)

Product Description : Piano solo arrangements of all 13 songs from Disney Pixar s inspirational and heartwarming tale of French gourmand rat Remy Includes Abandoning Ship End Creditouilles Le Festin A New Deal 100 Rat Dash Remy Drives a Linguini Souped Up Special Order This is me Wall Rat and more Also features a beautiful color section featuring scenes from the film

$10.10 OFF Vtech V Smile Ratatouille

2010-03-13T03:00:00.001-08:00

New (27) Rat packed with lots of learning. Compatible with V Smile V Smile Pocket V Smile PC Pal V Smile Cyber Pocket and V Motion gaming systems. Teaches core curriculum for the earliest learners. Education based software helps your child learn while playing with their favorite characters. Be sure to check out other popular titles available here on Amazon com

Product Description : Don t rat them out Help Remy and Linguine create a new dish with a surprise secret ingredient Travel the streets of Paris with Remy to root out just the right fixings and heaps of learning Be the big cheese and lend Remy a hand when he discovers an unexpected mousetrap which will lead your gourmet rat pack underground Chock full of learning the Ratatouille V Smile Smartridge teaches food categories and recognition counting number order colors puzzles map reading cooking methods motor drawing skills directions and logical thinking and patterns Based on the hit movie For use with the V Smile TV Learning System Plus sold separately

our favorite new vsmile game (2008/01/23)
Ratatouille Not as fun as it looked (2007/12/28)

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie EXCLUSIVE Mini Plush Figure Emile

2010-03-12T13:55:00.001-08:00

New (1)

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Collectibles Movie Figure Remy In a Jar

2010-03-12T00:30:00.001-08:00

New (6) When operating Remy runs in the jar and the jar rolls. Battery Operated Requires 1 AAA battery Included. The jar is approx 6 long and 4 diameter. For age 3 and up

Product Description : Disney Pixar Ratatouille Collectibles Movie Figure Remy In a Jar

What s Cooking A Cookbook for Kids Ratatouille

2010-03-11T10:50:00.001-08:00

New (5) Used (12)

Product Description : Kids can be the big cheese in the kitchen with this cookbook of kid friendly Ratatouille inspired recipes The concealed wire binding allows the book to lie flat for ease of use while preparing such fun dishes as Remy s Famous Omelets and Emile s Sewer Sandwiches This silly cookbook is sure to please down to the last crumb

One of the better kids cookbooks (2007/08/28)
The best children s cookbook I ve seen (2007/09/10)
Ratatouille Cookbook (2008/03/07)
Excellent (2007/07/04)
Fun bonding (2007/09/05)

Ratatouille Rat A Too Ee Kitchen Chaos Playset

2010-03-10T21:20:00.001-08:00

New (1) Kitchen Chaos Playset. Playset

Product Description : Inspired by the upcoming Disney Pixar movie Ratatouille this assortment includes two 2 story playsets The highly detailed kitchen world and sewer world playsets each have several exciting moving features and one rat figure The two sets sold separately can be stacked to create a giant 4 story play environment

Cute but too small (2009/04/30)
Two boys review A playset that plays more like an accessory (2008/10/05)

DISNEY PIXAR RATATOUILLE KITCHEN QUAKE GAME

2010-03-10T07:15:00.001-08:00

New (1) It s a thrilling daredevil race around a wacky contraption made out of kitchen utensils. Be the first to get your special ingredients into the soup and you win. Disney Pixar New Ratatouille Game. Relive your favorite moments from the film as you and your family enjoy this humerous new board game experience. Hours of fun for fans of Disney s Pixar movies

Product Description : It s a thrilling daredevil race around a wacky contraption made out of kitchen utensils But don t let Chef Skinner spot you He ll drop his cleaver and set off a wild and funny chain reaction that could knock you flying Be the first to get your special ingredients into the soup and you win

Mattel built a better Mousetrap (2007/07/18)
Only buy if you like seeing your kids giggle (2007/11/07)
Fun to play (2008/01/04)
Way cooler than my old Mousetrap (2008/11/24)
Mouse Trap for the Year 2007 (2007/06/15)

All American Basketball The Fundamentals of Ball Handling

2010-03-09T17:55:00.001-08:00

New (1)

Amazon com : To become a Master ball handler you must have a off season regiment that will increase your hand eye coordination This DVD presents the drills and moves that will make you a better ball handler The All American Basketball series teaches everything you need to become a complete basketball player This product is manufactured on demand using DVD R recordable media Amazon com s standard return policy will apply

This is great (2007/08/20)
Incredible Instruction (2007/08/06)
You gotta get this video (2009/12/25)
Good For More Experienced Players (2008/01/21)

$2.20 OFF Little Chef Deluxe Coloring Book Ratatouille Movie Tie In

2010-03-09T03:50:00.001-08:00

New (13) Used (26) ISBN13 9780736424479. Condition NEW. Notes Brand New from Publisher No Remainder Mark

Product Description : A rat s dream of becoming a gourmet chef in a Parisian restaurant comes true This whimsical story is retold in 96 pages packed with fun images to color

Lot of fun (2007/08/14)

Disney Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection Toy Story Toy Story 2 Finding Nemo The Incredibles A Bug s Life Monsters Inc Cars Ratatouille

2010-03-08T13:20:00.001-08:00

Used (2)

Product Description : Disney Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection includes eight of Pixar s full length films on DVD Toy Story 10th Anniversary Edition Experience a hilarious fantasy about the lives toys lead when they re left alone Woody Tom Hanks an old fashioned cowboy doll is Andy s favorite But when Andy gets Buzz Lightyear Tim Allen for his birthday the flashy new space hero takes Andy s room by storm Their rivalry leaves them lost with a toy s worst nightmare Sid the toy torturing boy next door Woody and Buzz must work together to escape realizing along the way that they ve got a friend in each other Now in a magnificent special edition Toy Story shines even brighter With an all new enhanced picture and a spectacular home theater mix as well as exclusive bonus features including deleted scenes and a retrospective special with director John Lasseter this modern classic is one you ll enjoy to infinity and beyond A Bug s Life Collector s Edition Journey inside the world of bugs in this epic of miniature proportions Crawling with imaginative characters hilarious laughs and colorful animation Walt Disney Pictures Presentation of A Pixar Animation Studios Film A Bug s Life will delight everyone young old or six legged People Magazine In this 2 disc set you ll step behind the scenes for a look at the innovation and teamwork that resulted in this ingenious film Loaded with bonus features including animation not seen in theaters abandoned sequences and multiple surprises A Bug s Life Collector s Edition offers something for everyone from families to film lovers Toy Story 2A Golden Globe Award winner for Best Picture Toy Story 2 has become a favorite all across the world garnering praise from fans and critics everywhere It s an instant classic raves New York Magazine Now in a 2 disc collector s edition with a sparkling theater mix this groundbreaking animated adventure is even better While Andy is away at summer camp Woody is toynapped by Al a greedy collector who needs Andy s favorite toy to complete his Roundup Gang collection Together with Jessie Bullseye and the Prospector Woody is on his way to a museum where he ll spend the rest of his life behind glass It s up to Buzz Mr Potato Head Hamm Rex and Slinky Dog to rescue their friend and remind him what being a toy is all about Bursting with exclusive bonus features including deleted scenes outtakes a new game and much more this hilarious comedy classic raises the bar on family entertainment to infinity and beyond Monsters Inc From the Academy Award R winning creators of Toy Story comes the computer animated film that captured the hearts of fans and critics everywhere Monsters Inc is visually dazzling action packed and hilarious Boston Herald featuring groundbreaking animation imaginative storytelling and unforgettable voice talent John Goodman stars as the lovable James P Sullivan Sulley and Billy Crystal as his wisecracking best friend Mike Wazowski Top scarer Sulley and his enthusiastic Scare Assistant Mike work at Monsters Inc the largest scream processing factory in Monstropolis The main power source of the monster world is the collected screams of human children Monsters believe children are dangerous and toxic however and they are scared silly when a little girl wanders into their world Sulley and Mike do their best to return the girl home but they face monstrous intrigue and some hilarious misadventures along the way Monsters Inc is supremely clever fun for kids and adults alike CBS TV Treat yourself to the most entertaining movie of the year with all new exclusive bonus features and animation for monster laughs and monster fun Finding NemoFrom The New Yorker The latest flood of wizardry from Pixar whose productions from Toy Story onward have lent an indispensable vigor and wit to the sagging art of mainstream animation Whether the new movie directed by Andrew Stanton will add much to that resuscitation is another matter Albert Brooks provides the voice of Marlin a non amusing clown fish who sees his young son Nemo borne off in a diver s net Not to be daunted and plainly unfazed by the threat of both sharks and sentimentality Marlin sets off to rescue his only child You ll never guess how it ends The technical skill on show is beyond question but as yet another computer generated seascape ripples past you may be tempted to ask whether that skill is driving the story Marlin just drifts from one semi heroic feat to the next and the characters seldom get their hooks or their jaws into you with the pointed snippy comedy that we have come to associate with Woody and Buzz Lightyear Also not to be impolite or anything but how expressive is a fish until it hits a grill With the voices of Geoffrey Rush Barry Humphries Willem Dafoe Allison Janney and the funniest of the shoal Ellen DeGeneres Anthony Lane Copyright 2006 The New Yorker The Incredibles After creating the last great traditionally animated film of the 20th century The Iron Giant filmmaker Brad Bird joined top drawer studio Pixar to create this exciting completely entertaining computer animated film Bird gives us a family of supers a brood of five with special powers desperately trying to fit in with the 9 to 5 suburban lifestyle Of course in a more innocent world Bob and Helen Parr were superheroes Mr Incredible and Elastigirl But blasted lawsuits and public disapproval forced them and other supers to go incognito making it even tougher for their school age kids the shy Violet and the aptly named Dash When a stranger named Mirage voiced by Elizabeth Pena secretly recruits Bob for a potential mission the old glory days spin in his head even if his body is a bit too plump for his old super suit Nominated for four Oscars The Incredibles won for Best Animated Film and in an unprecedented win for non live action films Sound Editing CarsFrom the acclaimed creators of Toy Story The Incredibles and Finding Nemo comes a high octane adventure comedy that shows life is about the journey not the finish line Hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen Owen Wilson is living life in the fast lane until he hits a detour on his way to the most important race of his life Stranded in Radiator Springs a forgotten town on the old Route 66 he meets Sally Mater Doc Hudson Paul Newman and a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there s more to life than trophies and fame Revved up with a sensational soundtrack featuring Rascal Flatts Sheryl Crow John Mayer James Taylor and others plus exciting bonus features including the exclusive short movie Mater And The Ghostlight Cars is full of freewheeling fun for everyone RatatouilleFrom the creators of Cars and The Incredibles comes a break through comedy with something for everyone With delightful new characters experience Paris from an all new perspective It s terrific movie making raves Leonard Maltin of Entertainment Tonight In one of Paris finest restaurants Remy a determined young rat dreams of becoming a renowned French chef Torn between his family s wishes and his true calling Remy and his pal Linguini set in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down Ratatouille is a treat you ll want to enjoy again and again

Product Details are WROOOOONG (2008/11/05)
nice box set (2008/12/02)
Extremely Happy (2008/10/28)
Setting the Record Straight (2008/12/14)
Wonderful (2009/01/30)

Ratatouille Von Den Machem Von Cars Und Dis Unglaublichen

2010-03-07T22:55:00.001-08:00

New (1)

Ratatouille Charm Collection Figure Set

2010-03-07T09:55:00.001-08:00

New (6) Ratatouille Charm Collection Figure Set

Product Description : Ratatouille Charm Collection Figure Set

$7.55 OFF Ratatouille Blu ray SteelBook

2010-03-06T19:45:00.001-08:00

New (11) 1080p Widescreen 2 39 1. Exclusive SteelBook packaging. English PCM 5 1 English Spanish French Dolby Digital 5 1. English SDH French and Spanish Subtitles. Limited Issue

Product Description : Exclusive Blu ray SteelBook from Canada A rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family s wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent phobic profession When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero Auguste Gusteau Despite the apparent dangers of being an unlikely and certainly unwanted visitor in the kitchen of a fine French restaurant Remy s passion for cooking soon sets into motion a hilarious and exciting rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down Remy finds himself torn between his calling and passion in life or returning forever to his previous existence as a rat He learns the truth about friendship family and having no choice but to be who he really is a rat who wants to be a chef

Ratatouille Bonus DVD Cooking Fun for All Ages

2010-03-06T06:45:00.001-08:00

New (9) Used (4)

Product Description : This is Disney s Pixar Ratatouille Bonus DVD titled Cooking Fun for all Ages runs approximately 60 minutes and is packed with fun and entertainment

Disney Pixar Ultimate Collection DVD Set A Bug s Life Toy Story Toy Story 2 Monsters Inc Finding Nemo Ratatouille Cars The Incredibles

2010-03-05T17:35:00.001-08:00

New (2) Used (1)

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Toy Basic Action Figure Remy

2010-03-05T02:45:00.001-08:00

New (9) Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Toy Basic Action Figure Remy

Product Description : Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Toy Basic Action Figure Remy

Perfect for Adults too (2008/08/18)

$3.00 OFF Ratatouille Little Golden Book Ratatouille Movie tie in

2010-03-04T13:25:00.001-08:00

New (23) Used (22) ISBN13 9780736424233. Condition NEW. Notes Brand New from Publisher No Remainder Mark

Product Description : It s hard being a rat with a silver palate just ask Remy the star of Disney Pixar s newest animated film Ratatouille While the other rats of Paris are happy eating trash Remy dreams of becoming a gourmet chef Find out how his dream becomes a reality in this deliciously delightful Little Golden Book retelling

A Real Treat (2007/10/22)
This review is about this book not another Ratatouille book (2008/02/03)
very cute (2008/06/18)
NOT an art of book (2008/10/20)

Ratatouille Cooking Fun for All Ages

2010-03-04T00:20:00.001-08:00

New (14) Used (4)

Product Description : This is a 60 minute DVD that was a Wal Mart Exclusive Bonus DVD that came with Ratatouille The DVD has four segments 1 Emeril Live Ratatouille Time Meet Patton Oswalt voice of Remy as he scores the best seat in the house at Food Network a counter seat on Emeril Live Learn how to make Ratatouille from Chef Emeril and other classic French inspired dishes 2 Robert Irvine Dinner Impossible Chef Robert Irvine teaches kids that it s possible to be a chef at any age Learn a few pointers on how to make delicious crepes at home 3 30 Minute Meals with Rachel Ray Join Rachel Ray and her good buddy in the kitchen where they create one of America s favorite kids meals Chicken Fingers Well according to Rachel Chicken Toes 4 Alton Brown Good Eats Learn the secrets and scientific know how behind mastering the ultimate Macaroni and Cheese recipe with Alton Brown Look inside for scratch and sniff recipe cards The back cover displays three full color recipe cards featuring Remy the main character rat the leading male person Linguine and his love interest Colette

$15.99 OFF Wall E Three Disc Special Edition Digital Copy and BD Live Blu ray

2010-03-03T11:20:00.001-08:00

New (25) Used (8) The highly acclaimed director of FINDING NEMO and the creative storytellers behind CARS and RATATOUILLE transport you to a galaxy not so far away for a new cosmic comedy adventure about a determined robot named WALL E After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for the curious and lovable WALL E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE Join them

Product Description : The highly acclaimed director of Finding Nemo and the creative storytellers behind Cars and Ratatouille transport you to a galaxy not so far away for a new cosmic comedy adventure about a determined robot named Wall E After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for the curious and lovable Wall E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve Join them and a hilarious cast of characters on a fantastic journey across the universe Transport yourself to a fascinating new world with Disney Pixar s latest adventure now even more astonishing on DVD and loaded with bonus features including the exclusive animated short film Burn E Wall E is a film your family will want to enjoy over and over again

A masterpiece (2008/06/26)
The 3 Disc edition gives WALL E the deluxe treatment (2008/08/28)
An Imaginative and Heartfelt Masterpiece (2008/10/12)
PIXAR S MASTERPEICE CHECK FOR DEFECTIVE DISCS (2008/11/20)
Hello Wall E (2008/07/14)

Mattel Ratatouille Little Chef Remy

2010-03-02T20:45:00.001-08:00

Engaging interactive play features. Little Chef Remy talks and dances to music. Wiggling ears. Blinking eyes. Sniffing nose

Amazon com Product Description : Remy is the rat with a craze for cooking from the recent Disney Pixar movie Ratatouille As a rodent who aspires to eating something better than the food remains that humans throw away Remy accidentally becomes a chef at a Paris restaurant and starts eating meals fit for a king This interactive Little Chef Remy transfers the fun and humor from the movie into an adorable engaging plush toy Sensors in Little Chef Remy trigger features like talking or dancing to music wiggling his ears blinking his eyes and sniffing his nose The 12 inch tall rat says funny phrases from the film and does tricks with his chef s spoon bringing the fun from the theater into your home

So cute So amusing (2007/12/27)
Loved the movie love the rat (2007/12/31)
Little Chef speaks and moves (2008/01/08)
Cooking with Chef Remy (2008/01/11)
Love my Little Chef (2008/01/12)

$16.51 OFF Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 1 Blu ray

2010-03-02T07:00:00.001-08:00

New (19) Used (11) Disney and Pixar invite you to discover these masterpieces of storytelling from the creative minds that brought you TOY STORY MONSTERS INC FINDING NEMO and many more now on Blu ray Disc R for the ultimate high definition experience With revolutionary animation unforgettable music and characters you love these dazzling short films have changed the face of animation and are sure to deligh

Product Description : Disney and Pixar invite you to discover these masterpieces of storytelling from the creative minds that brought you TOY STORY MONSTERS INC FINDING NEMO and many more now on Blu ray Disc R for the ultimate high definition experience With revolutionary animation unforgettable music and characters you love these dazzling short films have changed the face of animation and are sure to delight people of all ages for years to come Experience them now for the first time on Disney Blu ray in remarkable clarity that boasts up to six times the picture quality and spectacular audio enhancement Disney Blu ray is magic in High Definition May vary with display System Requirements Running Time 54 Mins Genre ANIMATION ADULT SWIM Rating NR UPC 786936737820 Manufacturer No 05460100

Creative funny and a joy to watch (2007/08/21)
Great shorts but NOT new (2007/11/05)
Pixar is tops in animation (2007/11/08)
Watch it with friends and family and pick your favorites (2007/11/22)
Great shorts even better extra (2007/10/31)

$12.24 OFF Shrek the Third Widescreen Edition

2010-03-01T18:40:00.001-08:00

New (59) Used (45)

Description : When Shrek married Fiona the last thing he had in mind was becoming the next King of Far Far Away But when Shrek s father in law King Harold suddenly croaks that is exactly what he faces Recruiting Donkey and Puss In Boots for a new quest Shrek sets out to bring back the rightful heir to the throne Meanwhile back in the kingdom Fiona s jilted Prince Charming storms the city with an army of fairy tale villains to seize the throne Fiona and a band of princesses must stop him to ensure there will be a kingdom left to rule

It Rocks (2007/08/30)
Shrek the Third (2007/05/24)
Great movie for kids of all ages (2007/11/20)
the third (2007/09/07)
Best one yet (2007/05/22)

$12.84 OFF Pixar Short Films Collection Volume 1

2010-03-01T05:00:00.001-08:00

New (45) Used (11) Experience these masterpieces of storytelling from the creative minds that brought you TOY STORY MONSTERS INC FINDING NEMO and many more With revolutionary animation unforgettable music and characters you love these dazzling short films have changed the face of animation and entertainment and are sure to delight people of all ages for years to come Format DVD MOVIE Genre ANIMAT

Description : Disney Pixar invite you to discover these masterpieces of storytelling from the creative minds that brought you Toy Story Monsters Inc Finding Nemo and many more With revolutionary animation unforgettable music and characters you love these dazzling short films have changed the face of animation and entertainment and are sure to delight people of all ages for years to come Experience them now for the first time together in an amazing collection including never before seen footage

Creative funny and a joy to watch (2007/08/21)
Great shorts but NOT new (2007/11/05)
Pixar is tops in animation (2007/11/08)
Watch it with friends and family and pick your favorites (2007/11/22)
Great shorts even better extra (2007/10/31)

Disney Pixar movie Ratatouille Toy Remy Talking Figure

2010-02-28T14:30:00.001-08:00

New (4) comes packaged in a clear cylinder tube box size approx 10 H x 6 diam. Remy s eyes moves and he talks 3 phrases. includes food accessories and a imaginary Gusteau

Product Description : Very cute and entertaining Remy talking figure inspired by Disney Pixar movie Ratatouille

Pandigital Digital Frame, Hannah Montana, Electric Kettle Cordless

$19.50 OFF A Bug s Life Blu ray

2010-02-28T00:40:00.001-08:00

New (28) Used (5) Experience the astonishing world of Flik and his tiny friends like never before as the magic of Pixar animation springs to life with new crystal clear picture and amazing theater quality sound on Disney Blu ray Hi Def Embark on an incredible journey with one little ant as he searches for a brave band of warriors to help him battle the bullying grasshoppers who threaten his home When he stumbles

Product Description : Journey inside the world of bugs in this epic of miniature proportions Crawling with imaginative characters hilarious laughs and colorful animation Walt Disney Pictures Presentation of A Pixar Animation Studios Film A Bug s Life In this 2 disc set you ll step behind the scenes for a look at the innovation and teamwork that resulted in this ingenious film Bonus Features Include Filmmakers Round Table with John Lasseter Kevin Reher Darla Anderson Andrew Stanton A Bug s Life The First Draft full animated sequences from storyboards and Pixar s original story treatment Story treatment introduction by John Lasseter and more

The best DVD I ve ever owned (2000/07/24)
Wonderful (1999/12/31)
The Super Genius Edition is the one to own (1999/12/09)
What DVD should be (2000/01/16)
Entertaining for kids and adults (2000/06/22)

Cinderella, Home Theater System

The Art of Ratatouille

2010-02-27T12:35:00.001-08:00

New (2) Used (2)

Product Description : From the hit makers at Pixar Animation Studios who brought us Buzz Lightyear Nemo and Mr Incredible now comes Remy the furry star of Ratatouille A lovable rat yes a rat Remy is driven by his passion for fine cuisine to become a chef against all odds and with madcap adventures along the way at the most famous restaurant in Paris The Art of Ratatouille includes more than 200 of the artistic ingredients in this heartwarming film storyboards full color pastels digital and pencil sketches character studies maquettes and more In this exclusive movie tie in book for adults effusive quotes from the director artists animators and production team reveal the genius at work inside the studio that changed cartoon heroes forever

A Feastful of Delight (2007/07/10)
Outstanding (2007/07/17)
Gorgeous conceptual art (2007/08/31)
A lovely keepsake coffee table display or popular library lend (2007/10/06)
Very nice book (2007/11/30)

Superman, Webkinz, Laminating Pouches, Teen Titans, Mr Potato Head

$29.05 OFF Up Four Disc Blu ray DVD Combo BD Live Blu ray

2010-02-26T22:35:00.001-08:00

New (50) Used (17)

Description : Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy fantasy Up follows the uplifting tale of 78 year old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip an overly optimistic 8 year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell Their journey to a lost world where they encounter some strange exotic and surprising characters is filled with hilarity emotion and wildly imaginative adventure

An outstanding Blu 4 discs filled with more than a day s watch (2009/11/06)
An emotional triumph (2009/06/02)
Squirrel (2009/08/22)
The most real 3D animated movie I ve ever seen (2009/06/06)
Great movie great value (2009/11/19)

Belkin Laptop Bag, Sanyo Battery Charger, Baby Bottle Nipples, Face Cream

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie EXCLUSIVE Collector s Talking Action Figure Remy

2010-02-26T08:05:00.001-08:00

New (6) Includes a small mushroom a wedge of cheese and a slice of lemon along with a mini Gusteau and Remy the Rat. Features fully articulated poseable arms legs and neck. Remy 5 3 4 H Gusteau 3 H food up to 2 H. Sculpted resin Ages 3. Remy says sevreal phrases

Product Description : Includes a small mushroom a wedge of cheese and a slice of lemon along with a mini Gusteau and Remy the Rat Says sevreal phrases

Photo Scanner, Tiny Love, Kitchenaid Microwave Oven, Ice Crusher, Major League Baseball

$19.52 OFF Wall E Two Disc and BD Live Blu ray

2010-02-25T17:10:00.001-08:00

New (42) Used (19) The highly acclaimed director of FINDING NEMO and the creative storytellers behind CARS and RATATOUILLE transport you to a galaxy not so far away for a new cosmic comedy adventure about a determined robot named WALL E After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for the curious and lovable WALL E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named EVE Join them

Product Description : The highly acclaimed director of Finding Nemo and the creative storytellers behind Cars and Ratatouille transport you to a galaxy not so far away for a new cosmic comedy adventure about a determined robot named Wall E After hundreds of lonely years of doing what he was built for the curious and lovable Wall E discovers a new purpose in life when he meets a sleek search robot named Eve Join them and a hilarious cast of characters on a fantastic journey across the universe Transport yourself to a fascinating new world with Disney Pixar s latest adventure now even more astonishing on DVD and loaded with bonus features including the exclusive animated short film Burn E Wall E is a film your family will want to enjoy over and over again

A masterpiece (2008/06/26)
The 3 Disc edition gives WALL E the deluxe treatment (2008/08/28)
An Imaginative and Heartfelt Masterpiece (2008/10/12)
PIXAR S MASTERPEICE CHECK FOR DEFECTIVE DISCS (2008/11/20)
Hello Wall E (2008/07/14)

Fantastic 4, Usb Adapter

$13.05 OFF Meet the Robinsons

2010-02-25T03:25:00.001-08:00

New (40) Used (24) Have the time of your life with Disney s fun filled comedy MEET THE ROBINSONS a thrilling adventure that takes you to a whole new world full of imagination and surprises It s a masterpiece raves John Anderson of Newsday Join a brilliant young inventor named Lewis as he sets off on a time traveling journey to find the family he never knew In the fantastica

Description : Have the time of your life with Disney s fun filled comedy MEET THE ROBINSONS a thrilling adventure that takes you to a whole new world full of imagination and surprises It s a masterpiece raves John Anderson of Newsday Join a brilliant young inventor named Lewis as he sets off on a time traveling journey to find the family he never knew In the fantastical world of 2037 hip hoppin frogs and dogs that wear glasses are as common as talking dinosaurs In an amazing twist Lewis discovers that the fate of the future rests in his hands but he can t save it alone he ll need every bit of help he can get from the wonderfully wacky Robinson family who help him learn to keep moving forward and never stop believing in himself Blast off with MEET THE ROBINSONS complete with never before seen bonus features including an all new game deleted scenes and much more It s an exciting trip your whole family will enjoy

An Excellent Disney Film For The Geeky Kid In All of Us (2007/10/27)
It s the heart that really matters in the end And this film has more heart than any movie I ve seen in ages (2007/11/16)
The film pays homage to a number of established iconic movies (2007/08/24)
Hi Def Family Fun with a good message (2007/10/24)
Beautifully crazed frantic and surreal with a good message (2007/11/16)

Loose Tea, Cartier Gold Watch, My Little Pony, Ariel, Care Bears

$8.00 OFF LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game Ratatouille

2010-02-24T00:10:00.001-08:00

New (36) Catch sort and cook up fun with Remy Emile and Linguini. Help Remy and Emile sort food by color and food group. Letters are falling from the sky and Remy needs your help to catch them and make words. Earn recipes and help Linguini prepare a great meal. Teaches word building phonics skills sorting matching skills food groups and nutritional facts

Product Description : Recommended Age Range Pre K to 1st Grade 4 to 7 years Help Remy take a bite out of Paris When Remy the rat flees to Paris he decides to pursue his dreams of becoming a great French chef just like his hero Gusteau Help Remy prove anyone can cook by learning essential reading skills and fun food facts Cartridge is for use with Leapster and Leapster L MaxTM learning game systems What it Teaches Phonics Skills Word Building Matching Food Groups

My kids love this (2008/12/15)
A Great Game for the Leapster (2009/03/05)
Fun and enjoyable (2009/12/24)
Ratatouille cartridge (2010/01/25)
Great game (2009/01/22)

$17.34 OFF Up Single Disc Widescreen

2010-02-23T09:40:00.001-08:00

New (51) Used (26) UP DVD MOVIE

Description : Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios take moviegoers up up and away on one of the funniest adventures of all time with their latest comedy fantasy Up follows the uplifting tale of 78 year old balloon salesman Carl Fredricksen who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip an overly optimistic 8 year old Wilderness Explorer named Russell Their journey to a lost world where they encounter some strange exotic and surprising characters is filled with hilarity emotion and wildly imaginative adventure

An outstanding Blu 4 discs filled with more than a day s watch (2009/11/06)
An emotional triumph (2009/06/02)
Squirrel (2009/08/22)
The most real 3D animated movie I ve ever seen (2009/06/06)
Great movie great value (2009/11/19)

$11.00 OFF Ratatouille Spanish Version

2010-02-22T21:30:00.001-08:00

New (29) Used (5)

Product Description : Studio Buena Vista Home Video Release Date 11 06 2007 Run time 111 minutes Rating G

A Rat Chef Dishes Up Delights Bon Appetit (2007/08/29)
A Feast for the Eyes (2007/11/07)
another great movie courtesy of Pixar and Disney (2008/05/18)
The best Blu ray family DVD of the year (2007/09/02)
Ratatouille (2007/09/16)

$18.04 OFF Ratatouille Blu ray

2010-02-22T08:45:00.001-08:00

New (30) Used (11) From the creators of CARS and THE INCREDIBLES comes a breakthough comedy with something for everyone With delightful new characters experience Paris from an all new perspective and savor a gourmet high definition experience on Blu ray Disc R In one of Paris finest restaurants Remy a determined young rat dreams of becoming a renowned French chef Torn between his family s wishes an

Product Description : No Description Available Genre Feature Film FamilyRating GRelease Date 6 NOV 2007Media Type Blu Ray

A Rat Chef Dishes Up Delights Bon Appetit (2007/08/29)
A Feast for the Eyes (2007/11/07)
another great movie courtesy of Pixar and Disney (2008/05/18)
The best Blu ray family DVD of the year (2007/09/02)
Ratatouille (2007/09/16)

Ratatouille Remote Control Remy

2009-12-27T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Remote Control Remy
From Mattel

Amazon Sales Rank: #84871 in Toys & Games Brand: Mattel Model: L4498 Released on: 2007-04-01
From the Pixar movie, Ratatouille, comes the lovable rodent of the moment, Remy. With one-button simple function steering and an authentic movie sculpt R/C Remy will have the kids chasing fun for hours! Requires two AA for the vehicle and two AA batteries for the remote. Batteries not included.
Cute for an RC This toy is super cute and my children laugh for hours watching it going around the kitchen island. They also liked the movie so they keep interest in this toy for long periods of time. Its a very simple toy so i would recommend it to ages 5 and under. :) This Is Me Casimus Prime is planting mousetraps outside Gusteau's restaraunt, so I'm reviewing this toy of me for him. This is me. I am a small R/C rat (Wheras Linquini calls me Little Chef). I am a small item that drives forward and probably in a J-Spin. I have some competition with Wall-E about being adored and or cute. I come with a small block of cheese that I hold in my right hand. I can't cook anything but I do look for food (By the way has anyone seen my "Anyone Can Cook" cookbook?). I am not poseable but am a nice excuse for an RC car. This is made by Tyco so can they give me a little more driving directions? But I gotta run dinner rush is acommin.

Ratatouille

2009-12-26T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From Walt Disney Video

From the creators of CARS and THE INCREDIBLES comes a break-through comedy with something for everyone. With delightful new characters experience Paris from an all-new perspective. It's "terrific movie making" raves Leonard Maltin of ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. In one of Paris' finest restaurants Remy a determined young rat dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Torn between his family's wishes and his true calling Remy and his pal Linguini set in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down. RATATOUILLE is a treat you'll want to enjoy again and again.System Requirements:Running Time: 111 Mins. Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY Rating: G UPC: 786936727173 Manufacturer No: 05371400

One key point: if you can get over the natural gag reflex of seeing hundreds of rodents swarming over a restaurant kitchen, you will be free to enjoy the glory of Ratatouille, a delectable Pixar hit. Our hero is Remy, a French rat (voiced by Patton Oswalt) with a cultivated palate, who rises from his humble beginnings to become head chef at a Paris restaurant. How this happens is the stuff of Pixar magic, that ineffable blend of headlong comedy, seamless technology, and wonder (in the latter department, this movie's views of nighttime Paris are on a par with French cinema at its most lyrical). Director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) doesn't quite keep all his spinning plates in the air, but the gags are great and the animation amazingly expressive--Remy's shrugs and nods are nimbler than many flesh-and-blood actors can manage. Refreshingly, the movie's characters aren't celebrity-reliant, with the most recognizable voice coming from Peter O'Toole's snide food critic. (This fellow provides the film's sole sour note--an oddly pointed slap at critics, those craven souls who have done nothing but rave about Pixar's movies over the years.) Brad Bird's style is more quick-hit and less resonant than the approach of Pixar honcho John Lasseter, but it's hard to complain about a movie that cooks up such bountiful pleasure. --Robert HortonBeyond Ratatouille on DVD Ratatouille on Blu-ray Ratatouille Toys & More Other Classic Pixar Hits Stills from Ratatouille (Click for larger image)
A Rat Chef Dishes Up Delights...Bon Appetit! Once again, the creative minds behind Pixar have created enchantment ... possibly their best film in years. Everyone loves Ratatouille...even though he is a rat in the kitchen. Indeed, the idea of rats in an upscale restaurant would normally have us run for cover. Nevertheless, the movie successfully blends the themes of the Ugly Duckling with Cyrano de Bergerac to come up with a fantastic story. Remy is a simple rat with an extraordinary nose. His idol is a great French chef who lectures on the Food Channel. "Anyone Can Cook" is his mantra. So when Remy and his rat family have to leave their homes, Remy accidentally ends up in the very kitchen of this great Chef. Alas, the great chef has passed away, and the food standards are falling, as well as the Michelin stars. To reverse this trend, Remy - the rat - teams up with a clueless scullery boy in the kitchen to whip up some wonderful recipes. Indeed, the rat's food creations are a hit with the customers. The problem, as in all Cyrano stories, is that no one knows who is really behind those wonderful recipes. And most important, will the most difficult restaurant critic in Paris condemn or praise the food that Remy prepares? Everything about this film is wonderful...the streets of Paris are recreated in rich colors and exquisite detail. I haven't seen a European city look this good in an animated film since Disney's "Pinocchio." Oh my, even the French copper pots look authentic. I laughed hysterically throughout the film...particularly the times when the rat conceals himself in a chef hat and rides the garbage boy like a cowboy on a bronco. Please don't miss this treat. Highly recommended. A Feast for the Eyes Ratatouille is a beautiful film and a wonderful showcase for your new Blu-ray player. As beautiful as this film was on screen, it's even more breathtaking on Blu-ray. Every detail and subtle color shine. I was truly blown away by the quality of the picture. As for the film itself, it holds up even better the second or third time around. Definitely a more sophisticated tale than what's usually expected in an animated film. And while really young children may squirm through a lot of this, that doesn't at all detract from the quality of this great film. Creative, amusing, heartfelt and ultimately satisfying, Ratatouille defies the genre - raising the bar once again on American animated films. PIXAR continues to create in an entirely different league than it's competitors. You can't even compare this film to anything else. It makes the ridiculously popular Shrek look, well, green. Bonus features are entertaining, particularly the well-concieved short on the history of Rats. New Blu-ray Bonus materials let you interact with the film in new ways making the "Making Of" featurette quite imersive. Most of the info is for student's and hard core fans of animation. The short LIFTED also appears on this disc as well as the just released PIXAR SHORTS DVD/Blu-ray. While it lacks the high adventure and fan-boy characters of some of Pixar's earlier works, Rataouille will be regarded with more and more acclaim as time goes by. Critic's rightfully praised the film in it's theatrical release but American audiences didn't take to it as eagerly as past films. The overseas market has been strong, bringing in quite a bit more Internationally than other Pixar hits, which is an interesting side note I think. What it says about American tastes and tolerance for animation that isn't Happy Meal ready is sobering. Bon appetit! Considering the Disney empire was founded on a mouse, it would be harsh to dismiss Ratatouille simply because it's about a rat as even the most rodent-phobic will be melting for this charming dish. This is Pixar's second collaboration with Disney since it's fusion. And while Ratatouille may lack the pioneering invention and sardonic wit of some of Pixar's previous films, there is plenty to enjoy. Ratatouille has a culinary flavour as it tells the story of Remy, a rat with a passion for cooking. Much of the film is set in the kitchen of Gusteau's, a restaurant so realistically rendered it's possible to almost smell the mouthwatering aromas lingering around. Remy is possessed with a more sophisticated taste than his brother Emile and the rest of his rat colony. He is visited by the ghost of his cooking hero, Gusteau, whose motto is 'Anyone can cook' and encourages Remy to use his catering skills to rescue his restaurant whose reputation has floundered since his passing. Once there, Remy befriends Linguini, the garbage boy. Hiding under Linguini's chef's hat, Remy indicates the talentless boy how to create fabulous dishes, quickly raising both Linguini's and the restaurant's reputation. Ratatouille cleverly explores the restaurant world with its envious rivalries and turbulent kitchen politics. Through stories of jealousy, intrigue, friendship and love, Ratatouille tells us what it takes to overcome a lack of self esteem and to become the person (or rat) you were meant to be. Ratatouille is also filled with other life's lessons. How do you deal with family members who don't see the potential in you? How do you handle people who are emotionally close to you who want you to bend the law for their benefit? Do you become something bigger than you are, or can you achieve the same results by just being honest? Like any good story, this one operates at many levels. Children will love the simplicity of the message, the funny chases, while adults will love the complexity and reality of the relationships. Ratatouille is the name of a simple peasant food that if prepared with care, will rival anything you can serve in the best restaurants of the world. It is also symbolic of our own lives. It may be simple, but if we lead it with care, love and kindness, it will be as good and valuable as the life of the most notorius man in the world.

Ratatouille (Rat A Too Ee) - Kitchen Chaos & Sewer Splashdown Complete Playset Of 2

2009-12-25T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille (Rat A Too Ee) - Kitchen Chaos & Sewer Splashdown Complete Playset Of 2
From Mattel

There's nothing more fun than playing in the dirt! From the Pixar film Ratatouille, this assortment of 2 individually packaged playsets includes a sewer and a kitchen (subject to change), and these can be stacked to make a giant playset of dirty, rodent sewer cooking fun. Includes exciting play features like a sewer slide, ice cube trays, and a fish skeleton.
Amazon Sales Rank: #217077 in Toys & Games Brand: Ratatouille Model: L2397-999A Dimensions: 9.06" h x 12.01" w x 3.35" l, 1.19 pounds

Cute but not extremely well executed Due to the small size of the many pieces, this toy is DEFINITELY not for children under 3; I would even say 4 or 5 would be better. Many plastic pieces that must be somewhat assembled first; since they are small and plastic, I would recommend an adult do the assembly first to get the handle of it and then show the child the different play options. The directions are all picture diagrams; no words. And, as the package states, colors do vary. Even on the pics on amazon, the water stream for the sewer component is 2 different colors. Still, lots of moving pieces that could allow a child with imagination to create fun playtime for quite awhile. The 2 sets are really not very stackable; it would have been a better design if they could actually fit into each other, especially with the lids still on. I do like the carrying case idea, though; it just appears that there wasn't enough testing that occurred to make sure this toy took full advantage of everything it could. These kind of remind me of the old game "Mousetrap."

Learn to Draw Disney Pixar's Ratatouille

2009-12-24T22:07:00.001-08:00

Learn to Draw Disney Pixar's Ratatouille
By Disney Pixar

Kids will fall in love with Disney Pixar's newest action-filled adventure,
Amazon Sales Rank: #536161 in Books Published on: 2007-05-01 Original language: English Number of items: 1 Binding: Paperback 32 pages

My 9 year old daughter loves this book! My 9 year old daughter got this for Christmas. She is a pretty talented artist, but nothing exceptional. She was able to draw the Ratatouille characters on her first try. I actually thought that she traced them because they were so good. These Disney books are great for young artists who want to draw their favorite characters.

Ratatouille Sewer Splashdown Playset

2009-12-23T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Sewer Splashdown Playset
From Mattel

Inspired by the Disney/Pixar movie, Ratatouille, this Sewer Splashdown 2-story playset includes 7 play features (Spinning Wheel, Carton Clubhouse, Umbrella Lift, Seesaw Ladder, Water Pipe Slide, Secret Hideaway, Ice Tracy Boat) and 1 Remy figure. The sewer is a world of slime and grime, where rats slip and slide and have a really fun time! For ages 4 and up
Amazon Sales Rank: #106622 in Toys & Games Brand: Mattel Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Cute but too small. My kids love the Ratatouille movie and characters. They do like the toy....or the idea of it - i.e. the toy has a fun concept, it was just not very well executed. The pieces and parts are quite small (even for small hands) and it only comes with two characters (Remy and his dad, Django). I do not believe there are other figures available that would work with this set, again, due to the small scale. It's unfortunate because it could be a great toy but, really, it's just okay.

Ratatouille Disney Pixar Lanyard + Taupe Wallet Brand New

2009-12-22T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Disney Pixar Lanyard + Taupe Wallet Brand New
From Disney

Wonderful matching Lanyard Change Wallet Purse set. The back of the wallet is a taupe color. New with tags. The Lanyard is approx 24 inches and has clip that can be used for the matching change wallet, or ID etc. The change wallet is approx 3 inches tall and approx 5 inches across with zipper close. Also, clear pocket in back, can be used for fast pass, park tickets etc. Everyone in the family will want one.
Amazon Sales Rank: #115579 in Single Detail Page Misc

Benny Buggles and the Termite Elimination

2009-12-21T22:07:00.001-08:00

Benny Buggles and the Termite Elimination
By Douglas W. Martin

SOME TERMITES WANT MORE FOR THEIR LIVES THAN TO JUST EAT YOUR HOUSE. While other termites were busy foraging for cellulose, Benny Buggles dreamed of becoming an artist. But worker termites had limited roles to play in the smalltown colony in Kansas, and making sculpture was not one of them. When his friend Twiggy mentions an audacious plan to escape out to California, Benny jumps at the chance. Arriving at the renowned art academy Auriana, Benny is welcomed as the prestigious institution's newest student and does his best to fit in, finding his rival in three-time Elimination champion James Maximilian, a snobbish termite who looks down on Benny as an untested newcomer pretending to the crown. The manipulative Tiffani Hardwood sees fame and fortune in each of the two promising rivals, playing both sides in the run-up to the biggest art competition of the year. Back home in Kansas, Cassie – working in Brood but harboring dreams of becoming a queen – never loses hope that Benny will return and they will be together again someday. But events soon take an unexpected turn for the worse, and Benny and his friends are tested as never before. Enduring both tragedy and triumph, Benny learns that – win or lose – the things that matter most in life aren't always what they seem, and one's place needn't be so very far away. Benny Buggles and the Termite Elimination is an inspirational story for both young adults and the young at heart. And who knows, it just might inspire a little softness in your local exterminator's heart as well.

Not a false note. While doing the Saturday morning chores, I was listening to the radio. A program on dreams was on, and an author was asked if she wrote for children or for adults. She answered for both. Aren't all children's books read by adults first? All adults were children once. Benny Buggles and the Termite Elimination is a parable, a perfectly told story without a false note. The level of vocabulary employed by William Just is not that of a child, and yet his story has been written free of lingering sadness nor building anger. Time is suspended, his target audience becoming our inner child. Benny Buggles's struggle to become an artist is ours and perhaps also that of the author Mr. Just, or should I say Bill? Once in a while you come upon that rare children's book that contains many levels of comprehension. Of even fewer adult books can that be said! Benny Buggles is that rare adult find where sexual identity and friendship go hand in hand peacefully, where the termites' duty is easily interwined with redemption within the family. Mr. Just has made many fine observations. It's about the termite's emotions and their reflections on life. If you are looking for a dissection of how termites live (do they have a king and queen?), this is not a scientific textbook. There is the occasional rough spot win the narrative where the reader would like to know more, would like to see, rather than imagine, but the parable's overarching logic carries him along without any regret. The real strength of this parable, as must be the case for all parables, is the author's voice. We hear clearly and it rocks us gently into this other universe. There are echos of an American Harry Potter here, such as when Benny moves to the West Coast art school Auriana, leaving behind the seemingly oppresive mid-western home state. Why not? Also the secondary characters are round and well understood. Love inspirational books! I originally bought this book for my 12 year old son but found myself reading and enjoying it, maybe even more than he was! It's an all ages kind of story that keeps you turning the pages faster than you even realize. I really liked it because I love books that have inspirational themes, and this one certainly has some nice themes and lessons that any child (or even adult!) could benefit from. I kept reading because I wanted to find out what would happen to Benny and if he would ultimately be successful. There's alot of humor mixed in with the story that I found really refreshing for a children's kind of book and that I could appreciate as an adult. When they get to the art academy in California, the dean of the school has alot of positive messages for Benny and the students that helps them grow alot, and I have to say that he is probably my favorite character of them all. There are also some "evil" kind of characters that you just love to despise, which makes the story that much more interesting. One of them is a girl who seems to only want to use Benny for whatever she can get out of him. The sad thing is, Benny just doesn't seem to get it. The plot twists quite a bit near the end of the book, and makes for some of the most memorable parts of the story. I especially like what happens with Twiggy and the true character that he demonstrates when things don't go as expected and he is forced to make a huge decision. I also like how Cassie has always been there for Benny through thick and thin and never gave up hope. Overall I would definitely recommend this book for any ages from young adult to adult. Just a word of caution: some of the vocabulary might be too advanced for much younger readers, but if anything it can help them to learn some vocabulary I suppose, which reading is always good for anyway. A Wonderful Allegory -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just, William. "Benny Buggles and the Termite Elimination", Lulu, 2009. A Wonderful Allegory Amos Lassen I love allegorical stories probably because they are so much fun. William Just brings us one that it is just amazing and both inspires and makes you sit up and take notice. Benny Buggles is a termite living in a small termite colony in Kansas where for generations the Buggles family worked in carpentry. Benny, however, wanted to do something more with his life and decided to leave home and head for California and become an art student at the Academy of Auriana. It is not easy for a termite to leave the nest but Benny was in pursuit of a dream. As he traveled he met some dangerous characters and his own fears did no help that much but he did discover a new faith in the "goodness of termite nature". He discovered also that it was not that easy to gain entrance into the Academy and he had to prove himself by taking part in an art competition known as the "Elimination", and to win it he had to get past manipulations and mischievous actions from some of the worst characters at Auriana. What kept Benny going was hope and he finds joy by knowing that there is a place in the world for everyone. I am sure that everyone can find part of himself here in this wonderfully written book by author Just. I smiled the entire time I read it and even thought to myself what a wonderful way to look at life. It's a quick and rewarding read.

DISNEY PIXAR RATATOUILLE KITCHEN QUAKE GAME

2009-12-20T22:07:00.001-08:00

DISNEY PIXAR RATATOUILLE KITCHEN QUAKE GAME
From Mattel

It's a thrilling daredevil race around a wacky contraption made out of kitchen utensils. But don't let Chef Skinner spot you. He'll drop his cleaver and set off a wild and funny chain reaction that could knock you flying. Be the first to get your special ingredients into the soup and you win.
Amazon Sales Rank: #81866 in Toys & Games Brand: Mattel Model: L3322 Released on: 2007-04-16 Dimensions: 3.27" h x 15.75" w x 10.43" l, 3.22 pounds
Remy¿ Kitchen Quake Game. It's a thrilling daredevil race around a wacky contraption made out of kitchen utensils. But don't let Chef Skinner¿ spot you! He'll drop his cleaver and set off a wild and funny chain reaction that could knock you flying. Be the first to get your special ingredients into the soup and you win!
Mattel built a better Mousetrap This is a variant of the Mousetrap game (Mousetrap or mousetrap) with a Ratatouille movie theme -- and with the game portion modified to make it much more fun to play as a game than classic Mousetrap! While I've enjoyed the Rube Goldberg contraption aspect of Mousetrap since I was a kid, and my kids enjoy it too, we almost never bother to actually play the Mousetrap game -- we merely build the contraption and then trigger it. But with the Ratatouille game, the actual game play is fun as well. For Ratatouille, the contraption assembly is part of setup, so the game starts out with it already assembled and ready to be triggered (which as far as I'm concerned accords with the reality that that's how my kids always wanted to play with Mousetrap anyhow -- they want to start setting it off as soon as possible). So instead of constructing the contraption during the game, the Remy-the-rat pawn pieces are, at times, actually interacting with the contraption: two positions of the movement track are on top of the fly-apart-bread-loaf, and another two positions are on top of the yanked-by-the-spoon-napkin. Plus various other board positions are, by design, in danger of getting whacked by moving parts once the contraption is triggered -- which can happen at numerous times during the game. So when the contraption gets triggered, players' Remy pawns may get sent flying (and then have to move back to the nearest "penalty" space). Also, the Remy pawns actually carry each ingredient token collected -- the token fits between the upraised paws and rests on the head of the token. (This is a cute touch and getting the tokens in place didn't give my little girls any trouble.) And at the launching loop stage of the game, the player takes that same ingredient token from their Remy pawn and puts it into the final spoon from where (if all goes well) the contraption, once triggered, will fling it into the soup pot. Note: For those with extra large hands or limited manual dexterity, the way that the movement track snakes through, and even over and under, the contraption might be awkward to manage, as might putting the ingredient token into the Remy pawn's paws (though that could be skipped by those that wished). There's also a minor "memory game" aspect: players have to collect their two "ingredients" from any of four "plate" locations where the ingredients tokens are face-down -- if a player turns over an ingredient token that isn't his own, it gets replaced face-down in the same location, so players need to pay attention to what other players have turned over and replaced. Also, recall how the Mousetrap contraption would be cantankerous: sometimes working, sometimes not? Well, that's handled better, in my opinion, in Ratatouille: the frustration level is lowered, while still retaining a certain iffiness of effect. The Ratatouille contraption has fewer pieces, most of which are anchored in plastic anchors in the game board, so it's overall a bit more reliable. Then there are two trigger buttons to start it, one which works almost all the time (used for actual ingredient launching), and a second that intentionally only works sometimes (used when Chef Skinner squares are passed, or Chef Skinner tokens are turned up). I can't comment very meaningfully on durability, as we haven't had it long enough. But as with Mousetrap, you wouldn't want to lose or break a piece of the contraption. Also, I rather suspect that the upraised paws of the Remy pawns, used to hold the ingredient tokens, will sooner or later be a breakage point -- which will be a shame esthetically, but not interfere with playing. Mouse Trap for the Year 2007 Anybody out there remember the game Mouse Trap? This is showing my age just a bit, heck, it may even be available as an old school classic at Toys R Us. Anyway, in that game, your mouse raced around the game board amongst a crazy contraption which tried to "trap" your mouse. Ratatouille is basically a revamped version of that game, with the movie characters stepping up to the plate. You play as Remy, the main mouse in the movie. As you travel around the game board, you weave in and out of Chef Skinner's crazy kitchen set-up. Skinner is trying to take you down, and his kitchen trap includes a cleaver, a stack of plates with spinning knives, coffee cups, etc. Remy tries to collect 2 soup ingredients and have them tossed into the soup bowl. Whichever player is able to do this first is the winner. This is a cool game right out of the box, for the simple fact that it is easy to set-up...even though there are several pieces. The kids will love the cool kitchen traps, which seem well-built. Lots of eye catching colorful pieces and designs. My only complaint on this game is that because there are so many towering, connected kitchen pieces, the game board is far too cramped. It is tough, especially with excited children, too navigate the board without knocking pieces over or out of place. As the game goes on this aspect becomes more and more frustrating. Overall, this is a fun game that kids will enjoy, adults too. Only buy if you like seeing your kids giggle My 6 yr old and 11 yr old love this, the 3 year old likes to try and knock it over and ruin their fun, LOL. Its fun though, the kids loved the movie and love the game too.

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Toy Plush Talking Figure Emile

2009-12-19T22:07:00.001-08:00

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Toy Plush Talking Figure Emile
From Mattel

Excellent, will put a smile on your face. I am totally pleased with little talking Emile. He's soft and cuddly and his little comical comments bring back the movie and all it's charm. If you loved the movie, you'll want to hug him every day and hear what he has to say. Tiny, squeaky voice Could just barely hear the tiny voice from this toy, by holding it next to my ear.

Ratatouille: The Guide to Remy's World

2009-12-18T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille: The Guide to Remy's World
By Glenn Dakin

Remy, a young French rat who dreams of becoming a great chef, stars in this delicious new CGI-animated adventure from Pixar, creators of

Ratatouille, Remy's World A must-have for all Ratatouille fans! Very colorful pictures that brings back a lot of fun memories of the film! Excellent book This is a fun collectible that will bring back all the charm of seeing the movie. Great pictures are used throughout.

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Figurine Set

2009-12-17T22:07:00.001-08:00

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Figurine Set
From Disney

This neat collectible Disney/Pixar Ratatouille Figure Set features all of the most popular Ratatouille characters including Remy, Linguini, Emile and more! These high quality pvc figures are 2 to 3 inches tall depending on the character and come in a really neat clear plastic 12 inch by 6 inch full color display box! These are great for any Disney/Pixar film fan and also make great unique gift. Do not miss out on these neat collectible Disney/Pixar Ratatouille figures!
Amazon Sales Rank: #165832 in Toys & Games Dimensions: 3.00" h x 2.00" w x 2.00" l, 2.00 pounds

Ratatouille figurine set Terrific toy. My 2 year old loves these Disney figurine sets. They foster great imagination play. They are durable and all the figures stand up on their own. Great toy that she plays with mutiple times a day.

Up [Theatrical Release]

2009-12-16T22:07:00.001-08:00

Up [Theatrical Release]
From Walt Disney Pictures

At a time when too many animated films consist of anthropomorphized animals cracking sitcom one-liners and flatulence jokes, the warmth, originality, humor, and unflagging imagination of Up feel as welcome as rain in a desert. Carl Fredericksen (voice by Ed Asner) ranks among the most unlikely heroes in recent animation history. A 78- year-old curmudgeon, he enjoyed his modest life as a balloon seller because he shared it with his adventurous wife Ellie (Ellie Docter). But she died, leaving him with memories and the awareness that they never made their dream journey to Paradise Falls in South America. When well-meaning officials consign Carl to Shady Oaks Retirement Home, he rigs thousands of helium balloons to his house and floats to South America. The journey's scarcely begun when he discovers a stowaway: Russell (Jordan Nagai), a chubby, maladroit Wilderness Explorer Scout who's out to earn his Elderly Assistance Badge. In the tropical jungle, Carl and Russell find more than they bargained for: Charles Muntz (Christopher Plummer), a crazed explorer whose newsreels once inspired Carl and Ellie; Kevin, an exotic bird with a weakness for chocolate; and Dug (Bob Peterson), an endearingly dim golden retriever fitted with a voice box. More importantly, the travelers discover they need each other: Russell needs a (grand)father figure; Carl needs someone to enliven his life without Ellie. Together, they learn that sharing ice-cream cones and counting the passing cars can be more meaningful than feats of daring-do and distant horizons. Pete Docter (Monsters, Inc. ) and Bob Peterson direct the film with consummate skill and taste, allowing the poignant moments to unfold without dialogue to Michael Giacchnio's vibrant score. Building on their work in The Incredibles and Ratatouille, the Pixar crew offers nuanced animation of the stylized characters. Even by Pixar's elevated standards, Up is an exceptional film that will appeal of audiences of all ages. Rated PG for some peril and action. --Charles SolomonStills from Up (Click for larger image)
An outstanding Blu...4 discs filled with more than a day's watch I had no expectations of being disappointed with a Disney/Pixar BD, and being that it took me a whole dedicated day to get through everything, I now feel it was worth every penny. The film was enjoyable, funny, sad, and scary filled with some nice messages about life and loss. I can understand why the majority of my customers loved it. The Blu clarity is outstanding, and the amount of reference points are extensive, but one that stands out the most for contrast lines would have to be when the house is entering the lair (balloons against the dark cavern). The sound is selectable between 5.1 DTS, 2.0 DTS and Descriptive English. The 5.1 was beautiful with tons of reference points, sometimes excruciating (that bird screeching) but thorough nonetheless. Now for the supplements (all times in minutes): DISC 1: (BD) * 5:46 Partly Cloudy short film. Was hilarious. A great depth test for your display with the clouds. Nice little message of tolerance no matter how difficult someone might be. * 4:40 Dug's Mission. An almost lo-def looking short take on our main dog dealing with the main three baddies on a chase. * 22:17 Adventure Out There. A must see documentary about the crew taking the actual trip to the Tepui location in South America. A beautiful travel infomercial in itself. Loved how their guide only wore sandles for the ascent and hikes. * 4:56 Alternate Scenes Ending of Muntz. Sketches and interviews regarding different endings for that bad guy that they had come up with. * 1:00 How-to on using the Digital Copy. * Cine Explore option while watching the film. The two directors give their commentary with multiple pop-up screens showing art, ideas, etc. * Screen Saver. Allows you to set a time period for your screen saver to activate. * Maximize Your Home Theater. The standard Pixar multi-step process for setting all of your theater capabilities. DISC 2: (BD) Documentaries * 6:24 Geriatric Hero. History behind the creation of our old guy. All of these documentaries are interview oriented with sketches and film clips to supplement. * 8:26 Canine Companions. In depth analysis on the breed choices, training and dog behavior studied to get the dogs in the film to be more - dog like. * 9:00 Russel Wild Explorer. Covers the reasons for his character to have the loss and why he was "egg" shaped as opposed to other sketch ideas. * 5:04 Kevin (bird). Nice reference to the Swiss Family Robinson ostrich; covered the hardest part of any of these animation films - the feathers. * 4:38 Homemakers Pixar. Enjoyed the work that went into them studying sub-floors and lighting options in making this look so real in the house. * 6:25 Balloons and Flight. Tells the now famous number of balloons used; some interesting dirigible history; shows the Pixar group using that local Bay Area air service I keep seeing fly around here (research stuff). * 7:37 Composing for Characters. Have to be into the musical/scoring stuff for this one. Extras * Global Guardian Badge Game. After the initial setup of name, difficulty levels and tutorial material, the game has an extensive amount of country/geography material. Customers grouped around and we did fine for the United States section, but we randomly tried Africa and we bombed (some of the countries they were asking for I hadn't heard of in years) - good learning tool though. * 9:15 Alternate Scene - Married Life. Another sketch/interview piece about more material being removed/added into that section of the film. The scene itself would have been only a minute longer. * 6:00 montage. A mix of characters doing funny things - will make the kids laugh. * Screen Saver option. DISC 3 (DVD) * Film, plus special features from disc 1. WITH THE EXCEPTION of no Spanish subtitles/language; English only. DISC 4 (Digital Copy). * Code both unlocks the copy and gets you the usual points at the Disney site. Overall, an excellent product no matter how you look at it. The case has that new single hinge, multi-page off center chassis that has proven to be less than durable, but it should suffice for low usage storage. Enjoy. An emotional triumph Here's a movie for dog lovers, the elderly, children of divorce, FOBs (Friends of Birds), former Boy Scouts, people yearning for adventure, and anyone who has ever loved... and lost. Up is for everyone. It made me laugh out loud, and it made me cry. I thought it would be tough for Up to match the emotional power of Wall-E. The two Pixar films are similar in their lack of dialogue in the first act, which helps deepen the emotional impact. Up begins with Carl, a shy young boy star-struck by a famous explorer; and kookie Ellie, who has a similar obsession. The two kids become fast friends, and vow to one day travel to Venezuela's Paradise Falls. After getting married, they buy their dream home and fix it up, hoping to fill it with children. Carl and Ellie's life together from childhood through old age is depicted, silently, with delicacy and subtlety. The first 15 minutes is like a celebration of a happy marriage, and you truly feel Carl's pain when he is left alone. He sits slumped in his chair, talking to the house as if it is the missing Ellie. When developers close in on Carl's beloved home, he decides to fulfill his promise to Ellie and travel to Paradise Falls. A former balloon vendor, Carl lifts his home with hundreds of colorful balloons. Stowing away on the porch is Russell, a plump, plucky kid trying to earn a scouting badge. After landing in Paradise Falls, the old man and the little boy are joined by a golden retriever named Dug who can talk with his collar, and a huge rare bird that bonds with Russell (he names her "Kevin"). Dug is priceless: spot-on for every dog that ever lived, including an obsession with squirrels. Through a series of close calls and adventures, the quartet vanquishes a villain, saving the day. And Russell earns his scouting badge. In the process, Carl learns to let go of his sad mourning for Ellie, and live life again. When this happens, a truly magical thing happens. Before, Carl's craggy face is gray and monochromatic. At the moment of his transformation, Carl's face is awash in color, and he is surrounded by beautiful hues. It reminded me of The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy steps out of her gray world and into a candy-colored Munchkinland. Carl, too, enters a whole new world. Up is a deeply emotional film, full of truth. It's the year's best film. Score another triumph for Pixar. Squirrel! Someday, Pixar is going to do it -- they're going to create an emotionally uninspiring, lackluster animated movie. But in the meantime, they're still putting out delightful animated movies like "Up," which defies the usual kid-movie conventions by starring a crotchety old man. It's a charming, fun little adventure story with flying dogs and balloon-powered houses, but underlying it is a bittersweet little story about loss and love. As a child, the shy Carl Fredricksen bonded with the oddball Ellie over their shared love of adventure, the explorer Charles Muntz, and Paradise Falls. They later married, move into their "clubhouse" together, and lived a long, sadly childless life together. When Ellie died, she had never fulfilled her dream of going to Paradise Falls. Now crotchety, alone and harassed by a real estate developer, Carl (Ed Asner) is finally ordered to a retirement home. But he isn't going quietly -- instead he attaches thousands of balloons to his house and floats it away toward South America. But he accidentally takes an enthusiastic, naive Wilderness Explorer (a thinly-veiled Boy Scout) named Russell (Jordan Nagai) along for the ride. Poor kid was just trying to earn an "assisting the elderly" badge. And the jungle trek to Paradise Falls turns out to have some surprising obstacles: a big emulike bird that Russell names Kevin, a talking dog named Dug ("I am jumping on you, bird!"), and a mysterious old man who lives deep in the heart of the jungle. Turns out the old guy is very familiar to Carl -- and to capture Kevin, he's willing to sacrifice Carl and Russell. Industry experts were babbling about how "Up" wouldn't be as popular as the previous Pixar movies, because the protagonist is basically a crusty old coot. Well, shows what they know. It ended up becoming one of those classic movies that somehow appeals to all ages -- while the humor and action appeal to children, adults can appreciate Carl's love for his lost wife, and his slow realization that he's clinging to the past. In fact, the first ten minutes are some of the most heart-tugging, quietly bittersweet scenes I've seen in a long time. Without a word, they show all the ups and downs of a realistic marriage -- joys, sorrows (Ellie's inability to have children), growing old together, and finally loss. But it's not a depressing movie by any stretch -- in fact, it's like a childhood fantasy come to life, complete with a floating house suspended on hundreds of balloons, and biplanes piloted by a talking dog army.. Plenty of great dialogue ("Do you want to play a game? It's called See Who Can Go the Longest Without Saying Anything." "Cool! My mom loves that game!") and an action-packed climax in an aged airship. Ed Asner is absolutely perfect as ubergrouch Carl -- crotchety, grumpy, and determined to fulfill his wife's lifelong dream, but gradually realizing he's clinging to the past. Nagai is equally perfect as Carl's polar opposite: a naive, chattery Scout who is determined to reunite Kevin with her baby chicks. And the utterly adorable Dug and the other dogs deserve special notice. These creatures are utterly hilarious -- they talk ("I hid under your porch because I love you") and act the way dogs would if they talked. Three words: cone of shame. The two-disc edition is going to have some very nice extras, but once again people with regular-def DVDs are going to get shafted because the Blu-ray edition will have a bunch of exclusive stuff. Grr. As for this one, there's a digital copy, the director's audio commentary, kinda-alternate-ending "The Many Endings of Muntz," and the documentary "Adventure Is Out There" about the research for this movie. There are also a pair of adorable animated shorts. "Partly Cloudy" has a much-abused stork having to deliver potentially harmful baby creatures from a kind but clueless cloud. And "Dug's Special Mission" is a sort of backstory for the adorable Dug, explaining what the heck he was doing before he met up with Carl and Russell. "Up" continues Pixar's running tally of gloriously animated, emotionally layered movies that the entire family can enjoy. With that, I have only one more thing to say... SQUIRREL!

Ratatouille

2009-12-16T16:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From THQ

Ratatouille is based on the Disney/Pixar film and brings the fun and laughs of the movie to your Nintendo GameCube. Ratatouille features an acrobatic rat named Remy who must balance his love for cooking with loyalty to his family. Features major voice talent from the film
Amazon Sales Rank: #3587 in Video Games Brand: THQ Released on: 2007-06-26 ESRB Rating: Everyone Platform: GameCube Number of items: 1 Dimensions: .75" h x 5.50" w x 7.50" l, .28 pounds

Live life as a rat I rented this game for my 6 year old son. There are many things as a rat you need to do to survive the perils of the human world. You start out in the country, at the old woman's home in the movie. You are taught various skills, like how to jump, double jump, jump from the top of one end of a post to another, how to grab a spoon and whack baby chicks that want to attack you (a little disturbing), and how to paddle a "boat." The moves seem a little complicated because it's all about timing, but it tells you what you need to push each time. To explain, when you are getting close to something that "does something" like a sardine can that you can jump on to get to higher places it kind of sparkles. When you get close to it if you need to use say the "b" button to use it it will show you what button you need to use. (Usually, it's the B button, but again, it's all about timing.) You have a super sense of smell that with a button push will highlight the way you need to go. VERY helpful for children and grownups who (to hurry things along) keep pushing the A button and miss the instructions of your task. As a rat you need to "sneak" past various animals, and I assume later, humans. It has a little circle meter it puts in the bottom corner that honks as a warning to let you know you've been seen, and for as long as the animal can see you the meter on the circle moves to red. At "all red" you loose any hiding place you have (If you are hiding under a cardboard box for example) but if you keep still under your box, the animal watching you forgets and you refill the meter back to green. As an adult, I can accept the honking because they probably did it so kids would notice. But it scares my boys because they think the honk and the appearance of the red means that they are about to die so I have to keep playing those parts for them. VERY ANNOYING! There have only been 3 of these challenges so far, but I'm sure more are coming. A nice thing about the game is that you have unlimited lives, so my sons can fall off ledges or fight cockroaches without having the sadness of a game ending. Remy does go through a brief dying clip after you've killed him based on how you did him in, but it's not "for sure" that he dies as he is instantly back in the game once you push the A button. (In other words there is no graphically dying rat in the game. He just looks like he passes out or sinks out of view if he drowns.) When your health gets lowered you can eat a piece of cheese (found throughout the game at various spots) for a health boost. There has been one mini game where Remy tells you what to put in the soup and you have to push the right button to add the right ingredient. My kids loved this matching game, but it's only shown up once so far. Maybe when we get further in the game there will be more. My son is hoping I will buy this for him, and it is pretty kid friendly. (I would give it 5 stars but I am really annoyed by the honking sneak-o-meter.) In the end, it's all about life as a rat, so expect a lot of running in sewers, between walls, and around trash cans and such while using your ultra cool rat moves. So much fun ! ! ! I bought this game as a reward for my son's good report card. If all of his rewards are this much fun for both of us, I may have to do his homework for him. (Just kidding on that last part) But, honestly this game has really been a good bonding experiance for us. Even though it is one player for the most part, we play together and help each other get through the levels. We actually got the game before we even saw the movie, and when we did get the movie, we were that much more excited about it because we could pick out different parts that were in the game. I am so glad I bought this game. Interesting Game I bought this game for my small grandson. We previously saw the movie and enjoyed it very much. This game is fast moving, the mini-games are easy enough for him to play without losing interest, and he loves the content of the story.

Ratatouille Disney Pixar Lanyard + Wallet Brand New

2009-12-16T10:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Disney Pixar Lanyard + Wallet Brand New
From Disney

Wonderful matching Lanyard Change Wallet Purse set. New with tags. The back of the wallet to light blue. The Lanyard is approx 24 inches and has clip that can be used for the matching change wallet, or ID etc. The change wallet is approx 3 inches tall and approx 5 inches across with zipper close. Also, clear pocket in back, can be used for fast pass, park tickets etc. Everyone in the family will want one.
Amazon Sales Rank: #122108 in Single Detail Page Misc

Wall-E (Single-Disc Edition)

2009-12-15T22:07:00.001-08:00

Wall-E (Single-Disc Edition)
Directed by Andrew Stanton

The highly acclaimed director of
Amazon Sales Rank: #111 in DVD Brand: Buena Vista Home Video Released on: 2008-11-18 Rating: G (General Audience) Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Formats: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen Original language: English Number of discs: 1 Dimensions: 5.00 pounds Running time: 98 minutes
Pixar genius reigns in this funny romantic comedy, which stars a robot who says absolutely nothing for a full 25 minutes yet somehow completely transfixes and endears himself to the audience within the first few minutes of the film. As the last robot left on earth, Wall-E (voiced by Ben Burtt) is one small robot--with a big, big heart--who holds the future of earth and mankind squarely in the palm of his metal hand. He's outlasted all the "Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class" robots that were assigned some 700 years ago to clean up the environmental mess that man made of earth while man vacationed aboard the luxury spaceship Axiom. Wall-E has dutifully gone about his job compacting trash, the extreme solitude broken only by his pet cockroach, but he's developed some oddly human habits and ideas. When the Axiom sends its regularly scheduled robotic EVE probe (Elissa Knight) to earth, Wall-E is instantly smitten and proceeds to try to impress EVE with his collection of human memorabilia. EVE's directive compels her to bring Wall-E's newly collected plant sprout to the captain of the Axiom and Wall-E follows in hot pursuit. Suddenly, the human world is turned upside down and the Captain (Jeff Garlin) joins forces with Wall-E and a cast of other misfit robots to lead the now lethargic people back home to earth. Wall-E is a great family film with the most impressive aspect being the depth of emotion conveyed by a simple robot--a machine typically considered devoid of emotion, but made so absolutely touching by the magic of Pixar animation. Also well-worth admiring are the sweeping views from space, the creative yet disturbing vision of what strange luxuries a future space vacation might offer, and the innovative use of trash in a future cityscape. Underneath the slapstick comedy and touching love story is a poignant message about the folly of human greed and its potential effects on earth and the entire human race. Wall-E is preceded in theaters by the comical short Presto in which a magician's rabbit, unfed one too many times takes his revenge against the egotistical magician. (Ages 3 and older) --Tami Horiuchi> Stills from Wall-E (Click for larger image) Review Golden Globes 2009 Winner Best Animated Feature FilmBoston Society of Film Critics Awards 2008 Winner Best Animated FilmChicago Film Critics Association Awards 2008 Winner Best Animated FeatureChicago Film Critics Association Awards 2008Winner Best Original ScoreChicago Film Critics Association Awards 2008 Winner Best PictureChicago Film Critics Association Awards 2008 Winner Best Screenplay, OriginalHollywood Film Festival 2008 Winner Animation of the YearLos Angeles Film Critics Association Awards 2008 Winner Best PictureNational Board of Review, USA 2008 Winner Best Animated FeatureNational Movie Awards, UK 2008 Winner Best Family FilmNew York Film Critics Circle Awards 2008 Winner Best Animated FilmSoutheastern Film Critics Association Awards 2008 Winner Best Animated Film Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2008 Winner Best Animated FeatureWorld Soundtrack Awards 2008 Winner Best Original Song Written Directly for FilmMusic by Thomas Newman, Music by, lyrics by, performed by Peter Gabriel Down To Earth --imdb.com
A masterpiece I am floored. I didn't think it was possible for Pixar to surpass Toy Story, but it has. A sophisticated treat for adults and teens, a cuddly romance for the juice-box set, this comedic science fiction thriller romance (really!) takes the company to a new, more mature level. Filled with artistry, depth, meaning and a lot of humor, WALL-E is a masterpiece. Where Cars was a kid's movie with added adult themes, this is an adult movie with added value for children. DIALOGUE SCHMIALOGUE Before I saw WALL-E I had read about the lack of dialogue, and how it might be a risky move for Pixar to make a film with characters that don't talk in a traditional sense. Well, trash that. The most emotionally powerful scenes in this movie are those with the LEAST dialogue. Fully developed and indeed almost human, the two main characters are Wall-E himself (the letters stand for Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth Class; there's also a WALL-A) and EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), two machines in love. After about a half hour I was wondering if Pixar could continue to pull off this less-is-more concept for the rest of the film -- then the two robots started playing Pong! Such imaginative screenplay carries the film to what should be a Best Picture nomination. Seriously. A TOUCHING STORY WALL-E is a lonely little robotic trash compactor who was left behind after Earth was abandoned some 700 years earlier. He has been methodically cleaning up the trash-ridden planet ever since, and harboring a tiny plant he has found among the garbage. Eve, meanwhile, lives on the immense spaceship Axiom, which is also home to the fat, blob-like remains of the human race. She is a probe robot that flies to Earth to determine if the planet is ready for habitation. WALL-E takes one look at the streamlined, angelic Eve and falls in love. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with the little robot. As soon as he giggled (after his pet cockroach tickled him) I was hooked. This hardworking rusty guy with his small home full of collected treasures is so poignant. His lonely life is so human. Eve is just as likable, but much more sleek. Near the end comes a heartbreaking moment when a key character seems to lose all personality, all self. So well done, it made me think of how families must feel when a loved one disappears inside him- or herself with Alzheimer's disease. All ends well, of course. As the credits roll, the artwork illustrates how everyone and everything lives happily after ever. AN ADULT MEANING For adults, WALL-E is not so much about a cute little robot as it is about the future of man. What happens when humans become such creatures of the consumer culture, so fat they can't even stand up without assistance, living literally on auto-pilot, that they do nothing but buy cheap merchandise, stuff their faces at the Regurgitated Food Buffet and lie around watching video screens? Can they ever get back to the land and set their souls free? Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young asked that question decades ago; Pixar asks it today. There is even a sly political reference. Broadcasting a message to the passengers of the spaceship, the CEO of monster corporation Buy 'n' Large -- played in live-action by the inimitable Fred Willard, and named Shelby Forthright -- says they will be continuing on their never-ending, hopeless cruise to nowhere because they must "Stay the course!" Hmmm, haven't I heard a president use that line? EXTRA TOUCHES WALL-E has so many wonderful touches! After the little robot is charged using his solar panels, he "turns on" with a sound any Macintosh owner will recognize. The robot's collected objects, much like the thingamabobs of The Little Mermaid's Ariel, are things that are uniquely human: bubble wrap, an iPod, a Rubics cube, a singing plastic trophy fish and -- blink and you'll miss it -- a carrousel horse from Walt Disney World. Especially inspired are the two things on this future Earth that are totally indestructible: a cockroach and Twinkies. Stay for the credits. Recalling cave drawings, hieroglyphics, Monet and Van Gogh paintings and early computer graphics, the progressive sequence of art within them sneaks in the history of dialogue-free storytelling. ANIMATED? REALLY? The look of the movie is hard to describe. In one scene, when WALL-E and EVE are investigating a piece of bubble wrap, you can't tell it is an animated film. It actually appears to be live-action. Likewise, the outer space scenes have the same level of realism as any of the Star Wars movies. The trailing tower of squiggly smoke that's left behind by a launching spacecraft re-creates the Florida sky of a Space Shuttle launch to a T. For the most part, it is only when humans are portrayed that you are consciously aware that what you're watching was generated on circuit boards, not in cameras. I've seen the movie three times, first in digital projection and then from a film projector. The digital showing was much sharper, which made all the realistic touches far easier to appreciate. MOVIE REFERENCES It's obvious the Pixar folks are movie lovers; there are so many cinematic inspirations in WALL-E that I lost count. The "Put On Your Sunday Clothes" sequence from Hello, Dolly! shows up -- literally -- maybe half a dozen times. (Disney World fans may also remember the song as one of the background melodies along Main Street U.S.A.) The Axiom spaceship's computer is clearly an homage to HAL from 2001: A Space Odyssey; that film's signature overture "Also Sprach Zarathustra" plays at a key moment. WALL-E himself combines the purrs of E.T., the attitude of R2-D2 and the moves of Charlie Chaplin. There's a brief reference to Titanic. OPENING CARTOON The movie is preceded by a Pixar short, "Presto," that had the entire audience I was sitting with in stitches. Its plot: When a magician neglects to feed his bunny a carrot, an escalating disaster results. It's so nice to start a feature with a cartoon. I wish other studios still did it. (Disney fans will note the magician's hat is similar to the one used by Mickey Mouse in Fantasia.) SOUVENIR TOY Might as well budget it in: if you take your kids to see this you're going to be buying a souvenir. Here's the coolest one I've found on Amazon: U Command Wall-E. Will it ever run out? This continuous font of imagination from Pixar? With WALL-E, it sure doesn't look like it. The 3-Disc edition gives WALL*E the deluxe treatment. Not yet listed on the Amazon page, here are the goodies that will be in this 3-disc version: Standard bonus material: director's commentary, deleted scenes, short film: Presto, new short: BURN*E, "Animation Sound Design", "WALL*E's Tour of the Universe"; Exclusive to the 3-Disc Special Edition DVD: more deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, BnL shorts, documentary film The Pixar Story, "WALL*E's Treasures and Trinkets", "Lots of Bots" DisneyFile digital copy. An Imaginative and Heartfelt Masterpiece Though there have been some exceptional movies so far this year there but there have been few which I would call a classic. With WALL-E, things have just changed. WALL-E isn't only the best film of 2008 so far, it is a pure masterpiece. From start to finish, the film wraps you in utterly delightful charm and humanity. WALL-E is a piece of inventive beauty and wonder unlike any other that you will see at the cinema this summer. I absolutely guarantee it. WALL-E (voiced by Ben Burtt) is the last operating robot on Earth. As for the human race, they left 700 years ago, when the huge amounts of self-produced trash caught up with them. WALL-E's task is to clean up the planet for the return of the humans. However, after being left on his own for so long, WALL-E has developed a personality. He is curious about many of the items that he finds whilst compacting trash, such as an old tape of the musical "Hello Dolly!" But he is also becoming lonely, which is understandable for someone who only has a friendly cockroach for company. However, all of this changes with the arrival of EVE (voiced by Elissa Knight). Thought EVE is initially hostile towards WALL-E, this doesn't stop him from becoming smitten with her and trying to connect with her. However, EVE has come to Earth on a classified mission. Once that mission has been completed, EVE shuts down and waits to be taken back from whence she came. When her transport arrives, WALL-E can't bear to lose his friend and sneaks aboard. His search for EVE brings him into contact with the remainder of the human race, who have been taking refuge on a huge spaceship and who have become excessively reliable on machines to supply their every need. They don't even walk. However, WALL-E's arrival sets many events in motion which may help the human race to return to normality... First of all, WALL-E's animation is flawless. However, as with the rest of the film, there is also a sense of risk and bravery which adds extra dimensions to the glorious animation. The first moments in the film, which show us the beauty of the stars before swooping down to gaze upon a barren and deserted Earth, are so detailed and emotionally engaging that you are immediately sucked into the tale without any hesitation. Even when the story becomes more traditional (that is in no way an attack on the film), the creativity and power of the film's visuals never falter. The main focus of the plot is on the growing affection between WALL-E and EVE. This is one of the most moving romantic relationships in years. No, they're not even human. But watching the initial conflict of EVE's determination and WALL-E's innocence slowly mix into love and companionship is magnificent. The scenes between the two characters on Earth are simply wonderful, perfectly paced and confident in the set-up of this unusual couple. However, the best scene comes in the second half, when WALL-E and EVE dance through space together. Everything in this scene is perfect, the comedy of watching WALL-E propel himself through space by use of a fire extinguisher, the lovely visuals, Thomas Newman's marvelous score and the interaction between the two characters. When WALL-E looks likely to float off into space after the fire extinguisher runs out, EVE flies in and scoops him up in her arms. This scene is pure cinematic genius. Overall, there is a humanity and grace of execution in the relationship between WALL-E and EVE which elevates it far beyond the emotional impact of other romantic relationships. The term of "cinematic genius" can also be applied to the iconic character of WALL-E and the fantastic direction by Finding Nemo director Andrew Staunton. Staunton shows that he is willing to inject some risk into his movie-making if it makes a better film. This decision pays off magnificently here. Staunton has lovingly constructed this film with invention, depth and bravura, and in doing so has crafted a piece of movie making which is likely to go down as at least a family classic. Not only will children be enthralled by the sheer brilliance of this film, but other audiences will also be open to its bewitching magic. As for WALL-E himself, he is one of the most original movie creations in years. Speaking in sequences of robotic speech (bleeps, whirs, etc.) with only small moments of mechanical dialogue, the filmmakers have still managed to create one of the most human characters of the year. By mostly using his eyes, the animators are able to flawlessly display WALL-E's emotions. In one scene, his eyes droop with sadness when EVE calls him Wally. When he panics or is happy, his eyes rise in an outburst of emotion. The life that the filmmakers are able to find in such simple mannerisms is incredible. Even the beeps and whirs, provided masterfully by legendary sound designer Ben Burtt, increase an already rich and lovable character to terrific heights. The character of WALL-E is just superb, as is the rest of the movie. WALL-E has just raised the bar for future animated movies. Pixar Animation Studios has already crafted many animated classics. WALL-E joins them without question. The visuals are compelling, the characters are endlessly endearing and the story is told with beauty, wit, imagination and humanity. I couldn't have asked for more.

Ratatouille Linguini 8 1/2" Action Figure

2009-12-14T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Linguini 8 1/2" Action Figure
From DISNEY

Linguini, Remy's chef-in-training partner from, " Ratatouille," features fully-articulated, poseable arms. legs and neck!
Amazon Sales Rank: #271187 in Toys & Games

Ratatouille [Blu-ray]

2009-12-13T22:07:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille [Blu-ray]
Directed by Brad Bird

No Description Available.
Amazon Sales Rank: #756 in DVD Brand: Buena Vista Home Video Released on: 2007-11-06 Rating: G (General Audience) Aspect ratio: 2.35:1 Formats: Anamorphic, Animated, Color, Dolby, Subtitled Original language: English, French, Spanish Number of discs: 1 Dimensions: 1.00 pounds Running time: 111 minutes
One key point: if you can get over the natural gag reflex of seeing hundreds of rodents swarming over a restaurant kitchen, you will be free to enjoy the glory of Ratatouille, a delectable Pixar hit. Our hero is Remy, a French rat (voiced by Patton Oswalt) with a cultivated palate, who rises from his humble beginnings to become head chef at a Paris restaurant. How this happens is the stuff of Pixar magic, that ineffable blend of headlong comedy, seamless technology, and wonder (in the latter department, this movie's views of nighttime Paris are on a par with French cinema at its most lyrical). Director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) doesn't quite keep all his spinning plates in the air, but the gags are great and the animation amazingly expressive--Remy's shrugs and nods are nimbler than many flesh-and-blood actors can manage. Refreshingly, the movie's characters aren't celebrity-reliant, with the most recognizable voice coming from Peter O'Toole's snide food critic. (This fellow provides the film's sole sour note--an oddly pointed slap at critics, those craven souls who have done nothing but rave about Pixar's movies over the years.) Brad Bird's style is more quick-hit and less resonant than the approach of Pixar honcho John Lasseter, but it's hard to complain about a movie that cooks up such bountiful pleasure. --Robert HortonBeyond Ratatouille on Blu-ray Ratatouille on DVD Ratatouille Toys & More Other Classic Pixar Hits Stills from Ratatouille (Click for larger image)
A Rat Chef Dishes Up Delights...Bon Appetit! Once again, the creative minds behind Pixar have created enchantment ... possibly their best film in years. Everyone loves Ratatouille...even though he is a rat in the kitchen. Indeed, the idea of rats in an upscale restaurant would normally have us run for cover. Nevertheless, the movie successfully blends the themes of the Ugly Duckling with Cyrano de Bergerac to come up with a fantastic story. Remy is a simple rat with an extraordinary nose. His idol is a great French chef who lectures on the Food Channel. "Anyone Can Cook" is his mantra. So when Remy and his rat family have to leave their homes, Remy accidentally ends up in the very kitchen of this great Chef. Alas, the great chef has passed away, and the food standards are falling, as well as the Michelin stars. To reverse this trend, Remy - the rat - teams up with a clueless scullery boy in the kitchen to whip up some wonderful recipes. Indeed, the rat's food creations are a hit with the customers. The problem, as in all Cyrano stories, is that no one knows who is really behind those wonderful recipes. And most important, will the most difficult restaurant critic in Paris condemn or praise the food that Remy prepares? Everything about this film is wonderful...the streets of Paris are recreated in rich colors and exquisite detail. I haven't seen a European city look this good in an animated film since Disney's "Pinocchio." Oh my, even the French copper pots look authentic. I laughed hysterically throughout the film...particularly the times when the rat conceals himself in a chef hat and rides the garbage boy like a cowboy on a bronco. Please don't miss this treat. Highly recommended. A Feast for the Eyes Ratatouille is a beautiful film and a wonderful showcase for your new Blu-ray player. As beautiful as this film was on screen, it's even more breathtaking on Blu-ray. Every detail and subtle color shine. I was truly blown away by the quality of the picture. As for the film itself, it holds up even better the second or third time around. Definitely a more sophisticated tale than what's usually expected in an animated film. And while really young children may squirm through a lot of this, that doesn't at all detract from the quality of this great film. Creative, amusing, heartfelt and ultimately satisfying, Ratatouille defies the genre - raising the bar once again on American animated films. PIXAR continues to create in an entirely different league than it's competitors. You can't even compare this film to anything else. It makes the ridiculously popular Shrek look, well, green. Bonus features are entertaining, particularly the well-concieved short on the history of Rats. New Blu-ray Bonus materials let you interact with the film in new ways making the "Making Of" featurette quite imersive. Most of the info is for student's and hard core fans of animation. The short LIFTED also appears on this disc as well as the just released PIXAR SHORTS DVD/Blu-ray. While it lacks the high adventure and fan-boy characters of some of Pixar's earlier works, Rataouille will be regarded with more and more acclaim as time goes by. Critic's rightfully praised the film in it's theatrical release but American audiences didn't take to it as eagerly as past films. The overseas market has been strong, bringing in quite a bit more Internationally than other Pixar hits, which is an interesting side note I think. What it says about American tastes and tolerance for animation that isn't Happy Meal ready is sobering. Bon appetit! Considering the Disney empire was founded on a mouse, it would be harsh to dismiss Ratatouille simply because it's about a rat as even the most rodent-phobic will be melting for this charming dish. This is Pixar's second collaboration with Disney since it's fusion. And while Ratatouille may lack the pioneering invention and sardonic wit of some of Pixar's previous films, there is plenty to enjoy. Ratatouille has a culinary flavour as it tells the story of Remy, a rat with a passion for cooking. Much of the film is set in the kitchen of Gusteau's, a restaurant so realistically rendered it's possible to almost smell the mouthwatering aromas lingering around. Remy is possessed with a more sophisticated taste than his brother Emile and the rest of his rat colony. He is visited by the ghost of his cooking hero, Gusteau, whose motto is 'Anyone can cook' and encourages Remy to use his catering skills to rescue his restaurant whose reputation has floundered since his passing. Once there, Remy befriends Linguini, the garbage boy. Hiding under Linguini's chef's hat, Remy indicates the talentless boy how to create fabulous dishes, quickly raising both Linguini's and the restaurant's reputation. Ratatouille cleverly explores the restaurant world with its envious rivalries and turbulent kitchen politics. Through stories of jealousy, intrigue, friendship and love, Ratatouille tells us what it takes to overcome a lack of self esteem and to become the person (or rat) you were meant to be. Ratatouille is also filled with other life's lessons. How do you deal with family members who don't see the potential in you? How do you handle people who are emotionally close to you who want you to bend the law for their benefit? Do you become something bigger than you are, or can you achieve the same results by just being honest? Like any good story, this one operates at many levels. Children will love the simplicity of the message, the funny chases, while adults will love the complexity and reality of the relationships. Ratatouille is the name of a simple peasant food that if prepared with care, will rival anything you can serve in the best restaurants of the world. It is also symbolic of our own lives. It may be simple, but if we lead it with care, love and kindness, it will be as good and valuable as the life of the most notorius man in the world.

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie EXCLUSIVE Collector's Talking Action Figure Remy

2009-12-12T22:07:00.001-08:00

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie EXCLUSIVE Collector's Talking Action Figure Remy
From Disney

Includes a small mushroom, a wedge of cheese and a slice of lemon along with a mini Gusteau and Remy the Rat. Says sevreal phrases
Amazon Sales Rank: #57083 in Toys & Games

Independence Day [Blu-ray]

2009-12-11T22:07:00.001-08:00

Independence Day [Blu-ray]
Directed by Roland Emmerich

One of the biggest box office hits of all time delivers the ultimate encounter when mysterious and powerful aliens launch an all-out invasion against the human race. The spectacle begins when massive spaceships appear in Earth's skies. But wonder turns to terror as the ships blast destructive beams of fire down on cities all over the planet. Now the world's only hope lies with a determinded band of survivors, uniting for one last strike against the invaders - before it's the end of all mankind.

essential video In Independence Day, a scientist played by Jeff Goldblum once actually had a fistfight with a man (Bill Pullman) who is now president of the United States. That same president, late in the film, personally flies a jet fighter to deliver a payload of missiles against an attack by extraterrestrials. Independence Day is the kind of movie so giddy with its own outrageousness that one doesn't even blink at such howlers in the plot. Directed by Roland Emmerich, Independence Day is a pastiche of conventions from flying-saucer movies from the 1940s and 1950s, replete with icky monsters and bizarre coincidences that create convenient shortcuts in the story. (Such as the way the girlfriend of one of the film's heroes--played by Will Smith--just happens to run across the president's injured wife, who are then both rescued by Smith's character who somehow runs across them in alien-ravaged Los Angeles County.) The movie is just sheer fun, aided by a cast that knows how to balance the retro requirements of the genre with a more contemporary feel. --Tom Keogh
Good transfer, but still disappointing I have to say that I'm a big fan of this film, and I already own the DVD. Most of those wanting to buy this film on Bluray are those who have already seen it and liked it, so I won't comment on the movie content itself, but rather the technical and supplemental aspects of this release. I borrowed a friend's copy of the BD version of ID4 just a few weeks ago, as I was contemplating whether to add this to my small but growing blu-ray collection. The picture and audio are superb, and watching this on my new LCD at 1080p with the lossless DTS-MA audio track really transported me back to the July of '96, when I watched this on the big screen. This movie has certainly aged well these thirteen years, and the special effects are still terrific even today. While watching, I was pretty much set on adding this to my collection. That is, until after I finished watching the movie and wanted to see the extras in HD. The DVD version I have contains two discs and a lot of extras, including an alternate ending, making-of feature, trailers, and cast/crew interviews. Sadly, in this BD release there are none, not even in standard definition. The only "extra" is a commentary track, which, as an another reviewer already pointed out, is laughably outdated. At $25, I would expect more than just a movie and nothing else. The Dark Knight BD had two discs plus a digital copy for the same price- that was justifiable, even in this economy. This... isn't. FOX is notorious for double-dipping their DVD and Blu-ray releases. I would imagine that a two-disc or dual-layered "special edition" version will come out over the next year or so. Needless to say, this BD release is quite a disappointment. An Outstanding DVD Package! Studios are finally getting the whole DVD thing! This is a truly worth-your-money deal with lots of extras including two versions of the film; the first version is the original theatrical release and the second version is a directors cut featuring about 9 minutes of added footage not released in theatres. What's really great about this is they list what new scenes have been included and some of them are really funny and some of them make the story a lot more heartfelt. Also included is a second disc that includes a really cool mockumentary called "The ID4 Invasion" which is truly a priceless gem in this great collection. Also, there is commentary, lots of interviews with cast and crew, a special effects documentary on the making of the film and the original biplane ending which unfortunately looks really hokey and what I felt after watching it was-THANK GOD THEY DIDN'T GO WITH THAT ENDING-THAT ENDING WOULD'VE MADE THIS MOVIE A "REAL" DISASTER! For a product like this under $30 it is totally worth your money. For those who appreciated this movie as a special effects funfest, this DVD is not one to be passed up. For those of you boring types who felt this movie needed a "serious acting edge" buy Out of Africa and leave science fiction alone! Cheers! Independence Day This is one of my most favorite movies!! It is hard to pick which is better the cast, special effects or writing. The special effects go without saying - superb. The timing on some of the events like the synchronized takedown of the different cities could not have been done better. I can't say enough nice things about the cast. Will Smith was funny at times and yet still the tragic hero. Randy Quaid was priceless! Jeff Goldblum was more likeable in this movie than I have ever seen him in the past. I also thought Robert Loggia and Bill Pullman were well chosen. While the script was similar to movies done in the past, there was a new spin on it. I particularly liked the scene when Bill Pullman gave his speech prior to fighting the enemy. Some borrowed history from a Dylan Thomas' poem was genius.

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Collectibles Movie Figure - Remy In a Jar

2009-12-10T22:07:00.001-08:00

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Collectibles Movie Figure - Remy In a Jar
From Disney

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Collectibles Movie Figure - Remy In a Jar
Amazon Sales Rank: #56253 in Toys & Games Dimensions: 7.00" h x 5.00" w x 5.00" l, 1.00 pounds

Pixarpedia

2009-12-09T22:13:00.001-08:00

Pixarpedia
By DK Publishing

From before

Review
"Truly written with a young audience in mind, this hefty, encyclopedia-style tome is jam-packed with beautifully reproduced movie images presented in stunning large-size format or artfully arranged in eye-catching layouts along with brief explanatory narrative and captions. The book begins with a summary of the company's creation, a step-by-step flow chart of how Pixar movies are made, and a time line. Next, each Pixar film (including Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Wall-E, Up, and more) is introduced in a sizable entry that covers plot basics, characters, and settings. Final spreads cull from all of the movies to highlight various themes (e.g., friendship, villains, etc.) and present behind-the-scenes facts about each production. Brief bios and photos of real Pixar employees are sprinkled throughout, inspiring future filmmakers. With plenty of visuals to look at and lots of interesting tidbits to discover, this is one of those reference works that will draw kids into the library again and again to explore its pages." --School Library Journal, September 21, 2009

"[A] lavish, full-color, kid-friendly roundup of everything Pixar. It ranges from a brief history of the company to hints on finding the inside jokes and references in each Pixar film -- and everything else in-between! In fact, calling it "A Complete Guide to the World of Pixar... And Beyond!" may actually be selling it a bit short. ... Many of these spreads are poster-worthy! [O]ne of the best coffee-table books ever produced for an audience too young for coffee." --ComicsWorthReading.com, October 3, 2009

A Must Have for Pixar Fans
This is an awesome book. The layout and design of this book is done extremely well. Packed full of images, movie stills, character art, & poster art this book gives fans of all ages a behind-the-scenes description and analysis of PIXAR films. Featuring movie facts, film plots as well as character bios, this 350 page book is an excellent guide to the world of PIXAR. PIXAR shot films are also included in this book such as, One Man Band, Mike's New Car, Presto, Lifted, Mater and the Ghostlight and more! Although this book is written at a young adult age level, it is a must have for any PIXAR fan.

Beautiful Book
If your a Pixar Fan, this is a must have. The pages are filled with screen shots of all the different movies and characters. If your interested in more of the process of how Pixar makes their movies, then you need to look at the individual "Making of" books for more in depth, behind the scenes action. Being an encyclopedia of Pixar I would have hoped to learn a bit more about the people and process from Pixar. Don't get me wrong, it's a cool book to look at, and there are a few pages about the people and process. But it is about the movies, mainly.

Must Own
Must own for any animation, pixar, film, or cartoon buff. Also fantastic if you want to wow your friends with "inside" knowledge about the films!

Disney Ratatouille 12" Remy Plush Doll

2009-12-08T22:13:00.000-08:00

Disney Ratatouille 12" Remy Plush Doll
From Disney

Cute plush collectible
For the plush toy fan, this foot tall Remy from Disney's Ratatouille is sure to be a hit. His cute face, whiskers, feet and paws make him cuddly, the ears and tail make him look like a real rat! There's not much to do with this toy except display him if you're a collector, or tuck him under the covers if you're a kid. There is no voice, no sound, nothing. Other versions of this toy sold in stores offer a push button on the paw which will make Remy speak a few lines from the movie, which by the way, is one of the best films for youngsters in a long while with lots of positive messages of loyalty and friendship throughout. A refreshing change of pace and very original.

The Student Council

2009-12-07T22:13:00.001-08:00

The Student Council
By David Dasilma

“It was all about respect. Yes, from the start, this whole damn thing was about respect. I believe you can’t trade respect in for anything in this world. However, in order to get respect, you need money and power. At least that’s the case where I’m from. I’ll be the first to tell you that I have that respect. The student council has that respect. It still lives on and it will never, ever die.”—Giles Chanesworth The Student Council is the story of the fourteen British Columbian teens that, in the late 1990s, rebuilt the notorious “Chanesworth Crime Family.” Within these pages, David Dasilma cinematically carries you through the rise and fall of yesterday’s youngest organized criminals. Chanesworth and his crew capture your heart in this novel as you realize that behind the criminally efficient exteriors lay the mixed emotions and typical confusions of everyday high school kids.

A New Classic
First of all, I must say I am a huge fan of gangster films, and with American Gangster coming out following last year's The Departed, I have a newfound love for the genre. Prior to those last two films, contemporary gangster films have sucked for the most part.

Dasilma's "The Student Council" falls right alongside the new slew of hardcore mobster tales. I was actually surprised at how smoothly the story flowed. It was as though I were watching a film. The love story, the violence, and the narrative style were all thumbs up.

This author is the Tarantino of written crime.
I recommend this book to anyone; it's a real page turner and quick enough to warrant future reads.

I look forward to Denzel Washington's new film as well and I hope Hollywood produces this novel one day.

NJ

`CRUEL INTENTIONS' MEETS `GOODFELLAS' & The Author's Message
The following Press Release by Renee Kenner of TCI Smith Publicity (NJ/NYC):

`CRUEL INTENTIONS' MEETS `GOODFELLAS' IN NEW TEENAGE LITERARY ANTHEM

Money, respect, and power make the world go `round. CEO's of billion dollar corporations, politicians, athletes and entertainment celebrities all have it. People with influence, control the world - at least for a time.

In high school, the social hierarchy is similar. The star football player or the richest kids in school are usually the trendsetters and have the most influence on the student population. What they wear, have and do usually dictates what the rest of the student body population will wear, have and do. The kids that don't have it will do almost anything to obtain it. Those that don't have money, cool clothes or new car will steal.

No respect? Take it forcefully. Kill for it.

That's exactly what The Student Council did. Written by David Dasilma and based on his teenage years, The Student Council, an exciting, fast-paced drama centers around 14 high schoolers growing up in British Columbia.

While going through the emotional and hormonally charged highs and lows of normal teenage life, they also form an organized crime family. Taking place in the mid to late 90's, the teens re-establish the notorious "Chanesworth Crime Family." As the students gain the status and power of an organized crime mob, they also gain the problems that come along with it.

Dasilma, an actor and film producer, wrote The Student Council in hopes of opening the doors to those that normally don't read books, but love a good movie. "This was written first and foremost, for movie lovers who aren't necessarily avid readers," remarks Dasilma. "I started out writing The Student Council as a screenplay but it ended up evolving into a book."

He combines the most popular movie themes and ongoing issues in today's society in the book: power, popularity, organized crime, youth and corruption.

Dasilma points to the fascination with organized crime as a reason for writing the book.

"I have yet to understand why people are fascinated with those who wreak havoc on society. Perhaps it's the allure of the dark side we all have or what we secretly wish we could do, or would do," says Dasilma. "Yet, if we were affected by this element in real life we would be horrfied by it."

He also points out the influence of organized crime on today's youth with The Student Council; in particular, hip-hop.

"Almost every crew in hip hop models themselves as dynasties and families the way the mafia does it," says Dasilma. "It'll be a proud day for me when artists start using `Chanesworth Crime Family' references in classic gangster tunes."

"I hope my book," Dasilma adds, "cinematically carries you through the rise and fall of yesterday's youngest organized criminals. Chanesworth and his crew capture your heart as you realize that behind the criminally efficient exteriors lay the mixed emotions and typical confusions of everyday high school kids."

About the author

David Dasilma is from Surrey, British Columbia in the town of Fleetwood. He attended the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts for Acting, attended Valencia Community College in Orlando, Florida and graduated with his AA Degree.

He was a local actor in Vancouver, British Columbia (1999-2003).
Currently a Soldier in the US Army, he plans on returning to Film after service obligation.

***********************************************************************
FROM THE AUTHOR

This novel is not a glorification of violence and organized crime; this is entertainment.

The Student Council is a classic Organized Criminal tale that had to be told.

Enjoy this novel and keep your eye open for "Heaven's Devils"...it's on the way. Details soon.

David Dasilma

The Student Council

Interesting Read
I met David on a flight home to Seattle from a business meeting in Chicago. I doubt I would have ordered this book had it not been for the very pleasant conversation we had on the flight. I'm so glad that I ordered it. The book reads like a movie, it held my interest and I truly enjoyed it. I handed it over to my husband and he really enjoyed the story. It was hard to put down once I got in to the story. This is not the type of story I normally pick up to read, but I'm really glad that I did this time.

The Student Council

I Smell a Rat (Scented Storybook)(Ratatouille Movie Tie in)

2009-12-07T10:13:00.001-08:00

I Smell a Rat (Scented Storybook)(Ratatouille Movie Tie in)
By RH Disney

From the gournet kitchen of a fine French restaurant to the garbagefilled alleys of Paris, Disney / Pixar's

Poor effort for a scratch and sniff book
I love the illustrations in this book and the rhyming text but.... for a scratch and sniff book this book is a disappointment. The size of the smelling sticker that they slapped on in various places on each page is the size of a silver dollar, no bigger and it wasn't even really planned out so that the smelling area is part of the page... nope just a round color sticker. The smell wore out fairly quickly.

If you had these two books originally published in the 1980's Sweet Smell of Christmas by Patrica Scarry or Little Bunny Follows his Nose by Katherine Howard published you'll know exactly what I am talking about. Disney / Pixar could have done so much better.

If you are looking for excellent Scratch and Sniff books done right and that keep their smell check out DK books. My daughter is 6 now and has several books that she's had for 4 years now and they still smell. They have a smell area about the size of an American Cheese slice that is applied over the page so it looks just like the photo. Check out DK Scratch and Sniff - Party, Food, Garden and Shopping. They are all board books.

Cute Book!
I bought this for my 3 year old son, and he loves it. There are 10 different scratch & sniff stickers: flowers, cheese, bubble-gum, lemons, pickle, soap, spices, onion, ratatouille, and cherry. However, I can't really smell the cheese and cherry stickers. My son loves to go through the pages without even reading the story. He smells the scent and either says "mmmmmm..." or "ewwwwww..." Then, he wants me to take a turn smelling the sticker. The story rhymes and is about Remy looking for ingredients to put into his dinner. I would definitely recommend to any parent with a toddler. It is an enjoyable read.

Scratch-and-Sniff Movie Tie-In
"Remy, the rat chef, is out seeking food.
It's such a nice day and he's in a swell mood.
With Linguini, his friend, Remy sniffs up and down,
Searching the shops for the best treats in town." -- From the book

My family and I saw Ratouille last week and enjoyed it immensely!

We now have three books based on the movie, and I Smell A Rat was our latest purchase.

Unlike other Ratatouille books, this one is NOT based on the story line of the movie. Instead, I Smell a Rat follows Linguini, Remy and Emile (Remy's brother) around the town. From flowers at the curb-side florist to stinky cheese, sticky bubble gum to fresh ratatouille, there are ten different scent areas in this book.

While the whole scratch-and-sniff concept isn't new, it IS rather unusual to see it in a movie tie-in book. Unfortunately, a few of the scents smell like chemical fabrications...not the real thing. For example, the "fresh flowers" smelled like something out of the laundry detergent aisle in the local supermarket!

A few DID smell close to the real thing (red onions, pickles and ratatouille--which smelled like oregano or a delicious Italian dish), but a few didn't even smell at all (spices and cherries). This COULD be because other children had already scratched the sniff areas to death BEFORE we bought the book. However, the stickers themselves didn't show any signs of wear or scratching.

The text throughout I Smell a Rat are brief rhymes, making it an accessible books for beginner readers (up to age 6 or so). Older children will enjoy the novelty of the scratch-and-sniff areas. This hardcover book features stylized versions of the movie characters, not slick stills from the movie--so keep that in mind. (So far, the only Ratatouille-based books using actual film stills are the sticker books from what I've seen.)

If your child is interested in food or likes the movie Ratatouille, they'll probably be delighted with this scratch-and-sniff book--but do know that some of the scents are overpowering and unnatural...with a few possibly not giving off any scent at all.

Mattel Ratatouille Little Chef Remy

2009-12-07T04:13:00.001-08:00

Mattel Ratatouille Little Chef Remy
From Mattel

Amazon Sales Rank: #103904 in Toys & Games
Brand: Ratatouille
Model: L2399
Released on: 2007-06-01
Dimensions: 10.63" h x 6.69" w x 4.33" l, 2.03 pounds

Remy is the rat with a craze for cooking from the recent Disney/Pixar movie Ratatouille. As a rodent who aspires to eating something better than the food remains that humans throw away, Remy accidentally becomes a chef at a Paris restaurant and starts eating meals fit for a king. This interactive Little Chef Remy transfers the fun and humor from the movie into an adorable, engaging plush toy.

Sensors in Little Chef Remy trigger features like talking or dancing to music, wiggling his ears, blinking his eyes, and sniffing his nose. The 12-inch-tall rat says funny phrases from the film and does tricks with his chef's spoon, bringing the fun from the theater into your home.

Remy, the main rat character from the Disney/Pixar movie, Ratatouille, comes to life with engaging, interactive play features. Little Chef Remy talks and dances to music. Kid-activated sensors control his wiggling ears, blinking eyes, and sniffing nose

I love it for myself, but others be wary.
Being an adult, I love my kiddie toys. I like having this toy on my desk at work. It makes me smile to turn it on and watch it move once in a while. The animatronics on it are great for the price. Lots of movement. But seeing how this toy is geared towards someone many years younger than I, I must caution giving this as a gift to a younger child. The toy is hard, heavy, and not at all cuddle-able. I should also mention that it is loud when activated (I'm guessing that was done in order to cover up the sound of the moving mechanical parts). It has a few delicate parts, such as the arms and ears, that may easily become damaged if banged into. I have not tested this myself nor will I do so. Why would I want to attempt to break my own toy to see how durable it is? I'm sure they may be some "safety" mechanical features that keeps this toy from breaking easily. There aren't any real interactive features to this product that the advertisements may make you think. The only thing it does is respond to something that is moved close to its nose and mouth. How many times can someone make it respond to something that simple before they get over that feature? Less than 10 I suspect. Don't expect this to keep any child entertained for more than 5 minutes. It works great for myself because I love the character and I love having it dance for me on my desk when I need a pick me up.

My 7 year old daughter loves it...
She says it is "so cool!" They get to pretend to cook with Remy. She took Remy and got out a kitchen bowl and started adding pretend food and Remy was sniffing it....it was so cute. We have had it for 2 weeks now, works great. Just be sure to turn off after use to save battery, b/c he will keep talking. You also have to turn the button underneath off from "demo", to regular so he will go through ALL the phrases. The only thing that I will say about disliking it...we paid [...] for it at another store, and I don't know if it's really worth more than that unless your child loved the movie as much as mine!

Fun for the kitchen
My kids and I loved the movie and positively adore Remy, plus we enjoy cooking and baking together, so I thought Little Chef Remy would make a fun addition to our kitchen.

Remy's main feature is that he "smells" and comments on anything put underneath his nose. He "dances" and plays joyful cooking music too. My husband and I find Remy to be quite hilarious actually, and it's nice to have him around whenever we need a good laugh. You never know how he will react to each "ingredient" he smells and he certainly "knows" what he doesn't like. My kids love it when he says "eeeeewwwww, that is gross!"

I agree with one of the previous reviewers that Remy should definiately not be considered a toy for children to have. Even if he were, he'd end up collecting dust in a corner somewhere after only a few minutes of "smelling" various objects the kids could find. By keeping Remy in the kitchen, he's ready to be enjoyed by us and any adult or child that comes for a visit. He sure does look cute sitting on the counter by the stove too!

As for the price, I purchased Remy over the holidays for a significant Amazon discount. I personally don't think he's worth paying full price for, but if you find him on sale, he's a fun addition to your kitchen!

Ratatouille

2009-12-06T22:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From THQ

In Disney/Pixar's animated adventure a rat named Remy dreams of becoming a great French chef despite his family's wishes and the obvious problem of being a rat in a decidedly rodent-phobic profession. When fate places Remy in the sewers of Paris he finds himself ideally situated beneath a restaurant made famous by his culinary hero Auguste Gusteau. In the game players will assume the role of Remy and relive some of the film's most thrilling moments. Players will instantly recognize the storyline characters and key locations of Ratatouille as they engage in a series of unique mini-games cooking challenges and head-to-head multiplayer. Ratatouille will allow players to create culinary masterpieces evade detection from dangerous and often hungry enemies and brave the perils of the dinner-rush in this senses-shattering journey to fulfill Remy's life-long dream of becoming a great chef. Format: PS3 Genre: SPORTS/GAMES/AUTO RACING Rating: RP UPC: 752919990179 Manufacturer No: 99017

Amazon Sales Rank: #14463 in Video Games
Brand: THQ
Model: 99017
Released on: 2007-10-23
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: .50" h x 5.25" w x 6.50" l, .25 pounds

A fun game that`s not too difficult.
This game is intended for either younger kids or casual gamers. For that audience I think it is a fun game. The graphic quality is 720p. It is not as good looking as most other PS3 games, but it is a level above the PS2 or Wii versions. I have played those versions as well by renting them. I think the Wii version is the most fun to play due to the controller. But the PS3 version is nearly as much fun to play while looking better and adding some new gameplay elements not included in other versions. The PS3 version is slightly more challenging to play than the other versions, but the average 10 year old can figure out all the puzzles.
There is a glitch in the first level where the voice audio is missing. After about five minutes you can hear them talk.

Soooo Frustrating!!!
This is a child's game???

I was looking forward to an elementary game with easy missions like, "Go find the correct spice so that you can help Linguini make a good soup - but watch out for the bad-tempered chefs in the kitchen." I thought it would be fun to dash around the kitchen and dining room in a sort of extended version of the movie.

But no, I haven't earned that privilege yet as I've been stuck for days in a boring alleyway behind Gusteau's restaurant trying to perch onto three stupid broom handles so that I can proceed to the top of the archway and scare the dumb dog away from the back entrance.

I wouldn't have a problem with these missions if the program weren't so finicky in its requirements for expert controller handling in balancing on the tips of paint brushes and small rotating objects. You have to get the camera angle just right and point Remy's nose in precisely the correct orientation to make it across some pipes, and of course, my big problem - to perch and jump in the proper direction. GRRRRR.

Also, the "highlighted points" that show you where Remy can jump are sometimes so discreetly highlighted, you would have no idea where to go unless you downloaded a walkthrough.

Note: free walkthroughs for Ratatouille on PS3 are virtually impossible to come by - I had to pay a small fee for mine. There are plenty of free walkthroughs for PS2 and other platforms, but they are useless for this version. Those versions actually sound like fun....

The graphics are pretty good, though, and the potential for a really amusing and cute game is there, but this has got to be the most frustrating game I have played!!!!

Stuck on level one
I have spent several hours on this game. The hugest defect is you cannot save the game when you want. I am stuck on level 1 ("training!"). After having collected about 20 amulets, a message says "now go find your brother Emile". No way I could find that rat. And all the times I want to try, I have to start everything from the beginning. And I am forced to watch again all the instructions videos, as you cannot skip those! Unbelievable. And it's true: all the walkthroughs on the internet are completely useless, because the PS3 game is completely different from the other platforms. It's a pity, because they put a lot of work on this game which potentially would be very nice.

-- Edit:
I have now dedicated more time to the game. I'm still convinced there are several issues, but I must say that all in all it is not bad. It is rather fun to play and probably it is worth trying. Although they say 3+, forget having it played by kids 4-5 years old. It is just too hard.

Disney. Pixar Ratatouille: Meet The Chefs

2009-12-06T16:13:00.001-08:00

Disney. Pixar Ratatouille: Meet The Chefs
From Disney

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Moments Meet The Chefs: A twist of fate brings Remy to Gusteau's, the world-famous French restaurant. He befriends Linguini and the other chefs who help him realize his dream.

Amazon Sales Rank: #211290 in Toys & Games
Brand: Ratatouille
Dimensions: 3.00" h x 1.00" w x 1.00" l, 2.00 pounds

Art of Ratatouille, Limited Edition

2009-12-06T10:13:00.001-08:00

Art of Ratatouille, Limited Edition
By Karen Paik

Featuring 5 limited edition reproduction prints each signed by the artists. Plus,

About the Author
Karen Paik has been working on Ratatouille in the development department at Pixar since 2000. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

John Lasseter is the chief creative officer at Pixar, and the director of Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Cars.

Brad Bird is the director of Ratatouille and The Incredibles.

Please, more editions like this one!
First of all, if you are not interested in limited prints, do not spend your money in this edition. Just buy the book separately, which is exactly the same one that the simple edition almost ten times cheaper. You have to know you are going to pay for the limited autographed prints included in this Limited Edition. However, if you are crazy about this kind of things; you are a collector or an animation fan, do not hesitate: this is your edition! The book is inside a dark grey box and over it, there is another tray with a hand-written letter by the director, Brad Bird and the limited prints. They are really amazing due to the quality of the prints: strong colors, beautiful surface paper and moreover, they are signed by their authors! I would like to see in a close future Disney and Pixar book editions like this one to get them all.

Amazing Masterpiece
This collection is not only marvelously printed but also amazingly packaged with high quality and thoughtfulness throughout. The attention to detail is stunning and the limited edition autographed prints are beyond anything I could have imagined. If you are looking for a special something for that Disney lover foodie in your life, this may be the perfect gift.

LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game: Ratatouille

2009-12-06T04:13:00.001-08:00

LeapFrog® Leapster® Learning Game: Ratatouille
From LeapFrog

Recommended Age Range Pre-K to 1st Grade (4 to 7 years). Help Remy take a bite out of Paris! When Remy the rat flees to Paris, he decides to pursue his dreams of becoming a great French chef just like his hero Gusteau. Help Remy prove anyone can cook by learning essential reading skills and fun food facts! Cartridge is for use with Leapster and Leapster L-MaxTM learning game systems. What it Teaches - Phonics Skills, Word Building, Matching & Food Groups.

Amazon Sales Rank: #2025 in Toys & Games
Brand: LeapFrog
Model: 20374
Released on: 2007-05-07
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Dimensions: 7.10" h x 5.30" w x 1.40" l, .20 pounds

Help Remy take a bite out of Paris! When Remy the rat flees to Paris, he decides to pursue his dream of becoming a great chef just like his hero Gusteau. Help Remy show anyone can cook by using reading skills and fun food facts! Leapster2 players can connect online for extra activities and rewards. And with the LeapFrog® Learning Path, parents can see what their child is learning. Appropriate for ages 4 years to 8 years. All Leapster games work with all Leapster systems.

Entertained the kids for a good two weeks.
Since there's no review posted here yet, here's mine. I bought this for my two sons, ages 6 and 3, and as expected, they fought over it, but only for the first two weeks and now they've returned to their old favorites, Cars and Sonic. The games are nicely done for the most part, and use the real voices from what I can tell (including Patton Oswald). Leapfrog avoided duplicating game play from other cartridges, and did a nice job graphically with 4 out of 5 of the distinct games. I wasn't impressed with the one where Remy surfs through sewer pipes (first-person style game). The graphics on that one are poor, and the game play is particularly clunky. The game requires you to quickly identify numbers from letters, but I couldn't tell an "S" from a "5" or a "1" from an "I", so I don't get how a child could be expected to. There's a game where you have to sort items in 2 or 3 different categories, first based on color, then by food group. There's a lot of items, and I could tell that it was really challenging my kids in a good way, with no time limit. Unfortunately, I must report that I witnessed this particular game have a glitch no less than three times, because my kids complained to me. None of the buttons would work, the characters were caught in a loop, staring at you. The Leapster had to be restarted, or at least I had to exit the game by pushing "Home". There's a concentration-style matching game which requires the player to match sounds too, rather than just pictures. The recipe game got a surprising amount of play with my kids too, where the player has to follow directions and crack the right number of eggs, avoid putting in the wrong ingredients that are on the table, stir the pot a certain number of times, etc. Overall, I recommend this cartridge. It remains to be seen if my kids will return to it later. Currently they are fighting over "Number Raiders" a game I found on clearance, but one they initially dismissed because "it only has one game".

Good games for preschoolers
My daughter just turned 4, and I got her Leapster 2 for Christmas. I decided on Ratatouille first, since we have the movie and games seemed suited to her abilities.

Graphics are not great, but work fine. Voices are identical to those in the movie. There are 5 games on the cartridge: sorting items into categories (by color, by food group), matching items (memory game; match letters, numbers, colors, shapes), cooking (choosing ingredients, adding them to pot, mixing, setting timer, putting on icing; includes 'create-your-own-recipe'), catching things (they plop from the ceiling and Remy needs to be moved around to catch the appropriate ones), and surfing through sewers (also a catching game: catch specified items while avoiding wrong ones).

My daughter has been playing with this game for less than a week now and plays with it not for long, but 5-10 times every single day. She loves the cooking game. She figured it all out immediately and keeps going back to it all the time. (BTW, there is barely any difference between levels 1 and 3 in the cooking game.) Matching she also found easy (she doesn't know letters, but was matching them without problem whatsoever, repeating sounds as Remy was saying them), in fact maybe too easy, because she much prefers cooking. Sorting is easy to do, but concepts get harder (e.g., sort items into fruits vs. meat and beans category) so she is not into it. She likes the surfing game but doesn't do much with it. And finally, the catching game I myself find too hard on level 1 (items seem to drop too fast, I have no time to move Remy) so we haven't tried it yet.

Problems: Occasionally (rarely) our Leapster just freezes, and we have to restart the Leapster. (This could be the console problem, not the game problem.) Levels of games don't start intuitively. E.g., memory matching started off with letters and numbers even at level 1, whereas colors and shapes should clearly come first. Yesterday we discovered that the recipe book in cooking, which has 4 marked pages (spice cake, eclairs, tomato soup, and create-your-own) had only the create-your-own recipe remaining, and we couldn't get the other ones back even by restarting the Leapster.

Summary: despite minor problems, I think there is a nice combo of games for different levels of different cognitive and motor capacities on this cartridge, so it should last for a long time. It seems to be a good beginner's cartridge, as it doesn't come on strong with reading and math skills which younger children may not have.

My kids love this.
I never get asked, "can you help me, mom?" with this one. They've been able to play independently with this game since day one of getting it. I do hear, "mom, has it been an hour already?" Which is my limit for any t.v. or "screen" activity. I really like this game.

Ratatouille (Rat A Too Ee) - Kitchen Chaos Playset

2009-12-05T22:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille (Rat A Too Ee) - Kitchen Chaos Playset
From Mattel

Inspired by the upcoming Disney/Pixar movie, Ratatouille, this assortment includes two, 2-story playsets. The highly detailed kitchen world and sewer world playsets each have several exciting moving features and one rat figure. The two sets, sold separately, can be stacked to create a giant 4-story play environment!

Amazon Sales Rank: #110794 in Toys & Games
Brand: Ratatouille
Model: L4969

Two boys' review: A playset that plays more like an accessory
Pleased with our first playset purchase -- Mattel Matchbox 360 Pop-Up Pirate Island (see my review) -- we bought the Ratatouille Kitchen Chaos Playset.

So, why the low ratings for Ratatouille?

1. The playset doesn't offer much to do. There aren't many accessories, certainly not enough to pretend cooking, which we thought was the point of a kitchen playset. You get a couple pots and ladles but nothing to put inside the pots.

2. The playset needs to include more characters. You get Remy the rat. That's it. So, you playtime consists of Remy wandering around an empty kitchen (no food) and nobody else around.

A playset should include enough items to make it fun by itself. This is actually a Ratatoille accessory. If you own a lot of the other movie-related toys, you'll enjoy this toy more.

Cute but too small.
My kids love the Ratatouille movie and characters. They do like the toy....or the idea of it - i.e. the toy has a fun concept, it was just not very well executed. The pieces and parts are quite small (even for small hands) and it only comes with two characters (Remy and his dad, Django). I do not believe there are other figures available that would work with this set, again, due to the small scale. It's unfortunate because it could be a great toy but, really, it's just okay.

Vtech - V.Smile - Ratatouille

2009-12-05T16:13:00.001-08:00

Vtech - V.Smile - Ratatouille
From V Tech

Don't rat them out! Help Remy and Linguine create a new dish with a surprise secret ingredient. Travel the streets of Paris with Remy to root out just the right fixings and heaps of learning. Be the big cheese and lend Remy a hand when he discovers an unexpected mousetrap which will lead your gourmet rat pack underground.

Amazon Sales Rank: #15335 in Toys & Games
Brand: VTech
Model: 80-092880
Released on: 2007-07-01
Dimensions: 8.50" h x 5.50" w x 1.00" l, .30 pounds

Don't rat them out! Help Remy and Linguine create a new dish with a surprise secret ingredient! Travel the streets of Paris with Remy to root out just the right fixings and heaps of learning! Be the big cheese and lend Remy a hand when he discovers an unexpected mousetrap which will lead your gourmet rat pack underground! Chocked full of learning, Ratatouille V.Smile Smartridge teaches food categories and recognition, counting, number order, colors, puzzles, map reading, cooking methods, motor/drawing skills, directions, plus, logical thinking and patterns! For use with V.Smile Learning Systems.

Ratatouille...Not as fun as it looked...
Our Experience
I purchased this for my 4yr old daughter who has nine other V.Smile Smartridges in her library. My daughter had been asking for this game because she had enjoyed to movie so much. We put the Smartridge in her V.Smile and started the game. Right from the beginning, I knew we were in trouble with this game. In my opinion, its geared for a slightly older crowd. I played along with my daughter and it became clear that she was getting frustrated quickly. She finally gave up and told me she didn't want to play anymore. Normally, the directions are clearly spelled out for the user but, that's not the case with this game. We learned to play the games by trial and error. The final reason that caused my daughter to give up was when she attempted to play the, "Anyone Can Cook", game. She decided to play the game on her V.Smile Pocket and the game would not respond to the joystick controllers and repeatedly told her she was out of time. Even I tried to play to no avail. It was quite frustrating to me so, I can only imagine how frustrating it was for my 4yr old.

Smartridge Activities

Learning Adventure

The Maze to the Market - Guide Remy through the town back to the Market. Help him avoid obstacles (obstacles are not very clear) along the way.
Choosing Ingredients - You are prompted to find a food item of a particular color but, only one with steam coming from it. After finding each item, you are prompted to label it as a fruit, veggie, etc. Because the items can be very small, its hard to tell what some are and therefore you can often guess the wrong category.
Into the Sewers - Guide Remy through the Sewer trying to find torn pieces of a puzzle that you will put together later. You have to avoid obstacles which, again, can be confusing. We went through the entire sewer unaware of what the torn pieces of the list looked like. They weren't easily recognizable. We had to restart the game and try picking up what we thought was more obstacles to see what the torn puzzle pieces actually looked like. Even the manual doesn't show a picture of them.
The Puzzling List - This is actually an easy game. It is just as its name suggests...a puzzle that needs to be put back together.
Back to the Kitchen - This game is similar to the Maze to the Market game. The only addition to the game is that you have to collect missing letters along the way to complete listed words.
Anyone Can Cook - Linguini picks up pieces of food and tells you that you need to cut specific amounts of it. You are supposed to use your joystick to simulate the cutting motion but our V.Smile Pocket joystick didn't respond to the commands. Regardless, it was a pretty boring game.

Learning Zone

Please Be Seated - Use your joystick to put name cards on the table back in alphabetical order.
Finishing Touches - Help Remy put garnishes on the dishes by picking the correct color or category of each food he asks for.
Stacking the Dishes - This game is similar to the old ring stacking games. You have to stack the dishes in order from biggest to smallest.
Sniffing Out the Cheese - This game is all about Math. You help Emile find the cheese at the end of each pipe. First, you sold the math equation and then lead Emile to that pipe to collect the cheese.

Microphone Section

Fun with French - You can use your microphone to learn to say different French expressions. You can use the book on the screen to pick and choose what words you want to learn.

Compatibility
The Microphone section only works with the V.Smile TV Learning System Plus, and V.Smile Pocket.

our favorite new vsmile game
I got this for my soon-to-be six year old daughter and she loves it. every game holds her attention. no game is boring for her... they all seem to challenge her just enough to keep her interested but not enough to frustrate her. there are some interesting variations in the games... one where you move the joystick in a circle to mix something. one where you have to press two color buttons in order to mix colors to get the correct color answer. those are just some examples. highly recommend this game for ages 5 and up.

Ratatouille Character Cast Gift Pack

2009-12-05T10:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Character Cast Gift Pack
From Mattel

Wonderful memories - cute movie
I loved the movie so much that I wanted to have the characters from it in miniature. Great detail - just wish the rats had been a bit smaller but understand the swallowing problem with kids...........

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Talking Remy Plush Doll

2009-12-05T04:13:00.001-08:00

Disney Pixar Ratatouille Movie Talking Remy Plush Doll
From Mattel

Talking Plush Asst. Smack these plush characters to hear hilarious phrases and funny sounds! Look for your favorite rat and chef characters from the upcoming Disney/Pixar movie, Ratatouille. Assortment includes Remy, Emile, Linguini, Skinner, and Gusteau. Collect them all!

Ratatouille
Very soft and cuddly. Says a couple of things: "Bon appétit!" (with the correct French pronounciation!!), "Hey, Emile!", "Yum!", "I've got to teach you about food!", "That, oh no, I bet Emile would eat it!".

I thought it was bit expensive and nearly did not buy it because of that. But I do not regret it! It's a favorite toy at home!

hard to find Remy
this item was not to be found in all of Disney World, but here on Amazon you can find just about any thing. Very happy with this purchase, we bought Remy and his chubby buddy.

Ratatouille

2009-12-04T22:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From THQ

Ratatouille is based on the Disney/Pixar film and brings the fun and laughs of the movie to your Xbox 360. Ratatouille features an acrobatic rat named Remy who must balance his love for cooking with loyalty to his family. Features major voice talent from the film

Amazon Sales Rank: #4864 in Video Games
Brand: THQ
Released on: 2007-06-26
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Platform: Xbox 360
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: .75" h x 5.50" w x 7.50" l, .24 pounds

Sometimes easy, sometimes challenging!
I rented this game for my 4-year-old son. He was able to play through the first level, which is basically the tutorial, with ease, but once you pass that, the game becomes somewhat complicated with a huge playing field and tons of challenging mini-games. The flow is a bit hard to follow and certain sections I just could not figure out where to go (remember, this was a rental).
The graphics are very good, too. I'll probably buy this game for him (and myself).

Great Fun for the Family
I bought this game for my wife and found that I had fun with it as well. Its basically a bunch of mini-games thrown together as your character wanders around the different levels. The mini games are pretty fun and you can do them with other players, giving you something to do if you're playing with the family.

My only complaint is that the camera angles can be pretty tricky, and it usually takes a few attempts to get something right because you can't see where you're going. But the game lets you pick up where you left so it won't be too difficult or frustrating for younger/innexperienced players.

Ratatouille!
This game is amesome and pretty easy. Try it for Xbox 360, Wii, or PS2 - not for PS3 (it stinks plus the grahpics are way better on Xbox 360). The game is also related to the movie. It has a lot of Adventure and LOTS of mini-games. And if you have Sly cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus its related to it.

End Creditouilles

2009-12-04T16:13:00.001-08:00

End Creditouilles
From Walt Disney

If you're only going to buy one song from Rataouille, this is a great one
Usually, I don't purchase an entire album. I like to pick a song here and there from a movie and make a purchase for only a couple bucks instead of the cost of the entire album.

One thing about movie soundtracks is that the songs can sometimes be very very short. So you pay almost $1 for a 30-60 second soundtrack clip from the movie.

If you want to stretch that dollar a little further, purchase the end credits from the movie. Generally, the end credits play at least 3 themes from the movie.

Instead of purchasing all three themes independently, purchase the end-credits soundtrack that has them all.

The Ratatouille end-credits track has lots of different themes, and some that I don't remember hearing in the movie. Instead of 60 seconds worth of music for about a $1, you get 9 minutes and 16 seconds worth of music! Talk about a bargain!

Ratatouille Food Frenzy

2009-12-04T10:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille Food Frenzy
From THQ

Help Remy and his friends impress the critics and get La Ratatouille a 5 Star rating by serving up 10 delicious gourmet dishes. Food Frenzy features the main characters of the movie serving up a new recipe for fun in this addictive puzzle game that takes advantage of the Nintendo DS touch screen interface.

Amazon Sales Rank: #7441 in Video Games
Brand: THQ
Model: 36132
Published on: 2007-10
Released on: 2007-10-29
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Platform: Nintendo DS
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: .63" h x 5.43" w x 5.75" l, .25 pounds

Very Frustrating!
The Fist DS game is a million time better than this one, the rounds are long and you have to make the same move with the stylus hundreds of times to finish the round. its a good work out for the hands, the pictures are poor, but the music were okay. overall... I hated the game. :(

Very cute, fun, short
I won't say this is the greatest DS game I own, but I completely disagree with the previous reviewer. The game is very short, and at times it's a little confusing as to where you're supposed to be going, but I find that a lot of games are like that. The cooking game is just too cute. It gives you practice with the stylus.

Get Something Else
I'll get right to the point: this game sucks. My 4-year old niece got it for Christmas. She gets bored before making it past the first mini-game with the snails.

The first mini-game goes on forever, and it's not even fun. You just keep shooting snails off the wall for what feels like an eternity. This game would be ok if it were only a few minutes long. But it goes on and on. Like I said, my niece gets so bored with it until she just turns it off and plays MillionHeir or something else.

Final verdict: skip the game, please!

Ratatouille

2009-12-04T04:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From Walt Disney Records

Album Details
Soundtrack to the Hit Walt Disney/Pixar Animation Studios Film "Ratatouillie". Australian Version features Four Additiontal Tracks. Features Original Music by Michael Giacchino and Song Performance by Camille.

As befits an American movie set in France, this score starts off by quoting the French national anthem; fortunately, Michael Giacchino quickly turns off the cliché tap and gets the fun started. The composer, best known for his work on Alias and Lost, shows he can do light and nimble--and elegant, too: not many animated/kiddie movies have scores that evoke vintage Henry Mancini ("Losing Control"). "Wall Rat" is a good example of Giacchino's MO: It begins with a slightly melancholy melody played on the cello; that thread soon gives way to flutes and piccolo violins, which of course evoke the scampering of little feet--and that's when the bongos come in. Actually, those delicious bongos pop up regularly, flavoring the jazzy feel of "Cast of Cooks" or the tango-style "Special Order." Even when Giacchino uses that universal signifier of all things Gallic, the accordion, he does it sparingly ("A New Deal," "Ratatouille Main Theme") and with flair. And of course, Giacchino throws everything but the proverbial kitchen sink in the sprawling "End Creditouilles." Note that this instrumental CD starts off with the quirky pop song "Le Festin" (the feast) by the wonderful French vocalist Camille. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Michael Giacchino's score for Pixar's Ratatouille is just as good as the film!
Michael Giacchino, the man who scored Alias, Lost, The Incredibles, Mission: Impossible 3, and The Family Stone, brings us Ratatouille, one of the most beautiful pieces of modern orchestral music out there. Like the film, the score is comedic, heartfelt, and genuine. I hope it gets the recognition it deserves with an Oscar nomination.

Some of my favorite tracks:
1.) Le Festin - Like the soundtrack insert says, Le Festin is like a classic song that's been around for ages but you've never gotten to hear it before. It's unique, and its score is repeated in different themes throughout the score.
6.) Wall Rat - I love the energy, this is simply one of the best tracks on the disk.
9.) Souped Up - I first heard this song at Wondercon with Brad Bird, it got so much excitement from the thousands of people in the theater that everyone burst into spontaneous applause.
11.) A New Deal - The first half is a heartfelt song, the second half sounds like two new friends prancing together in the park.
12.) Remy Drives a Linguini - I can see this song being played in a comedy short film; it's western and upbeat.
13.) Colette Shows Him Le Ropes - The song that plays on the Ratatouille homepage, perfect for Colette's wild personality.
14.) Special Order - Jazzy and festive, I can imagine this song being played at a salsa dance.
21.) Dinner Rush - I believe this song plays at the climax of the film. You know that Pixar-ish feeling you get when you watch a Pixar movie for the first time? I believe this was when I had that strong feeling.
22.) Anyone Can Cook - "Le Festin" but more orchestral, I think this song will help Giacchino get that deserved Oscar nomination. One of the most moving tracks in recent cinema history.
23.) End Creditouilles - A jazzier and rapid mix of a bunch of tracks from the score.
24.) Ratatouille Main Theme - Same as "Anyone Can Cook," except more dramatic, and I always get a nice shiver at the point of the song when the strings take over the orchestra. Beautiful!

Overall, I highly recommend the Ratatouille soundtrack. Look for an Oscar nomination early next year.

It'll pick you up, and in some cases, bring tears to your eyes
It shouldn't be surprising that such a charming and clever movie is matched by a similarly attractive score.

Definitely worth a purchase, the disc features songs that are playful, reflective, jazzy... sometimes all at once. As another commenter rightly noted, one of the songs -- "Anyone Can Cook" -- is particularly notable for how it tugs at your heartstrings and evokes the more sensitive moments towards the end of the film.

In contrast, "Le Festin" (the opening track) is an delicious and quite hummable ditty of a theme that'll have you smiling every time.

Oh, and listen to that amazing trumpeter saucily shine through in the jazzy-and-multi-mood'd End Creditouille (the credits-music that kept nearly all theatregoers in the show I attended quietly in their seats 'til the very last moment)

So, given that I clearly love so many of the tracks on this CD, why only four stars? Alas, a number of the tracks just don't have that repeat-listenability thing going for them. It's not a CD I'll regularly listen to from start to finish.

But, oh, the rest of the tunes! Such a pleasure, bringing back great memories from the film. They'll be listened to again and again.

Perhaps anyone can cook. But not everyone can make such engaging compositions and arrangements, and for that, I salute Mr. Giacchino :)

Like fine wine and great food
Okay. I'm not trying to be cute with the cooking references. I think that anytime you pair music and movies it is like having a wine and a meal. Sometimes one of the two can not be so great, yet you still have an enjoyable experience. Sometimes both are of the most excellent sort, but the combination just somehow doesn't work. Then there are instances where both are nearly perfect and they work even more perfectly together. That is the case with Ratatouille. Both score and film are deserving of Academy awards. Not only for technical achievement, but also for the art and heart with which they were crafted. Another moment of brilliance for Michael Giacchino, Brad Bird, and the rest of the Pixar/Disney staff.

Working Buddies (Paint Box Book) (Ratatouille Movie Tie in)

2009-12-03T22:13:00.001-08:00

Working Buddies (Paint Box Book) (Ratatouille Movie Tie in)
By Golden Books

With the included paint tray and brush, kids can cook up a storm of colorful scenes from

Fun picture paint book
Our kids loved the movie, they enjoy the toys from the film, and now they are having a great time painting the scenes from the movie. The bright colors are easy to wash off clothing and hands, and the paint will dry pretty quickly on the the thick sheets of paper. Each page tears off for easy sharing. All the favorite characters are here in plenty of fun pictures. For all ages old enough to paint to enjoy.

Ratatouille 6 pc. Figurine Set

2009-12-03T16:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille 6 pc. Figurine Set
From Hoop Canada Inc

The set incudes all of colorful Ratatouille characters, including Emile, Remy, Skinner, Linguini and Colette. The sizes of these figurines range from approximately 3-1/2" to 4" tall

Amazon Sales Rank: #219801 in Toys & Games
Brand: Disney

The Art of Ratatouille

2009-12-03T10:15:00.001-08:00

The Art of Ratatouille
By Karen Paik

From the hit-makers at Pixar Animation Studios who brought us Buzz Lightyear, Nemo, and Mr. Incredible, now comes Remy, the furry star of

Amazon Sales Rank: #27853 in Books
Published on: 2007-05-17
Original language: English
Number of items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
160 pages

A Feastful of Delight
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1XUP7M6IQ8OEP This is my fifth artbook from Pixar.

In typical Pixar artbook fashion, the pages are filled with concept drawings, visualizations and the thought process that went behind the production of Ratatouille. Through these pages, you'll come to a realization that their success is no fluke.

The creators travelled to France to research on the restaurants, food and the people. The effort and level of detail they put into the research can be clearly seen from the artwork from the book. The concept art and renders of the food in 3D made me imagine how they will taste if they were actually real.

You'll be able to see a lot of character designs for the humans as well as the rats. Sculpted models are also provided in photos. The storyboards, as you'll see plenty, are followed strictly in the movie. The compositions and lighting are the art form itself.

This book is filled with life and food, just like the movie. It makes for a perfect coffee table book.

There are more pictures on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for my blog's link.

Outstanding!!
I am a professional illustrator and own almost all of the "Art of" books from Disney and Pixar. This book ranks right up there with the best of them. If you were blown away by the creativity of the movie then you will not be disappointed with this book...beautifully illustrated...even a lot of stuff that never made it into the film.

Awesome!!
Great!!
I'm impressed with a lot of detail, comments and marvelous drawings and sketchs.
I'm illustrator and it is useful to me see books like that.

Too Many Cooks (Ratatouille)

2009-12-03T04:17:00.001-08:00

Too Many Cooks (Ratatouille)
By Margaret Mcnamara

Beat the egg whites into froth.

I am thrilled
So many of the Disney animated movies have top notch illustrative work within the movies, but when books are made from those movies the art work is not as good. This is a major exception. Every page is a masterpiece. Many Ratatouille books have come out
in the past couple of weeks and I haven't noticed any yet in which the illustration
is indifferent, but this one is the best.

Artistic Cuisine
Delightful!
Too Many Cooks is truly a work of art -- & so unique. It is suitable for little ones who don't know their numerls yet [but are learning to count fingers toes & gourmand rats] & for cooks who need a refresher on recipe terminology. The Menu, at the end of the book, is a mini guide to French cooking.
The beautifully illustrated inside covers bracket a tour of Paris -- from sun up to moon rise. A renound city of art, gourmets, & gourmands the happy rats of Ratatouille proove that French Cuisine is indeed for Artist.
B. Joan Wragg
PS
I am not the least biased because the artist is my grandson.

Not just a counting book
This is a great little book with a creative twist to the usual counting books for toddlers. If you are a "foodie" or a lover of good food and cooking, this is a delightful way of teaching your children about cooking as well. Culinary terms are interspersed with cuisine and numbers to delight children and adults alike.

Ratatouille > Sewer Splashdown Playset

2009-12-02T22:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille > Sewer Splashdown Playset
From Toy Rocket

Inspired by the upcoming Disney/Pixar movie, Ratatouille, this assortment includes two, 2-story playsets. The highly detailed kitchen world and sewer world playsets each have several exciting moving features and one rat figure. The two sets, sold separately, can be stacked to create a giant 4-story play environment!

Amazon Sales Rank: #72448 in Toys & Games
Brand: Ratatouille
Model: L4970
Dimensions: 2.00 pounds

Nice idea, not the best execution
Due to the small size of the many pieces, this toy is DEFINITELY not for children under 3; I would even say 4 or 5 would be better. Many plastic pieces that must be somewhat assembled first; since they are small and plastic, I would recommend an adult do the assembly first to get the handle of it and then show the child the different play options. The directions are all picture diagrams; no words. And, as the package states, colors and play pieces do vary. Even on the pics on amazon, the water stream for the sewer component is 2 different colors. Still, lots of moving pieces that could allow a child with imagination to create fun playtime for quite awhile. Additional figures would add to the fun factor. I do like the carrying case idea; it just appears that there wasn't enough testing that occurred to make sure this toy took full advantage of everything it could. These kind of remind me of the old game "Mousetrap."

Ratatouille

2009-12-02T10:15:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From THQ

Ratatouille is based on the Disney/Pixar film and brings the fun and laughs of the movie to your Nintendo Wii. Ratatouille features an acrobatic rat named Remy who must balance his love for cooking with loyalty to his family. Features major voice talent from the film

Amazon Sales Rank: #3298 in Video Games
Brand: THQ
Published on: 2007-06
Released on: 2007-06-26
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: .57" h x 5.40" w x 7.51" l, .36 pounds

Very Nice Movie-Themed Game
Typically, I'm not a huge fan of movie-themed games. However, this is a good one! Not fantastic, but good. The graphics are quite nice (in terms of the Wii) and the dialogue and storylines are entertaining. Not a difficult game to play for an adult. I had hoped it would be simple enough for my younger children. But, ages 6 and up should be just fine. Ratatouille uses both the Wii-mote and the nunchuck controllers and at least four buttons across both controllers. My biggest complaint is that the game does not make the most out of the Wii controllers. Most of the gameplay could be done on a keyboard on a PC-based game. There are a few rudimentary adaptations of the wii controllers unique capabilities in both the main game and the mini-games, such as pointing at vegetables that need to go into a soup pot. Hardly the innovations we have come to expect from Wii mini-games. Nevertheless, its an enjoyable game. Solid gameplay and good stroytelling make this a game that can hold your interest. I continue to maintain that movie-themed games would benefit from having a lower price-point than mainstream games, since few of them live up to the production standards of other titles. However, this is one of the more enjoyable movie-themed titles I've played and if you were a huge fan of the movie, you will enjoy the game. I have to admist, I really liked the "smell-o-vision" graphic representations.

Eh
The game play was nice. It starts out in a fun way. It does get repetitive though, and easily boring.
The main reason why I wanted to play this game was for the multi player. Unfortunately you have to unlock it. I've completed 60% of the game and used the unlock codes for the multi player and it still wont let me play. I'm disappointed that this yet another game where you have to unlock multi player. Can we please get some games out there that you don't have to end the game three thousand times before you can play with your friends?

3.5; fun for the kiddies, pleasant for everyone else
Another Pixar movie, another tie-in. And like a lot of tie-ins, they tend to be more based on using the license rather than making a solid game. The Incredibles was a pretty alright game but its frustration factor and repetitiveness was aggravating and Cars was kind of a boring racing game. Now we can finally get into platformers which will no doubt please the kiddies. How much fun they have or even how much you'll have will probably be slightly minimal. It's a fun game but it's been done better although maybe not as cuter.

Story: Remy is a thin blue rat living in France. Thanks to a mishap, he ends up in the sewers of Paris. Nearby is the restaurant Gustave's, the late owner being Remy's hero who's slogan "anyone can cook" gets him on the mission to become a great chef. But who would let a rat cook, let alone cook in a restaurant in France? Well lowly kitchen worker Linguini would and both of them fulfill their dreams of both of them becoming a great chef.

Graphics: Like a lot of Wii games, the graphics here look nice but maybe not at the level as top-tier games such as Gears of War or Twilight Princess. In-game cinematics can range from pretty well-done and textured to almost blurry and kind of too much light bloom. But gameplay is quite animated with my favorite animation being Remy's feet when he turns sharp corners.

Sound/Music: Very well done actually, normally I kind of tune out the music but using a French inspiration with instruments such as musettes, the music is quite nice to listen to. Voice acting is of course spot on with Patton Oswalt providing the voice of Remy, Lou Romano as Linguini and Janeane Garafalo as Colette, a fellow chef Linguini likes. Unlike some tie-ins like the Spider-Man series, these VA's seem genuinely interested in giving good performances and not just "I'm just doing this for the kids".

Gameplay: Where the game suffers or excels depending on who old you are. Controlling Remy with the control stick, Z button is used to make him sprint like a rat out of hell (I just had to use that pun) and C for the camera. On the Wii-mote, A is used for jumping while B is kind of like Zelda's context-sensitive button such as using spoons as a weapon, boxes for shield or interact with things in the environment. Shaking the controller makes Remy do a spin attack, perfect for bags and bugs.

The game is quite repetitive. Remy's in a Parisian area, has to coordinate with rats which will end in getting a big haul of food. Afterwards you go through a pipe to head back home in the sewers. It's not that the game doesn't have an inviting atmosphere with all the cute rats everywhere but after awhile you feel like "oh boy, here comes those aggravating chase scenes again". The fun parts though are the mini-games in the kitchen as Remy as to control Linguini and make food which range from a cake using DDR-like moves to yes or no choice salads and rotating potatoes and waving up and down to cut them. These are probably the more funner segments even though there's not a whole lot of different ones.

Make no mistake, despite its Disney/Pixar name, this thing can get aggravating. From its end-level chase scenes to the special levels up in the sky, there's going to be lots of re-tries. But despite that, it's still a game your kids will like although adults might not find much depth.

Ratatouille

2009-12-01T22:13:00.001-08:00

Ratatouille
From THQ

Ratatouille lets you relive the most thrilling and hilarious moments from the Disney/Pixar film. Become Remy, a young rat with dreams of becoming a great French chef -- despite the obvious problem of being a rat! From the underground sewers to the bustling streets of Paris, Remy will dash, glide and slide through six action-packed, visually stunning worlds filled with dangerous enemies, intense heists and perilous missions. Go head-to-head with your friends in multiplayer mini-games or navigate your way through a sensational rat race that turns the culinary world of Paris upside down!

Amazon Sales Rank: #14611 in Video Games
Brand: THQ
Model: 49317
Released on: 2007-06-26
ESRB Rating: Everyone
Platforms: Mac, Windows XP
Format: CD-ROM
Number of items: 1
Dimensions: .53" h x 5.75" w x 7.75" l, .30 pounds

Disney-Pixar's Ratatouille
The Ratatouille PC game is really fun. There are six levels and plenty of interesting mini-games. The game doesn't follow the storyline of the movie, but it is still fun to play. Many of the actors from the film voice their characters, including Patton Oswalt as Remy, and Lou Ramono as Linguini.The only downside is that the game is sort of difficult, considering it's meant for kids to play, and the instructions are vague. For Example: For most of the activities in the game, you need to use the Context Move button, but they don't mention in the game itself or the booklet exactly what button on the keyboard that is. After much expirimentation, i discovered it was the G Button. Aside from that, it's a very cute game.

Anyone Can Play!
I agree with the other reviewers that it takes some experimentation to find the "Context Move" and other command buttons. It's as if someone took their original programming terminology directly to the user manual. It's not your typical mouse (no pun intended) and directional arrows computer game such as those found on Nick Jr and Noggin, so I improvised to help my daughter get used to the new controls. I used cut-up blank address labels to label main keys used in the game. After a short learning curve, she caught on and was on her way through the streets of Paris. Once you get used to using the keys and understanding the "language" used in the on-screen instructions, it becomes a fun and clever game that complements the movie well. Depending on your child's age, there is some game play that's challenging and requires grown-up assistance or four hands (eg, running, jumping, action buttons).

Just remember:

Context Move = "G" key - used for ANY action such as a tail swing, pick up an item, drop item, swing an object, grab onto netting, landing on narrow objects that are twinkling in blue such as a post, shutter handle, or high wire.

The mouse can also be used for camera angles.

You can reprogram the keys as you see fit when you first launch the program. If you want to make things really easy, buy a compatible PC/Mac game controller so that "Anyone Can Cook!"

Puzzling game
I thought this game was going to be perfect. It is not perfect. You have to figure out some controls in this game. Here are the list of the controls you need to know:

Context Move Button- "G"
Minigame Action left button- "U"
Minigame Action right button- "I"

i figured out all of these controls quicky. The graphics,the gameplay,and the dreamworlds were great.The gameplay can be a little difficult. The dreamworlds were so unique because some of them were based on foods like fruit and meats. They are also based on dishes and other kitchen products. BUY THIS GAME!!

Your Friend the Rat (Little Golden Book)

2009-11-30T22:13:00.001-08:00

Your Friend the Rat (Little Golden Book)
By RH Disney

When a little rat named Remy tries to become a chef in a famous French restaurant, there's bound to be trouble. This full-color Read-Aloud Storybook retells all of the action of Disney / Pixar's latest animated feature film,

Amazon Sales Rank: #733555 in Books
Published on: 2007-09-11
Released on: 2007-09-11
Original language: English
Number of items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
24 pages

This review is about this book, not another Ratatouille book
This is a really cute book on rats and would be perfect for this year's 2008 Chinese New Year because it is the year of the rat! This book is based on the extra short of "Your Friend the Rat" from the Ratatouille movie minus mentions of the black plague. with Remee & Emile hosting the book it makes rats look cute.

Everybody at this point should have seen Ratatouille and or have looked at lots of books based about or from the movie. This book is different, it focuses on "Rats". This book tells us that there are 2 common types of rats, it tells how big a rat is, about what they like to eat and how strong their teeth are. It even has a page on the Hindu God Ganesha and how a rat carries Ganesha, and has 3 pages on how the rat is the 1st animal & year in the Chinese Zodiac as well as how people born in the year of the rat have certain special traits. The book also talks about how rats are important, how rats and humans share a similar internal biology, how they have helped find cures for diseases and even traveled to outer space. On the last page is cute little song about Rats that is also included in the short movie.

Each year I try to get a book that focus on that years Chinese Zodiac animal so that my daughter can learn about that animal and this year this will be her special rat book!

If you look at the other 2 reviews you'll notice that they are not about this book, but other Ratatouille books, just to give you a heads up. Also, this is not a Chinese New Year book....just about book about Rats!

A Real Treat
This is a great book. The kids really like it. We all saw the movie and you can relive all great characters with the beautiful illustrations. This book reminded me of the books I enjoyed as a kid.

very cute
This is a very cute golden book and looks at rats in a nicer light than just stinky rodants. It also serves as a nice miniture art of book.

Tot Dots Wall Clock - Mouse

2009-11-29T22:13:00.001-08:00

Tot Dots Wall Clock - Mouse
From Tot Dots

Tot Dots(TM) Quartz Clocks are 7 in diameter and made of wood. TotDots(TM) Mouse is screen printed before it's finished with a high gloss lacquer. It ships with a AA battery.

Amazon Sales Rank: #626977 in Kitchen & Housewares
Brand: Tot Dots
Model: 050060