how funny - my husband just said to me this morning...."do you think we could go see this movie?" My reply, "heck yeah, thought you'd never ask!" I really couldn't believe he had a genuine interest...thought I was the only one......and then I saw this thread and realized, we are not alone! Enjoy, everyone!
My almost-5-year-old keeps trying to get me to have a Dora the Explorer birthday party (bday in about a month), since that's the only "girl" theme he knows. I jokingly asked DH if I could have a Ratatouille theme party (yes, the paper plates are already on the market), and he seriously replied, "You could do that." Then he added, "You just want an excuse to have stinky cheese." ;-)
My husband is also wanting to see it. After catching the 7 min animation on cable and remembering the preview before "Cars", he wants to see an animated movie. Who'd a thunk it? This review says its one of the few movies out there that is worth the price of admission. http://www.nysun.com/article/57606
Now to choose a restaurant worthy of the movie. We are so far from French Laundry type food .....
We are lucky enough to be going to the huge premiere at the Kodak in Hollywood next friday, it looks like Disney is pulling out all the stops...it looks like such a great movie, my kids are excited and so am I!
Saw a sneak preview Saturday nite and it was quite delightful--stunning animation and a cute story. Not sure who it will appeal to, though. I can't imagine little kids appreciating it, despite the "G" rating--the story will go right over their heads, and I doubt most adults will want to give it a try on their own. It'll be interesting to see how well it does.
I just saw it in a theatre full of little kids, and every one of them around me watched intently, many of them spontaneously applauded after! It was clear that these kids enjoyed it as much as I did. I think the animation and the universal themes of being true to oneself appeal even to children too young to appreciate the 'inside' stuff about restaurants (indeed, to adults who don't appreciate some of that inside stuff either)....
oh, and the wonderful depiction of Paris, particularly the lighting in the scene along the Seine, made me long to plan my next trip. You've been warned! (but definitely go see it! and take your kids or grandkids, by all means). There is a reason this movie is currently Number One at the box office,and it isn't just because all the Chowhounds are going to see it...
I too was in awe over the scenes of the Paris streets. I caught myself holding my breath or omitting a slight gasp. I will be there in January and thanks to the movie I'm on the edge of my seat. I loved it.
I agree. The attention to detail in animation is reason enough to see this movie. Recall the kiss scene? The angel of view cuts to overhead and slowly “pans back” to wide angle to include the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. That angel of view, combined with the details of those rooftops, create an illusion that you are watching a love scene in a major motion picture that was filmed on location. Also, the comic chase scene on the streets of Paris made me recall movies with a character named Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The rats-eye view of running through a kitchen under igniting ovens and wheeled carts became intense. A scene that will hit home with all Chowhounds is the involuntary expression of ecstasy on the face of food critic Anton Ego (Is there a message to food critics in that name?) after his pen hits the floor and the multi-sensory excitement of sight, taste, smell and texture took him to a plateau revisiting his Mother’s kitchen as a child. A movie about the love and art of cooking requires such attention to detail and because this movie was done so well I have seen it twice already. I will buy it on DVD someday and add it to my collection of movies such as Fatso and Big Night.
A buddy of mine was a programmer at Pixar and Ratatouille was his last movie there (he's now moved on to Harry Potter's special effects company). Can't wait. The trailers are hilarious.
Hope you enjoy the movie. If anyone's interested there is a podcast specifically on the food portion of the making of the film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysHaeG...
He's the one that asks for "something new", leading to Remy's re-imagining of an old, failed Gusteau recipe involving sweetbreads. Guy Savoy voices this character in the French dub, Ferran Adria in the Spanish dub.
So I've decided to make a night of it! Going to a traditional French restaurant for dinner (you know, to experience the real thing) then going to see the movie (to see Disney/Pixar's interpretation of French dining). I'm so excited!!!
Yes, Keller is indeed in the film, consulted for it, and Brad Lewis, one of the film's producers, even "interned" at French Laundry. Almost everyone involved in the film had to bone up on Culinary, so that the movie would be as authentic as possible.
Plus, besides Keller voicing a role, his role was voiced by Guy Savoy in the French version, and by good old Ferran Adria in the Spanish. And Jaime Oliver voices the restaurant inspector in the British version.
Keller also designed the absolutely gorgeous version of the title dish that appears in the film. The man is a fool if he doesn't add it to the menu at The French Laundry:
I'm a Francophile, I really love French food, I love Pixar, and I'm a sucker for films about the creative impulse. I don't want to be too hasty in my judgment, but I think "Ratatouille" may be one of the best films I've ever seen.
I loved the movie, too (and was grateful to be asked to review it, from a food writer's perspective, for Boston's Weekly Dig, the alt-weekly that I write occasional restaurant criticism for). I mentioned some of my favorite food-themed movies (Tampopo and Big Night), and likewise expressed relief that Bird's screenplay avoided that obnoxious, dated-by-next-year pop-culture riffing.
But I had the opposite reaction to Keller's contribution in that one scene, as I wrote: "Unlike most of Remy’s soulful, instinctive cooking, his ratatouille is a fussy, post-modern abstraction of the humble French peasant stew. Looking like a Bundt cake made of poker chips, ringed by a careful smear of sauce and crowned with a tiny sliver of basil, it’s the least appetizing entrée in the movie."
But the food in general looks amazing, even the half-rotten stuff.
Yeah, but tell me you didn't get a little choked up when the food critic tried the first bite of ratatouille. I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen it, but I thought that was one of the most touching scenes I've ever seen.
Despite the ugly-looking dish, that was one of my very favorite moments in the movie: beautiful and moving and speaking so poetically to that powerful interplay of food and memory and love. I deliberately didn't mention it in the review: saying more would be a terrible spoiler.
I wonder if Remy is more clever than we think! Sure, he crafts this post-modern looking skyscraper. However, perhaps he does so knowing Anton will look at this trumped-up dish skeptically. But then he tastes it… and we know what happens--a peak experience.
I’m reading a little bit too much into the rat’s mind. :-P
We saw an early showing of this tonight and loved it. Fantastic attention to detail...all the research they put in definitely shows. Husband has never worked in a professional kitchen but really enjoyed it as well. The many kids in the audience also seemed to be enjoying it(we don't have any of own to ask so could only judege based on the fact they all seemed ot be paying attention and laughing when appropriate).
I was so excited...made a night of it after a nice meal, and all I have to say is...WOW. The New York Times simply said "Thank You"...that is just right on.
Just saw the film this afternoon with some other food-obsessed friends. All I can say is 'wow'. Great food movie, really funny, beautiful artwork. A winner all around.
The only comments I've seen anywhere that have been negative, have been from parents expecting something their 4 year olds would find entertaining. That, for the most part, is not this film. Otherwise, it's a winner for the rest of us.
Brought along some truffle salt for our popcorn. Seemed fitting!
Great movie! Went to see it today with husband and 9 year old daughter who also loved it. There is sooo much attention to detail. Any foodie will appreciate it and tag-a-long cartoonies will enjoy it as well. The sous chef was one of my favorite characters...watch the thumb!
By all means - go see it! Good on so many levels, and it's been way to damn long since I made ratatouille.
Some critic suggested once you see you have to run out and go to a restaurant, but I beg to differ - I ran out to a grocers and then SPED home to cook. Wheehah!!!!
I'm usually never one to rush to see a movie on opening day, but I skipped out of work early on Fri. so that husband and I could get into the last matinee showing. Very fun movie and, as others have said, the attention to detail is apparent. The animation was awe-inspiring, as there were times when I forgot that I was watching an animated film. Those rats were kinda cute, but working in the food industry, I got the heebie jeebies a few times when they were scampering in the walk-in and kitchen.
For those who don't have the recipe, it (technically called "confit byaldi") was printed in the San Jose Mercury News adapted from Thomas Keller's recipe: http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6239365
Hurrah!! Thanks so much for the link... I knew the recipe had to get out somehow! :D
Like the others here we saw it on Friday night... and LOVED it. I am already a HUGE animation buff (One meal I will never forget is my lunch AT pixar! :)
I loved the way they dealt with the "ick" factor of rats in the kitchen by sterilizing them in the dishwasher (although that would probably kill a real rat). I thought visually it was fascinating -- in some scenes, they used a photo-realistic style that made you forget it was animation, and in others it was much more of a "drawn" look. I was fascinated by the way the wine glasses really looked like crystal.
I wanted to take my 10 yr old to see it yesterday but it was damn near impossible. They were all sold out except for the 10 pm & after showings here in the bay area. We'll try our luck today.
I have to say I was looking forward to this, and agree the visuals were stunning, but for me the dialogue wasn't there and it even got a little tedious. You'd think the long trailer they'd been showing (Remy fixing the soup by comically throwing ingredients into the pot) would be a teaser, but it was pretty much the best part of the movie. My recommendation is to save a little money and wait for PPV.
Great movie; we left the theater very hungry. Read about all the research they did on the movie. Anyone catch one of the early scenes where they called rosemary a "spice"- not an herb?
Yup, I noticed that too about the rosemary, but then I figured you have to give the rat some leeway for yes or no answers; with such communication constraints spice may be close enough to herb. Although he was able to convey visually his modesty on the question, "you're a good cook, right?..."
actually, I thought I heard a question mark in his voice when he referred to the rosemary as a spice, as if he wasn't sure....remember, Remy was still experimenting at that point, based upon the voice of Gausteau in his imagination...
I guess I had a mixed reaction to it as well. Before I went to see it I was certain that eventually I would want to own a copy for my own DVD library but I think once was enough. There were some touching scenes to be sure but I didn't bond with the movie like I expected I would.
I guess that I'm nearly the sole member of the loyal opposition here. Yes, the commercials and reviews I have seen and heard make the story sound wonderful, and the subject matter is certainly not outside my range of interest.
But call me old, out of place, a ludite, or whatever else you like, I have absolutely no appreciation for computer generated animation. Give me an old Fleischer cartoon, hand-drawn and hand-coloured by a staff of hundreds of animators anyday. In my own (radically overwhelmed minority) opinion, it will be dozens of years before anything in the style of Shrek, Buzz Lightyear, or Remy will have the artistic merit of Hoppity Goes To Town!
It'll be on cable in less than a year. If I'm really bored, I might watch it for the story. But I'm sure not going to stand in line for it.
I went to see it for the story, and that's what I loved most about it. Yes, the animation is amazing, but there are lots of movies with amazing animation these days that I have no interest in seeing. I saw this one because of the subject matter. Is your only reason for your "boycott" is because it's CG? It's not an FX movie, at all. It's very plot and character driven.
I thought the comedy was something out of a Buster Keaton film. The story was intelligently told. And the conceit of a cooking rat that could communicate with a human aside, it had a fairly grounded plot that was continually anchored by doses of reality.
I think it takes animated fare to another level. I agree it's not a film for the little ones. It's a film lovers film (and a food lovers film!). I think I enjoyed the movie much more than the kids in the theater did. There was so much in the film I am sure they couldn't appreciate. It's also a love letter to Paris, a city I adore.
Interestingly, the film uses about 3-4 different types of animation in it. Some of the hand drawn stuff does make an appearance in the film.
I guess I have a question for you, fydeaux: Let's say I hated hand drawn animation, and as a result steadfastly refused to watch Fantasia, Bambi, Popeye, Betty Boop, or even Rudolph because of it. You'd try to see me on the stories and humor, wouldn't you?
I am not boycotting the movie; I just dont intend to see it until it comes to cable. I know I'm entirely out of the mainstream here (Hell, I'm a blues musician! I'm used to being out of the mainstream!). I dont happen to like computer generated animation; I find it visually irritating. But I am not telling you or anyone else to NOT see it, nor am I suggesting that anyone else's reasons for liking it are invalid.
For what it's worth, I never saw "Star Wars" until it was shown on cable either. To this day, I have only seen one SW movie in a theater, and it was a second-run theater. I didnt go see "Saturday Night Fever" either (still havent) because I hated the music. I'm sure that a lot of hard work went into making the music, but I still didnt like it. I have never seen a complete episode of either "Friends" or "Seinfeld".
I'm hard put to come up with a really good food analogy (to keep this bit food-related), so allow me to use a mediocre one: let's assume for a moment that you are not a fan of Karoke. There is a restaurant in your town that serves your favourite dish, always perfectly prepared. But the restaurant always has Karoke going LOUDLY whenever you are in there. Since appeals to the restaurant's owners are of no use, you can: A) Endure the Karoke; B) not patronize the restaurant; or C) get take-away and eat at home.
Where this movie is concerned, I have chosen option C. CGA is Karoke to me.
Me either! I saw the previews for it (embarrassingly enough when I went to see Shrek) and I'm so excited for it!
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Me too! Looks like it will be great fun.
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I too am excited about it. I saw the 9-minute trailer on Apple's website. The soup making sequence was wonderful!
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Here's the link...I hope it works...it's 9 minutes of fun!!!
http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/...
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Count me in...
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me too!
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When my husband said he wanted to see it I thought he was joking. Then I saw the trailer and I am fully on board. Looks like a fun flick.
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how funny - my husband just said to me this morning...."do you think we could go see this movie?" My reply, "heck yeah, thought you'd never ask!" I really couldn't believe he had a genuine interest...thought I was the only one......and then I saw this thread and realized, we are not alone! Enjoy, everyone!
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My almost-5-year-old keeps trying to get me to have a Dora the Explorer birthday party (bday in about a month), since that's the only "girl" theme he knows. I jokingly asked DH if I could have a Ratatouille theme party (yes, the paper plates are already on the market), and he seriously replied, "You could do that." Then he added, "You just want an excuse to have stinky cheese." ;-)
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My husband is also wanting to see it. After catching the 7 min animation on cable and remembering the preview before "Cars", he wants to see an animated movie. Who'd a thunk it?
This review says its one of the few movies out there that is worth the price of admission.
http://www.nysun.com/article/57606
Now to choose a restaurant worthy of the movie. We are so far from French Laundry type food .....
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Rave review from the Boston Globe as well.
http://www.boston.com/movies/display?... I'm hoping to see it with a friend within a few weeks.
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It's Pixar. You know it's gonna be good.
DT
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We are lucky enough to be going to the huge premiere at the Kodak in Hollywood next friday, it looks like Disney is pulling out all the stops...it looks like such a great movie, my kids are excited and so am I!
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Saw a sneak preview Saturday nite and it was quite delightful--stunning animation and a cute story. Not sure who it will appeal to, though. I can't imagine little kids appreciating it, despite the "G" rating--the story will go right over their heads, and I doubt most adults will want to give it a try on their own. It'll be interesting to see how well it does.
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I think Mrs. Sippi and I will be going sans kids.
DT
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I just saw it in a theatre full of little kids, and every one of them around me watched intently, many of them spontaneously applauded after! It was clear that these kids enjoyed it as much as I did. I think the animation and the universal themes of being true to oneself appeal even to children too young to appreciate the 'inside' stuff about restaurants (indeed, to adults who don't appreciate some of that inside stuff either)....
oh, and the wonderful depiction of Paris, particularly the lighting in the scene along the Seine, made me long to plan my next trip. You've been warned! (but definitely go see it! and take your kids or grandkids, by all means). There is a reason this movie is currently Number One at the box office,and it isn't just because all the Chowhounds are going to see it...
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I too was in awe over the scenes of the Paris streets. I caught myself holding my breath or omitting a slight gasp. I will be there in January and thanks to the movie I'm on the edge of my seat. I loved it.
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I agree. The attention to detail in animation is reason enough to see this movie. Recall the kiss scene? The angel of view cuts to overhead and slowly “pans back” to wide angle to include the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. That angel of view, combined with the details of those rooftops, create an illusion that you are watching a love scene in a major motion picture that was filmed on location. Also, the comic chase scene on the streets of Paris made me recall movies with a character named Inspector Jacques Clouseau. The rats-eye view of running through a kitchen under igniting ovens and wheeled carts became intense. A scene that will hit home with all Chowhounds is the involuntary expression of ecstasy on the face of food critic Anton Ego (Is there a message to food critics in that name?) after his pen hits the floor and the multi-sensory excitement of sight, taste, smell and texture took him to a plateau revisiting his Mother’s kitchen as a child. A movie about the love and art of cooking requires such attention to detail and because this movie was done so well I have seen it twice already. I will buy it on DVD someday and add it to my collection of movies such as Fatso and Big Night.
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A buddy of mine was a programmer at Pixar and Ratatouille was his last movie there (he's now moved on to Harry Potter's special effects company). Can't wait. The trailers are hilarious.
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I saw a trailer for it months ago... it looks like great fun. DH and I love animated movies (except for the real 'kiddy' ones)...
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Hope you enjoy the movie.
If anyone's interested there is a podcast specifically on the food portion of the making of the film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysHaeG...
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Thanks, Crimson, that was really fun.
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I've been waiting for a year for this! I saw a trailer for it before "Cars" last summer and knew this was going to be the movie for me!
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Just saw that Thomas Keller has a small part as a food snob in the cartoon. Supposedly he did some consulting for the film too.
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He did, indeed. Candy and I are planning to go see this together. Will report back.
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So which food snob was Keller? They didn't credit him except in the end for the technical assistance.
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He's the one that asks for "something new", leading to Remy's re-imagining of an old, failed Gusteau recipe involving sweetbreads. Guy Savoy voices this character in the French dub, Ferran Adria in the Spanish dub.
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So I've decided to make a night of it! Going to a traditional French restaurant for dinner (you know, to experience the real thing) then going to see the movie (to see Disney/Pixar's interpretation of French dining). I'm so excited!!!
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Here's another story about the making of the film.
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi...
Yes, Keller is indeed in the film, consulted for it, and Brad Lewis, one of the film's producers, even "interned" at French Laundry. Almost everyone involved in the film had to bone up on Culinary, so that the movie would be as authentic as possible.
Plus, besides Keller voicing a role, his role was voiced by Guy Savoy in the French version, and by good old Ferran Adria in the Spanish. And Jaime Oliver voices the restaurant inspector in the British version.
What's not to like?...
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Ditto!! Received excellent reviews in Toronto Star today.
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Keller also designed the absolutely gorgeous version of the title dish that appears in the film. The man is a fool if he doesn't add it to the menu at The French Laundry:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...
I'm a Francophile, I really love French food, I love Pixar, and I'm a sucker for films about the creative impulse. I don't want to be too hasty in my judgment, but I think "Ratatouille" may be one of the best films I've ever seen.
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I loved the movie, too (and was grateful to be asked to review it, from a food writer's perspective, for Boston's Weekly Dig, the alt-weekly that I write occasional restaurant criticism for). I mentioned some of my favorite food-themed movies (Tampopo and Big Night), and likewise expressed relief that Bird's screenplay avoided that obnoxious, dated-by-next-year pop-culture riffing.
But I had the opposite reaction to Keller's contribution in that one scene, as I wrote: "Unlike most of Remy’s soulful, instinctive cooking, his ratatouille is a fussy, post-modern abstraction of the humble French peasant stew. Looking like a Bundt cake made of poker chips, ringed by a careful smear of sauce and crowned with a tiny sliver of basil, it’s the least appetizing entrée in the movie."
But the food in general looks amazing, even the half-rotten stuff.
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Yeah, but tell me you didn't get a little choked up when the food critic tried the first bite of ratatouille. I won't ruin it for those who haven't seen it, but I thought that was one of the most touching scenes I've ever seen.
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Despite the ugly-looking dish, that was one of my very favorite moments in the movie: beautiful and moving and speaking so poetically to that powerful interplay of food and memory and love. I deliberately didn't mention it in the review: saying more would be a terrible spoiler.
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I wonder if Remy is more clever than we think! Sure, he crafts this post-modern looking skyscraper. However, perhaps he does so knowing Anton will look at this trumped-up dish skeptically. But then he tastes it… and we know what happens--a peak experience.
I’m reading a little bit too much into the rat’s mind. :-P
(I don’t actually believe rats can cook.)
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We saw an early showing of this tonight and loved it. Fantastic attention to detail...all the research they put in definitely shows. Husband has never worked in a professional kitchen but really enjoyed it as well. The many kids in the audience also seemed to be enjoying it(we don't have any of own to ask so could only judege based on the fact they all seemed ot be paying attention and laughing when appropriate).
Very well done!
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I was so excited...made a night of it after a nice meal, and all I have to say is...WOW. The New York Times simply said "Thank You"...that is just right on.
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Just saw the film this afternoon with some other food-obsessed friends. All I can say is 'wow'. Great food movie, really funny, beautiful artwork. A winner all around.
The only comments I've seen anywhere that have been negative, have been from parents expecting something their 4 year olds would find entertaining. That, for the most part, is not this film. Otherwise, it's a winner for the rest of us.
Brought along some truffle salt for our popcorn. Seemed fitting!
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Great movie! Went to see it today with husband and 9 year old daughter who also loved it. There is sooo much attention to detail. Any foodie will appreciate it and tag-a-long cartoonies will enjoy it as well.
The sous chef was one of my favorite characters...watch the thumb!
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By all means - go see it! Good on so many levels, and it's been way to damn long since I made ratatouille.
Some critic suggested once you see you have to run out and go to a restaurant, but I beg to differ - I ran out to a grocers and then SPED home to cook. Wheehah!!!!
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TRUE!!! I love being in love with food and cooking....guess what's on my menu for tonight? ;-)
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I'm usually never one to rush to see a movie on opening day, but I skipped out of work early on Fri. so that husband and I could get into the last matinee showing. Very fun movie and, as others have said, the attention to detail is apparent. The animation was awe-inspiring, as there were times when I forgot that I was watching an animated film. Those rats were kinda cute, but working in the food industry, I got the heebie jeebies a few times when they were scampering in the walk-in and kitchen.
For those who don't have the recipe, it (technically called "confit byaldi") was printed in the San Jose Mercury News adapted from Thomas Keller's recipe:
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_6239365
Here's one article in the Mercury News (sourced from the NY Times) on Keller's involvement:
http://www.mercurynews.com/search/ci_...
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Hurrah!! Thanks so much for the link... I knew the recipe had to get out somehow! :D
Like the others here we saw it on Friday night... and LOVED it. I am already a HUGE animation buff (One meal I will never forget is my lunch AT pixar! :)
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/411535
--Dommy!
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I loved the way they dealt with the "ick" factor of rats in the kitchen by sterilizing them in the dishwasher (although that would probably kill a real rat). I thought visually it was fascinating -- in some scenes, they used a photo-realistic style that made you forget it was animation, and in others it was much more of a "drawn" look. I was fascinated by the way the wine glasses really looked like crystal.
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I wanted to take my 10 yr old to see it yesterday but it was damn near impossible. They were all sold out except for the 10 pm & after showings here in the bay area. We'll try our luck today.
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I have to say I was looking forward to this, and agree the visuals were stunning, but for me the dialogue wasn't there and it even got a little tedious. You'd think the long trailer they'd been showing (Remy fixing the soup by comically throwing ingredients into the pot) would be a teaser, but it was pretty much the best part of the movie. My recommendation is to save a little money and wait for PPV.
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Great movie; we left the theater very hungry. Read about all the research they did on the movie. Anyone catch one of the early scenes where they called rosemary a "spice"- not an herb?
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Yup, I noticed that too about the rosemary, but then I figured you have to give the rat some leeway for yes or no answers; with such communication constraints spice may be close enough to herb. Although he was able to convey visually his modesty on the question, "you're a good cook, right?..."
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actually, I thought I heard a question mark in his voice when he referred to the rosemary as a spice, as if he wasn't sure....remember, Remy was still experimenting at that point, based upon the voice of Gausteau in his imagination...
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I guess I had a mixed reaction to it as well. Before I went to see it I was certain that eventually I would want to own a copy for my own DVD library but I think once was enough. There were some touching scenes to be sure but I didn't bond with the movie like I expected I would.
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Just saw it today with Mrs. Sippi and we loved it.
DT
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I guess that I'm nearly the sole member of the loyal opposition here. Yes, the commercials and reviews I have seen and heard make the story sound wonderful, and the subject matter is certainly not outside my range of interest.
But call me old, out of place, a ludite, or whatever else you like, I have absolutely no appreciation for computer generated animation. Give me an old Fleischer cartoon, hand-drawn and hand-coloured by a staff of hundreds of animators anyday. In my own (radically overwhelmed minority) opinion, it will be dozens of years before anything in the style of Shrek, Buzz Lightyear, or Remy will have the artistic merit of Hoppity Goes To Town!
It'll be on cable in less than a year. If I'm really bored, I might watch it for the story. But I'm sure not going to stand in line for it.
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I went to see it for the story, and that's what I loved most about it. Yes, the animation is amazing, but there are lots of movies with amazing animation these days that I have no interest in seeing. I saw this one because of the subject matter. Is your only reason for your "boycott" is because it's CG? It's not an FX movie, at all. It's very plot and character driven.
I thought the comedy was something out of a Buster Keaton film. The story was intelligently told. And the conceit of a cooking rat that could communicate with a human aside, it had a fairly grounded plot that was continually anchored by doses of reality.
I think it takes animated fare to another level. I agree it's not a film for the little ones. It's a film lovers film (and a food lovers film!). I think I enjoyed the movie much more than the kids in the theater did. There was so much in the film I am sure they couldn't appreciate. It's also a love letter to Paris, a city I adore.
Interestingly, the film uses about 3-4 different types of animation in it. Some of the hand drawn stuff does make an appearance in the film.
I guess I have a question for you, fydeaux: Let's say I hated hand drawn animation, and as a result steadfastly refused to watch Fantasia, Bambi, Popeye, Betty Boop, or even Rudolph because of it. You'd try to see me on the stories and humor, wouldn't you?
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I am not boycotting the movie; I just dont intend to see it until it comes to cable. I know I'm entirely out of the mainstream here (Hell, I'm a blues musician! I'm used to being out of the mainstream!). I dont happen to like computer generated animation; I find it visually irritating. But I am not telling you or anyone else to NOT see it, nor am I suggesting that anyone else's reasons for liking it are invalid.
For what it's worth, I never saw "Star Wars" until it was shown on cable either. To this day, I have only seen one SW movie in a theater, and it was a second-run theater. I didnt go see "Saturday Night Fever" either (still havent) because I hated the music. I'm sure that a lot of hard work went into making the music, but I still didnt like it. I have never seen a complete episode of either "Friends" or "Seinfeld".
I'm hard put to come up with a really good food analogy (to keep this bit food-related), so allow me to use a mediocre one: let's assume for a moment that you are not a fan of Karoke. There is a restaurant in your town that serves your favourite dish, always perfectly prepared. But the restaurant always has Karoke going LOUDLY whenever you are in there. Since appeals to the restaurant's owners are of no use, you can:
A) Endure the Karoke;
B) not patronize the restaurant; or
C) get take-away and eat at home.
Where this movie is concerned, I have chosen option C. CGA is Karoke to me.
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