Welcome back, once again, to your one place for finding my thoughts on the weekly crop of DVD releases. I pour over the new-release list hunting for the select titles worthy of being mentioned in my weekly column. Carefully perusing the weekly offerings so you don't have to. Plus, in addition to the list you will get personal thoughts from yours truly on what may or may not be worth adding to your collection. Well, okay, this isn't the only place you can turn, and I don't search as carefully as I should. Still, you will get a column of honest and truthful opinion to assist in your DVD selection, beginning with the absolute, undisputable top pick of the week. Yes, last week's pick was not a popular choice, but the film does have a narrow audience of which I happen to be a member of (if you don't remember, the pick was Captivity). This week's pick should prove to be a bit more popular. Rightly it should, as it is one of the best films of the year.

This week's pick is none other than Pixar's latest slice of excellence, Ratatouille. Of course, it is not coming out in a super-duper two-disk deluxe edition. Those have been scrapped by Disney because their "exhaustive" research has indicated that the majority of consumers are parents buying for their kids and have no interest in extra features. I argue that there is a large, and in this case ignored, segment of the DVD purchasing public that love these high-profile films and are interested in all the behind-the-scenes footage that can be had on the making of said film. I also believe that the Pixar films would rank at the top of the list of Disney films that deserve the red carpet treatment. Still, I will not let that dissuade me from adding this beautiful film to my collection.

Let me begin by telling you that Ratatouille is an absolute joy, another triumph for Pixar, and another feather in the cap for writer/director Brad Bird. Simply put, Ratatouille is a must-see film for people of all ages.

The story seems like a simple one. A rat named Remy (Patton Oswalt) living in the country outside of Paris has discovered that he wants something more than a life of stealing and eating garbage, and his highly developed sense of smell could prove to be his way out of his current lifestyle. Following an incident that chases Remy and the rest of the clan out of their country abode, Remy finds himself separated from his friends and family. At first, he is scared and unsure of what to do, but his love of food, cooking, and Chef Gusteau gives him hope, particularly when the lonely rat visualizes Gusteau as someone to talk to and get inspiration from. This leads to his meeting with Linguini, a nervous garbage boy with cooking aspirations.