Lake Neuron

If you have the DVD of “Ratatouille” — and if you don’t, turn off the computer and go get it immediately — don’t miss the little featurette featuring director Brad Bird and the film’s culinary advisor, Thomas Keller. I just watched it for the first time, and it’s great — 15 minutes well-spent. The packaging makes it seem like Bird and Keller are going to be conversing, but that’s not the case at all. Each one is interviewed separately about his craft, and the two interviews are skillfully intercut, with supporting footage, to draw comparisons between what Bird does in the suites of Pixar and what Keller does in the kitchen. Common themes include the importance of having a mentor, the importance of being a mentor, collaboration and what have you. Really nice, and inspirational without being ham-handed.

Of course, I think Brad Bird is a genius anyway, so I guess I’m predisposed to like it.

Tags : brad bird | movies | pixar | ratatouille | thomas keller