2 cartoons are the stars of summertime cinema

I'll admit this up-front: I'm probably a bit biased because I'm such a cartoon nut.

In fact, I was pretty much raised on a steady diet of the classics — the Disney shorts (remember when they used to show them in school?), the Warner Bros. "Merrie Melodies" and "Looney Tunes" cartoons, and even some old "Tom & Jerrys."

So that might explain why my two favorite films of the summer are cartoons — Disney/Pixar's "Ratatouille" and "The Simpsons Movie."

Both films delivered the goods this summer in ways that their live-action competitors did not. And not just in terms of comedy, though each is terrific that respect.

"Ratatouille" features a dazzling chase sequence through the streets — and sewers — of Paris that's much more thrilling than anything seen in either "Spider-Man 3" or "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."

And the explosive finale of "The Simpsons Movie" is much more satisfying than the overblown endings of "Transformers" and the third "Pirates of the Caribbean" picture.

And yet, "Ratatouille" and "The Simpsons Movie" are such different animated films.

The classy "Ratatouille," from screenwriter/director Brad Bird, almost has an independent or foreign-film feel to it.

"The Simpsons Movie, on the other hand, isn't exactly what you'd call classy. In fact, it deserves its PG-13 rating, going further than the television version ever did. But it also manages to slip in a smart environmental message, as well as a pro-family slant. (Say what you will about the rather irreverent "Simpsons" TV show, it has always been a strong proponent of families.)

MY SUMMER OF DISCONTENT. For all my complaints about the 2007 summer-movie season, I have seen my share of high-quality — or at least enjoyable — movies.

I may not have liked John Travolta's drag performance in "Hairspray," but the rest of the musical is delightful.

And while it's predictable, the PG-rated "No Reservations" is fun cinematic comfort food.

Meanwhile, the prisoner-of-war drama "Rescue Dawn" has plenty of thrills, "1408" has a few chills and "Live Free or Die Hard" is, as they say, all killer and no filler — and all three are rated PG-13!

And so are Michael Moore's controversial but debate-inspiring documentary "Sicko" and the late Adrienne Shelly's bittersweet comedy "Waitress."

So much for the notion that movie critics don't really enjoy movies, eh?

MY SKIN TONE HAS NEVER LOOKED BETTER!

Fox has really outdone itself with its Web site for "The Simpson Movie," www.simpsonsmovie.com.

The site includes several interactive features, the most popular allowing browsers to "Simpsonize" themselves, by creating a cartoon "avatar" in the show's animation style.

And yes, I have already created one myself.

Who knew I looked so good in yellow?

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com