I went to see Michael Bay’s latest film, Transformers this afternoon. It got me thinking that I should do a Top 5 list of his films. Where does Transformers rank next to films like The Rock or Armageddon? You’ll have to click the READ more button below.

That’s right, in my opinion, Michael Bay hasn’t made a good film. Transformers follows in his tradition of loud noises, chaotic action sequences where it is difficult to discern what is actually happening, squandered visual effects, zero character development, whole story lines that don’t matter and don’t go anywhere, and comic relief in the form of cheap one-liners. Overall, the film was bloated and vapid. I’m not expecting it to be Magnolia, but even in terms of the popcorn blockbuster, this film falls flat. Bay gets under my skin. He doesn’t just make films I indifferently brush aside, he makes films I hate. Honestly, the most enjoyable part of the film was being in an air-conditioned room for two and a half hours in the midst of a heat wave. But if you still want to watch a great movie about robots from outer space interacting with humans, skip Transformers and go rent Brad Bird’s brilliant The Iron Giant.

Speaking of Brad Bird—a director who has an impeccable record—I cannot recommend enough his latest film, Ratatouille. Now there is an engaging story full of great relationships, characters with believable growth, an original plot, gorgeous visuals, humor that is both broad and subtle, and real emotion. I went with Carey and Timbo on opening night and we sat in a theater full of families. The whole room—from five-year olds to grandparents—sat enraptured and we laughed throughout this original and touching comedy. After this film, The Iron Giant, and The Incredibles, Bird has earned carte blanche with me, meaning I’ll now see anything he’s directed, no questions asked.