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Mike Bastoli

Mike Bastoli considers himself a lifelong Disney fan and total nerd. He first joined The Disney Blog as a guest writer in 2009. From 2007 to 2011, he covered Pixar Animation Studios on his website The Pixar Blog, which quickly became one of the most popular on the Web dedicated to news about the studio. (The New York Times named it the “definitive unofficial chronicler of the animation powerhouse".) In 2011, Mike renamed his site Big Screen Animation and expanded his coverage to capture the broader world of animated feature films. He retired Big Screen Animation in 2014 to focus on his brick-and-mortar family business and other pursuits. Mike resides near Toronto with his wife, Janice.

Giant red panda in a room with three other characters who look befuddled to see it there

Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ Going Direct to Disney+

Disney announced today that Pixar’s upcoming feature Turning Red will skip theatres and be released straight to Disney+ on March 11. The film will be made available to all subscribers at no additional charge. This is Pixar’s third feature to be released straight to Disney+,… Read More »Pixar’s ‘Turning Red’ Going Direct to Disney+

Pixar is Keeping it Real with ‘Turning Red’

Pixar’s Turning Red promises to be a fresh addition to the most relatable of genres: the coming-of-age story. Directed by storyboard artist Domee Shi, the movie follows 13-year-old student Meilin Lee. Mei as it happens, ‘poofs’ into an enormous red panda whenever she gets too… Read More »Pixar is Keeping it Real with ‘Turning Red’

Why Disney Should Bring D23 Expo to East Coast

Three years ago I wrote a piece on why Disney should build a third theme park in North America—in Toronto to be specific. Alas, that hasn’t transpired—and I’m not exactly holding my breath—although it’s great to see Disney expanding the existing parks with exciting new… Read More »Why Disney Should Bring D23 Expo to East Coast

Inside Out is… Smart. Original. Beautiful. Emotional. Classic.

I don’t have a lot to say about “Inside Out”, Pixar’s fifteenth feature film, which opened today in theatres after what proved to be a long wait for fans of the studio. (Pixar’s last film, “Monsters University”, opened two years ago this week.) Or, rather,… Read More »Inside Out is… Smart. Original. Beautiful. Emotional. Classic.

Book Review: Art of Pixar’s Inside Out

Just when I was thinking that this Monday would be as ordinary as the last, I received a copy of The Art of Inside Out, the latest entry in Pixar’s essential “Art of” series, available now from Chronicle Books ahead of the movie’s June 19… Read More »Book Review: Art of Pixar’s Inside Out

The thrill of seeing a live Muppet performance

Miss_Piggy_Toronto_press_conferenceYesterday I had the chance to experience what might be called a childhood dream: seeing a Muppet live. Miss Piggy was in Toronto to promote Muppets Most Wanted and Disney graciously invited me to the press conference at the posh Shangri-La hotel (a fitting venue for a superstar like Piggy, who let everyone know that she “fixed” some of Celine Dion’s high notes in the film).

Running only ten minutes, it was far too short, but the event reminded me why a live Muppet musical like the one Disney has been exploring is such a superb idea.

It’s true what they say, even adults tend to forget that there’s a puppeteer under the table. (My only gripe was that they had Miss Piggy emerge from below, instead of having her already seated when everyone was let into the room.) You know that feeling when you see a celebrity in person after years of seeing them in pictures? I got that.

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Muppets Most Wanted Soundtrack Available

With only three days to go until Muppets Most Wanted hits 3000 theatres across North America, Walt Disney Records released the film’s soundtrack album on CD and download today. As I mention in my review of the movie, most of the songs may not be… Read More »Muppets Most Wanted Soundtrack Available

Review: Muppets Most Wanted

Perhaps those early negative reviews in the Hollywood trade press did me good by lowering my expectations, but I will do you no such favour: Muppets Most Wanted is an extremely enjoyable, nearly perfect follow-up to 2011’s brilliant The Muppets. Prepare to smile for hours… Read More »Review: Muppets Most Wanted