07 March
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TURNING RED Director: Domee ShiStarring: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Hyein Park, Finneas We’re getting double the Pixar joy this year with Lightyear coming this summer, but first is the highly energetic Turning Red. It’s is a coming-of-age story for Meilin Lee, voiced by Rosalie Chiang. She’s a spunky 13-year-old who narrates the film introducing us to her family and group of girlfriends Miriam, Priya, and Abby. For an overachieving 8th grader, there’s no time to mess around. That all changes after an incredibly emotional night, and she wakes up and finds herself turned into a giant red panda. It’s quite anRead More →

16 June
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LUCA Director: Enrico CasarosaStarring: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Maya Rudolph, Jim Gaffigan, Emma Berman, Saverio Raimondo Not every Pixar film will be the next Toy Story or Inside Out that changes the game and power of animation. Some are sweet little fables like Luca. Jacob Tremblay lends his voice to Luca, a sea monster with a pursuit for the unknown. He loves exploring and is fascinated in the objects humans drop into the sea. He’s been told to fear these land monsters and their boats from his parents. Luca’s life is forever changed when he’s pulled ashore and morphs into a human body thanksRead More →

18 December
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Pete Docter Interview – Creating Pixar’s “Soul” Pete Docter is the heart and soul of why I love Pixar movies. He wrote and directed their latest film Soul with Kemp Powers. The film takes us deep within ourselves to find out what makes us special and unique. I sat down with Docter to share a personal story, we talk about the casting of Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross’ surprising score, and inspirational teachers. Soul will be streaming on Disney+ on December 25. **click SUBSCRIBE on my YouTube Channel for more reviews and interviews**Read More →

04 March
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ONWARD Director: Dan ScanlonStarring: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Lena Waithe, John Ratzenberger  Tom Holland and Chris Pratt take a temporary leave from the Marvel Cinematic Universe to enter the world of Pixar in Onward. Holland voices the role of Ian. He’s an elf celebrating his 16th birthday. He’s looking to reinvent himself on this momentous day, but he can’t help but wish his dad was still alive to celebrate with him. That all changes when he and his brother Barley (Pratt) are gifted a magical wand and go on a quest in hopes of bringing their dad back for just one day. TheRead More →

20 June
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TOY STORY 4 Director: Josh CooleyStarring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Tony Hale, Annie Potts, Keanu Reeves, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, June Squibb, John Ratzenberger It’s been a few years since Andy gave his toy collection to little Bonnie (McGraw). Bonnie is now entering kindergarten which means some separated time from her toys. In her orientation class, she makes a new toy out of some trash and names his Forky (Hale). He’s a spork with googly eyes, pipe cleaner arms, and a popsicle stick as feet. He becomes her new best friend so much so that she takes Forky along with WoodyRead More →

15 June
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INCREDIBLES 2 Writer/Director: Brad Bird Starring: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Vowell, Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Keener, Huck Milner, Eli Fucile, Isabella Rossellini Pixar has had varying success with their sequels ranging from unnecessary (Cars 2) to innocent fun (Monsters University, Finding Dory), to making you downright cry uncontrollably (Toy Story 3). Incredibles 2 has that quintessential Pixar touch where they ease you for a fun adventure and then packs a punch by its end, but this time without the tears. The Incredibles have to be careful, as being super heroes is considered unlawful in the city. When the Underminer wreaks havocRead More →

26 November
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In Interviews

IN CONVERSATION: CHRIS BERNARDI FROM PIXAR’S “COCO” Chris Bernardi began working for Pixar Animation Studios in November 2000 as a shading technical director on Finding Nemo. Since then, he has served in a variety of roles, including sets shading supervisor, sets shading technical director, senior shading artist on many of their films like Cars, WALL•E, Toy Story 3, Monsters University, and Inside Out. As he mentions throughout the interview, being the set supervisors has Bernardi working with other supervisors, directors of photography and the production designer. Long before his days working for Pixar his path was quite different. He studied biology and physics at WashingtonRead More →

21 November
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COCO Director: Lee Unkrich, Adrian Molina Starring: Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renee Victor, Edward James Olmos, John Ratzenberger, Cheech Marin When Pixar isn’t cranking out sequels to their greatest hits (Finding Dory, Cars 3), they are creating timeless original stories that touch the heart and prove their staying power as one of the best studios in Hollywood. Coco comes from the mind of Pixar titan Lee Unkrich who’s the master behind Toy Story 2 and 3, Finding Nemo, and Monster’s, Inc. and shares directing credit here with animator Adrian Molina (The Good Dinosaur). They set off to educate children aboutRead More →

25 August
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In Special Series

THE SCIENCE BEHIND PIXAR TIME IS RUNNING OUT!! AHHH!! Okay, I’ll calm down, but seriously. Back on June 22, my husband and I went to The Science Behind Pixar exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota as we both adore Pixar movies. They’ve taken their magic on the road with this new exhibit that lets moviegoers of all ages get a glimpse into the science, math, and hard work that goes into making any one of their classic movies. The exhibit is beyond immersive and creative with a variety of activities to give kids and adults a hands on approach to every aspect of makingRead More →

15 June
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CARS 3 Director: Brian Fee Starring: Owen Wilson, Cristela Alonzo, Chris Cooper, Nathan Fillion, Armie Hammer, Margo Martindale, Kerry Washington, Larry the Cable Guy I don’t know of too many people who were looking forward to a third Cars movie after the second one’s poor reception. It seemed a little unnecessary for Pixar to spend their time and talents with this franchise when they could be diving into new and original stories. I’d like to assume Cars 3 is the last we will see of Lightning McQueen and the gang as it ends on a high note. The world of race car driving is changing,Read More →