11.4.2016 | By Jack Rico |
So I think we can finally start narrowing down the Top 10 Movies Of 2016. I have not seen several of the films on this list due to the fact they have not screened yet for the New York press, but this list isn’t really an official announcement, it’s more a playful speculation, an educated guess, a curated observation of what I’m hearing from festivals, insider knowledge from studios and fellow critics’ opinions. Read More
11.4.2016 | By Jack Rico |
Here you go you superhero fiends! Watch and learn how ‘Wonder Woman’ earns her respect.
Synopsis: After leaving her all-female island, Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) discovers her full powers and true destiny while fighting alongside soldiers during World War I. Read More
10.31.2016 | By Jack Rico |
On the tenth episode of my Highly Relevant podcast, I had a chance to chat with Brian Tyree Henry, a.k.a. Paper Boi on FX’s Atlanta. We spoke mainly about diversity in the arts, but we did get to the nitty gritty on the prolific usage as of late of the word ‘nigga” in television and film (music has been like that from the beginning). Aren’t we trying to eliminate the word from our vocabulary? We also conversed on his pal Donald Glover’s casting in the new Star Wars movie, his first encounter with him, his character Paper Boi, the show’s appeal, his view on Latino culture, Broadway’s lack of minority storytelling, and why Gina Rodriguez is so hot to him. Read on or listen to the interview! Read More
10.29.2016 | By Jack Rico |
On this 10th episode, I chat with the one and only Brian Tyree Henry (a.k.a. Paper Boi) of one the most acclaimed TV shows on right now – FX’s ATLANTA. We discuss everything from the reasons why the show is resonating with viewers, the new golden age of black pop culture, his affinity to Latino culture, why Broadway still lacks diversity compared to film and TV and a passionate discussion on why the use of the ’N’ word in today’s arts and culture landscape is okay with him. That plus a look at why the website Quartz decided to create a Spanish language newsletter with its senior editor Gideon Lichfield as well as horror film recommendations for this Halloween.
10.27.2016 | By Jack Rico |
Creed was one of the surprise hits of 2015, and successfully revitalized the Rocky franchise in an unexpected way. While Sylvester Stallone stole the show as an aging Rocky training a protégé, it was Michael B. Jordan’s Adonis Johnson character that positioned himself to continue the series. That means that in some sense Rocky will continue, though it will do so through a new character. Coming Soon, which tends to have up-to-date information on release dates in addition to its regular film news, has said that there’s a tentative November 2017 release date for Creed 2 (which may or may not feature Stallone in a major role). Read More
10.24.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I had a chance to join Kathie Lee Gifford & Hoda Kotb on the TODAY show this morning to discuss Justin Bieber being booted in a concert meltdown… again, Donald Glover’s headline news of being cast in the new ‘Untitled Han Solo’ project, and talk about how Tyler Perry beat Tom Cruise at the box-office. Read More
10.21.2016 | By Jack Rico |
On this ninth episode, I talk about Tom Cruise’s new movie ‘Jack Reacher: Never Go Back’ with my good friend Mike Sargeant as we tackle Tom’s career, his longevity and our opinions on why he doesn’t seem to want to collaborate with another A-List actor (3:20). We also review Broadway’s new family feel-good musical Holiday Inn (24:46) as well as take a look at Ava DuVernay’s Queen Sugar (21:34), and I ask a New Yorker what he’s seeing, listening and downloading (27:43), plus, we recap the most important pop culture news you might have missed this week. Read More
10.20.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I don’t claim to be the best photographer, but I was invited to the American Pastoral movie premiere held at the MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in NYC and the after-party at American Cut Steakhouse in Midtown East. The star and director Ewan McGregor was there along with director Paul Haggis, Uzo Aduba and Liz Tucci from OITNB and yes… Kristen Stewart showed up to hang with her friends Dakota Fanning and Valorie Curry. Here are some photos I managed to get on the fly when I realized I should take at least a few pictures to show you guys. Read More
10.17.2016 | By Jack Rico |
It’s mid-October and award-like films are being released left and right. Moonlight is one of them. This film adds to a growing rise in magnificent stories deriving from Black America but without the cliches and stereotypes. The narratives seem to embrace black culture on black terms as opposed through a white lens. Luke Cage, Atlanta, Insecure, Kicks and now Moonlight celebrate the authenticity of the black condition through conviction and empowerment of their history and I for one am caught up in it. Read More
10.16.2016 | By Jack Rico |
On this eighth episode, I welcome one of the quintessential NY Latino character actors in Hollywood, David Zayas (1:17). We converse about his new movie “The Lennon Report”, his lack of desire to be the star in movies and which stories he thinks Latinos should be writing about for Hollywood. Also, the NYFF begins this weekend and I spoke to Kent Jones (14:30), the director of the festival himself, to share his must-see movies, what we can expect from Pedro Almodovar’s new film Julieta and why there’s such an absence of US born Hispanic directors in cinema today. And ADVERTISING WEEK has hit NYC and I decided to speak with one of the great minds in multicultural marketing, Linda Ong (23:20), the CEO and Founder of TruthCo. about the future of Hispanic television. What language will it be in? What kind of programming will be on it? That and a recap of all the best pop culture stories that you might’ve missed this week. Read More
