08.29.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I had the pleasure of joining Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb on the TODAY show to dive into some of the most talked-about Hollywood headlines from the weekend. We spoke about Jennifer Lopez’s stunning surprise performance with her ex Marc Anthony, as well as the buzz around Rihanna and Drake’s romantic moment at the MTV Video Music Awards. Read More
08.26.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I’m 3 weeks into doing the Highly Relevant podcast and it’s been a wondrous experience. I LOVE pop culture, but I detest the idea of having it be limited by a single language or culture. I want to talk about both sides of who I am – American and Latino. By tapping both sides, I get to discuss subjects that only enrich the conversations I’m having. There’s a global, international vibe to the dialogues I conduct and this third episode is a nice example of it. Read More
08.20.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I’m pretty proud of having produced the second episode of ‘Highly Relevant’ podcast all by myself (if you guys want to know bad enough how I did, I’ll write about it here one of these days). This week, I had the wonderful pleasure of interviewing Nick Lachey. He is someone whose work I not only admired with 98 Degrees and as a solo artist, but someone I had the distinct delight in working with at VH1’s Big Morning Buzz last year. You can listen beginning at (1:13). The three things that stood out the most from the interview were the 98 Degrees album he’s most proud of, the full story on how their biggest hit “The Hardest Thing” almost never got recorded and a Whoopi Goldberg quote he recited to me that will change anyone’s life. Read More
08.15.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I’m watching the Olympics last night as Usain Bolt bolted by all his so-called competitors, including Justin Gatling, and right after his win, NBC aired a TV trailer spot for the film Hidden Figures. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson and tells the incredible untold true story of three brilliant African-American women working at NASA in the 1960s where they served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history: the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit. What most stood out to me was my reaction… it was bizarre to see a prestige period Hollywood movie about accomplished black women at the highest levels. And you know why…? Read More
07.23.2016 | By Jack Rico |
I can’t believe I’m seeing this trailer. This film wasn’t even supposed to be made. It was some fantasy amongst comic-book heads. There was talk of production maybe happening in 2020, but in 2016!? YES!! DC’s equivalent of The Avengers premiered at the San Diego Comic-Con today and with no Superman in sight, Bruce Wayne wrestles up Aquaman, Flash, Cyborg and Wonder Woman to fight an unseen enemy. But again, where is Superman? The tone of the film will be on the jocular side, much like Marvel, but the look is straight up DC. This trailer is not breathtaking or surreal, perhaps because it’s not the official trailer? but it establishes the physical presence of the core characters, including Cyborg (I’ll be rooting for him above all others). Take a look, let me know what you think of the trailer!
07.23.2016 | By Jack Rico |
Wonder Woman is a superhero who has been around for 75 years. She is without question the most popular female superheroine in the world. Now, she finally comes to the big screen! The first trailer for “Wonder Woman”, DC’s first female-led superhero movie ever, is here!
Scheduled to be released this coming June 2017, ‘Wonder Woman’ is directed by Patty Jenkins and stars Gal Gadot as Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, the Amazonian princess who has been raised on a sheltered island paradise and is unaware of her true heritage until she meets an American pilot (Chris Pine) who tells her about the outside world. She possesses the powers of strength, speed, flight, super-senses, plus the ability to deflect bullets with her bracelets.
The cast is made up of both familiar faces for DC fans and newcomers. It stars Gal Gadot (who also played the role of Wonder Woman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) as the protagonist Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Robin Wright as General Antiope, Connie Nielsen as Queen Hippolyta, Elena Anaya as Doctor Poison and Lucy Davis as Etta Candy.
The trailer starts with Wonder Woman running through no man’s land and saving a village from German soldiers. She then proceeds to fight them with her sword, shield, and her iconic bracelets. The trailer also hints at the origin story of Diana Prince as she is seen in Themyscira training with her mother, Hippolyta (played by Connie Nielsen).
The movie is based on the DC Comics character Wonder Woman who was created in 1941 by American psychologist and writer William Moulton Marston.
07.22.2016 | By Jack Rico |
Co-Directed by Brett Marty & Josh Izenberg, The Search for Earth Proxima is a short documentary about a group of scientists and their mission to build a telescope to hunt for an Earth-like planet around our closest neighbor: Alpha Centauri. Read More
07.21.2016 | By Jack Rico |
If you’re a movie buff, which I know some of you are, you should really watch this 30m show on NY1 called – Talking Pictures On Demand. I was a guest for the second time and it really breaks down with a fine tooth comb the new releases and movies that are currently “on demand”. We reviewed “The Duel” starring Liam Hemsworth and Woody Harrelson, “Len and Company,” “Green Room” and Jake Gyllenhaal’s “Demolition,” amongst others. Plus, a look at the brand-new Ghostbusters reboot. Click video above to have a look!
07.20.2016 | By Jack Rico |
The reason for my appearance this morning with Kathie Lee & Hoda was for a regular segment called WHO KNEW?, a fun and informative trivia game where Kathie Lee asks people at the NBC Store questions based on a theme. Read More
07.18.2016 | By Jack Rico |
*(Premiering Friday, August 12th)
Living in New York City is unlike any other city in the entire world. Sure, many global cities might look like it, but none of them offer the diversity, culture and smarts we do. I like to think of my new podcast – HIGHLY RELEVANT – much like my own New York City, one where diversity is welcomed and embraced, where arts & culture are top of mind, and, just a cool place to enjoy highly relevant conversations with some really talented people, some of whom you should already know… and some you should get to know. 
Think filmmakers, actors, musicians, writers and journalists… how are they shaping pop culture and what does that mean for us? They say, “it’s about the journey,” well, I’d love for you to join me on this journey, one where you and I will hopefully learn a thing or two right within the confines of your #headphones. And don’t just be a listener, be a participant! Let me know what topics you’d like me to cover and who you’d like me to interview. This will be OUR podcast. The HIGHLY RELEVANT podcast with yours truly… every Friday beginning August 12th.
