Rick Marshall
Former Contributing Editor, Entertainment
Author/Co-Author of 3279 articles
A veteran journalist with more than two decades of experience covering local and national news, arts and entertainment, and emerging technology, Rick has been writing for Digital Trends since 2011.
Over the years, Rick has served as an editor for MTV News and Wizard Magazine, as well as a columnist for Time Inc., Movies.com, Fandango, and IFC.com. He is a member of Critics Choice Association and a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic for films and television series. A voracious consumer of movies and TV series, as well as a lifetime fan of comic books, video games, and all manner of geekery, his work can also be found in Mental Floss, Space.com, and various other print and online outlets.
Dubbed a "Professional Geek," Rick has appeared on Spike TV, MTV, ABC, CBS, Fox Business, and NPR to offer commentary on entertainment and pop culture trends. He served as co-producer and host of WAMC Northeast Public Radio's "RetConned" podcast, interviewing a wide spectrum of pop-culture personalities and creators from 2016-2018.
A native of New York's Capital Region, Rick began his journalism career at the alternative newsweekly Metroland. He was named the New York Press Association's Writer of the Year while covering local, state, and national news around New York's capital city and surrounding region.
Rick attended college at SUNY Plattsburgh and SUNY Albany, earning degrees in Computer Science, Environmental Science, and Journalism. He is a proud father of two great kids, husband to an endlessly patient partner who tolerates his love for "The Transformers: The Movie," and a big fan of good beer.
How Christopher Nolan’s Tenet used visual effects to invert time
Christopher Nolan's sci-fi spy thriller Tenet made creative use of visual effects to turn back time and create a visually stunning adventure.
How Tupac and Thanos led to Douglas, the most impressively humanlike A.I. yet
First it was holographic Tupac and Marvel's Thanos. Now, VFX studio Digital Domain brings us Douglas, an autonomous human who loves sci-fi and Stephen King.
The Mandalorian: Everything you should know before the season 2 premiere
It's been nearly a year since season 1 of The Mandalorian ended, so you might need a recap before season 2 of the Star Wars series premieres on Disney+.
How The Mandalorian’s visual effects made old Star Wars creatures new again
The Mandalorian gave Disney+ a big hit right from the start with its Star Wars spinoff story, and innovative visual effects played a big role in its success.
Happily Ever Avatar: How HBO Max series found love connections in gaming world
In HBO Max's documentary series Happily Ever Avatar, couples experience the trials and tribulations of real-world love after meeting in their favorite games.
Behind the 12-year saga of Ghostbusters documentary Cleanin’ Up The Town
Creating the definitive making-of documentary for 1984's iconic supernatural comedy Ghostbusters was a 12-year journey for filmmakers Anthony and Claire Bueno.
The Snyder Cut of Justice League is coming to HBO Max
Zach Snyder's directors cut of Justice League will be released on HBO Max, Warner Bros. and HBO announced Wednesday.
Into the Spider-Verse almost had a Holland-Garfield-Maguire crossover
Sony's Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won an Oscar, but it almost had a pretty amazing crossover with Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire, too.
Taika Waititi tapped to direct new Star Wars movie
Disney and Lucasfilm have confirmed Oscar-winning Jojo Rabbit and What We Do in the Shadows director Taika Waititi will co-write and helm a new Star Wars movie.
What is Baby Yoda?
The Mandalorian isn't the only breakout star of Disney's Star Wars spinoff series. Here's everything we know about the character better known as Baby Yoda.
The Mandalorian is getting a documentary series on Disney+
Disney will premiere the new documentary series on May 4, Star Wars Day, and offer an in-depth look at the hit Disney+ series that gave the world Baby Yoda.
Quibi: Is it the next big thing or a billion-dollar boondoggle?
The new short-form video service Quibi has finally launched, but will its focus on keeping content brief make it a short-lived option?
Disney pushes back MCU releases for Black Widow, Eternals, and more
The coronavirus has Disney shuffling its calendar for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and setting new premiere dates for Black Widow, Eternals, and other movies.
The Mandalorian season 2: Rosario Dawson reportedly cast as Ahsoka Tano
Daredevil and Luke Cage actress Rosario Dawson could bring beloved animated series character Ahsoka Tano to the live-action world in The Mandalorian season 2.
Hold on to your fedora! Steven Spielberg won’t direct Indiana Jones 5
Steven Spielberg has decided to make Indiana Jones 5 the first installment of the franchise that he won't direct.
Here’s your first look at Woody Harrelson as Carnage in Venom 2
Tom Hardy has posted the first photo of Woody Harrelson as the psychopathic killer Cletus Kasady, aka Carnage, from Sony's upcoming film Venom 2.
Star Trek: Picard finally cleans up the franchise’s messy timelines
Star Trek: Picard does more than bring back some of the sci-fi saga's most popular characters. It also does an impressive job cleaning up convoluted timelines.
How 1917’s single-shot style changed the game for visual effects
Director Sam Mendes' war drama 1917 chronicled a pair of soldiers' journey through enemy territory during World War II with a single-shot format that pushed its visual effects team to throw out what they knew and come up with fresh ways to create movie magic without any cuts.
How The Lion King visual effects team used VR to go inside Disney’s CG adventure
The Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor on Disney's The Lion King explains how the film's creative team and cast used virtual reality to blend modern filmmaking techniques with an old-school aesthetic in order to bring Simba's journey to life on the screen in a realistic way.
Everything coming to Peacock, NBCUniversal’s streaming video service
Here's everything currently announced for NBC's new streaming service, from original shows and TV revivals to classic movies and curated film channels.
5 directors who could make magic with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
Scott Derrickson left the director's chair on Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, so who will Marvel Studios choose to fill it? These five filmmakers each offer unique appeal for expanding the Sorcerer Supreme's story and MCU in exciting ways.
How visual effects gave Alita: Battle Angel’s cyborg hero a soul
The visual effects team for Alita: Battle Angel, one of 10 films contending for a VFX Oscar nomination this year, explains how they made the movie's computer-generated cyborg hero feel as human as her live-action peers through filmmaking magic and a memorable performance from star Rosa Salazar.
How VFX brought Leia back, gave us Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker’s best battle
The visual effects team for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, one of 10 films contending for a VFX Oscar nomination this year, explains how they brought the late Carrie Fisher back as Leia for the sequel trilogy's concluding chapter, and what went into creating one of the film's most memorable battles.
Golden Globe Awards send a message to Netflix: It’s not your time yet
This was supposed to be the year that Netflix finally crossed the threshold in movie awards season, but the 2020 Golden Globe Awards offered a harsh reminder that streaming services have a long way to go before their films are judged on even ground with theatrical releases.
5 questions we want Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker to answer
There are plenty of mysteries surrounding Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as the film's premiere looms large, but there are some specific questions we're desperate to see the film answer. Here are the five biggest questions we have as Episode IX arrives in theaters.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 9 of HBO’s series
Episode 9 of HBO's Watchmen series offered plenty of revelations about the story that played out over the hit show's first (and possibly only) season.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 8 of HBO’s series
Episode 8 of HBO's Watchmen series offered plenty of revelations -- and of course, a few more mysteries -- about the story playing out on the screen.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 7 of HBO’s series
Here are some of the key elements of episode 7 of HBO's Watchmen series you might have missed to make your viewing experience even better.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 6 of HBO’s series
Episode 6 of HBO's Watchmen series has plenty of call-outs to the comic and history behind the story playing out on the screen.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 5 of HBO’s series
Episode 5 of HBO's Watchmen series has plenty of call-outs to the comic and history behind the story playing out on the screen. Here are some of the key elements you might have missed or simply didn't know about that can make the Watchmen viewing experience even better.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 4 of HBO’s series
Episode 4 of HBO's Watchmen series has plenty of call-outs to the comic and history behind the story playing out on the screen.
The best Marvel movies on Disney+
Fly in the face of your childhood aspirations and become that hero you've always dreamed of vicariously through the ever-amassing and maturing MCU on Disney+.
NBC’s Peacock streaming service could be free with ads, like old-school TV
NBCUniversal's upcoming Peacock streaming service might take a lesson from old-school television by offering an entirely free, ad-supported version of its service that doesn't rely on a pay-TV package or other subscriptions in addition to the traditional streaming models.
Watchmen, explained: Easter eggs and references from episode 3 of HBO’s series
Episode 3 of HBO's Watchmen series has plenty of call-outs to the comic and history behind the story playing out on the screen. Here are some of the key elements you might have missed or simply didn't know about that can make the Watchmen viewing experience even better.