Darektor's Cut

Darektor's Cut

The Darek Thomas and the "Darektor's Cut" provides a captivating look into the film industry through thoughtful and well-researched interviews and critiques. Each episode includes comprehensive discussions with filmmakers, actors, and industry specialists, giving listeners a distinctive viewpoint on both the latest releases and timeless classics. Emphasizing both mainstream and independent cinema, the Monday Morning Critic Podcast serves as an invaluable resource for film lovers everywhere.

Episodes

December 23, 2025 22 mins

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Episode 588
"Mayor of Kingstown"
Taylor Handley (Kyle McLusky)

Taylor joins me to talk about the 4th Season (and best) of Mayor of Kingstown.

We discuss Taylor going next level in this season, getting an actor the caliber of Kyle Chandler to play Mitch is one episode setting the tone of the show, 
Kyle's pain in Episode 8, whether  Merle Callahan was ever sincere about want...

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Episode 587
"Christmas Vacation"
Ellen Latzen

Ellen Latzen had a wonderful career as a child actor starring in "Fatal Attraction" and "Christmas Vacation" as Ruby Sue.

Ellen and I touch on many topics including afterschool specials, the best scene in Christmas Vacation, the connection Ruby Sue has with Clark, Whether Cousin Eddie was a good father and so much mor...

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Episode 586
"It: Welcome to Derry"
Actor: Stephen Rider

Stephen joins me to talk Hank Grogan, Auditioning for Mike Hanlon, the hate Hank Grogan receives, Pennywise the father in law, The Black Spot,  Shawshank, Stephen King and so much more.

Welcome, Stephen Rider

#itwelcometoderry #it #welcometoderry #pennywise #hankgrogan #movie #stephenking #stephenkingbooks #podcast #th...

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Episode 585
Kimberly Guerrero | "It: Welcome to Derry" | (Rose)

Kimberly joins me to talk about her character "Rose", We also discuss "Second Hand Rose", How Rose is one of the only decent people in Derry, How amazing these child actors have been, what lies ahead, The instant classic episode: "The Black Spot" and so much more.

Loved speaking with her she is...

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Episode 584
"Train Dreams" and "Sinners"
Actor: Nathaniel Arcand

Nathaniel joins me to talk about his absolutely wonderful performance in "Train Dreams". 
We talk about why his character "Ignatius Jack" is a bright light in a film filled with sorrow. We talk about Jack's kindness, humanity. One of my most favorite characters of 2025.

Welcome, N...

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Episode 583
Dave Porter | Composer: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul

Composer Dave Porter stops by to talk composing the music for Breaking Bad, Pluribus and Better Call Saul.

Welcome, Dave Porter.

www.mmcpodcast.com

#bettercallsaul #breakingbad #pluribus #vincegilligan #walterwhite #interview #bobodenkirk #moviemusic #moviescores #moviescore #heisenberg #gusfring #gustavofring...

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"Hell or High Water, 3:10 to Yuma and Better Call Saul 

Ben Foster, Michael Mando and James Badge Dale.

A very talented trio joins me to talk about their newest film, "King Ivory".

Ben Foster (Hell or High Water, 3:10 to Yuma, Lone Survivor), Michael Mando (Better Call Saul, Spiderman; Brand New Day) and James Badge Dale (The Departed, World War: Z)

We discuss Ben's powerf...

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Episode 582
Ben Leonberg
Director: Good Boy

Director Ben Leonberg (and Indy) drop by to talk about the most unique and original film this year, "Good Boy".

"Good Boy" is about a man that moves into a new home that has supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities start to threaten him, his brave dog comes to the rescue. Make no mistake, this is a horror movi...

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Episode 581
 "It: Welcome to Derry" 
Mark MacRae 

Mark joins me to talk his role in Episode 1 as the young father. Perhaps one of the most memorable opening scenes in recent memory, Mark talks about that scene, how long it took to shoot, whether his TV family is alive, if they are indeed human and so much more. 

Welcome, Mark MacRae! 

www.mmcpodcast.com 

#itwelcome...

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Episode 579
Miles Ekhardt | "It: Welcome to Derry (Matty Clements)

Miles joins me to talk all things "It" and his character Matty Clements.

Episode 1 of "It: Welcome to Derry" might be one of the best pilot of a show in recent memory. A huge part of that pilot's success was Mile's portrayal of Matty Clements.

Miles and I talk Matty, It, Derry, Pennywise...

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Episode 578
Jack and Matilda Legault | "It: Welcome to Derry" | (Phil and Susie Malkin)

Real life Brother and Sister Jack and Matilda join me to talk about their roles on screen as brother and sister Phil and Susie Malkin. We talk about so much including their roles, who is worse Marge or Pennywise, working with each other on screen and that horrifying last scene in Episode 1. 

Welcome ...

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Episode 577
"It: Welcome to Derry"
Actor: Mikkal Karim- Fidler

Mikkal joins me to talk about his unbelievably memorable role as "Teddy Uris" 
We talk about the generational pain the Uris family has endured at the expense of Pennywise and "It".
We break down that unforgettable and horrifying Lamp scene.  We also discuss that theater scene in which is one of the mos...

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Episode 576
"It: Welcome to Derry" | Clara Stack (Lily Bainbridge)

Happy Halloween!

Clara joins me to talk all things "It".
Clara's performance thus far is about as good in a show as I have ever seen.

We talk about Derry, the pain that her character goes through, the adults being as bad as the evil entity, me thinking this was going to be like the group of fr...

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Episode 575
TASK
Composer: Dan Deacon

(Apologies for the echo)

Dan Deacon's TASK score is original, fresh and one of the most listenable scores in recent memory.  We talk about the score, the story scenes and all things "TASK"

Welcome, Dan Deacon

#task #movie #Taskhbo #hbomax #markruffalo #interview #podcast #crimeshow #delco #music #composer #filmscore #movi...

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Episode 574
Django Unchained, Donnie Brasco and Tulsa King 
Actor: James Russo.


James Russo joins me for a rare interview to talk about "Tulsa King", his character QUIET Ray, his filmography which includes Django Unchained, Donnie Brasco, Beverly Hills Cop and so much more. James is immensely underrated. His performances are unique,  always evolving and seem to fly under the radar.

I rea...

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Episode 573
"Tulsa King" 
Chris Caldovino, McKenna Quigley and Mike Walden

Chris, McKenna and Mike join me talk "Tulsa King" and a bit about each of their characters. We discuss Sylvester Stallone, his impact, what they've learned and much more.

Welcome Chris Caldovino, McKenna Quigley and Mike Walden


#tulsaking #sylvesterstallone #paramountplus #soprano...

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Episode 572
"The Last Frontier"
Actors: Dominic Cooper and Hayley Bennett.

You might know Dominic from "Preacher", and "Captain America" and Hayley from "Swallow" and "Girl on the Train" amongst other things.

Dominic and Hayley join me to talk about their promising new show "The Last Frontier".
We discuss that banger of a first ...

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Episode 571
"Task"
Actor: Ben Lewis Doherty

Ben portrays "Sam" in HBO's hit new show "Task".
Simply put, Ben has been terrific.

Ben and I talk about a multitude of things. We discuss acting in his first major role. We talk about being 10 years old and being in one of the best shows of the year. Ben and I breakdown how "Sam" truly is the light i...

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Episode 570
"Revenge of the Nerds"
Actor: Robert Carradine

Robert joins me to talk about his new podcast "The Party Nerds Pop-Cast"

We also dive into his filmography, talking about some of the more underrated entries.

We conclude the interview with a deep dive of "Revenge of the Nerds"

The topics we touch on are:

1. Why Revenge of the N...

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Episode 569
"Task"
Actor: Jamie McShane

The immensely talented Jamie McShane joins me to talk about his career his role in 1923 (Marshall Kent), Wednesday (Sheriff Donovan Galpin), Sons of Anarchy (Cameron Hayes) and finally, his most current project "Task" as the absolutely frightening Perry Dorazo).

 Jamie is humble, kind and such a gifted actor.

Task is argu...

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