Monday Morning Critic Podcast

By Darek Thomas

What's Monday Morning Critic Podcast about?

My name is Darek Thomas and I am the host of Monday Morning Critic Podcast. My podcast is a labor of love created out of my passion for my guests, their work and a variety of shows, movies and people that have changed my life. Welcome to Monday Morning Critic.www.mmcpodcast.com

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Monday Morning Critic Podcast episodes:

04.15.2024
Episode 461 | "Joker" | "The Dark Knight Rises" | "The Long Game" | Actor: Brett Cullen.
Episode 461. "Joker" | "The Dark Knight Rises" | "The Long Game" Actor: Brett Cullen. You can currently find Brett Cullen in "The Long Game". In 1955, five young Mexican-American caddies, out of the love for the game, were determined to learn how to...
04.11.2024
Episode 460 | "Warrior" | Actor: Chelsea Muirhead.
Episode 460. "Warrior" Actor: Chelsea Muirhead. Chelsea Muir portrays Yan Mi in the Max Original "Warrior". Chelsea was so much fun to speak with. She's refreshingly honest, funny, kind and a wonderful actor to boot. Chelsea Muirhead is a Filipino-Scottish actor from Toronto. After...
04.05.2024
Episode 459 | The Gentleman, Wrath of Man, The Covenant | Composer: Chris Benstead
Episode 459. The Gentleman, The Covenant and Wrath of Man. Composer: Chris Benstead. Chris Benstead and Guy Ritchie have made one hell of a team the last few years. Academy and BAFTA award winner Chris Benstead, is a British composer...
03.31.2024
Episode 458 | "PIG", "Splash", "Turner & Hootch" | Actor: David Knell.
Episode 458. "PIG" Actor: David Knell. David can be seen as Chef Derek Finway in "Pig," opposite Nicolas Cage, answering the question, "Who has my pig?" Best known for his roles as a goofy, callow youth in films like Spring Break, Splash,...
03.26.2024
Episode 457 | "American Rust"| Dan Futterman and Adam Rapp.
Episode 457 "American Rust" Showrunners: Dan Futterman and Adam Rapp. Dan Futterman is a two time Academy Award nominated writer. Having been nominated in 2006 for #capote and again in 2015 for #foxcatcher As an actor he has appeared along side #robinwilliams in...
03.21.2024
Episode 456 | Actors: Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney | "Dumb and Dumber", "The Newsroom", "The Iron Claw and "American Rust"
Episode 456. Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney. "American Rust" Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney stop by to talk about the gritty, intense world of "American Rust" (Prime Video). I think Maura Tierney offered me a job as a writer on "American Rust" for Season...
03.20.2024
Episode 455 | "Toy Story 3"| Actor: Emily Ricks (Bonnie).
Episode 455. Toy Story 3 Actor: Emily Ricks. Emily and I talk about the impact of Toy Story 3, Playing Bonnie, Why Toy Story 3 hits hard and so much more. Get ready to dive into the magical world of Disney with actress Emily...
03.15.2024
(Episode 454) "5lbs of Pressure" Director: Phil Allocco.
Episode 454. "5lbs of Pressure" Director: Phil Allocco. Filmmaker Phil Allocco is a feature film and commercial writer/director. His work has garnered over 60 awards and nominations. He was one of the short-listed directors picked by Steven Spielberg from a world-wide search of...
03.12.2024
The 96th Academy Awards and The Best Movies of 2023.
Taking a look at the 96th Academy Awards, Al Pacino having no time for nominees, Why is the Academy continuously forgetting people during In memoriam, Jimmy Kimmel's obsession with Donald Trump, Danny Devito, Arnold, John Cena, Lily Gladstone was completely...
03.08.2024
(Episode 453) Actor: Patch Darragh. (Succession,Cabrini, Sully, The Visit)
Episode 453. "Cabrini" Actor: Patch Darragh. Cabrini, Succession, Sully, The Visit Patch Darragh joins me to talk about his career, his impressive filmography and his new release (March 8th) "Cabrini". Welcome, Patch Darragh! https://linktr.ee/mondaymorningcritic #succession #juilliard #sully #angelstudios #movie #truestory #fyp #shorts #cabrini
03.05.2024
(Episode 452) Mario and Mandela Van Peebles. (New Jack City, Mayor of Kingstown and Outlaw Posse)
Episode 452. Father and Son: Mario and Mandela Van Peebles. Legend Mario Van Peebles joins me to talk about his newest film "Outlaw Posse", New Jack City, his father and legend Melvin Van Peebles. We also joined by Mario's son, Mandela who is...
03.02.2024
(Episode 451) Actor: John Carroll Lynch (The Walking Dead, The Founder, American Horror Story and Outlaw Posse).
Episode 451. Actor: John Carroll Lynch. John Carroll Lynch is simply put, one of the best actors on the planet. His work as Twisty the Clown in #americanhorrorstory #ahs #fargo #thefounder and my personal favorite as Eastman in #thewalkingdead #twd put him...
02.20.2024
(Episode 450) "Stranger Things" Actor: Joe Chrest. (Ted Wheeler).
Episode 450. "Stranger Things" Actor: Ted Chrest. Actor Ted Chrest joins me to talk "Stranger Things" and some of his other amazing credits. Ted is a United States Veteran (Air Force), Marshall University Graduate (BFA) and an LSU Graduate (MFA). Some of the things...
02.16.2024
(Episode 449) "Ordinary Angels" Director: Jon Gunn.
Episode 449. "Ordinary Angels" Director: Jon Gunn Director Jon Gunn (American Underdog, Jesus Revolution, I Still Believe, The Case for Christ) talks his newest project "Ordinary Angels" Based on a remarkable true story, ORDINARY ANGELS centers on Sharon (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling...
02.14.2024
(Episode 448) "The Dynasty: New England Patriots" Director: Matthew Hamachek.
Episode 448. "The Dynasty: The New England Patriots. Director Matt Hamachek. Matt Hamachek is a talented director who has also directed "Tiger" (2021). The Dynasty: New England Patriots takes us inside the franchise’s 20-year journey, from the unique chemistry that fueled six Super...
02.13.2024
(Episode 447) "Welcome Home, Franklin. (Craig Schulz, Robb Armstrong and Raymond Persi.)
Episode 447. Welcome Home, Franklin. Craig Schulz (Charles's Son) , Robb Armstrong and Raymond Persi. Sparked by the assassination of Martin Luther King, Franklin Armstrong was born in the Peanuts Universe on July 31, 1968. With the hope of promoting tolerance- Harriet Glickman...
02.06.2024
(Episode 446) "The Shawshank Redemption" Actor: Don McManus.
Episode 446. "The Shawshank Redemption" Actor: Don McManus. Don and I talk Seinfeld (Duncan Meyer), Dexter, The Shawshank Redemption, Vice and his most recent film Joker: Folie à Deux. A veteran character actor on some of TV's most quirky series, Don McManus got his...
02.01.2024
(Episode 445) "Scrambled" Leah McKendrick.
Episode 445 "Scambled" Actor, Director and Writer: Leah McKendrick. Leah McKendrick is a Latina American multi-hyphenate filmmaker and actress from San Francisco. Her directorial debut, SCRAMBLED, which she also wrote and stars in, premiered at SXSW 2023 and is based on Leah’s real...
01.30.2024
(Episode 444) "Ratatouille" Actor: Lou Romano. (Alfredo Linguini).
Episode 444. "Ratatouille" Actor and Artist: Lou Romano. This was Lou Romano's first podcast interview. It was a fun interview filled with Disney, Pixar and movie making talk! Lou is a multi talented actor and artist who has a very impressive filmography. Lou Romano...
01.26.2024
(Episode 443) "Silent Night" and "Zero Zero Zero" Actor: Harold Torres.
Episode 443. "Silent Night" and "Zero Zero Zero" Actor: Harold Torres. Harold comes back on the show (he was on in 2020) to talk Silent Night, Zero Zero Zero, his favorite movies, days where movies where hard to find, how he gets...
01.18.2024
(Episode 442) "The Wire and Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Actors: Wendell Pierce and Erika Woods.
Episode 442. Actors: Wendell Pierce and Erika Woods. ***Correction. I reference an interview Wendell did with Michael K. Williams in 2021. The interview took place in 2014 and was reposted in 2021. Apologies for the error. Wendell and Erika stop by to talk...
01.08.2024
(Episode 441) "Fury", "End of Watch" and "The Beekeeper" Director: David Ayer.
Episode 441. "Fury", "End of Watch" and "The Beekeeper" Director: David Ayer. Writer and Director David Ayer has overcome some monumental adversity to become one of the best directors on the planet. David's father took his own life with a gun on...
01.03.2024
(Episode 440) "Captain Marvel" Composer: Pinar Toprak.
Episode 440. "Captain Marvel" Composer: Pinar Toprak. Pinar Toprak is a Turkish-American Emmy-nominated composer, conductor and performer, who specializes in creating thematic scores for everything from superhero sagas and blockbuster comedies to TV series and dramas. With her work on Captain Marvel and...
12.22.2023
(Episode 439) "I Am Burt Reynolds" Director: Adrian Buitenhuis.
Episode 439. "I Am Burt Reynolds" Director: Adrian Buitenhuis. The "I Am Burt Reynolds" documentary drops on the CW, December 30th. Director Adrian Buitenhuis stops by to talk about Burt Reynolds. Burt Reynolds was a complicated man. We talk about what the term "The Last...
12.20.2023
(Episode 438) "The Boys in the Boat" Actor: Thomas Elms.
Episode 438. "The Boys in the Boat" Actor: Thomas Elms. Actor Thomas Elms joins me to talk "The Boys in the Boat" 'The Boys in the Boat' tells the true story of the University of Washington's rowing team and their quest for gold...
12.18.2023
(Episode 437) "The Iron Claw" Actor: Kevin Anton (Harley Race).
Episode 437. "The Iron Claw" Actor: Kevin Anton. Kevin joins me to talk about his most recent role as #harleyrace in the upcoming wrestling drama "The Iron Claw". Kevin shares what it was like preparing for the role, playing an icon, the cast,...
12.15.2023
(Episode 436) "The Iron Claw" Cinematographer: Matyas Ederly.
Episode 436. "The Iron Claw" Cinematographer: Matyas Ederly. Matyas joins to me to discuss shooting the highly anticipated "The Iron Claw" (Theater near you 12/22) starring #zacefron #jeremyallenwhite and an all-star cast. We talk about shooting the movie, his favorite moments, how impressive...
12.15.2023
(Episode 435) "The Holdovers" Actor: Naheem Garcia.
Episode 435. "The Holdovers" Actor: Naheem Garcia. The Holdovers remains a Top 5 movie of 2023 for me. The Holdovers is a gorgeous movie that tells a beautiful story about sadness, relationships and finding redemption. It's an A+ cast and it is indeed...
12.13.2023
(Episode 434) "Reacher" Actors: Serinda Swan, Shaun Sipos and Maria Sten.
Episode 434. "Reacher" Actors: Serinda Swan, Shaun Sipos and Maria Sten. Fun, informative conversation jammed inside of 4 minutes! I talk to Serinda about her role as Elizabeth Taylor in Devotion, We talk about how the three of them and Jack Reacher are...
12.11.2023
(Episode 433) "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Actors: Joe Tippett and Alisa Lasowski.
Episode 433. "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" Actors: Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski. Actors Joe Tippett and Elisa Lasowski who play Monarch employees Tim and Duvall join me for a brief chat. We talk Monarch, If Tim and Duvall's relationship goes deeper than the...
12.08.2023
(Episode 432) "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Actors: Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons and Ren Watabe.
Episode 342. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons and Ren Watabe. Anna, Kiersey and Ren join me to talk Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Talking Points: 1. Kiersey celebrates a birthday next week and I ask her if she like her character May, will...
12.01.2023
(Episode 431) "Back to the Future II and III" Actor: Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly).
Episode 431. "Back to the Future II and III" Actor: Jeffrey Weissman. Jeffrey Weissman is a seasoned actor with some impressive credits under his belt. They include Back to Future II and III, Pale Rider and many more. Jeffrey's story in the Back to...
11.30.2023
(Episode 430) "Fraiser" Composers: Bruce and Jason Miller.
Episode 430. "Frasier" Composers: Bruce and Jason Miller. Father and Son, Bruce and Jason Miller join me to talk Fraiser, Scoring and working with family. This was a really fun conversation. In the world of television, there are few themes as iconic as the jazzy,...
11.22.2023
(Episode 429) Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Composer: Leopold Ross.
Episode 429. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Composer. Leopold Ross. Leopold Ross is a very talented composer whose work includes the iconic The Book of Eli, Triple 9, Blackhat and the current #appletvplus hit show #monarchlegacyofmonsters We talk about his very talented brother Atticus Ross, the...
11.17.2023
(Episode 428) "Fingernails" Director: Christos Nikou.
Episode 428. "Fingernails" Director" Christos Nikou. Anna (Buckley) and Ryan (White) have found true love. It’s been proven by a controversial new technology. There’s just one problem: Anna still isn’t sure. Then she takes a position at a love-testing institute, and meets Amir...
11.15.2023
(Episode 427) "DREDD" Composer: Paul Leonard-Morgan.
"DREDD" Composer: Paul Leonard-Morgan. Paul Leonard-Morgan has composed some pretty amazing scores- Limitless, The Tomorrow Man and the iconic and very original "DREDD" score. EMMY nominated, BAFTA winning and Ivor Novello nominated composer who has become one of the most sought-after...
11.13.2023
(Episode 426) "Beacon 23 and The Walking Dead" Producer and Writer: Glen Mazzara.
Episode 426. "Beacon 23" Executive Producer: Glen Mazzara. Glen Mazzara is an accomplished Showrunner and Producer. He was key in the early days of The Walking Dead. We discuss that and his new show on MGM+ "Beacon 23" an absolutely fun and binge...
11.09.2023
(Episode 425) Astrophysicist: Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Neil deGrasse Tyson and Scott Hamilton Kennedy. Episode 425. Neil deGrasse Tyson and Academy Award Nominee Scott Hamilton Kennedy discuss their new Documentary "Shot in the Arm". We discuss NASA, Covid, Neil's guilty pleasure science fiction movie, Neil's most emotional Science Fiction movie,...
11.08.2023
(Episode 424) "Lawman: Bass Reeves" Director: Damian Marcano.
(Episode 424) "Lawman: Bass Reeves" Director: Damian Marcano. Director Damien Marcano directs the second half of the new hit Paramount+ series "Lawman: Bass Reeves" (Episodes 4-8). We talk all things Bass Reeves! Bass Reeves is the untold story of the most legendary lawman...
10.31.2023
(Episode 423) "Lawman: Bass Reeves" Show Creator and Writer: Chad Feehan.
Episode 423. "Lawman: Bass Reeves" Creator, Writer, Showrunner and EP. Chad Feehan. Chad Feehan stops in to talk Lawman: Bass Reeves, the new show premieres November 5th on Paramount Plus. Bass Reeves is the untold story of the most legendary lawman in the...
10.25.2023
(Episode 422) "NFL Icons" Supervising Producer: Paul Camarata.
Episode 422. NFL Icons NFL Films Supervising Producer: Paul Camarata Paul and I talk #notredame #usc the history of the NFL, his four part series on MGM+, The New York Giants, Steve Sabol and his amazing work, The NFL expanding to Europe, #hardknocks...
10.23.2023
(Episode 421) "The Enfield Poltergeist" Director: Jerry Rothwell.
Episode 421. "The Enfield Poltergeist" Director: Jerry Rothwell. Director Jerry Rothwell stops by to talk about the Enfield #poltergeist the chilling true story of the world’s most famous poltergeist case through original audio recordings made inside the house as the events unfolded. This...
10.19.2023
(Episode 420) "Pulp Fiction" Actor: Phil LaMarr (Marvin).
Episode 420. "Pulp Fiction" Actor: Phil LaMarr. Actor Phil LaMarr joins me to talk Pulp Fiction, Star Wars, his career in acting and so much more. A Los Angeles native, Phil is an alumnus of Yale University and The Groundlings Theater and is perhaps...
10.13.2023
(Episode 419) "Billy the Kid" Creator and Writer: Michael Hirst and EP Donald De Line.
Episode 419. "Billy The Kid" Creator and Writer: Michael Hirst and EP Donald De Line. Great Interview about the #mgmplus hit show #billythekid Michael Hirst (The shows creator and writer) and Donald De Line (EP). We discuss the shows popularity, The changing of actors...
10.05.2023
(Episode 418) "Sunshine" Cinematographer: Alwin Küchler.
Episode 418. "Sunshine" Cinematographer: Alwin Küchler. Alwin Küchler is talented and legendary cinematographer known for shooting such films and shows as #divergent #sunshine #tetris #themauritanian #hanna #ripd #stevejobs and so many more. We discuss his career, actors he's worked with specifically #katewinslet and #cillianmurphy...
10.02.2023
(Episode 417) "Castlevania: Nocturne" Composer: Trey Toy.
Episode 417. "Castlevania: Nocturne" Composer: Trey Toy. Trey Toy is a Los Angeles-based composer, producer, guitarist and electronic musician. He is known primarily for his work in film, television and video games and has contributed music to a wide range of projects, from...
09.27.2023
(Episode 416) "1923, 1888, Yellowstone" Editor: Chad Galster.
Episode 416. "1923, 1888, Yellowstone" Editor: Chad Galster. Chad Galster, ACE is an editor and producer best known for his frequent collaboration with filmmaker Taylor Sheridan. The pair have worked closely together on every season of the hit television series Yellowstone (2018),...
09.21.2023
(Episode 415) "Gran Turismo" Cinematographer: Jacques Jouffret.
Episode 415. "Gran Turismo" Cinematographer: Jacques Jouffret. Jacques Jouffret is an immensely talented cinematographer whose filmography includes the awesome #granturismo #jackryan #fatherstu #thepurge #bloodshot and so many more. Jacques and I go into depth about his filmography, his journey and passion for making films....
09.18.2023
(Episode 414) "Special Ops: Lioness" Composer: Andrew Lockington.
Episode 414. "Special Ops: Lioness" Movie Composer: Andrew Lockington. Andrew Lockington is a wonderful composer whose credits include Rampage, San Andreas, The Space Between Us, The Kindness of Strangers and most currently Mayor of Kingstown and Special Ops: Lioness. Andrew and I touch on...
09.11.2023
(Episode 413) "Gran Turismo" Composer: Andrew Kawczynski.
Episode 413. "Gran Turismo" Composer: Andrew Kawczynski. Talented composer Andrew Kawczynski joins me to talk about working with Hans Zimmer, Lorne Balfe, his impeccable filmography, burn out, completely investing yourself in your work and his new fantastic score in Gran Turismo. Fun Interview....

What's Monday Morning Critic Podcast about?

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Monday Morning Critic Podcast episodes:

Episode 461 | "Joker" | "The Dark Knight Rises" | "The Long Game" | Actor: Brett Cullen.

Episode 460 | "Warrior" | Actor: Chelsea Muirhead.

Episode 459 | The Gentleman, Wrath of Man, The Covenant | Composer: Chris Benstead

Episode 458 | "PIG", "Splash", "Turner & Hootch" | Actor: David Knell.

Episode 457 | "American Rust"| Dan Futterman and Adam Rapp.

Episode 456 | Actors: Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney | "Dumb and Dumber", "The Newsroom", "The Iron Claw and "American Rust"

Episode 455 | "Toy Story 3"| Actor: Emily Ricks (Bonnie).

(Episode 454) "5lbs of Pressure" Director: Phil Allocco.

The 96th Academy Awards and The Best Movies of 2023.

(Episode 453) Actor: Patch Darragh. (Succession,Cabrini, Sully, The Visit)

(Episode 452) Mario and Mandela Van Peebles. (New Jack City, Mayor of Kingstown and Outlaw Posse)

(Episode 451) Actor: John Carroll Lynch (The Walking Dead, The Founder, American Horror Story and Outlaw Posse).

(Episode 450) "Stranger Things" Actor: Joe Chrest. (Ted Wheeler).

(Episode 449) "Ordinary Angels" Director: Jon Gunn.

(Episode 448) "The Dynasty: New England Patriots" Director: Matthew Hamachek.

(Episode 447) "Welcome Home, Franklin. (Craig Schulz, Robb Armstrong and Raymond Persi.)

(Episode 446) "The Shawshank Redemption" Actor: Don McManus.

(Episode 445) "Scrambled" Leah McKendrick.

(Episode 444) "Ratatouille" Actor: Lou Romano. (Alfredo Linguini).

(Episode 443) "Silent Night" and "Zero Zero Zero" Actor: Harold Torres.

(Episode 442) "The Wire and Power Book III: Raising Kanan" Actors: Wendell Pierce and Erika Woods.

(Episode 441) "Fury", "End of Watch" and "The Beekeeper" Director: David Ayer.

(Episode 440) "Captain Marvel" Composer: Pinar Toprak.

(Episode 439) "I Am Burt Reynolds" Director: Adrian Buitenhuis.

(Episode 438) "The Boys in the Boat" Actor: Thomas Elms.

(Episode 437) "The Iron Claw" Actor: Kevin Anton (Harley Race).

(Episode 436) "The Iron Claw" Cinematographer: Matyas Ederly.

(Episode 435) "The Holdovers" Actor: Naheem Garcia.

(Episode 434) "Reacher" Actors: Serinda Swan, Shaun Sipos and Maria Sten.

(Episode 433) "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Actors: Joe Tippett and Alisa Lasowski.

(Episode 432) "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Actors: Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons and Ren Watabe.

(Episode 431) "Back to the Future II and III" Actor: Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly).

(Episode 430) "Fraiser" Composers: Bruce and Jason Miller.

(Episode 429) Monarch: Legacy of Monsters. Composer: Leopold Ross.

(Episode 428) "Fingernails" Director: Christos Nikou.

(Episode 427) "DREDD" Composer: Paul Leonard-Morgan.

(Episode 426) "Beacon 23 and The Walking Dead" Producer and Writer: Glen Mazzara.

(Episode 425) Astrophysicist: Neil deGrasse Tyson.

(Episode 424) "Lawman: Bass Reeves" Director: Damian Marcano.

(Episode 423) "Lawman: Bass Reeves" Show Creator and Writer: Chad Feehan.

(Episode 422) "NFL Icons" Supervising Producer: Paul Camarata.

(Episode 421) "The Enfield Poltergeist" Director: Jerry Rothwell.

(Episode 420) "Pulp Fiction" Actor: Phil LaMarr (Marvin).

(Episode 419) "Billy the Kid" Creator and Writer: Michael Hirst and EP Donald De Line.

(Episode 418) "Sunshine" Cinematographer: Alwin Küchler.

(Episode 417) "Castlevania: Nocturne" Composer: Trey Toy.

(Episode 416) "1923, 1888, Yellowstone" Editor: Chad Galster.

(Episode 415) "Gran Turismo" Cinematographer: Jacques Jouffret.

(Episode 414) "Special Ops: Lioness" Composer: Andrew Lockington.

(Episode 413) "Gran Turismo" Composer: Andrew Kawczynski.