Ink to Film

Nia DaCosta's spiritual follow-up to the 90s cult classic synthesizes the 30-year history of the legendary Candyman mythos and its real-world reach with the social problems of today, creating something truly special. In episode 196, Luke & James revel in their return to theaters, revisit the powerful on-screen presence of Yahya Abdul Mateen II, link Teyonah Parris and "The Marvels," spot a Clive B...

Clive Barker invented the Candyman character in his short story "The Forbidden," but it wouldn't be until Bernard Rose's adaptation hit theaters that the iconic Black antagonist would go mainstream and become a part of horror history. But which is the superior version? In episode 195, Luke & James discuss a strange choice in titles, Barker's signature style, Tony Todd's unforgettable presence, cha...

Joe Wright created a commercially successful adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel that appealed to modern audiences, but does it lose anything in the process? In episode 194, special guest author Jennifer Hudak joins Luke & James to talk loaded looks, secret hand-flexes, hidden references, and some spectacular performances all over this star-studded cast (Kiera Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, D...

Jane Austen is widely considered among the greatest authors of all time, but she never knew it, dying well before her work would rise to fame. In episode 193, Luke & James discuss the tragic story of Austen as an anonymous novelist who lived a life remarkably similar to the characters she wrote about.   Join them next week when they discuss Joe Wright's adaptation starring Keira Knightley, Matthew...

Wolfgang Peterson traumatized scores of children with his harrowing depiction of Atreyu losing his horse Artax in the Swamp of Sadness, but is there any truth to the urban legend about the real-life horse dying in the scene? No, but there is a lot you might not know about what went into that iconic moment, which included a dangerous close call to actor Noah Hathaway. In episode 192, Luke & James r...

Michael Ende's famous novel explores the nature of storytelling and the value of reading books all while wrapped up in a meta-exploration of a surrealist fantasy adventure written for children. This book goes way beyond where Wolfgang Peterson's iconic adaptation, exploring what it means to literally lose yourself in a story. In episode 191, Luke & James open the book and fall into the world of Fa...

Is George Roy Hill's adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut's most famous novel a lesser-known gem released before its time? Or does it struggle to truly rise above? In episode 190, Luke & James discuss which viewers the movie might appeal to most, the wizardry of film-editing before CGI, the extremely high level of difficulty in adapting such strange material, and what may be lost in the process. Then they...

Kurt Vonnegut's enduring anti-war novel rocketed him into fame by coming to American readers when attitudes were ripe for the sort of novel he wanted to write, one that fictionalizes his experiences as a POW in World War II and the trauma of surviving the bombing of Dresden. In episode 189, Luke & James revel in the unique style of a master, try to look at death from a Tralfamadorian perspective,...

In this former Patreon-exclusive episode, Luke & James discuss all of season 1 of HBO's WATCHMEN television series. Topics include Regina King's remarkable performance, Damon Lindelof's oeuvre & affinity for mystery boxes, and finally the possible meanings intended by the show's ending. Become a Patron for hours of more exclusive content like this: www.patreon.com/inktofilm Buy any of the source n...

From the horrific tragedy that marred production to the up and down quality of each segment in this anthology-style 80s film, this former Patreon-exclusive episode gave Luke & James plenty to discuss! The film features four different directors: John Landis, Steven Spielberg, Joe Dante, and George Miller. Become a Patron for hours of more exclusive content like this: www.patreon.com/inktofilm Buy a...

Now that the guys have seen Mike Flanagan's entire vision, does it change their view of the show as an adaptation? In a word, yes, but also not completely. In episode 188, Luke & James geek out about "oners," get floored by a particular jump scare, and have their minds blown in the Red Room. They finish out the project with a final vote on which was better, Shirley Jackson's novel or the Netflix s...

Mike Flanagan has made a name for himself as an adapter of famous works of horror, including several Stephen King projects, but it is his 2018 Netflix series adaptation of Shirley Jackson's famous novel that may be his most notable outing yet. In episode 187, Luke & James don't always agree as they discuss how the vibe of the show differs from the book, why significant changes may have been made t...

Shirley Jackson is one of the most beloved horror writers of all time, and for good reason. In episode 186, Luke & James discuss what makes "The Haunting of Hill House" into one of, if not THE, greatest haunted house story of all time. Shirley Jackson's masterful prose, her tragic death, and her monumental legacy are all on the table. And join them next week when they discuss the first five episod...

Take a ride into cinema history with Sidney Lumet's adaptation of Agatha Christie's famous train murder-mystery. In episode 185, Luke & James discuss a star-studded cast (Lauren Bacall, Ingrid Bergman, Sean Connery, John Gielgud, Anthony Perkins, and many more), an iconic filmmaker in his prime, and a story about Albert Finney's makeup regimen that is so wild it has to be true. Become a Patron for...

Agatha Christie is the single most best selling fiction author of all time, with 2.3 BILLION copies of her work sold. What makes her work such a sensation with a legion of devoted readers and more still discovering her today? In episode 184, Luke & James discuss the life of the Queen of Mystery herself, delve into her real-life disappearance, and weigh-in on whether or not they played the "game" o...

Joel and Ethan Coen won 4 Oscars for their acclaimed adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel of the same name starring Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson, and Tommy Lee Jones. In episode 183, Luke & James discuss all the ways the material aligned with the Coen Brothers' artistic vision, the indelible scenes filled with sights and sounds that haunt you well after the credits roll, and the bo...

Cormac McCarthy is widely considered one of the greatest living writers, famous for his sparse yet vivid prose stripped of almost all punctuation. In episode 182, Luke & James discuss the life of the reclusive author, the power of the language, the bleakness of its themes, and grapple with what message to ultimately take away from this post-western classic. Join them next week when they tackle the...

The hosts of the "Positively Pop Culture" podcast (authors K. W. Taylor & Carrie Gessner) join to discuss the second half of Netflix's hit new show, "Shadow and Bone." In episode 181, Luke, James, K. W., and Carrie enter the Grishaverse together to explore the series as its first season comes to a close. They finish by casting their votes on which is ultimately the better version: Eric Heisserer's...

Eric Heisserer's adaptation of Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse series gets off to a memorable start, making some smart changes and bringing in characters from later books to round out the world. In episode 180, Luke & James calm down, hug the goat, and discuss the first four episodes of Netflix's latest hit series starring Jessie Mei Li, Ben Barnes, Freddy Carter, Amita Suman, and Archie Renaux. Join...

Leigh Bardugo's debut marked her first entry in the bestselling Grisha Trilogy that launched a franchise about to soar to unknown heights with the release of the upcoming Netflix series adaptation of the same name. In episode 179, join Luke & James as they learn about the Small Science, the Sun Summoner, the Darkling, all the while delving into the YA category and the expectations surrounding debu...

Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" is a foundational piece of American Literature whose influence is still being felt well over two centuries later as it continues to inspire adaptations. One standout came in 1999, when Tim Burton's Johnny Depp-led film took the tale in a new direction, changing major elements of the story. In episode 178, Luke & James get unseasonably spooky with t...

Douglas Adams's iconic novel was posthumously adapted to the screen by Garth Jennings and features a star-studded cast (Martin Freeman, Mos Def, Zooey Deschanel, Sam Rockwell, Alan Rickman, Stephen Fry, etc.), but does it do the novel justice? In episode 177, Luke & James are joined by Tyler Clawson of the Between Lewis & Lovecraft podcast to talk about the Americanization of British humor, Trilli...

Douglas Adams is a legend in Science Fiction for good reason, and his radio comedy turned novel is where it all took off. In episode 176, Luke & James discuss the absurdity linking cosmic horror to cosmic humor, the ineffable meaning of life, and the unforgettable genius of Adams's dry British wit.   Join them next week for the film adaptation by Garth Jennings starring Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwel...

Is the biopic about Tolkien's life worth seeing or does it fail to do the fantasy-icon justice? Luke & James discuss where it shined and where it stumbled in this former Patreon-exclusive episode. Become a Patron to access more content like this: www.patreon.com/inktofilm Shop in the NEW Ink to Film Bookstore! Ink to Film's Twitter , Facebook , Instagram (@inktofilm) Home Base: inktofilm.com

David Fincher crafted an ultra-popular adaptation with a screenplay penned by the author herself, Gillian Flynn, but were there important things lost in the process? In episode 175, special guest Rebecca Drake (ONLY EVER YOU, JUST BETWEEN US) joins Luke & James to talk Ben Afleck's and Rosamund Pike's performances, improved scenes, adaptation casualties, and cast her vote on which was the better v...