Ink to Film

Gillian Flynn's bestselling novel features an iconic pair of characters that will make you doubt love itself. In episode 174, Luke & James talk master-level craft, unreliable narrators, controversial women characters, and the latent power of True Crime fans. Join them next week for the 2014 film adaptation by David Fincher starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike!   Take the listener survey: bit.ly/...

Edgar Wright brings his brand of fast-paced and kinetic filmmaking to his adaptation of Bryan Lee O'Malley's comics, but does his version ultimately outshine the original series? In episode 173, Luke & James talk Manic Pixies, a cast for the ages (Michael Cera, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Chris Evans, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Brie Larson, and so many more!), the balance of style vs substance, and...

Bryan Lee O' Malley's breakout comic series stars a slacker/loser protagonist for the ages who simultaneously bumbles through life and takes part in an epic genre-bending, form-blending, 4th-wall-breaking hero's journey. In episode 172, Luke & James discuss the intersection of problematic tropes, endearing art, and legitimate life-lessons that evolve throughout the 6 issue run. Issues covered: 1:...

This Josh Boone led CBS adaptation began with promise, but it ends in disappointment. Where did they go wrong along the way? Is there good to be found? In episode 171, Luke & James discuss the final episodes of Hollywood's latest Stephen King adaptation, including an episode written by the man himself that adds *LIGHT SPOILER-WARNING* an all new showdown between Frannie Goldsmith and Randall Flagg...

"The place where you made your stand never mattered. Only that you were there...and still on your feet." -Stephen King. In episode 170, Luke & James discuss the final 3rd of this epic novel, and compare it to the other books by King they've read. Each of the remaining main characters are revisited: Stuart Redman, Frannie Goldsmith, Larry Underwood, Harold Lauder, Randall Flagg, Nadine Cross, The T...

After years in and out of development, Benjamin Cavell and Josh Boone finally put together a big time adaptation of "The Stand," taking another shot at the iconic Stephen King pandemic novel. Is it worth your time? In episode 169, Luke & James take the plunge into CBS All-Access and discuss whether the show is living up to their expectations, what's working, and what's not. Take the listener surve...

In the middle third of Stephen King's epic tale, the survivors of the Captain Trips superflu make their way to Boulder, Colorado to form a new society. To the West, Randall Flagg rallies an army in Las Vegas with dark intent. In episode 168, Luke & James grapple with the brutal realities on display in a post-apocalyptic world and react to losing one of their absolute favorites. Each of the main ch...

Stephen King's apocalyptic epic is one of his most well-known novels, but how does it hold up in the time of COVID-19? In episode 167, Luke & James kick off Ink to Film's fifth season with the first 1/3rd of the iconic novel. Each of the characters main characters are discussed, including Stuart Redman, Nick Andros, Frannie Goldsmith, Larry Underwood, Lloyd Henried, and the Walking Dude himself, R...

Pop the champagne, you've made it out of 2020. In episode 166, Luke & James pick the best/ worst adaptations of the year! Topics: Most Surprising Project Top 5 States (downloads) Worst Source Material Best Source Material Top 5 Countries (downloads) Worst Adaptation Top 10 Ink to Film Episodes (downloads) Best Adaptation Looking forward to 2021 Become a Patron to access exclusive content: www.patr...

Everyone's favorite beleaguered reindeer takes center-stage for this holiday special, spanning from the original story to the stop-motion animated classic. In episode 165, Luke & James learn all about the tragic story of Robert L. May--the inventor of a Christmas sensation that would go on to inspire chart-topping singles and a Rankin/Bass animated film still running to this day. Topics: Difficult...

Vampires get fabulous and sexy while retaining some real darkness in this Neil Jordan adaptation of Anne Rice's seminal novel. In episode 164, Luke & James compare the film starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Kirsten Dunst, and Christian Slater to its source, and ultimately cast their votes on which was better the version of this story! Topics: Which stars shined brightest in this loaded cast, Anne Ri...

Anne Rice has defined vampire fiction for a generation, but it all began with her debut novel where Louis de Pointe du Lac tells the story of his 200 year life to a mortal interviewer with a tape recorder. In episode 163, Luke & James visit the dark and fantastic world of a New Orleans long past. Topics: Anne Rice's legacy in genre fiction, the potential value of her style of prose, the vampire se...

John McTiernan's action films are undeniable hallmarks of the 80s and 90s, so how does this Tom Clancy adaptation stack up to his other noteworthy entries? In episode 162, Luke & James compare the source material to the film adaptation and ultimately decide which is the better version. Topics: Alec Baldwin as a leading man, Sean Connery's toupee, a stellar cast that might not get a chance to shine...

Tom Clancy was one of America's bestselling authors of all time, and his character Jack Ryan has cemented a place in pop culture, but how did he get his start, and what's his lasting legacy? In episode 161, Luke & James go back to the beginning of the storied career with the book that started an empire and popularized the techno-thriller for mainstream audiences. Topics: Soviet stereotypes, Americ...

Cinderella is an ancient story, but the most well-known literary version is the tale by The Mother Goose AKA Charles Perrault, first published in the late 1600s. But what does it have in common with a Whitney Houston and Brandy led Cinderella musical adaptation from the 90s? In episode 160, Marci & Ako of the Colored Pages Book Club podcast join Luke & James to discuss the fairy tale genre staple,...

Does Jaws 2 live up to its classic predecessor or sink into bad sequel territory? Does it have anything to do with Peter Benchley's novel? James reacts to his first time watching the movie in a discussion that touches on "Sharknado," "Alien," "The Fast and the Furious," and more in this former Patreon-exclusive episode! Become a Patron to listen to more content like this! www.patreon.com/inktofilm...

Author, voice actor, audiobook narrator, and podcast host J. S. Arquin joins to discuss James McTeigue's adaptation of Alan Moore and David Lloyd's comic series. In episode 159, Luke, James, and J. S. discuss this classic antifa tale on the eve of the 2020 American Presidential Election.   Topics: What it is like covering this project in the midst of the American election, Alan Moore's issues with...

V, the romantic anarchist, incites revolution in a fictional future dystopian England with many striking similarities to our very real present in America. In episode 158, Luke & James revisit the work of the legendary Alan Moore, paired with David Lloyd, as a young Moore begins to cement his legacy in comics. Topics: a reaction to Thatcherism, anarchy as a political idea, Alan Moore's massive infl...

Writer Remy Nakamura returns to discuss the final five episodes of Misha Green's HBO series adaptation of Matt Ruff's novel. In episode 157, Luke, James, and Remy explore the many lessons this ambitious, genre-bending show has to teach. Episodes covered: "Meet Me in Daegu" "I Am." "Jig-a-Bobo" "Rewind 1921" "Full Circle" Topics: the history of tentacle porn, a mea culpa by Misha Green about Yahima...

Writer and friend of the show Remy Nakamura joins to weigh in on the second half of Matt Ruff's novel, his own relationship to H. P. Lovecraft's work, and shout out some other amazing authors worth checking out if you want more socially-conscious cosmic horror. In episode 156, Luke, James, and Remy react to the conclusion of this uniquely American tale of monsters, magic, and hate. Chapters covere...

Misha Green helms the HBO adaptation of Matt Ruff's novel starring Jurnee Smollett, Jonathan Majors, Wunmi Mosaku, and Michael K Williams in a show that has purpose. In episode 155, Luke & James unpack what they can from the first five entries of this important and timely series.   Episodes covered: "Sundown" "Whitey's on the Moon" "Holy Ghost" "A History of Violence" "Strange Case"   Topics: what...

Matt Ruff inverts the inherent racism of Lovecraft's fiction by tying it to white supremacy in this supernatural horror novel about America's racist history. In episode 154, Luke & James take their first few steps into the unimaginable horror lurking in the era of Jim Crow laws. Sections covered: "Lovecraft Country" "Dreams of the Which House" "Abdullah's Book" Topics: the very real horrors of rac...

Was this 1978 animated film inspiration for Peter Jackson's trilogy? Does this original adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien's work hold up today? On this (former patreon-exclusive) episode Luke and James recount the experience of watching this rotoscoped film as first time viewers in the modern day.   Become a Patron to listen to even more content like this!  www.patreon.com/inktofilm   Email address: ...

Charlie Kaufman's dreamlike adaptation of Iain Reid's psychological horror novel makes for intriguing viewing, using the language of cinema to introduce a critique of our obsession with both entertainment and outside validation into a story already brimming with existential despair. In episode 153, Luke & James do their best to interpret this impressionist work of art. SPOILERS BEGIN: 16:07   Topi...

  Iain Reid's debut combines an insightful literary take on a relationship with creeping dread and psychological horror to make I'M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS a dark and memorable read. In episode 152, Luke & James first give a spoiler-free recommendation, then peel away at all the secrets the book holds. SPOILERS BEGIN: 16:51 Topics: varying reader appetites, a rare restart, a strong content warni...