Ink to Film

James Bond has a long history in film, but before the suave, debonair spy came to the screen he got started in Ian Fleming's novel in a much different form. In episode 304, Join Luke & James as they try to find something to like in a more sexist version of Bond, get lost in the rules of baccarat, and speculate about what future books in this series might look like. Join them next week when they co...

Award-winning author Fonda Lee returns to discuss Denis Villeneuve's epic sequel that finishes his Dune adaptation where the Bene Gesserit's plan to engineer a savior comes into center frame. In episode 303, Luke, James, and Fonda discuss what Frank Herbert regretted after the initial release of his landmark novel, the many significant changes to the book and what they mean, the shifting role of C...

Yorgos Lanthimos adapted the book into a surreal visual feast, but the result is still a man telling a woman's story of empowerment. Does it still work? In episode 302, Laura from the "Why the Book Wins" YouTube channel joins Luke & James to talk about the changes from Alasdair Gray's book, Emma Stone's Oscar-worthy performance, and how altering the ending influences the story's final message. The...

Before Yorgos Lanthimos & Emma Stone's adaptation, Alasdair Gray wrote a post-modern take on Frankenstein in a structure-breaking, convention-flaunting novel—but should you read it? In episode 301, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they make the case, weigh the pros & cons of presenting the narrative in layers, ask if McCandless and Godwin Baxter are redeemable, and consider the implications of...

Introducing the Ink to Film "Adaptation Hall of Fame!" To celebrate Ink to Film's 300th episode, Luke & James induct the first ever class representing excellence in adaptation—true exemplars that all other filmmakers should look to for inspiration. The nominees are "The Godfather," "Blade Runner," "Jurassic Park," "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Thing," and "The Shining." Six amazing films, but...

Author Paul Tremblay (THE CABIN AT THE END OF THE WORLD, A HEAD FULL OF GHOSTS) joins the show to reflect on having his work adapted for the first time by director M. Night Shyamalan, including his frustrations with changes made to his original concept. In episode 299, Luke Elliott & James Bailey launch a new series called "Creative Conversations" where they discuss adaptations previously covered...

After the success of his "Stand By Me" adaptation, director Rob Reiner returns to Stephen King's work for the film that won Kathy Bates an Academy Award for Best Actress for her captivating performance as psychotic superfan Annie Wilkes. In episode 298, Luke Elliott & James Bailey explore the sledgehammer scene, James Caan's impressive physicality, a more pitiable version of Annie Wilkes, and what...

Stephen King's Misery is a multi-faceted metaphor for both addiction and toxic fandom, but it's also a brutal thriller from start to finish. In episode 297, Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they uncover the secrets of Annie Wilkes, ask if Paul Sheldon is a King self-insert, take a hard look at the novel's themes as they come into question at the end, and react to one of the most harrowing scene...

After a year of legendary filmmakers, masterful novels, and children's classics to warm the heart, how does it all stack up against one another? In episode 296, join Luke & James for the episode that tries to make sense of it all, including what rose to the top and what belongs at the bottom. From Shawshank to Twilight, Pinocchio to The Road, Trainspotting to The Wizard of Oz, it's time to finish...

Roald Dahl might not have liked it, but Gene Wilder's performance as chocolatier Willy Wonka is the stuff of movie legend, and Mel Stuart's adaptation of the children's novel holds up to this day. In episode 295, Luke & James debate which of many iconic scenes is the most memorable, try not to drink from the nasty brown river, skewer the reprehensible Grandpa Joe, take a trip down the tunnel from...

The time has come at last to cover the "Master of Suspense" himself, Alfred Hitchcock! What better way than to analyze arguably his most iconic adaptation of all time? In episode 294, join Luke & James as they compare Robert Bloch's version of Norman Bates to the one Anthony Perkins immortalized, get spooked out by a date & time, react to a Bates Motel set that lives on to this day, dissect a lege...

Robert Bloch's novel came out within 2 years of serial killer Ed Gein's arrest, but how much did it influence the character of Norman Bates? In episode 293, Luke & James discuss how Alfred Hitchcock's adaptation boosted Bloch's career, the psychology of dissociative identity disorder as portrayed on film vs. real life, some insidious transphobia, and the way true-crime fascination helped propel PS...

Gary Ross brought the YA-sensation penned by Suzanne Collins to the big screen but made some fundamental changes to the story's scope in the process. In episode 292, Luke & James discuss an expanding POV, a cave scene with less heat, a Taylor Swift soundtrack for the ages, worldbuilding details lost to a shaky camera, Jennifer Lawrence vs Katniss Everdeen, and analyze a desaturated look from a spe...

Have you heard the story of the greatest film that was never made? In this former Patreon-exclusive episode, Luke & James revisit the sci-i classic DUNE, this time with a documentary that explores the world and influence of Alejandro Jodorowsky's unmade film, them make some comparisons to both Denis Villeneuve and David Lynch's takes on the source. Luke also discusses finishing the draft of his un...

Suzanne Collins returns to the big screen this fall with "The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes", but it's worth taking a look back at the book that started the phenomenon: THE HUNGER GAMES. In episode 291, Luke & James debate utopian fiction vs. dystopian fiction, dive into the "Battle Royale" controversy, learn about "Just War" theory, react to love triangles that work, and the value of Mary Sues, th...

Bram-Stoker-Award-Winning author John Langan joins the show to talk Poe, Mike Flanagan, and what makes a good ending! In episode 290, Luke, James, & John discuss the lasting influence of Edgar Allen Poe, the possible beginning of the "torture-porn" genre, an angry FU to the boomers, the Stephen King story that made John a horror writer, and then they end by casting their votes on which was better:...

Mike Flanagan is back at it with another bold adaptation, this one covering the body of Edgar Allen Poe's work like never before. In episode 289, Luke & James react to the scene you can never unsee, discuss how Flanagan is telling a surprisingly modern American tale, explore the broad-strokes adaptations of more of Poe's iconic stories, and learn some troubling things about house cats. Join them n...

Before you react to Mike Flanagan's latest adaptation, it's worth looking back at Edgar Allen Poe's troubled life and iconic body of work. In episode 288, Luke & James lay out the tragedies suffered by a literary titan, learn about a suspect marriage to cousin Virginia, quoth "The Raven," explore the family tree of iconic horror writers, meet Roderick & Madeline Usher, and wall up some literary ri...

Before the critically acclaimed HULU adaptation Margaret Atwood's novel got a film adaptation in the early 90s starring Robert Duvall and Faye Dunaway, but is this version worth revisiting or is it better left forgotten? In this former Patreon-exclusive episode, Luke & James revisit a dystopian classic, as our modern times slide further toward making it a reality.   References George Carlin on Abo...

Rafe Judkins' 2nd season of THE WHEEL OF TIME on Amazon Prime hits its stride in the last four episodes, delivering on some of the best moments from the books despite occasional stumbles. In episode 287, Luke & James discuss a Lanfear performance to remember, a special sort of teatime, a cheap shot with Hopper, the unabashedly over-the-top magic, and what they're looking forward to in the confirme...

After watching half of The Wheel of Time's second season, it's time to finish out the book! In episode 286, Luke & James discuss the powerful women of the series, wonder about a potential poly romance, consider the fantasy of being able to glimpse alternative lives, and apologize for getting some timeline things extremely wrong. Join them next week for the final episodes of the new season! Chapter...

Rafe Judkins returns to take another shot at Robert Jordan's epic fantasy series, THE WHEEL OF TIME. In episode 285, Luke & James discuss how he's doing through four episodes, a heartbreaking change to Lan & Moiraine's relationship, everything unexpected about the Seanchan & Uno, the purpose of the three arches scenes, and reasons for optimism heading into the rest of the season. Episodes Covered...

The Wheel of Time returns for its second season, so Luke & James are back to the series with the first half of book 2! In episode 284, Luke & James admire the flex by Robert Jordan, reject being called a lord, wonder why a hot woman is so disruptive to Rand, begin studying magic with the Aes Sedai, and talk about a 100% locked & fated romance. Join them next week for the first four episodes of the...

Stephen King's collection NIGHT SHIFT contains a plethora of adapted stories, including one that would launch a franchise off the success of Fritz Kiersch's adaptation. In episode 283, Luke & James learn to fear young people, spot some modern religious cult behavior, get an early taste of Halloween, and discuss a different sort of gobbler. They finish out by voting on which was better: the story o...

Danny Boyle's cult-hit adaptation of Irvine Welsh's debut novel became an immediate critical darling, and makes many lists of the best British films ever made. In episode 282, Luke & James discuss a legendary production, Ewan McGregor's commitment to understanding the drug scene, a similarity of message to Fight Club's, what the color red represents, and what sort of responsibility artists have fo...