Ink to Film

Author of numerous short stories and the publisher of Reckoning magazine Michael DeLuca joins to discuss Joel Coens' stark, stylish, and ambitious take on one of Shakespeare's darkest plays. In episode 218, the mystery of the third murderer complicates everything, Ross breaks the 4th-wall, the forest comes to watch a memorable battle, and they each cast their vote on what was ultimately the better...

Have you seen this 2012 adaptation of We Can Remember It for You Wholesale by Philip K. Dick? In this former Patreon-exclusive, Luke & James discuss how this sleek and sexy update of Total Recall works when compared to the original 1990 film that starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. Become a Patron for hours of exclusive content & more:  www.patreon.com/inktofilm   Buy We Can Remember It for You Wholesa...

What if we told you there was another "I Am Legend" adaptation from 1964 with Horror icon Vincent Price? It's called "The Last Man on Earth" and in this former Patreon-exclusive, Luke & James discuss how this original adaptation compares to the Richard Matheson source material as well as the Will Smith film. Become a Patron for hours of exclusive content & more:  www.patreon.com/inktofilm   Buy I...

The ghost of "The Bard of Avon" haunts the show this week with the sordid, bloody tale of MACBETH. In episode 217, Luke & James talk about a prominent conspiracy theory about the supposed authorship of William Shakespeare's famous writings, wonder what made Lady Macbeth abruptly lose her stomach for violence, and despair how insults to masculinity have been used to manipulate men for generations....

Author/publisher/teacher Patrick Swenson joins to discuss his love of Emily St. John Mandel's novel and help Luke & James close out the HBO adaptation. In episode 216, it's time to get loose with a surprise rap, recap the plot of HAMLET, and debate what makes for successful character redemption arcs. They finish by each casting their votes on which was the better version of STATION ELEVEN: the boo...

Patrick Somerville's adaptation of Emily St. John Mandel's award-winning novel about a catastrophic pandemic began filming before COVID-19 struck, delaying its eventual release until 2021, when it still came out during a very real pandemic. Despite it all, the show manages to shine. In episode 215, Luke & James talk about the intersection of art and culture, moments where the writers were able to...

Emily St. John Mandel's post-apocalyptic novel breaks from genre norms to tell an intricately crafted tale about a troupe of Shakespearean actors performing years after a deadly global pandemic. In episode 214, Luke & James talk about what it's like to read a novel like this during the days of COVID-19, whether or not this book should be called science fiction, how you can "write what you know" an...

A year that felt like the sequel to 2020 that nobody wanted, 2021 was quite the rollercoaster. Despite it all, Ink to Film covered a ton of incredible books and adaptations. But what were the worst ones? What about the best of the bunch? In episode 213, Luke & James defend their picks, make some resolutions, and finally look ahead to season 6 of the podcast.   How to read Luke Elliott's new sci-fi...

The solid footing that Rafe Judkins's adaptation found in its middle episodes continues into the back half of the season, but with at least one significant stumbling block. In episode 212, Luke & James talk major book to screen changes, the mishandling of Perrin Aybara, some notable character absences, Lan and Moiraine just nailing it, and then speculate about season 2. They end by casting their v...

Special guest author Erik Grove joins the show to journey into the Green Chapel with Luke & James for a special holiday adventure tackling both "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" and David Lowery's brilliant adaptation. In episode 211, they discuss some rewarding "homework" reading, an anonymous but horny middle-English poet, the task of turning poetry into surrealist art, a D&D game gone wrong, an...

There are no endings in THE WHEEL OF TIME. But this was an ending. As in, a discussion about the final third of Robert Jordan's first novel in his bestselling epic fantasy series! In episode 210, Luke & James meet the royal family of Caemlyn, debate originality vs. copying with "Greta Van Fleet" as an example, and make some real-world comparisons to the villainous Forsaken the party meets at the E...

A rocky start eventually leads to solid footing for Rafe Judkins's adaptation of THE WHEEL OF TIME by Robert Jordan (and Brandon Sanderson). In episode 209, Luke & James react to the ensemble cast, explore the secret sex lives of warders, debate a recognizable modern fantasy visual design, and decide that Bezos needs to open up that wallet.   Spoilers begin: 28:22   Episodes covered: 1 Leavetaking...

An ancient ruin and a party splitting up marks the middle third of Robert Jordan's first entry into his Wheel of Time series, and with it comes some exciting new POV characters to follow. In episode 208, Luke & James discuss Robert Jordan's tragic death, Brandon Sanderson's touching and important eulogy, some characters you just shouldn't trust based on name alone, a good-good boy gone too soon, a...

Does this Rankin/Bass animated version of JRR Tolkien's "The Return of the King" hold up at all today? In this former Patreon-exclusive, Luke & James discuss ear-worms and bizarre narrative choices in this odd addition to their coverage of THE LORD OF THE RINGS. Become a Patron for hours of exclusive content & more:  www.patreon.com/inktofilm   Buy The Lord of the Rings or any of the other source...

THE WHEEL OF TIME series by Robert Jordan is one of the bestselling fantasy epics ever written, so with a legitimate adaptation finally premiering, what better time is there to dive in? In episode 207, Luke & James react to the first third of the novel (15 chapters), compare two different prologues, laugh about an oily taint, and finally discuss James's theories about where this book is headed. Sp...

Brian De Palma's career took off with his classic adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name, but there were some no insignificant changes made to the story. But did they make it better? In episode 206, Luke & James discuss the Alfred Hitchcock influence, the "make everyone hot" Hollywood tendency, Tommy getting undercut, and the shifting focus of the film's effect on the feminist themes,...

Stephen King's career really "lit up" with his creation of Carrie White, a troubled girl with burgeoning telekinetic powers who suffers abuse from nearly everyone in her life. In episode 205, Luke & James discuss the real-life inspiration for the main character, Tabitha rescuing a manuscript, a life-changing phone call, and the enduring legacy of this horror classic. Join them next week when they...

Special guest author Fonda Lee joins the show to geek out with Luke & James about Denis Villeneuve's latest entry, part one of his ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert's classic Sci-Fi epic. In episode 204, they discuss Fonda's history with Dune, the movie's incredible sense of scale, Oscar Isaac's "DILF" energy, representation issues raised about the film's casting choices, a stronger emotional...

The sand worms have been ridden, climactic duels have been fought, and the Bene Gesserit prophecy has taken shape. Ink to Film has finished reading Frank Herbert's Dune! In episode 203, Luke & James discuss how well the book lived up to their expectations, the value of appendices in novels, an all-knowing toddler, and finish up by looking ahead to the new adaptation, including what they are expect...

Stay curious. Ask questions. These are the lessons that Frank Herbert imparts when you read about how he was able to write such a dense, scientific Sci-Fi classic. In episode 202, join Luke & James as they discuss the terrors of being buried alive, the Highlander-esque process of reading and learning from an author's work, how to throw an aromatic DUNE party, and so much more as they discuss book...

Frank Herbert's legendary novel DUNE's publication history is a notable one, beginning in serialized form in Analog magazine before receiving numerous rejections as a novel that would go on to launch one of the bestselling Science Fiction franchises of all time. In episode 201, Luke & James discuss the first "book" of three contained in the novel, its legacy and expansive influence, the intersecti...

Can you name these books after hearing just the opening line? What about from a single quote pulled from the adaptation? In episode 200, Luke & James celebrate a long road behind them by putting their memories to the test not only by playing a couple tough games, but by challenging themselves to choose favorite episodes that stood out along the journey. They finish out by getting more personal, re...

With the entire first season finished, the slightly different direction the adaptation is taking is beginning to become clear. But is that necessarily a bad thing? In episode 199, Luke & James discuss cultish religious organizations before breaking down each of the last five episodes of the first season of the show where Elizabeth Moss, Yvonne Strahovski, and Ann Dowd continue to amaze. They finis...

Bruce Miller's adaptation of Margaret Atwood's famous novel has pulled in numerous accolades, but what is it that makes the show so noteworthy? In episode 198, Luke & James react to the first five episodes of season 1, explore the directorial decisions, what lighting can mean for a scene, the purpose of extreme closeups, and theorize why the show seems to push the envelope farther than the book ev...

Margaret Atwood's dystopian feminist novel drew praise and outrage alike when it was first released for its controversial subject matter, but the modern classic has only grown in relevance over time, with perhaps no moment in American history since its publication more apropos than the one we're in now. In episode 197, Luke & James wade into the politics of the day, discuss the similarities betwee...