Crystal key in hand, the guys head into the final gate to finish “Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline. In this episode covering level 3 they begin with their overall thoughts on the novel before diving right into the summary. Spoiler topics include: Wade’s invasion of Art3mus’s privacy, James reveals what hit him hardest in this novel, the importance of remembering the real world, a possible Deus Ex Machina, a missed opportunity to have a more nuanced social discussion, the tragedy of the Og-Halli...
Mar 29, 2018•1 hr 37 min
BONUS RELEASE this week as the guys log back in to the Oasis for level 2 of their coverage of Ernest Cline’s “Ready Player One” (AKA part 2/3 of the book). They hop right into their spoiler-coverage this time with a deep dive into all the geeky gamer hijinks that happen in this middle section. Spoiler topics include: the upgrade in Wade’s haptic gear, the reference Luke knew was coming and has been sitting on for 20+ episodes of this podcast, James recounts his favorite part of the novel so far,...
Mar 26, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Join the guys as they login to the Oasis with Ernest Cline’s Sci-Fi holy grail of geekdom with their coverage of level 1 of “Ready Player One” (AKA part 1 of the book). They begin their journey with a SPOILER-FREE section covering some background about the author and their general thoughts about the material so far including how it was different than expected. SPOILER-FREE section ends: 45:58 Spoiler topics include: the intersection of gaming and religion, Wade’s potentially problematic relation...
Mar 22, 2018•1 hr 32 min
Special guest J.L. Gribble joins Luke & James to discuss Ava DuVernay’s 2018 film adaptation of “A Wrinkle in Time” starring Oprah Winfry, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis and more. Guest J.L. writes the Steel Empires series, so she knows all about YA fantasy and brings that insight to the conversation. The episode begins with a spoiler-free section covering notes about the filmmaker, the social impact of this movie, making general comparisons to the book, and the overall r...
Mar 15, 2018•1 hr 10 min
Join Luke & James as they take a wholesome trip across the universe with Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 novel, “A Wrinkle in Time,” before they see the new film by Ava DuVernay starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling, and more. They begin with only general thoughts about the novel, some of the science the book deals with, and the difficulties the author had with finding a publisher. SPOILERS BEGIN: 29:30 Spoiler topics include: Things that haven’t aged well in the novel, a trip to ...
Mar 08, 2018•1 hr 10 min
Writer Remy Nakamura joins Luke and James to discuss Annihilation, the 2018 mind-blowing film by Alex Garland starring Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac based on the novel by Jeff Vandermeer. Whether you’re wondering if the movie is worth checking out or trying to wrap your head around what you just saw, this is the episode you’ve been looking for! We begin with only general discussion about the movie and its production, including our theater-experience and some light comparisons to the novel. SPO...
Mar 01, 2018•1 hr 14 min
The guys have delved too deep into Jeff Vandermeer’s “Annihilation” and have come out different. Changed. New. In this episode, they finish out the novel discussing parts 4 and 5. Once again, they begin with a SPOILER-FREE section safe for the uninfected. SPOILER-FREE section ends: 13:55 Spoiler topics include: The underlying nature and message of the novel, theories about the tower, Area X, the Southern Reach, the craft the author is employing to create certain effects, the contents of the jour...
Feb 22, 2018•1 hr 29 min
This week the guys delve into Jeff Vandermeer’s incredible weird sci-fi novel, “Annihilation,” by discussing parts 1, 2, and ending with part 3. They kick things off with a SPOILER-FREE section covering some background about the author and their general thoughts about the novel so far. SPOILER-FREE section ends: 15:11 Spoiler topics include: The language and style of the novel, the reliability of the narrator, what they think the Crawler could be, the shadiness of the government running these ex...
Feb 15, 2018•1 hr 20 min
Netflix’s cyberpunk far-future series was an overall success, with a few sticking points holding it back from greatness. Luke & James read the source material by Richard K. Morgan and bring that perspective into their view of the show in this episode. They kick things off with a SPOILER-FREE section filled with their general thoughts on the quality of the season, give some background on the production, and then discuss how it compares broadly to the novel. NON-SPOILER TALK ENDS: 13:20 In the...
Feb 08, 2018•1 hr 12 min
The guys have finished the second half of Richard K. Morgan’s 2002 post-cyberpunk novel, “Altered Carbon” and enjoyed the entire wild ride. In part two of their coverage of the book, they begin again with a hefty SPOILER-FREE section where they only talk about the book in general terms, discuss the high levels of adult content in the story and what Morgan might be trying to accomplish with them, revisit some of the philosophical questions raised in part one, and then add another wrinkle when Luk...
Feb 01, 2018•1 hr 33 min
Before the release of the brand-new Netflix series, the guys go back to the source with Richard K. Morgan’s 2002 postcyberpunk novel, "Altered Carbon." In part one of their coverage they try something a little different by beginning with a robust NON-SPOILER section for anyone curious about the novel but wanting to stay unspoiled for the series. They begin by talking about the author’s bio and career, the premise of the novel’s tech, the background of main character Takeshi Kovacs, and the myste...
Jan 25, 2018•1 hr 23 min
Writer and filmmaker Kourtnea Hogan returns for the disastrous Rawhead Rex film adaptation by George Pavlou based on the short story by Clive Barker. Honestly, watching this film is NOT recommended. Even so, Luke, James, and Kourtnea get a kick out of rehashing it in all its B-movie glory! Topics include as they try to understand where it all went wrong: the stiff acting, all the things that make the monster-suit awful, the bizarre actions by all the characters, the uncomfortable sexual energy b...
Jan 18, 2018•1 hr 14 min
Writer and filmmaker Kourtnea Hogan joins Luke and James this week to discuss Clive Barker’s 1984 short story, “Rawhead Rex,” from his legendary “Books of Blood.” This EXTREME-CONTENT filled episode’s topics include: Clive Barker’s traumatic childhood experience, the many ways that Rawhead is a story about masculinity vs. femininity, something Luke dubs the “Clive Barker Detail,” all the phallic symbols in the story, the effectiveness of the omniscient POV, the character of Rawhead, the ways in ...
Jan 11, 2018•1 hr 11 min
Maurice Sendak’s beloved children’s picture book left an indelible mark on generations of kids, and Luke and James are among them. They begin this combo book/film episode by discussing their relationship with the original material, then talk about the text itself, drawing out new meaning from their now adult perspectives. Next, they move on to Spike Jonze’s documentary called “Tell Them Anything You Want: A Portrait of Maurice Sendak” which deeply affected them both. Through it, they discuss the...
Jan 04, 2018•55 min
Happy New Year! Luke and James sat down together in Florida to take one last look back at all the projects they did in 2017. This episode doesn’t focus on one specific title exclusively, but instead touches on all of their previous projects. Missed feedback is addressed, then they answer questions from listeners. 2017 Project List: IT (film/novel), Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, Blade Runner, Blade Runner 2049, Howl’s Moving Castle (film/novel), Who Goes There?, The Thing, Nothing Lasts Fo...
Dec 29, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! ‘Tis the season to watch Die Hard and the guys have a lot to say about John McTiernan’s 1988 action classic, especially now that they’ve read the source material. Topics include: details about the director’s legal troubles, the potential gender and racial issues in the movie, the characterization of the terrorists, and Alan Rickman’s iconic performance. Luke raises the question: why do audiences like John McClane? They discuss, then move on to the police’s ine...
Dec 14, 2017•1 hr 26 min
The guys finish out the second half of book that inspired Die Hard, Roderick Thorp’s 1979 novel, Nothing Lasts Forever. Just how different is it? Well, dramatically different, in some ways, and Luke and James weigh the changes that the movie made compared to the source material. Topics include: Joe’s growing numbness toward killing, the relationship between Joe and Al, old men being grumpy about the young people today, and then the guys have a good laugh about a particular turn of phrase unique ...
Dec 07, 2017•1 hr 15 min
Episode Description: "Did you know that Die Hard was based off a novel? For the first of their holiday episodes, Luke and James have a blast going back to the source with the first half (chapters 1-9) of Roderick Thorp’s “Nothing Lasts Forever” and discovering all its similarities and differences. They kick it off by debating Die Hard’s qualifications as a “Christmas film” and explore the author’s biography, then get right into the story about Joe Leland, Thorp’s version of John McClane. Topics ...
Nov 30, 2017•1 hr 8 min
Hayao Miyazaki is a living legend, and James and Luke have a lot to say about his 2004 anime classic, Howl’s Moving Castle. They have read Diana Wynne Jones’s source material discuss the film in comparison. They lay out Miyazaki’s filmography and make some recommendations, then get into the anti-war themes he brings to this movie. Next, they discuss the voice acting performances of the English dub, debate possible problematic body image issues in the film, and highlight a cameo by Howl’s backsid...
Nov 22, 2017•1 hr 34 min
In the second half of their coverage of Diana Wynne Jones’ novel Howl’s Moving Castle, Luke and James go through the door, black blob down, and find out that what lies on the other side is startlingly familiar… Luke gets a little academic about types of fantasy, Sophie learns a lot about herself and her powers, then Luke makes a Mario reference. Next, they discuss whether or not this story is all about the romance between Howl and Sophie or if it is more of a subplot, and finally Luke reads the ...
Nov 16, 2017•1 hr 25 min
In a dramatic genre shift, Luke and James delve into their first fantasy project with the young adult novel, Howl’s Moving Castle, which was later adapted into the famous anime film by Hayao Miyazaki. To keep with the more wholesome tone, Luke and James are going to try to keep things as family friendly as they can. In this episode, they cover the first half of the novel (chapters 1-10). Highlights include: the effect of age on confidence, the sense of wonder this world and its magic conveys, wh...
Nov 09, 2017•1 hr 15 min
The 2nd half of James and Luke’s conversation with their special guest-host, 4x Bram Stoker Award winning writer Mike Arnzen, all about John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi horror classic, The Thing. Topics include: Trying to track the disease vectors in the film, debating at what point Blair turns, theories about who could’ve destroyed the blood, just how the CPR arm-biting scene was able to be so shocking, what makes the iconic wire-in-the-blood test so compelling, and the rampant breakdowns in commun...
Oct 30, 2017•1 hr 18 min
Award-winning horror writer Mike Arnzen joins Luke and James as Ink to Film’s first special-guest-host to discuss John Carpenter’s 1982 sci-fi horror classic, The Thing. In part one of their conversation they touch what the film might say about masculinity in the 80s, the incredible practical effects on display and what modern movie-makers might learn from them, the unreal dog acting, the underlying themes of the primitive vs technology and how that differs from the novella, and discuss the endu...
Oct 26, 2017•1 hr 2 min
John W. Campbell’s legendary novella inspired several films, most notably, John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982). Join Luke and James as they go all the way back to the 30s to explore the source material. They begin by talking about the man behind the monster, John Campbell, and touch on his legacy in the Sci-Fi world. In their book coverage, they get into paranoia at the heart of this story how it resonates with our modern fears in a world with serial killers and mass shootings. inktofilm.com Twi...
Oct 19, 2017•55 min
The guys watched Denis Villeneuve's Blade Runner 2049 & have A LOT to say about it. Come along as Luke and James not only highlight all the things that made the film incredible, but try and get to the bottom of what the entire Blade Runner franchise is about as their coverage concludes. Non-spoiler topics include: Oscar chances, the lasting appeal of the film, standout performances, & who we would recommend see this film. (19:03) Spoiler topics: The continuation of eye symbolism, Ryan Go...
Oct 09, 2017•1 hr 25 min
James is loving that they get to talk about one of his favorite films, Blade Runner (1982) directed by Ridley Scott! Come along as he and Luke get explore the Sci-Fi classic in its entirety with the ultimate recap before the new movie comes out. Highlights include: the symbolism of eyes and pyramids, all the surprising changes and similarities to the PKD novel, the meaning of the iconic “tears in rain” scene, and of course, their conflicting opinions about what that final bit of origami actually...
Oct 05, 2017•1 hr 46 min
The final book-discussion for Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep covering chapters 11-22. Join Luke and James as they finish out the novel that inspired Blade Runner. In this episode, they discuss which electric animal they would most want, the confluence of consumerism and spirituality, the ethics of sex with sentient robots, and even take a stab at answering the novel’s eponymous question: Do androids dream of electric sheep? Twitter Facebook Instagram inktofilm.com Ross Bugd...
Sep 28, 2017•1 hr 32 min
Coverage begins for Philip K. Dick’s 1968 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep as we start our journey into the Blade Runner universe. In part 1 (of 2), James and Luke cover chapters 1-10 of the novel, discussing the Sci-Fi’s legend’s legacy, what it means to be “real,” and whether “Andy” or “Replicant” is the better term. Twitter Facebook inktofilm.com Ross Bugden...
Sep 21, 2017•1 hr 11 min
First movie episode! Luke & James cap off their IT coverage by reacting to the 2017 film floating through theaters now. Whether you’ve been following along with the book episodes or you’ve just seen the film, this episode is for you. Character Movie-Version VS Character Book-Version: 6:14 Spoiler Talk Begins: 17:29 Favorite New Pennywise Scenes: 28:27 Dream Casting Part 2: 44:34 “Watch. Review. Repeat.” Further Listening Recommendation: 58:12 New Project Announcement: 1:01:18 If you're looki...
Sep 11, 2017•1 hr 6 min
And so IT ends. This week, Luke and James conclude their coverage of Stephen King’s 1986 horror novel IT by diving into Part 5: The Ritual of Chud . The Losers brave the sewers under Derry one final time, where things get terrifying, deadly, and more than a little strange. They talk about their expectations for the new film and have a lively debate about the extremely controversial scene at the end of the book. Controversy talk around: 1:24:44 Twitter Facebook inktofilm.com Ross Bugden...
Sep 10, 2017•1 hr 57 min
