Neil Gaiman serves as writer & showrunner for the adaptation of his own work in Amazon Prime’s GOOD OMENS TV miniseries! Luke & James have seen half the show and discuss what it’s like watching a show so lovingly made to honor the late Terry Pratchett. Topics include: the Terry Gilliam movie we almost got instead, Michael Sheen & David Tennant's charisma, the story behind Jon Hamm as the angel Gabriel, ideas from the unmade Good Omens sequel, the nature of Crowley & Aziraphale’s ...
Jun 06, 2019•1 hr 13 min
The End is now! Join Luke & James as they finish out the 2nd half of Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett’s GOOD OMENS in preparation for the brand-new Amazon Prime Video series premiering soon. If you would like a refresher on the classic novel before the series begins, this episode has got you covered! Topics include: Alternate names for the Other Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Crowley’s secret weapon, Aziraphale’s trip to America, a particular line that Luke swears was written by Gaiman, the po...
May 30, 2019•1 hr 18 min
Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett, much like Crowley & Aziraphale, joined forces once upon a time to write an absolute landmark fantasy novel. That book has finally found a home on Amazon Prime Video for its upcoming adaptation with show-runner Neil Gaiman himself at the head. This week, Luke & James team up to cover the first half of the novel and speculate on what it must’ve been like for these legendary authors to write something like this together. Spoilers Begin: 21:52 Topics includ...
May 23, 2019•1 hr 12 min
THE TWILIGHT ZONE is an iconic piece of television history, and this Richard Matheson short story provided the basis for one of its most legendary moments. Several versions of this tale have been put to screen, but we focus our discussion on the 1963 episode from the original run starring William Shatner and the 2019 Jordan-Peele-helmed reboot episode starring Adam Scott. Spoilers for 2019 episode begin: 33:42 Topics include: Good Omens Giveaway announcement, Stephen King’s respect for Matheson,...
May 16, 2019•58 min
The Battle of Helm’s Deep set the standard for medieval warfare put to screen, but there’s a lot else in The Two Towers that’s worth revisiting. Peter Jackson’s masterwork continues with part two of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien, the difficult-to-do middle movie in the epic trilogy. Luke & James discuss all the ways it succeeds and its occasional missteps along the way. Topics: Andy Serkis’ legendary portrayal of Gollum, the saggy middle, the absence of the battle with Shelob fro...
May 09, 2019•1 hr 41 min
Sam, Frodo, and Gollum head into Mordor to traverse the high path and battle the fearsome spider Shelob this week as Luke & James finish out The Two Towers, part two of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. Topics: The unique relationship between Frodo & Sam, the trustworthiness of Faramir, Oliphaunts vs elephants, a potential influence for Patrick Rothfuss, the “Shadow of Mordor” video game, the purpose of chapter titles, the heart of Sméagol, fantasy races as allegories for real r...
May 02, 2019•1 hr 17 min
The battle of Isengard and Helm’s Deep both rage this week while Frodo and Sam pickup an unexpected companion on their trip to Mordor. This episode covers the second 3rdof The Two Towers, part two of The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. Topics: Trees vs caves, not weed but also not not-weed, consulting scripture for our allegories, the power of a wizard’s voice, Gollum the Great, the Dark Souls marshes, and the one-man play of Sméagol vs Gollum. Chapters Covered Book III CH 7: Helm’s Deep ...
Apr 25, 2019•59 min
Middle Earth prepares for war as Luke & James return to a beloved series to continue where they left off all the way back in episode 39. So, grab some Lembas bread, put on your running shoes, and head into the forest to commune with some immortal trees! This episode covers the first 1/3rdof The Two Towers, part two of The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien. Topics: The choice to begin the novel with the death of Boromir, telling one half of the story absent Frodo and Sam, the mystery of the cr...
Apr 18, 2019•1 hr 12 min
Stoker-Award-nominated horror writer Sara Tantlinger joins Luke & James to discuss the new Pet Sematary adaptation! Filmmakers Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer take some liberties with Stephen King’s source material, and the hosts weigh in on which ones worked and which fell short. How does the Creed family come across in the new adaptation? Does John Lithgow do Jud Crandall justice? They start with a spoiler-free conversation to kick things off! Spoilers begin: 23:43 Topics Include: Their ...
Apr 11, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Climb over the deadfall this week with Luke & James as they return to Pet Sematary for the second half of the novel by Stephen King (which includes “Part Two: The Micmac Burying Ground” & “Part Three: Oz the Gweat and Tewwible”). In this half, tragedy comes for Louis Creed and his entire family in the most horrific ways possible. Also, Ink to Film is partnering with Scribner Books to giveaway 3 copies of Stephen King’s classic novel alongside our coverage, so the guys describe how you ca...
Apr 04, 2019•1 hr 8 min
Often touted as Stephen King’s most frightening novel, Pet Sematary is the next title in the King Renaissance up for a modern adaptation. Join Luke & James as they read the iconic novel leading up to the new movie directed by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer. This episode covers “Part One: The Pet Sematary” of the 3-part novel. In this section, readers are introduced to the Creed family: Louis, Rachel, Ellie, and Gage, as well as their family cat Church. Jud and Norma Crandall are their new n...
Mar 28, 2019•1 hr 21 min
The first season of Game of Thrones delivers iconic scene after iconic scene in its final act, and the HBO series for the most part delivers the same magic and surprise of the book. Luke & James have combined their coverage to discuss both novel and adaptation simultaneously leading up to a memorable ending of blood and fire. WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the first 7 seasons of the Game of Thrones HBO television series & the five currently released novels of the A Song of I...
Mar 21, 2019•1 hr 24 min
Relive the season of Game of Thrones that started it all with Luke & James as they discuss all the political intrigue, backstabbing, sexposition, and changes both good & bad between the book and the HBO series. They combine their book + TV show coverage into a single episode that arrives at the gruesome crowning of Viserys Targaryen at the hands of Khal Drogo. WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for the first 7 seasons of the Game of Thrones HBO television series & the five curre...
Mar 14, 2019•1 hr 11 min
People all over the world are revisiting the early seasons of Game of Thrones before season 8 arrives, so why not join Luke & James as they go all the way back to the first two episodes of season 1? Last week they read the associated chapters, and this week they react to all the differences big and small from book to screen. They begin by exploring David Benioff & D. B. Weiss’s careers before Thrones, before tackling each episode on its own. WARNING: This episode contains spoilers for th...
Mar 07, 2019•1 hr 20 min
With the worldwide sensation of a TV series returning soon for its final season, there’s no better time to go back to the source and discuss George R. R. Martin’s A GAME OF THRONES. Often called the “American Tolkien” Martin is one of the most influential fantasy writers of modern time, and his work has greatly affected both Luke & James’ lives. They begin by diving into GRRM’s biography before reliving the early chapters of the novel that started the phenomenon. WARNING: This episode contai...
Feb 28, 2019•1 hr 44 min
Named one of the year’s best films by The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Roger Ebert, Jesus’ Son by Alison Maclean tackles the surreal, disjointed narrative first created by author Denis Johnson. F**khead, played admirably by Billy Crudup, meets a woman named Michelle (played by Samantha Morton) and their romance is as kinetic and exciting as it is destructive. An impressive cast provides memorable performances, include standout moments by Jack Black, Denis Leary, Will Patton, Michael Sh...
Feb 21, 2019•1 hr 5 min
Denis Johnson’s landmark short story collection Jesus’ Son tells the story of a drug-addict searching for meaning and purpose in life. The book’s erratic, surreal style lends itself to a truly memorable read as the narrator (F**khead) recounts the story of his life filled with robbery, sex, murder, and more. He struggles throughout, hitting rock bottom over and over again before landing on a path of possible recovery. Stories Covered: Car Crash While Hitchhiking, Two Men, Out on Bail, Dundun, Wo...
Feb 14, 2019•1 hr 37 min
David O. Russell’s adaptation of Matthew Quick’s novel SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK was nominated for 8 Academy Awards for good reason. The story takes on new dimensions here, changing in subtle but profound ways to create something unique. Dynamite performances out of Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro and Chris Tucker further help to heighten the experience. And Luke got to watch it for the first time! Topics Include: The overall shift in perspective, Jukebox Heroes, David O. Russell...
Feb 07, 2019•1 hr 12 min
Matthew Quick’s debut novel hit big, launching a career many aspiring writers can only dream of. His romantic drama highlights important issues of mental health, how to live with it, and how it effects all our lives. Pat Peoples is an engaging character and his unusual relationship with Tiffany plays out in a surprising and engaging tale that earns its “heartwarming” description by the end. Spoilers begin: 22:18 Topics Include: Ink to Film housekeeping, Pat Peoples similarities to AMERICAN PSYCH...
Jan 31, 2019•1 hr 7 min
Director Ridley Scott delivered an uplifting version of Andy Weir’s THE MARTIAN, doing the book justice in many ways. Matt Damon makes for a compelling Mark Watney, and even brings a little something to the role that James & Luke found lacking in the novel. The incredible ensemble cast also consists of Jessica Chastain, Sean Bean, Donald Glover, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Mackenzie Davis, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, Kristin Wiig, Michael Piña, and Benedict Wong. Topics: Watching the exte...
Jan 24, 2019•1 hr 12 min
New year, new look, new planet, who dis? Join Luke & James as they kick off 2019 on Mars with Andy Weir’s hard SciFi adventure-survival novel, THE MARTIAN. Mark Watney has quickly become a classic character, but what made him so compelling? Does the novel succeed in holding reader interest with all that math and science? Topics: New logo discussion, what it was like growing up on the Space Coast of Florida, Andy Weir’s background & relationship with Ready Player One author Ernest Cline, ...
Jan 17, 2019•1 hr 17 min
Luke & James are taking one final look back at all the books and their film adaptations they covered in 2018. This special year-end retrospective is spoiler-free! Topics include: Book of the year / least-favorite book of the year U.S. states with the most downloads Adaptation of the year / least-favorite adaptation of the year Countries outside of the U.S. with the most downloads Most surprising project Most downloaded Ink to Film episode Missed feedback And an advance look ahead into 2019! ...
Dec 27, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from your friends at Ink to Film! What did they get you? An episode where they completely forgot to mention the holiday at all. That’s right, the guys are back at Hogwarts one final time for the follow-up movie by director Chris Columbus starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Alan Rickman, Kenneth Branagh, Jason Isaacs, and more! Topics include: Ranking the first two Harry Potter movies, use of the Dutch Angle, how Gilderoy Lockhart might have be...
Dec 20, 2018•1 hr 15 min
If "Christmas at Harry Potter World" can be a thing, then surely we can choose it for our holiday project! We return to Hogwarts with J. K. Rowling’s sequel to her bestselling debut. Pour yourself some butterbeer and join us in the Great Hall for some Christmas cheer, Pottermore-style. Topics include: The “mudblood” slur and themes of racism, structural similarity to the first novel, Dobby’s self-harm, villains belonging to houses other than Slytherin, what would you rather battle: basilisk or s...
Dec 13, 2018•1 hr 20 min
World Fantasy Award-Winning Author Fonda Lee returns for her 3rdstraight appearance on the podcast to discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s THE GODFATHER PART II, another historic film that Luke had never even seen! Fonda Lee is the author of the fantasy novel JADE CITY and fans of her book should stick around for the end where Luke & James ask her questions and make observations after their experience reading the novel. She’s also the author of a series of Young Adult Novels, EXO, ZEROBOXER, and C...
Dec 06, 2018•1 hr 42 min
World Fantasy Award-Winning Author Fonda Lee returns to the show to discuss Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather , a landmark film in cinematic history that one host had never even seen! Fonda Lee is the author of the fantasy novel JADE CITY and discusses the ways in which the film influenced her work toward the end of the episode. She’s also the author of a series of Young Adult Novels, EXO, ZEROBOXER, and CROSS FIRE as well as holding black belts in both karate and kung fu. Topics include: Fon...
Nov 29, 2018•1 hr 40 min
Special guest & 2018 World Fantasy Award-Winning Author Fonda Lee joins the show to discuss Mario Puzo’s THE GODFATHER, which influenced her novel JADE CITY! Ink to Film’s Thanksgiving Special focuses on the source material for Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary film. Fonda is also the author of a series of Young Adult Novels, EXO, ZEROBOXER, and CROSS FIRE as well as holding black belts in both karate and kung fu. Topics include: not knowing the film is based off a book, the mixed reaction to...
Nov 22, 2018•1 hr 26 min
“You’re a wizard, Daniel Radcliffe!” one imagines Chris Columbus, director of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, might have said after casting Radcliffe for a role that would go on to define so much of his life. Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they return to Hogwarts as first years one more time to study the film based off the novel by J. K. Rowling before the release of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Gindelwald. Topics include: Other potential directors for the movie like Stephen S...
Nov 15, 2018•1 hr 27 min
Head over to Platform 9 ¾ and board the Hogwarts express and join the guys as they take their first trip into the Potterverse with J. K. Rowling’s initial novel in her bestselling series. They begin by touching on the author’s personal history leading up to writing the novel as well as its storied publication. Take a moment to revisit a warm and inviting series that has touched millions around the globe. Topics include: the hosts’ personal experience with the material, JK Rowling’s activism, the...
Nov 08, 2018•1 hr 28 min
Special guest author Remy Nakamura returns to the show to discuss Stanley Kubrick’s THE SHINING, which he had never seen! Ink to Film’s Halloween Special focuses on the legendary adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. Remy is a writer of weird, dark and Lovecraftian fiction. You can find his stories in Escape Pod, Pseudopod, and a variety of anthologies. Topics include: Kubrick’s history of adapting fiction, how the director creates unease, Remy’s personal reaction to the story’s intimate violence,...
Oct 31, 2018•1 hr 56 min
