In this former Patreon-exclusive Luke and James explore a time before video game adaptations were the hot, billion-dollar franchises we see today. With this film a married couple of directors tried to bring Nintendo iconic plumbers to life with an infamous bob-omb at the box office. Come along as Luke and James relive a bizarre moment in film history, discuss the 30 mins added by an unlicensed "Morton Jankel" extended cut, and try to make sense of some truly hilarious filmmaking decisions. Vote ...
Dec 05, 2024•44 min
Legendary director Martin Scorsese’s psychological thriller continues to shock and enthrall audiences to this day, but does it work well as an adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s novel? In episode 329, join writer Luke Elliott & filmmaker James Bailey as they geek out about film preservation, try to untangle metaphors around fire and water, appreciate an all-star cast, examine how the US deals with violent offenders, debate how twists in film can be done right, and finally cast their votes on whic...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Author Dennis Lehane is well known for the high-profile adaptations of his work, but none more than his book SHUTTER ISLAND which went on to be adapted by the legendary Martin Scorsese—but how does the novel hold up on its own? In episode 328, join writer Luke Elliott & filmmaker James Bailey as they revel in gothic vibes, learn about a surprising connection to “The Wire,” learn not to trust a man because of his incongruous hands, encounter a strange woman in a cave, and finally have the rug...
Nov 14, 2024•1 hr 4 min
Did you know John Carpenter’s classic “They Live” was based on a short story called “Eight O’Clock in the Morning” by Ray Nelson? How do they compare? In episode 327, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they put on their special glasses and see through the lies, learn about the origins of the propellor beanie, have a five-minute brawl with a familiar face, tack “Nada” back to a comic adaptation, and worry about just how relevant it all seems today. They finish out by casting their votes on w...
Nov 08, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Was this adaptation of Junji Ito’s masterpiece cursed by the spiral? In episode 326, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to make sense of what happened, heap praise on a promising first episode, commiserate over a steep decline in quality, and try to put the whole thing into context in an industry where animators are overworked and underpaid. They finish by casting their votes on which was better: the manga or the anime! Full Video version available on YouTube https://bit.ly/3Xdjc1n...
Oct 31, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Junji Ito is renowned for being a master of modern horror, and there’s no better example of why than his magnum opus, "Uzumaki." In episode 325, Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they discuss what compels them to seek out upsetting, disgusting, and unnerving horror, what the band Tool has to do with spirals, the unique strengths of comics in horror, who influenced Ito more than anyone, his background as a dental technician, and what they hope to see from the anime adaptation on Cartoon Net...
Oct 24, 2024•1 hr 16 min
After covering both the book and the new Guillermo del Toro version, Luke & James tackle the original Disney adaptation of the classic novel. But how does the original groundbreaking animation hold up today? Join them for this former Patreon-exclusive episode filled with childhood nostalgia and legendary music as they ultimately answer the question: what’s the best version of Pinocchio? Vote on Quarterly Polls! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm Get any of the source novels at the Ink to Film...
Oct 18, 2024•38 min
Author Ted Chiang (EXHALATION, STORIES OF YOUR LIFE AND OTHERS) joins the show to reflect on having his work adapted by director Denis Villeneuve into the 2016 film “Arrival.” In episode 324, Luke Elliott & James Bailey add to their “Creative Conversations” series where they discuss adaptations previously covered on Ink to Film with someone directly involved in their creation. Topics include the origins of the “Story of Your Life,” why determinism is essential for the existence of free will,...
Oct 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Director Brian Helgeland explores Chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” in an unconventional adaptation that might have been ahead of its time. In episode 323, join Luke & James as they react to an iconic needle drop, speculate about what it would be like to work in sound design, take a crash course in the life of Geoffry Chaucer, get typecast as villains, and mourn Heath Ledger’s career that could have been if it hadn't been cut tragically short. Full Video version available on YouTube https://b...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 23 min
It all comes down to this: Which version is ultimately best, the book WOOL or the show that’s based on it, Silo? In episode 322, Join Luke & James as they finish out the book with parts 4 & 5, chase bubbles for air, learn the secret truth behind what happened to the world, fall in love with Lukas the IT guy, and poke holes in Bernard’s theory that the current system is the way it must be to survive. Full Video version available on YouTube https://bit.ly/3Xdjc1n Support the show on Patreo...
Sep 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In lieu of a classic villain, the system itself is the main antagonist of Graham Yost’s Silo. In episode 321, Join Luke & James as they learn to fear the man who knows everything, try to muster up the courage to speak to Rebecca Ferguson, try to survive a fall down a garbage chute, and speculate on where Juliette might end up after the events of the season. Join them next week when they finish reading WOOL by Hugh Howey and cast their votes on which was ultimately better: the book or the sho...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Rebecca Ferguson stars in this Graham Yost high-concept dystopian sci-fi series that was based on WOOL by Hugh Howey, but how does it compare to the book? In episode 320, Join Luke & James as they hunt for relics, learn about the power of cranking it at the right time, play numbers games with Tim Robbins, and try not to get too attached to any one character. Episode 1 “Freedom Day”: 00:22:56 Episode 2 “Holston’s Pick”: 00:34:03 Episode 3 “Machines”: 00:44:13 Episode 4 “Truth”: 00:55:38 Episo...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Is it worth seeking out this largely forgotten sequel to one of the most famous films of all time? To find out, Luke & James ride the river back to Oz with Walter Murch’s directorial debut. This overlooked 80s dark fantasy Disney film has lots of surprises, including a talking chicken, the terrifying Wheelers, Tik-Tok the wind up robot army, and a pumpkinhead that would inspire The Nightmare Before Christmas. Vote on Quarterly Polls! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm Get any of the source no...
Aug 15, 2024•37 min
Before “Silo” hit Apple TV it began as a short story, and that story became the novel WOOL, which author Hugh Howey went on to self-publish to great success even before having it optioned for the screen. In episode 319, join Luke & James as they discuss the value of dystopian storytelling, authors as a class destroyed, a different sort of tragic romance, and what worldbuilding details really sell this bold premise. Full Video version available on YouTube https://bit.ly/3Xdjc1n Support the sh...
Aug 08, 2024•53 min
After covering most of Guillermo Del Toro's horror anthology series, Luke & James return for the other three episodes they skipped over in this former Patreon-exclusive. There were some extremely interesting entries to discuss, with stories told by some talented directors with notable past hits that might surprise you. Vote on Quarterly Polls! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm Get any of the source novels at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm Twitter , Facebook , In...
Aug 01, 2024•40 min
Comics editor Jasmine Amiri joins the show to compare Terry Zwigoff’s adaptation to the original comic by Daniel Clowes. In episode 318 Luke, James, and Jasmine discuss the value of supposedly “empty” entertainment vs what’s deemed as “important," find out what studio meddling would have ruined the movie, celebrate Steve Buscemi’s selfless actions during the aftermath of 9/11, and debate the implications of the film’s final scene. They finish off by each casting their vote for which one is ultim...
Jul 18, 2024•1 hr 30 min
Editor Jasmine Amiri (School Library Journal) joins the show to revisit an influential comic by Daniel Clowes from the 90s that spawned the cult classic film. In episode 317 Luke, James, and Jasmine revisit gen X cynicism, try to understand Clowes dislike of the term “graphic novel,” explore how rubylith is used for the color design, and debate the meaning of the in-world title: Ghost World. Join them next week when Jasmine returns to discuss the Terry Zwigoff film starring Scarlett Johansson an...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Andrei Tarkovsky is a legendary filmmaker whose seven feature films changed the medium, but how does his vision stack up to the brilliant novel by Stanislaw Lem that he’s adapting? In episode 316, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore classical symbolism, experience time through cinema, debate whether great adaptations must be faithful, explore the loss of home, fall in love with a memory, debate what constitutes reality, and finally cast their votes on which one is ultimately the...
Jul 05, 2024•1 hr 47 min
Stanislaw Lem was one of the world’s most widely read science fiction writers, so why don't people talk about him more? In episode 315, Join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they take their first visit the truly alien world of the novel, see the differences in translations first hand, learn about Lem’s attitude towards American SciFi of the time, consider humanities reason for space exploration, and consider whether it is even possible to find the true meaning of this book, or any work of art fo...
Jun 20, 2024•1 hr 21 min
The filmmakers behind the adaptation of Winston Groom’s novel all contend that Forrest Gump is “apolitical,” but watching it today puts that claim into serious question. Besides, was it ever really true? Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey in episode 314 as they discuss Tom Hanks running his way into American hearts with a more wholesome version of the character from the novel, what Jenny represents and how she is treated by the story, what Lt. Dan says about America’s conflicted feelings over ...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 21 min
Winston Groom’s original character is markedly different from the Tom Hanks version that won over the world. In episode 313, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as the wonder what drew Robert Zemeckis to this version of Gump, wrestle with an orangutan named “Sue,” break down what makes satire effective, and try to understand the purpose of the off-putting nastiness at the heart of this version of the character. Full Video version on YouTube! https://bit.ly/3Xdjc1n Support the show on Patreon fo...
Jun 06, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Christopher and Jonathan Nolan pulled off one of the greatest magic tricks in film history with their ambitious adaptation of Christopher Priest’s novel. In episode 312, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to crack the code, get philosophical about duplication, let Christian Bale teach them about sacrifice, marvel at Hugh Jackman’s showmanship, hold Cutter accountable for safety failures, and consider all the dark places obsession can take you. The finish out by casting their votes ...
May 24, 2024•1 hr 19 min
Before Christopher Nolan’s film blew audiences minds with its shocking reveals, Christopher Priest’s book had already been dazzling readers for over a decade. In episode 311, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore the differences, enter the Pact of Acquiescent Magic, try to heal a generational rivalry, sabotage a séance, hear whispers from a shadow twin, and pay the ultimate sacrifice—all for applause. Join them again next week when they discuss the film starring Christian Bale, Sc...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 3 min
In this former Patreon-exclusive, Luke & James see Middle Earth in a time before Peter Jackson’s films, fall in love with a cat-like Smaug, get creeped out by a frog-like Gollum, reckon with a sterner version of Gandalf, discuss the evolution of animation outside of Disney in the states, and dream about owning a piece of LOTR history. Vote on Quarterly Polls! https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm Get any of the source novels at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm Twitter...
May 09, 2024•49 min
This just might be Walt Disney’s strangest adaptation, but that’s appropriate considering the source material with Lewis Carroll’s ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND & THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. In episode 310, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they take a tumble down a rabbit hole into Wonderland, eat some body altering mushrooms, get psychedelic with 70s counterculture & Jefferson Airplane, party with the Mad Hatter & March Hare at an un-birthday Party, and finish things off by...
May 02, 2024•1 hr
Lewis Carroll gave the world perhaps the most iconic children’s books of all time with ALICE’S ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND and THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS, but his legacy has become shrouded by controversy by modern scholars. In episode 309, join Luke & James as they follow the White Rabbit into a magical world, play logic and word games, appreciate puns, and get into some of the evidence surrounding the hotly-debated nature of the author’s relationship to Alice Liddell & her sisters. Join th...
Apr 25, 2024•56 min
It's time to finish Liu Cixin’s novel THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM & the Netflix adaptation, then discuss the biggest questions it poses. In episode 308, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they play a game of “Would You Do It?”, unfold a sophon, react to Chekov’s nanofiber, cryogenically freeze a brain, sail on bursts of radiation, and debate the ethics of the Wallfacers. They finish by casting their votes on which was better: the book or the show! Episodes discussed 5 Judgment Day 6 The Star...
Apr 18, 2024•1 hr 22 min
The first four episodes of Dan Weiss and David Benioff’s Netflix adaptation of Liu Cixin’s novel THE THREE-BODY PROBLEM show some promise, but they’ve burned us in the past so it’s hard to get too excited. In episode 307, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they propose humanity’s envoy for a first contact scenario, discuss the choice to change Wang Maio into the Oxford Five, learn about a real-life poisoning connected to the show, discuss the Fermi Paradox and the “Dark Forest” hypothesis, ...
Apr 12, 2024•1 hr 11 min
The first installment of Cixin Liu’s epic trilogy “Remembrance of Earth’s Past” takes its name from a famously unsolvable problem in orbital mechanics and that sets the tone for the heady, complex, hard science fiction of what’s to come. In episode 306, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they are just beginning their journey into this series with Part One and Part Two, appreciate Ken Liu’s translation, explore the Chinese Cultural Revolution through the character Ye Wenjie, witness the most...
Apr 04, 2024•1 hr
Daniel Craig’s run as the legendary tuxedo-wearing spy, James Bond, kicked off with what might be the best adaptation possible for Ian Fleming’s debut novel. In episode 305, Join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they explore Martin Campbell’s career, react to the notorious free-running parkour opening sequence, get lost on a runway, react to Eva Green’s performance as Vesper Lynd, ask what makes her so much better than the typical Bond girl, and finally decide which was better: the book or the...
Mar 28, 2024•1 hr 9 min
