Ink to Film

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 ...

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 c...

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...

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 bette...

In this former Patreon-exclusive Luke & James react to the two-part episode of THE SANDMAN that Netflix released as a coda for its first season, covering the issues “Dream of a Thousand Cats & Calliope.” They discuss what was faithfully adapted and what was cut to modernize. Also, at the end Luke & James discuss the first episode of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON on HBO. If you'd like to hear episodes like this as soon as...

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 compare the book...

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 Chani, the more...

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. Then they each ca...

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 Bella Baxter (...

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 only three ca...

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 on Ink to Film...

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 some key chan...

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 scenes they’ve enco...

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 out season 7 o...

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 hell, and choo...

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 legendary shower s...

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 PSYCHO. Join the...

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 specific time in ...

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 underwater scien...