Christopher Nolan's sword and sandals epic is dominating the box office and generating an immense amount of buzz, hot takes, backlash, and praise. In episode 390, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they compare the film to Homer's epic poem, debate the value of 70mm IMAX, consider a career-defining performance, and unpack the film's overall themes that Nolan uses to make this story one for modern audiences. They finish with an impossible task, deciding which one was better: the book or the movie!

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
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• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: "Rapture" by Ross Bugden https://youtu.be/vja87ZXejyk?si=PJlByfDXNemtqJMo

References

• https://youtu.be/G_IfNYuyEZA?si=vbKrehIDiqIxQoZe

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co...
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co...

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Perhaps Literature's most enduring narrative has captured audiences for three thousand years, but after Emily Wilson's translation inspired Christopher Nolan's latest, it is poised to command public discourse around the world in a way it never has before. In episode 389, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they find surprises in an ancient narrative, describe their unexpected experience with a controversial translation, and predict what may have drawn Nolan to adapt Homer's epic. Join them again next week when they react to the new film and compare it to the original!

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup The Odyssey or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: "Rapture" by Ross Bugden https://youtu.be/vja87ZXejyk?si=PJlByfDXNemtqJMo

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co...
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co...

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Frank Darabont's second adaptation of Stephen King's work returns to the prison yard, but this time things get supernatural. In episode 388, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they consider the different kinds of villains the story presents and how they interact with one another, look at the role of the "present day" framework, react to the all-star cast including the performances of Tom Hanks and Michael Clarke Duncan, and finally each cast their vote on which one was better: the book or the movie?

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup The Green Mile or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: Something Wicked by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuw_O5MU5CE&list=RDZuw_O5MU5CE&start_radio=1

References:

• Nnedi Okarafor's essay Stephen King's Super-Duper Magical Negroes
• Scott Wood's lecture on the same topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7djRGSqwUyg

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co...
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co...

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Stephen King released one of his most famous novels in an unusual manner and it shaped the narrative in fascinating ways. In episode 387, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they discuss benevolent prejudice, react to yet another fantastic King villain, learn to love a magic mouse, and get ready to ride the lightning John Coffey. They will return next week for the film by Frank Darabont!

• Reference: Stephen King's Super-Duper Magical Negroes
• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup The Green Mile or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: Something Wicked by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuw_O5MU5CE&list=RDZuw_O5MU5CE&start_radio=1

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Clint Bently's adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella finds connection and clarity in a story that resisted it, but is that an improvement? In episode 386 join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they find sympathy for the generations that came before, explore the symbolism of the red dog, consider filming with natural light, react to Joel Edgerton's loveable version of Robert Grainier, and finally cast their votes on which version was ultimately better: the book or the film!

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup Train Dreams or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: The Wasteland by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAalHA1bAc&list=RD5eAalHA1bAc&start_radio=1

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Before the adaptation, Denis Johnson's novella won the "O' Henry" and was a finalist for the Pulitzer for what critic Anthony Doerr hailed as an "American epic writ small." In episode 385, join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they explore Johnson's Hemingway-esque prose style, unpack the ambiguity of the supernatural, find meaning by letting go of the search for it, and discuss the dark history around the railroad's construction in the PNW. Join them again next week when they compare the novella to the film by Clint Bentley starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones!

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup Train Dreams or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: The Wasteland by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eAalHA1bAc&list=RD5eAalHA1bAc&start_radio=1

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Which of these worthy adaptations deserves to be considered among the best ever put to film? In episode 384, join writer Luke Elliott and filmmaker James Bailey as they make the case and then argue over which three are the most deserving to make it in as Ink to Film's third class. The nominees are: "Arrival," "No Country for Old Men," "The Princess Bride," "The Return of the King," "The Exorcist," and "Dr. Strangelove." Which ones make the cut?

Episode Breakdown:

Intro

Presenting the Contenders

Awarding Scores

Final Deliberations

Announcing the 2026 Class

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Does the source novel for "Perfect Blue" help a first-time viewer to parse the meaning behind Satoshi Kon's ending? In episode 383, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they consider what essential elements the novel provided, explore the use of reflections, debate the significance of the fish in Mima's apartment, and outline some various theories for what the ambiguity in the film could mean. They finish by casting their votes for which one is ultimately better: the book or the movie!

• Satoshi Kon's Last Words: https://www.makikoitoh.com/journal/satoshi-kons-last-words
• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: Haunted by Ross Bugden

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Before Satoshi Kon's beloved film, Yoshikazu Takeuchi's light novel Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis had a different story to tell, one with more traditional horror trappings, but with themes about identity and obsession that carried through. In episode 382, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they discuss how the book is on its own, how idol culture can exploit both young stars and their audiences, the ethics around writing a book depicting such graphic material, and what bones were present in the story that would go on to inspire the film people know and love.

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup Lord of the Flies or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: Haunted by Ross Bugden

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

Jack Thorne's version of this literary classic demonstrates how bold, smart choices can breathe life into something that might have otherwise been stale. In episode 381, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they discuss all four episodes, appreciate strong performances by the young leads, debate the value of getting surreal with color, and explore how the expanded backstories for each character slightly changes the story's overall themes. The finish by casting their votes on which one is ultimately better: the book or the show?

• Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2
• Pickup Lord of the Flies or any of the books they've covered at the Ink to Film Bookshop https://bookshop.org/shop/inktofilm
• Support Ink to Film on Patreon for bonus content, merch, and the ability to vote on upcoming projects https://www.patreon.com/inktofilm
• Ink to Film's Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky (@inktofilm)
• Home Base: inktofilm.com
• Intro/outro music: No Winners by Ross Bugden

Luke Elliott

• Website: www.lukeelliottauthor.com
• Social Media: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/social
• Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.com/publications

James Bailey

• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social
• IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/