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!

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• 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/

William Golding's iconic tale of a group of boys stranded on an island without adults has long been a part of school curriculums in the English-speaking world, but what is it actually about? In episode 380, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they ask whether humans are inherently evil, reflect on how Golding's experiences in World War II may have influenced his worldview, debate the value of using a group of boys to represent humanity, explore the symbolism of the pig's head, and compare the book to some of the other notable books people read in school. Join them next week when they discuss the Netflix adaptation by Jack Thorne!

• 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/

Paul King's prequel to "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" (1971) explores the candy man's origin. Is a light and fluffy musical version of this world, along with a solid performance by Timothée Chalamet, enough to recapture the magic of the 1970s classic? Don't miss out on this golden ticket to our former Patreon-exclusive episode!

• Pickup any of the novels 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 Twitter, 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/