Ink to Film

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/