Empathy for the Past | Train Dreams (2025 Film)

David Fincher's adaptation of Stieg Larsson's legendary novel is often overlooked even by his fans, but does it deserve to be held in higher regard? In episode 393, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they consider different versions of Lisbeth Salander, reflect on Millennial alt-fashion becoming more mainstream, unpack a Kurt Vonnegut easter egg, weigh changes to the romantic relationship between the leads, and finally cast their votes on which version was ultimately better: the book or the movie! Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2 Pickup The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or all of the Millenium Trilogy at the Ink to Film Book Store 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: "Black Fingerprint" by Dylan Owen 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/

Stieg Larsson's debut novel was a smash hit, but he never lived to see it. In episode 392, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they learn the horrific event that led to the eventual creation of Lisbeth Salander, compare the author's career in journalism to Mikael Blomkvist's similar career, speak about of the unspeakable, and unpack the Russian-nesting doll of mysteries contained in this first entry of "The Millenium Trilogy." Join them next week when they watch and compare David Fincher's adaptation! Join our Discord channel https://discord.gg/yQpgu9jYB2 Pickup The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo or all of the Millenium Trilogy at the Ink to Film Book Store 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: "" by Dylan Owen, Black Fingerprint 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/

The Coen Brothers' American take on "The Odyssey" left an indelible mark on film and music alike, but how does it hold up as an adaptation? In episode 391, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as the geek out about Roger Deakins, debate what makes for an effective politician, unpack the role of race in this Depression-era epic, and finally cast their votes for which they preferred, the book, the movie, or Christopher Nolan's version! 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/

When Tim Burton adapted Lewis Carroll's famous novel he turned it into an action-adventure film featuring a star-studded cast, but was it effective? Join Luke & James in this former Patreon-exclusive episode as they fall down a very different rabbit hole, explore a world of wonder and cgi, try to parse Johnny Depp's accent, and face the Jabberwocky in a final confrontation that puts a climactic battle as the climax of a story that usually takes a very different form. Now unlocked for all! 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.co... Writing: https://www.lukeelliottauthor.co... James Bailey Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jamebail.bsky.social IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamebail/

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 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 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/