Just Expected More | The Running Man (2025 Film)

Nobody seems to know for certain who created the first cyberpunk story, but Katsuhiro Otomo has as strong a claim as anyone. In episode 365, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they start their journey into Neo-Tokyo for possibly the most legendary manga of all time, learn the history of manga making into western markets, find a surprising link to "Stranger Things", and admire the sheer technical skill of a master. Join them in the coming weeks as they read volumes 2 & 3, then tackle the renowned anime adaptation! Pickup Akira or 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 Intro/Outro Music "Rebels" by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-wKcIkElIc&t=522s 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/

Edgar Wright's adaptation of a Stephen King book and 80s Arnold Action flick seemed like a perfect match, so why didn't this movie rise to the level of his very best? In episode 364, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they unpack what went right and what went wrong in the jump from page to screen. Topics include a rigid plot skeleton, a surprise cameo, some performances that divided our opinions, and finally cast votes on which they ultimately liked better: the book or the movie. They finish by judging both mediums to the recently covered Bachman-story counterparts with THE LONG WALK. Pickup The Running Man or 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 Intro/Outro Music: "Something Wicked" by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuw_O5MU5CE 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/

From his doublewide trailer in the 1970s, Stephen King was able to authentically tackle class struggle in this early novel originally published under the pen name "Richard Bachman."  In episode 363, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they try to understand Ben Richards, get dystopian and borderline cyberpunk in this flashy vision of the future, react to some uncomfortable hallmarks of the Master of Horror's writing early in his career, and wonder about what changes await in the modern adaptation. Join them next week as they analyze Edgar Wright's version starring Glenn Powell! Pickup The Running Man or 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)+ Intro/Outro Music: "Something Wicked" by Ross Bugden https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zuw_O5MU5CE 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/

Join Luke & James on the convention floor as they catch up with former guests Remy Nakamura, Curtis Chen, Kate Ristau, Erik Grove, Jessie Kwak, Fonda Lee, Daryl Gregory, Patrick Swenson, and Rachael K. Jones! Each author shares their experiences at the convention and what they've been up to in the years since their last appearance on the podcast. Find our guests books on our bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/special-guest-books 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/

Jake Kasden reimagines Jumanji for a modern audience while making clever connections to the original that manages to keep this latest entry in line with the classic Robin Williams-led version. He delivers star-power with The Rock, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, and Kevin Hart, who all give memorable comedic performances. Join Luke & James for this video-game flavored take on a classic adaptation for this former Patreon-exclusive! 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/

In the 90s, Director Kenneth Branagh made a wild heavy metal adaptation of the seminal SciFi novel starring himself, Robert De Niro, and Helena Bonham Carter. Join Luke & James in this former Patreon-exclusive Halloween episode as they debate the value of such an over-the-top take on a literary classic. 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/  

Director Rodney Ascher presents some of the wild interpretations of The Shining (1980) that persist to this day, each more fantastical than the next. Some theories seem grounded in reality, but others take massive leaps and arrive at outlandish ideas, none more ridiculous than the "moon landing footage was faked by Stanley Kubrick" theory. But is it possible that the entire documentary is actually a meta-exercise in showing fan obsession and over-analysis? Join Luke & James for this 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/

Director Francis Lawrence takes time off from directing the Hunger Games franchise to tackle one of the original battle royale stories with THE LONG WALK by Richard Bachman. In episode 362, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they discuss changing this Bachman story back into a King story, the changing metaphor behind the grueling contest, how adaptation decisions by the screenwriter and overseen by the author changes the entire message of the story. They end by casting their votes on which was ultimately the better version: the book or the movie! Pickup The Long Walk or 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 Familiar Faces video   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/

Enigmatic author Richard Bachman drew comparisons to another famous author from the jump, but it would be years before the truth about him was finally exposed. In episode 361, join Luke Elliott & James Bailey as they strap on their best shoes and take a long walk into the past as they explore the noteworthy history behind this novel, consider toxic masculinity's role in controlling young boys, unpack some surprisingly scandalous moments, and take some time to explain the novel's surprising ending. Join them next week as they compare the 2025 adaptation directed by Francis Lawrence and produced by Stephen King! Pickup The Long Walk or 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 Familiar Faces video 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 Verhoeven's adaptation of Heinlein's classic novel divided critics at the time as many found the satire to be indistinguishable from endorsement, but its antifascist subtext plays a bit different in 2025. In episode 360, join Luke Elliott and James Bailey as they compare the film to Helldivers II, try to find the line between satire and approval, recount some surprising behind-the-scenes stories, and finally cast their votes on which version is better: the book or the movie? 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 Familiar Faces video 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/