80. THE SYMPATHIZER Lit To Lens podcast

1:24:57

The guys discuss the classic film noir adaptation, THE BIG SLEEP, based on the 1939 pulp detective novel by Raymond Chandler. … The Big Sleep is the first novel in Raymond Chandler’s Philip Marlowe series. The novel follows private investigator Marlowe as he’s hired by the old but wealthy General Sternwood to stop a blackmailer involved with his daughter, Carmen. Marlowe soon uncovers a web of blackmail, murder, and crime, involving both Sternwood's daughters, Carmen and Vivian. As Marlowe delves deeper into a case that various people don’t seem to want him to solve, he encounters various criminals and faces dangerous situations, ultimately uncovering secrets that he chooses not to reveal to the General to preserve his peace of mind. The corrosion of wealth, the connectedness of family, and the follies of women feature prominently. … The film adaptation was directed by Howard Hawks and written by Leigh Brackett, Jules Furthman, and William Faulkner. The film stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall. The film is considered to be one of the big influences on the film noir genre. … Topics of discussion include the complexity of the mystery, the Hayes Code, the Bogie-Bacall phenomenon, the elevation of Vivian’s character, and whether or not it’s a good idea to drink your brandy with a side of champagne. … (0:00) From the book … (1:10) Fast facts, recap, trivia … (15:45) A word from our sponsor … (16:13) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (38:02) Clip … (39:19) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:23:00) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: KISS ME DEADLY by Mickey Spillane … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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89. MICKEY 17 1:33:35

10 weeks ago1:33:35

1:33:35

The guys discuss the film adaptation, MICKEY 17, based on the 2022 science fiction novel by Edward Ashton. … Mickey 7 tells the story of Mickey Barnes, an expendable, that is a body that can be reprinted again and again, who is part of an expedition to colonize and terraform the ice planet Niflheim. The planet is inhabited by cockroach, rolly polly, armadillo like creatures called Creepers, who stand in the way of the colony’s efforts to gain a foothold. On one of his missions into the planet, Mickey 7 falls into a cavern and is left for dead, causing the colony to print a Mickey 8. When Mickey 7 doesn’t die and returns to the colony, the two bodies plot how to keep this multiple pairing unknown while also learning more about the creepers and the colony’s intentions. Themes include: the perils of colonization, and identity. … The film adaptation was written and directed by Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, The Host, Snowpiercer, Memories of Murder, Okja) and stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo. The film is Bong Joon-ho’s eighth feature film and long-awaited follow-up to the multi Oscar-winning Parasite which won Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature. … Topics of discussion include the plethora of differences from the novel, a Bong Joon-ho retrospective, the the lack of story and plot within the novel, the thing that author really wanted kept in the film, and whether or not movie theaters are dead. … (0:00) From the book … (1:50) Fast facts, recap, trivia … (11:28) A word from our sponsor … (11:59) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (28:48) Trailer … (31:11) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:25:00) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: MICKEY7 … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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88. NICKEL BOYS 1:16:32

18 weeks ago1:16:32

1:16:32

The guys discuss the film adaptation, NICKEL BOYS, based on the 2019 Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead. … Nickel Boys tells the story of Elwood Curtis, a black teenager growing up outside Tallahassee, Florida in the 1960s. One day, as he attempts to hitchhike his way to a historically black technical school to take courses for college credit, he unknowingly catches a ride with a wanted thief. When they’re pulled over shortly thereafter, Elwood is found to be an accomplice to the crime and sentenced to spend the rest of his teenage years at the Nickel Academy, a reform school for boys based on a real school called the Dozier School (which itself only shut down in 2011). Of course, this school is more than meets the eye. And though he meets a friend, Turner, he faces all forms of abuse, humiliation and racism until it all comes to a head. Themes include: finding hope in the hopeless, reclaiming identity, and affecting change in an unchanging society. … The film adaptation was directed by RaMell Ross (Hale County This Morning, This Evening), written by RaMell Ross and Joslyn Barnes, and stars Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, David Diggs, Jimmie Fails and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor. The film has been nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Picture and most importantly (for our purposes) Best Adapted Screenplay (Ross, Barnes). … Topics of discussion include the differences from the novel, the sentient perspective and its potential in future filmmaking efforts, the climax and how it’s handled differently between media, the incredible metaphors (especially in the film), and how to run away from an alligator. … (0:00) From the book … (1:05) Fast facts, recap, trivia … (13:42) A word from our sponsor … (14:09) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (27:20) Trailer … (28:35) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:05:34) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: MICKEY7 The science fiction novel by Edward Ashton gets a big-screen adaptation from Academy Award winner Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, The Host, Snowpiercer) that tells the story of Mickey, who has signed up to be an “expendable”: a disposable employee on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. Whenever there’s a mission that’s too dangerous — even suicidal — the crew turns to Mickey. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of its memories intact. The film will be released on March 7th and stars Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun, Toni Collette and Mark Ruffalo. Get the book at your local bookstore or library! Stay tuned for that episode! … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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87. Conclave 1:32:20

18 weeks ago1:32:20

1:32:20

The guys discuss the film adaptation, CONCLAVE, based on the 2016 novel by Richard Harris. … The Pope is dead. Behind the locked doors of the Sistine Chapel, one hundred and eighteen cardinals from all over the globe will cast their votes in the world’s most secretive election. They are holy men. But they have ambition. And they have rivals. Over the next seventy-two hours one of them will become the most powerful spiritual figure on earth. … The film adaptation was directed by Edward Berger (All Quiet on the Western Front), written by Peter Straughan, and stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Gucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. The film has been nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Berger), Best Actor (Fiennes), Best Supporting Actor (Rossellini), Best Original Score, Best Film Editing, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and most importantly (for our purposes) Best Adapted Screenplay (Straughan). … Topics of discussion include the minor differences in the film adaptation, Peter Straughan’s career in adaptation, the role of the Pope in the Catholic Church, the controversial ending and its potential mismanagement, and whether or not the term “papacy” sounds sexual. … (0:00) From the book … (1:17) Fast facts, recap, trivia … (15:56) A word from our sponsor … (16:52) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (33:29) Trailer … (35:53) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:30:11) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: NICKEL BOYS The Pulitzer Prize winning novel by Colson Whitehead gets a big-screen adaptation from RaMell Ross (director of the documentary Hale County This Morning This Evening) that has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. It has been nominated for two Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay (RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes). Stay tuned for that episode! … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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86. 2024: An Adapted Year in Review 1:12:06

23 weeks ago1:12:06

1:12:06

In an adapted recap of 2024, the guys discuss their favorites from the past year of cinema, literature, and (self-indulgently) themselves. … Top 3 films we saw this past year (that were also released in 2024) Top 3 books we read this past year (can be released before 2024) And our favorite Lit to Lens episode from this past year … Happy New Year! We are looking forward to a big 2025, and we hope you are too! … Our next episode will be on the adaptation of the Richard Harris novel, CONCLAVE, which is the story of when after the pope dies of a heart attack, the College of Cardinals gathers in seclusion for a papal conclave to choose the new pope. It has been adapted for the screen by Edward Berger and stars Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci and Jon Lithgow. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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85. SING SING 1:38:43

28 weeks ago1:38:43

1:38:43

The guys discuss the film adaptation, SING SING, based on an article published in October 2005 by John H. Richardson. … The Sing Sing Follies (A maximum security comedy) is a magazine piece that tells the story of a group of inmates in Sing Sing prison who, through the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program, are working to put on a play, called Breakin’ the Mummy’s Code. The play is about six convicts who each write separate plays and then splice them together and includes pirates, gladiators, cowboys, a spy in a tuxedo and even Prince Hamlet of Denmark. Within the article, we get to know a little bit about a number of inmates, the RTA program and the creative process. … The film adaptation was directed by Greg Kwedar, written by Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar, and stars Oscar-nominee Colman Domingo, Clarence Maclin, Sean San José and Paul Raci. … Topics of discussion include the differences in adapting an 8-page magazine article from a novel, the creation of new characters, Divine Eye’s backstory, where the term “up the river” comes from, some historical background about the Sing Sing correctional facility, and whether or not Will would live in a prison refurbished into apartments. … (0:00) From the book … (2:90) Fast facts, recap, trivia … (13:48) A word from our sponsor … (14:21) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (36:50) Trailer … (39:11) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:28:50) Coming up next, and outro … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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84. THE OUTSIDERS 1:07:29

31 weeks ago1:07:29

1:07:29

The guys discuss the film adaptation of THE OUTSIDERS, which is based on the 1967 novel written by S.E. Hinton. … THE OUTSIDERS tells the coming-of-age story of Ponyboy Curtis, a greaser living in Oklahoma in the 1960s. After his parents die in an automobile accident, Pony and his two brothers work to survive in a town divided on class lines. Gang and class conflict, friendship, cigarette smoking and paperback versions of Gone with the Wind feature prominently. … The film adaptation was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Kathleen Rowell, and stars a future all-star cast in C. Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Diane Lane, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise, and Leif Garrett. … Topics of discussion include the two film versions of the adaptation, the holes in the story, why the book is so popularly taught in English classes across America, and whether or not Francis Ford Coppola fell off after Apocalypse Now. … (0:00) From the book ... (1:08) Fast facts, recap, trivia ... (17:20) A word from our sponsor ... (17:47) Studio pitch & novel breakdown ... (42:16) Trailer (43:21) Learn you something, differences from the book ... (1:03:00) Coming up next, and outro … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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83. THE GODFATHER 1:30:09

36 weeks ago1:30:09

1:30:09

The guys discuss one of the all-time classic film adaptations, THE GODFATHER, which is based on the 1969 best-selling novel written by Mario Puzo. … THE GODFATHER tells the story of the Corelone family, one of the largest and most powerful crime families operating in the New York City area circa 1946. When Don Vito Corelone refuses an offer to participate in the narcotics trade by a rival family, the decision sets off a mafia war and ultimately a succession crisis for the Corelone family. Themes of legacy, violence, and how to make it in America feature prominently. … The film adaptation was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, written by Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola, and stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Diane Keaton. … Topics of discussion include the popularity of the novel, the importance of omertà, how the adaptation stacks up to the source material, and whether or not the film is actually overrated. … (0:00) From the book… (1:22) Fast facts, recap, trivia… (22:24) A word from our sponsor… (19:58) Studio pitch & novel breakdown… (53:48) Trailer (55:43) Learn you something, differences from the book… (1:25:00) Coming up next, and outro…. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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82. MEGALOPOLIS 1:00:52

37 weeks ago1:00:52

1:00:52

The guys discuss the new film from Francis Ford Coppola, APOCALYPSE NOW, which is NOT directly based on any source material such as a novel or play. But, the release of MEGALOPOLIS fits nicely within our season on Francis Ford Coppola, and this may be the last opportunity to witness an opening release for the acclaimed director. … MEGALOPOLIS tells the story of a conflict between Cesar, a genius artist who seeks to leap into a utopian, idealistic future, and his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero, who remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. … The film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who has directed THE GODFATHER trilogy, THE CONVERSATION, THE OUTSIDERS, and THE RAINMAKER, among many others. The script was written by Francis Ford Coppola, while the film stars Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Robert Giancarlo Esposito, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Voigt, Laurence Fishburne, Kathryn Hunter and Dustin Hoffman. … Topics of discussion include the chaotic narrative, the lack of clarity and context around the world and actions of characters, where this leaves Francis Ford Coppola as well as the actors involved, and whether or not roundabouts are a more sustainable solution to traffic lights. … (0:00) Trailer (2:08) MEGALOPOLIS discussion (55:00) Coming up next, and outro…. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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81. APOCALYPSE NOW 1:59:21

43 weeks ago1:59:21

1:59:21

The guys discuss one of the all-time classic film adaptations, APOCALYPSE NOW, which is based on the century-old (also) classic British novella, HEART OF DARKNESS. … HEART OF DARKNESS tells a story within a story, following Charlie Marlow, who recounts his adventure to a group of men onboard an anchored ship. Although his job was to transport ivory downriver, Charlie develops an interest in investing an ivory procurement agent, Kurtz, who is employed by the government. Preceded by his reputation as a brilliant emissary of progress, Kurtz has now established himself as a god among the natives in “one of the darkest places on earth.” Marlow suspects something else of Kurtz: he has gone mad. ... APOCALYPSE NOW tells the story of Captain Benjamin Willard, a troubled soldier sent on a dangerous mission at the height of the Vietnam War, ordered to terminate the mysterious Green Beret Colonel Walter Kurtz. It is suspected that Kurtz has gone deep into the Vietnamese jungle, recruited his own personal army, and taken the war into his own hands. … The film adaptation was directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who has directed THE GODFATHER trilogy, THE CONVERSATION, THE OUTSIDERS, THE RAINMAKER, and the upcoming film MEGALOPOLIS (in theaters September 27). The script was written by John Milieus and Francis Ford Coppola, while the film stars Marlon Brando, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Larry Fishburne, Dennis Hopper and Harrison Ford. … Topics of discussion include the loose nature of the adaptation and thematic fit for the Vietnam War, a literary criticism of HEART OF DARKNESS by Chinua Achebe (author of THINGS FALL APART), the controversy and lore behind the filmmaking process, how the adaptation stacks up to the source material, and whether or not a water buffalo was actually slaughtered on film. … (0:00) From the book… (1:20) Fast facts, recap, trivia… (22:24) A word from our sponsor… (22:57) Studio pitch & novel breakdown… (49:55) Trailer (51:36) Learn you something, differences from the book… (1:58:04) Coming up next, and outro…. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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80. THE SYMPATHIZER 1:39:44

48 weeks ago1:39:44

1:39:44

Lit to Lens

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79. THE ZONE OF INTEREST 1:49:35

1 year ago1:49:35

1:49:35

The guys discuss the film THE ZONE OF INTEREST, the Jonathan Glazer adaptation from the Martin Amis novel of the same name. THE ZONE OF INTEREST, the fourteenth novel from British writer Martin Amis, is set among a group of German commanders at an unnamed concentration camp, taken to be Auschwitz. The story traces the fall of the Third Reich from three interweaving perspectives: Angelus Thomsen, an officer at the camp; Paul Doll, his commandant; and Szmul Zacharias, a Jewish death camp prisoner. The stories and characters intersect due to the nature of their work and Thomsen’s attempts to attract Paul’s wife, Hannah. Themes of the power of memory, survivors guilt, navigating right and wrong, and society building feature prominently. The novel was shortlisted for the Walker Scott Prize in 2015. … The film adaptation was written and directed by Jonathan Glazer and stars Christian Friedl and Sandra Hüller. It made its premier on May 19, 2023 at the Cannes Film Festival where it won the Grand Prix and the FIPRESCI Prize. It was released in the US on December 15, 2023 and has been nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best International; Feature Film and Best Sound. … Topics of discussion include the stripping of the book’s characters and narrative structure, the film’s refocusing of the story on banality of evil and its emphasis on sound, what the Cosmic Ice Theory is all about, and whether or not we need anymore movies about the Holocaust. … Listen to the episode to find out how the series stacks up to the book. … (0:00) From the book… (1:00) Fast facts, recap, trivia… (12:09) A word from our sponsor… (12:47) Studio pitch & novel breakdown… (34:08) Trailer (35:24) Learn you something, differences from the book… … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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78. AMERICAN FICTION 1:44:11

1 year ago1:44:11

1:44:11

The guys discuss the film AMERICAN FICTION, the Cord Jefferson adaptation from the Percival Everett novel ERASURE. AMERICAN FICTION, follows Thelonious "Monk" Ellison, a frustrated novelist of general fiction, who decides to write a “Black” book full of tired and offensive tropes to profit off the publishing industry’s possibly misguided demand for those stories. He uses a pen name to write an outlandish Black book of his own, which rockets up the bestseller list and into the madness of the book publishing world. At the same time, there is also a gripping family drama threatening to overwhelm the Ellison household. … The film adaptation stars Jeffrey Wright, Trace Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz, Adam Brody, and Keith David. The film was released on December 15, 2023 and was written and directed by Cord Jefferson in his debut film. … Topics of discussion include the origin of Monk’s pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh, the experimental structure of the novel with its embedded narratives, the unfortunate news of BARBIE getting moved into the Best Adapted Screenplay category for the Academy Awards, and whether or not Brad Pitt liked Adam Brody’s 2003 film, GRIND. … Listen to the episode to find out how the series stacks up to the book. … (0:00) From the book… (0:55) Fast facts, recap, trivia… (12:45) A word from our sponsor… (13:30) Studio pitch & novel breakdown… (32:36) Trailer (35:09) Learn you something, differences from the book… … Our next episode will be on the adaptation of the Matin Amis novel, THE ZONE OF INTEREST, which was directed by Jonathan Glazer and stars Christian Friedl and Sandra Hüller. The film’s wide release is set for January 19, 2024. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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77. 2023: An Adapted Year In Review 48:49

1 year ago48:49

48:49

In an adapted recap of 2023, the guys discuss their favorites from the past year of cinema, literature, and (self-indulgently) themselves. … Top 3 films we saw this past year (that were also released in 2023) Top 3 books we read this past year (can be released before 2023) And our favorite Lit to Lens episode from this past year … Happy New Year! We are looking forward to a big 2024, and we hope you are too! … Our next episode will be on the adaptation of the Percival Everett novel, ERASURE, which has been adapted for the screen as AMERICAN FICTION and directed by Cord Jefferson and stars Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Issa Rae, and Sterling K. Brown. The film is not in theaters. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: littolens@gmail.com … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens…

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76. POOR THINGS 1:19:19

1 year ago1:19:19