In this episode, you will be haunted by three adaptations, all based on the classic Charles Dickens novella A Christmas Carol. We discuss the 1938 adaptation, directed by Edwiin L. Marin, The Muppet Christmas Carol, directed by Brian Henson, and Scrooged, directed by Richard Donner. These three films take varying approaches to bringing this classic story to life, whether its through a traditional approach, a faithful adaptation with puppets, or setting the story in modern day and casting Bill Murray.

This episode we discuss the popular Australian murder mystery, The Dry, written by Jane Harper, and the 2020 film adaptation directed by Robert Connolly. This mystery sees a man return to his hometown, a small farming community struggling through a drought, after a horrific crime. Join us as we examine clues, watch a man ruin his chances of sex, and find out how Ian accidentally ruined the entire mystery for Adina.

The odds are not in Katniss's favor this episode as we witness her return to the Hunger Games with Catching Fire, written by Suzanne Collins and directed by Francis Lawrence. We discuss the powerhouse performance of Jennifer Lawrence, themes of political unrest, and whether President Snow would make a good Santa Clause.

It's time to sleuth! This episode, we discuss the film Enola Holmes, directed by Harry Bradbeer and based on the novel The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer! We cover the usefulness of corsets, Henry Cavil being cast as the world's smartest man, and granny's with guns!

I hope you have your story ready, because it's time for The Midnight Club, written by Christopher Pike in 1994 and adapted by Mike Flanagan for Netflix. We've got stories on stories on stories to discuss this episode, as well as convoluted plotlines, loose ends, and theories on conspiracies! You'll want to gather around the fireplace for this one!

This episode we're discussing the story of a plus sized girl in a size two world with Dumplin', written by Julie Murphy and the film adaptation directed by Anne Fletcher. There's plenty of important subjects to discuss this episode, like fat representation and the unreal beauty standards women face. But also, we have speculate on what a diet of red lollipops will do to your teeth and what the Chili Bowl subplot of the book was really about!

We just got married, so now seems like the perfect time for a tale of star crossed love. This short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald became the basis for the 2008 adaptation directed by David Fincher. There's plenty to discuss this episode, like the ground breaking visual effects of the film, the surprisingly absurd tone of the short story, and what age was peak Brad Pitt?

Only in our wildest dreams did we think we would ever get a proper adaptation of Neil Gaiman's beloved comic series, but here it is! This Netflix series faithfully adapts the source material, blending elements of fantasy, horror and history with phenomenal CGI and performances. We discuss serial killer conventions, horny dreams and confounding superhero tie-ins among other things! 

It's finally time to discuss one of the most popular YA book and film franchises of the past ten years, beginning with The Hunger Games, written by Suzanne Collins with the film directed by Gary Ross. In this episode we discuss sharp social commentary, impeccable casting, ill fitting fascist uniforms and Peeta's new identity as The Boy with Bread! And of course, may the odds etc.

This episode, we discuss one of the most popular books of the last five years, Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens, and the film adaptation directed by Olivia Newman. This story of nature, love and murder, set along the coastline of North Carolina, captured readers everywhere, but did it grab us? We discuss learning to read, prejudice, and cutting cake like a psychopath. You don't want to miss this one.

We return to the works of Jane Austen this episode with her novel Persuasion, published in 1817, and the Netflix film adaptation which was directed by Carrie Cracknell. The novel is a reflection on loneliness, grief, and the rekindled passion, while the film takes a more... modern approach to the story; full of fourth-wall breaking and awkward humor. How does this adaptation hold up to the classic? Why does Anne have a rabbit? Did Mr. Elliot kill his wife? Listen and find out!

Grab your Airpods (now where did you put those?) and listen to our latest episode on The Borrowers, written by Mary Norton, and its Studio Ghibli adaptation, The Secret World of Arriety, directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. We discuss the fascinating lore of the novel, full of humor and metaphor, and the ways that it was vividly brought to life through animation. Get ready for discussions on dead-eyed children, household classism, and our favorite types of Ghibli men.

This episode, we delve into the life and misadventures of a single woman in her 30's with Bridget Jones's Diary, written by Helen Fielding and Directed by Sharon Macguire. This story is full of memorable scenes and situations, brought to life by the film's perfect cast, and also happens to be loosely inspired by one of our all time favorite books! What's not to love?

In this episode, we look at Under the Banner of Heaven, the story of the 1984 murder of Brenda Lafferty by fundamentalist mormons, written by Jon Krakauer and adapted for TV by Dustin Lance Black. The book delves deeply into the history of the LDS church and Polygamist settlements while the show takes liberties to create a more personal story of faith confronting the evils that can emerge from a religion. Expect a lot of deep and philosophical discussions this episode, including ones about how awful 1980's wood paneling is!

This episode we step back into the mind of Philip K. Dick as we discuss his semi autobiographic novel, A Scanner Darkly, and its 2006 adaptation by Richard Linklater. This novel explores paranoia and identity crises against the backdrop of drug culture in California and is brought to surreal life thanks to the rotoscoped animation of the film. We've got plenty to discuss this episode, from the absurdities of policing to the novel's fascination with nipples, so step into your scramble suit and give it a discrete listen!

A new season is upon us, and the Ton is all abuzz! The second season of this Netflix show features amazing chemistry from its two leads while exploring their past trauma and growth, while the novel (The Viscount Who Loved Me, by Julia Quinn) has a lot of nipple play and men on the brink of violence!

It's finally time to care about something that truly matters... like our brand new episode on Paper Towns! This John Green YA novel and the Jake Schreier directed adaptation touches on themes of human connection, depression and purpose, but don't worry, there's also moody teenager nonsense, multiple pee jokes, and the largest collection of black Santas in the United States!

This episode we take a look at the BBC/Hulu series Normal People and the novel it was based on by Sally Rooney. We discuss the many social pressures that effect Connell and Marianne in this story, the very sexy sex scenes, positive depictions of therapy, and whether we buy Paul Mescal as a high school senior (we don't, but thats okay).

Choose life. Choose a mortgage. Choose a podcast discussing the 1996 cult classic Trainspotting, directed by Danny Boyle, and the Irvine Welsh novel its based on! There's a lot to dive into this episode (besides the worst toilet in Scotland) including drug abuse, inventive filmmaking, and one of the most difficult to read books we've ever discussed on the podcast (for a number of reasons). 

In this episode we explore The Power of the Dog, the 2021 film by Jane Campion, based on the novel by Thomas Savage. This story of masculinity and sexual repression is full of memorable characters, complex morality, and surprising amounts of humor! But how does the novel compare to this acclaimed film?

In this episode we return for another helping of Shakespeare, this time with legendary director Joel Coen putting his own unique spin on The Tragedy of Macbeth. We discuss how this play is brought to life in a surreal black and white with a powerful cast and the many ways in which the film adds new context to the source material.

It's our first season in the ton as we discuss the  Netflix series Bridgerton, based on the novel The Duke and I by Julia Quinn! The novel focuses on the budding romance and tribulations of Daphne and Simon (delving into their backstories and questionable actions) while the series expands the world and explores its many side characters! But which is the diamond of the season?

The time has come, all ye Grail seekers, for our episode on Dan Brown's explosive novel, The Da Vinci Code, and it's 2006 adaptation by Ron Howard! We discuss Tom Hanks' tired performance and baffling villain twists, all while revealing the true-true  history of the Priory of Sion and the Holy Grail myth!

The very topical novel, Station Eleven, written by Emily St. John Mandel, has finally been adapted by Patrick Somerville for HBO Max and we are excited to discuss this long awaited series! We examine how both the book and series differ in their themes, the necessity of art in society, and the importance of stabbing with purpose!

This episode, we discuss the classic comedy Legally Blonde, directed by Robert Luketic and based on the novel by Amanda Brown. This story has a unique history and gives us plenty to discuss, from classic movie lines to its lasting impact and message. It also represents one of the widest quality gaps between book and film that we've talked about in a while!

As we enter a new year, we thought we'd take a look at Eat Pray Love (written by Elizabeth Gilbert and directed by Ryan Murphy) which tackles themes of resolutions and self reflection. We discuss shitty husbands, the author's life after the book, and whether we would rather eat, pray or love after reading this story.

We return to celebrated author, Nick Hornby, this episode with his novel About a Boy, and it's 2002 adaptation by Chris and Paul Weitz. We discuss the terrible haircuts, poignant messages, and unlikely friendship in this classic story. 

The classic misunderstanding trope takes a dark turn as we discuss the novel Atonement, written by Ian McEwan and adapted by Joe Wright in 2007. This story, full of rich characters and even richer performances, gives us plenty to discuss, from sexy library encounters to haircuts that haven't changed for decades.

Have your hip flasks and 7-up on standby because this episode we're covering The Spectacular Now, written by Tim Tharp and adapted in 2013 by James Ponsoldt. We discuss cringey lunches, the pitfalls of first person narratives, and of course the spectacular (trainwreck) Sutter.

Over one hundred episodes later and we're finally returning to Nicholas Sparks with his novel The Notebook and its 2004 adaptation directed by Nick Cassavetas. We have more than a few nitpicks with this novel and film, from describing nipples as "tiny rocks" to the choice to make Noah the protagonist, we're talking about it all!

Lock your doors (not that it will help) because this episode things are are getting creepy with The Haunting of Hill House. This Netflix series, created by Mike Flanagan, shares only a ghostly resemblance to the source novel, written by Shirley Jackson, but both are full of interesting moments and chilling scenes worth discussing.

IT'S LIVE! IT'S LIVE! Our brand new episode on Frankenstein is live! The novel, written by Mary Shelly, and film adaptation, directed by James Whale, are two very different, yet equally influential stories. We have plenty to discuss on this one, including Mary Shelly's wild life, the career of Boris Karloff, and the mysterious origin of Igor. 

This episode we discuss Somewhere in Time, directed by Jeannot Szwarc in 1980 and based on the Richard Matheson novel, Bid Time Return. This story of romance that transcends time has heavy scifi elements, porny sexy scenes, and a regular dude trying to take credit for a woman's talent. This episode also has one of our all time favorite moments ever on the podcast! 

This episode we look at a new film, based on the oldest story we've discussed yet, The Green Knight! Written by an unknown author around 1400 and adapted in 2021 by David Lowery, this story of knights, magic and honor leads to many interesting discussions on middle english, literal thirst traps, and (no surprise) the color green!.

The Battle for Hogwarts has begun in our episode on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2, directed by David Yates and based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. We delve into Snape revelations, character deaths, the rules of magic, and tally up the unanswered questions of the films. We also wonder if Nagini could have become the master of the Elder Wand.

We have finally arrived at the epic conclusion to this series, but that's not going to stop us from dragging it out! This episode we discuss the film Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, directed by David Yates, and the first portion of the novel, written by J.K. Rowling that this film is based on. We delve into the many unexplained components of the film, Ron's status in the trio, awkward dance scenes, and we finally put a pin in the house elves discourse!

This episode we end the long Stephen King drought by talking about one his most loved (and most unique) adaptations, Stand by Me, directed by Rob Reiner in 1986. We talk about this coming of age story's themes on masculinity, the stories within the larger story, and how the movie has stood the test of time.

This episode we attempt to unpack the dense and heavy story I'm Thinking of Ending Things, written by Iain Reid and adapted by Charlie Kaufman in 2020. We cover such fun topics as existential dread, aging, the indifference of nature, and men who are much too tall. 

Take a trip with us down the horrifying boat tunnel as we discuss Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, directed by Mel Stuart in 1972 and adapted from the novel by Roald Dahl. We dive into the chocolate river to talk about the sinful nature of children, the confusing rules of the film's contest, and we make sure to completely ruin Oompa Loompas for you as well.

For our second 2021 Pride Month episode we are discussing the teen, coming of age story Love, Simon, directed by Greg Berlanti and based on the novel Simon vs. The Homosapiens Agenda, written by Becky Albertalli. We touch on everything this episode form awkward ferris wheel rides to guitar-bros and even how many "f**ks"a teen focused movie should be allowed. 

For our first 2021 Pride Month episode, we're discussing the novel Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, and its 2016 film adaptation by Park Chan-wook, The Handmaiden. We look at how the film's change from 1850's England to 1930's Korea changes the story (or doesn't), as well as the many layers to this story's deceptive plot, and how exactly a dog coat ties into it all.

This episode we take a peak at the film that's been years in the making, The Woman in the Window, directed by Joe Wright and adapted from the novel by A.J. Finn. This Hitchcockian thriller is full of mysteries, like "how sharp is a letter opener" and "How many bathrobes does Anna own?", and we'll do our best answer them all!

This episode we look into The Adventures of Tintin, the 2011 film by Steven Spielberg and the 3 volumes of Tintin comics by Hergé that it was based on. We travel into the uncanny valley to discuss this film's unique animation style as well as the surprising amount of booze, drugs and shooting that takes place in the comics!

Pack up the carriage because this episode we spend some time with Picnic at Hanging Rock, the 1967 book by Joan Lindsay and the 1975 film adaptation by Peter Weir. We discuss the themes of this deceptive and unsettling story, from colonialism to queerness, as well as learn what ghosting someone in 1900 looked like.

This episode, love (and dark marks) are in the air as we discuss Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, written by J.K. Rowling and directed by David Yates in 2009. We delve into to this story's rom-com hijinks, dark backstories, and finally get to see what a stoned Harry Potter would act like!

We approach the light at the end of the tunnel this episode with What Dreams May Come, written by Richard Matheson and adapted to the screen in 1998 by Vincent Ward. We discuss dense concepts, science hell, racial insensitivity, and manage to mention the Patrick Swayze film Ghost at least a couple of times.

This episode we try to unravel the suburban thriller The Girl on the Train, written by Paula Hawkins with the adaptation directed by Tate Taylor. We go over the most important details of this mystery story, like Rachel's saint of a roommate, the ineptitude of the protagonist, and appropriate therapist patient relationships.

This episode we conclude the rom-com trilogy that we never knew we needed with To All the Boys: Always and Forever, directed by Michael Fimognari and adapted from the book by Jenny Han. In this final installment we discuss the many details of wedding planning, college parties, and all the boys that have been left in the dust!