The guys discuss the film adaptation of HAMNET, based on the 2020 novel Maggie O’Farrell. … Hamnet is an historical novel that reimagines the life and death of William Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet. Set in late 16th-century England, the story centers on Agnes, Shakespeare’s wife, a woman known for her independence, herbal knowledge, and deep intuition. The novel traces Agnes and Shakespeare’s courtship, marriage, and family life, while moving fluidly through time to explore how love, illness, and loss shape their world. When the plague reaches their household, their young son Hamnet falls gravely ill and dies, an event that devastates the family and fractures their marriage. Themes of motherhood, memory and grief feature prominently.  … The film adaptation was written and directed by Chloe Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell, and stars Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson and Joe Alwyn. … Topics of discussion include the reimagining of Thomas Pynchon’s novel, the postmodernist literary movement, the challenging aspects of reading Thomas Pynchon, the film’s Academy Awards chances come Oscar season, and whether or not Erik is a member of The Christmas Adventurer’s Club. … (1:10) Intro, fast facts, trivia … (15:55) A reading from the novel … (17:10) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (44:24) A word from our sponsor … (45:12) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:22:00) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: TRAIN DREAMS by Denis Johnson which was adapted into the new film from Clint Bentley, starring Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones. So keep an eye out for that! … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER The guys discuss the film adaptation, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER, based on the 1990 novel, VINELAND, by Thomas Pynchon. … Vineland is set in 1984, the year of Ronald Reagan’s reelection, but primarily told in flashback. The story follows several characters who provide remembrances of their revolutionary life in the late 60s during a time of “fascistic Nixonian repression” and how that had evolved to the 80s and the war on drugs. The main through-line, however, concerns four primary players: three revolutionaries–Zoyd Wheeler, Frenesi Gates, her daughter Prairie, and the federal agent Brock Vond, and the book’s main narrative concerns Zoyd, Prairie and Brock’s attempts to find Frenesi, who is in witness protection. Themes of American rot, the corruptive power of television and the goodness of weed feature prominently.  … The film adaptation was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Texans Taylor, Sean Penn, Chase Inifiniti, Benicia del Toro and Regina Hall. … Topics of discussion include the reimagining of Thomas Pynchon’s novel, the postmodernist literary movement, the challenging aspects of reading Thomas Pynchon, the film’s Academy Awards chances come Oscar season, and whether or not Erik is a member of The Christmas Adventurer’s Club. … (0:41) Intro, fast facts, trivia … (15:27) A reading from the novel … (16:28) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (35:47) A word from our sponsor … (36:16) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:52:32) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: HAMNET by Maggie O’Farrell which was adapted into the new film by Chloe Zhao. So keep an eye out for that! … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

The guys discuss the film adaptation, THERE WILL BE BLOOD, based on the 1926 novel by Upton Sinclair. … In Oil! Upton Sinclair fashioned a novel out of the oil scandals of the Harding administration, providing in the process a detailed picture of the development of the oil industry in Southern California. Bribery of public officials, class warfare, and international rivalry over oil production are the context for Sinclair's story of a genial independent oil developer and his son, whose sympathy with the oilfield workers and socialist organizers fuels a running debate with his father. Senators, small investors, oil magnates, a Hollywood film star, and a crusading evangelist people the pages of this lively novel. … The film adaptation was written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano and Ciarán Hinds. The film is considered to be of the best films from PTA as well as the first quarter of the 21st century. … Topics of discussion include the loose nature of the adaptation, the Russian Revolution, the similarities of today’s political climate with the political strife detailed in Sinclair’s novel during 1920’s America, and whether or not the “oil” used in the film was really made from MCDonald’s chocolate milkshakes. … (0:00) Intro, fast facts, trivia … (16:29) A reading from the novel … (17:28) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (37:47) A word from our sponsor … (38:25) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:24:50) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: VINELAND by Thomas Pynchon which was adapted into the new film by Paul Thomas Anderson, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. So keep an eye out for that! … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

The guys discuss the classic film noir adaptation, IN A LONELY PLACE, based on the 1947 noir fiction novel by Dorothy B. Hughes. … In post World War II Los Angeles, Dix Steele is a former service member who roams the city at night, maybe or maybe not strangling women who cross his path. After reconnecting with his friend from the army, Brub, who is now a police detective, Dix offers to help him solve the case of a serial killer—risking revelations he may want to hide. Eventually, Dix’s neighbor, an actress named Laurel Gray and Brub's wife Sylvia become suspicious of Dix and they aid the forces of justice to close in on the killer without him being aware of it. Themes of gender relations, male loneliness in the wake of World War, and boozy cocktails feature prominently.  … The film adaptation was directed by Nicholas Ray and written by Andrew P. Solt and Edmund H. North. The film stars Humphrey Bogart, Gloria Grahame and Frank Lovejoy. The film is considered to be one of the major influences on the film noir genre, with a major performance from its main star. … Topics of discussion include the feminist approach to noir fiction, the limitations effects of the Hayes Code, California post-WWII and its affect on the characterization of Dix Steele, and whether or not Humphrey Bogart is actually 5’8”. … (0:00) Intro, fast facts, trivia … (13:46) A reading from the novel … (15:42) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (35:05) A word from our sponsor … (35:44) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:26:03) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: OIL! by Upton Sinclair which was adapted into the Paul Thomas Anderson film, There Will be Blood. … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

The guys discuss the classic film noir adaptation, KISS ME DEADLY, based on the 1952 pulp detective novel by Mickey Spillane. … One evening, private detective Mike Hammer picks up a strange woman, Berga Torn, who has escaped from a nearby sanitarium and is standing on the side of the road wearing only a trench coat. They’re stopped by mobsters who push Mike’s car off a cliff, killing Berga and inspiring Mike to avenge her death. Although warned not to investigate the death by the police, Mike and his assistant Velda discover a plot involving the mafia, drugs, and a whole lot of femme fatales. Themes of truth, power, control and societal rot feature prominently.  … The film adaptation was directed by Robert Aldrich and written by Albert Isaac “Buzz” Bezzeries and Robert Aldrich (uncredited). The film stars Ralph Meeker, Albert Dekker, Paul Stewart and Juan Hernandez. The film is considered to be one of the major influences on the film noir genre. … Topics of discussion include the differences from the novel, the icon that is Mickey Spillane, the impact the film has had on major contemporary directors, the Cold War themes, the wild ending, and whether or not you should join the mafia. … (0:00) From the book … (1:30) Fast facts, recap, trivia … (18:51) A word from our sponsor … (19:31) Studio pitch & novel breakdown … (36:20) Trailer … (38:33) Learn you something, differences from the book … (1:30:00) Coming up next, and outro … Coming up next: IN A LONELY PLACE by Dorothy B. Hughes … If you would like to get in contact with us about anything regarding the show, feel free to shoot us an e-mail: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

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: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

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: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

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: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

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: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

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: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens

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: [email protected] … Or reach out on social media: twitter.com/littolens instagram.com/littolens