Cover To Credits

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.