Take Me To Your Reader
152 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 18 ratingsThe Pavement Pounders discuss adapted science fiction, generally well-known films derived from written works. They read the book, watch the movie, watch remakes, reboots, re-adaptations, and give it all a good mulling over.
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Episodes
Dune: Part Two
March 15, 2024 14:58 - 28.5 MBWe saw Dune: Part Two, then grabbed dinner, then got together to discuss our thoughts on the second half of Villeneuve’s Dune adaptation. We all loved it and welcome any other SF adaptations he wants to do in the future.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season One
February 15, 2024 14:07 - 37.6 MBThe guys follow up their coverage of The Lightning Thief by discussing the first season of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Rankings: Colin/James/Seth: book/series/a very large gap/movie
Those Meddling Satyrs: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, Part One (2010 movie)
January 27, 2024 14:10 - 47.9 MBThis is the first of two episodes we’ll do on The Lightning Thief. In this one, we just discuss the book and 2010 movie. We’ll get to the series next month once it’s complete. Rankings!: James/Colin/Seth: book/movie (duh) A couple of links: My blog post that I resurrected and commented on: https://pavementpodcast.com/the-lightning-thief-movie-how-to-badly-adapt-a-book-a-case-study/ Rick Riordan’s reminisces … Continue reading Those Meddling Satyrs: The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan, Part O...
The Shepherd, by Frederick Forsyth (and 2023 short film)
January 01, 2024 13:11 - 18.2 MBA quick end of the year episode about the new Disney+ short film (40 minutes), Shepherd, based on the Frederick Forsyth novella of the same name. I believe the story is more well known by folks in Britain and former Crown Colonies than it is to American audiences; this was certainly our first experience of … Continue reading The Shepherd, by Frederick Forsyth (and 2023 short film) →
The Woking Dead (The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells), with Tim Kuskie
December 15, 2023 14:14 - 55.9 MBWhile James was away in South America, Colin’s younger son, Tim, joined us for a discussion of H.G. Wells’s The War of the Worlds, along with several adaptations, including the radio play, the classic movie, the 2005 remake with Tom Cruise, and the 2019 BBC limited series. Rankings! Colin: 2005/novel/Radio Play/1953/2019 Tim: novel/Radio Play/2005/1953/2019 Seth: … Continue reading The Woking Dead (The War of the Worlds, by H.G. Wells), with Tim Kuskie →
Dracula-Adjacent (movies, TV, books)
November 15, 2023 13:22 - 32.2 MBThis time we just roundtable some other Dracula-adjacent material we’ve consumed. Consider it a DVD extra from our previous episode. Works referenced (not exhaustive): Van Helsing (movie) Renfield (movie) Love at First Bite (movie) Dracula Untold (movie) Dracula Daily (book/email subscription) The Dracula Tape (book) Blade (film series) Underworld (film series) The Strain (book and … Continue reading Dracula-Adjacent (movies, TV, books) →
So Many Transfusions! (Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
October 30, 2023 16:58 - 50.8 MBThis time, the guys discuss Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel, Dracula, and two of its direct adaptations, the classic 1931 Universal movie, and 1992’s lavish Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. We also mention quite a few other direct or slightly indirect adaptations. Rankings! Colin: 1931 film, book, 1992 movie James: Audible version, 1931, 1992 … Continue reading So Many Transfusions! (Dracula, by Bram Stoker) →
On The Beach, by Nevil Shute (feat. Michael Simshauser)
September 30, 2023 14:00 - 63 MBOn The Beach, by Nevil Shute (feat. Michael Simshauser) (Content warning: discussions of suicide and euthanasia) Michael Simshauser, our favorite Aussie and longtime friend of the pod, joins us for a long awaited discussion of Nevil Shute’s On the Beach and its two film adaptations from 1959 and 2000. We do try to keep the … Continue reading On The Beach, by Nevil Shute (feat. Michael Simshauser) →
The Crystal Egg, by H.G. Wells (feat. Phil Nichols)
August 27, 2023 06:13 - 34.8 MBThis time, the guys welcome back Dr. Phil Nichols to talk about the recent adaptation of H.G. Wells’s “The Crystal Egg” by the Planet Zoom Players, as well as briefly touching on the Tales of Tomorrow adaptation from 1951. Rankings: Colin: PZP adaptation, story, Tales of Tomorrow James: PZP adaptation, story Seth: PZP adaptation, story, Tales of … Continue reading The Crystal Egg, by H.G. Wells (feat. Phil Nichols) →
The Last Voyage of the Demeter (with screenwriter Bragi Schut)
August 15, 2023 13:05 - 48.2 MBSpoilers abound! The screenplay for The Last Voyage of the Demeter has been passed around Hollywood since the late 90s. It’s finally in theaters, and the screenwriter, Bragi Schut, joins us to talk about the new movie, based on a brief chapter of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. (Chapter 7 “Captain’s Log” if you want to read it.) We … Continue reading The Last Voyage of the Demeter (with screenwriter Bragi Schut) →
Caudal Fins All the Way Down (The Meg)
July 29, 2023 14:46 - 30.8 MBIt’s summer, and Shark Week, so the guys take on Steve Alten’s 1997 novel Meg: A Novel of Deep Terror and its 2018 action movie spectacle starring Jason Statham. Rankings! Colin: Movie/Book James: Audiobook/Movie Seth: Movie/Book
It’s A Flat Earth! (Nightfall, by Isaac Asimov)
June 24, 2023 13:13 - 35.8 MBThis time, the guys consider Isaac Asimov’s excellent short story / novelette “Nightfall,” adapted to pretty dreadful movies in 1988 and 2000. Rankings! Colin: story/1988 movie James: story/2000 movie/1988 movie Seth: story/2000 movie/1988 movie
Fungal Furor! (A Voice in the Night/Matango)
May 27, 2023 14:09 - 25.2 MBThis time, the guys hop in the way back machine to 1909 and William Hope Hodgson’s short story “A Voice in the Night” and its small screen adaptation (Suspicion S1.E24) and big screen Japanese adaptation (Matango, or Attack of the Mushroom People!). We neglected to rank them, which is surprising. Maybe we were distracted by … Continue reading Fungal Furor! (A Voice in the Night/Matango) →
A Murderbot, not THE Murderbot (Weapon/Solo)
April 29, 2023 14:23 - 29.8 MBThis time we hit Robert Mason’s 1989 military/AI novel Weapon, adapted to a pretty terrible 1996 movie named after the main character, Solo. Colin reached out to the author and got him to do some Q&A, which we sprinkle in through this episode. It’s a tricky eBook to find. I guess I found it from … Continue reading A Murderbot, not THE Murderbot (Weapon/Solo) →
The Bear-muda Triangle (Cocaine Bear)
April 01, 2023 13:45 - 7.7 MBThe guys break down the tamed-down version of the true story that is Cocaine Bear.
A Very Breakable Nose (Timecop)
March 25, 2023 07:07 - 26.6 MBThis time, we hit 1994’s Timecop, based on the Dark Horse Presents character from the August, September, and October 1992 issues of Dark Horse Comics. There are splits, and messy time travel logic, and awesome performances from Bruce McGill and Ron Silver. Rankings!: Colin/James/Seth: Movie Comics
I’m Apathy (The Cabin at the End of the World/Knock at the Cabin)
February 25, 2023 13:17 - 54.5 MBColin’s older son, Peter, joins us for a discussion of Paul Tremblay’s 2018 novel, The Cabin at the End of the World, recently adapted into the 2023 M. Night Shyamalan film Knock at the Cabin. Full spoilers for both. Rankings! Peter: Movie Book Colin: Movie Book James: Movie Book No, wait, Book/Movie (swayed by Seth) … Continue reading I’m Apathy (The Cabin at the End of the World/Knock at the Cabin) →
The Most Dangerous Game, Part Two (Cigarettes Kill!)
January 28, 2023 13:44 - 35.5 MBPicking up a dangling thread from last year, the guys discuss a few more adaptations (or “adaptations”) of “The Most Dangerous Game.” Covered this time are A Game of Death from 1945, Hard Target from 1993, Surviving the Game from 1994, and The Hunt, from 2020. No rankings this time. But we all liked The Hunt best. Colin/James/Seth: 2020 Quibi series … Continue reading The Most Dangerous Game, Part Two (Cigarettes Kill!) →
They Double-Bought Everything! (A Christmas Story Christmas, and Spirited!)
December 26, 2022 04:57 - 50.1 MBWe’ve got two follow-up movies this year, A Christmas Story Christmas on HBO Max and Spirited! on Apple TV+. Opinions differed on the quality of the movies.
The Most Dangerous Game, Part One
November 26, 2022 15:05 - 44.3 MBThis time, the guys discuss the classic 1924 Richard Connell short story “The Most Dangerous Game” and several adaptations sharing the name (or at least 90% of the name). This is Part One of at least a two-part series covering the many, many adaptations of this story. Rankings! Colin/James/Seth: 2020 Quibi series “movie” story 1932 … Continue reading The Most Dangerous Game, Part One →
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
November 08, 2022 15:31 - 17.2 MBThe guys do a quick reaction/breakdown of the new movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, which was adapted from a Funny or Die parody trailer. Trailer available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcNuiri2dV0 Movie available here: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/watch/066097da82ed5762966888a59b151058/weird-the-al-yankovic-story Rankings! Colin/James/Seth: Movie/Trailer
Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury (feat. Dr. Phil Nichols)
October 29, 2022 09:59 - 57.4 MBOur friend Phil Nichols joins us for a discussion of Ray Bradbury’s 1962 novel Something Wicked This Way Comes and its 1983 theatrical adaptation. There may also be mention of another adaptation (oooh, spooooky!) Rankings!: Phil/Colin/James: Book/Movie Seth: Movie/Book Notes/Links: Pants in the Boot: https://www.theincomparable.com/pants/ (Episodes #27-30 discuss differences in housing) Bradbury 100 episode on Bradbury’s … Continue reading Something Wicked This Way Comes, by Ray Bradbury (fea...
Bonus! Inteview with Bragi Schut, creator of Samaritan
October 15, 2022 05:17 - 33.5 MBWe were delighted to interview Bragi Schut, who wrote the original screenplay that the new Samaritan movie is based on. He’s also authored a comic of the same name, currently available as two issues from Mythos Comics. Bragi’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/bragischutjr Mythos Comics: https://www.facebook.com/MythosComics/ The Last Voyage of the Demeter: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Voyage_of_the_Demeter Spread graphic novel: https://imagecomics.com/comics/series/spread The … Continue...
Rated Arrrr! The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists
September 19, 2022 14:34 - 18.7 MBFor International Talk Like a Pirate Day (2022), the guys do a quick episode on Gideon Defoe’s The Pirates! In An Adventure With Scientists, adapted into The Pirates! Band of Misfits (it was retitled in the U.S.). Rankings!: Colin: Movie Book James: Book Movie Seth: Movie Book
Sol-er Power (Soylent Green/Make Room! Make Room!)
August 27, 2022 14:18 - 32 MBOne of the first titles I ever planned on us covering, yet somehow it’s taken more than eight years to find our way back to it. It’s Harry Harrison’s 1966 novel Make Room! Make Room!, loosely adapted into the classic 1973 movie Soylent Green. Rankings!: Colin: Movie Book James: Book Movie Seth: Book Movie
The Black Phone, by Joe Hill (feat. Ethan Heasley and Jonathan Watkins)
July 30, 2022 21:16 - 42.6 MBSeth’s son Ethan joins the team, along with Jonathan Watkins from Cinema Sins, to discuss the new movie The Black Phone, adapted from the 2004 Joe Hill short story of the same name. Rankings! Jonathan/Ethan/James/Colin/Seth: Movie/Story
Watch the Trailer and Be Done (Spiderhead)
June 25, 2022 14:20 - 27.7 MBIf we hadn’t been on the B-6, we may not have covered George Saunders’s story “Escape From Spiderhead” and its Netflix adaptation, Spiderhead. No rankings this time.
Firestarter 2022 Remake, with Deanna Chapman
May 28, 2022 13:32 - 37.8 MBThis time the guys tackle the new adaptation of Firestarter. Unfortunately, James was ill and not able to join us. The good news is that Deanna Chapman from Chat Sematary stopped by for the discussion. Rankings!: Deanna/Colin/Seth: Book Original Movie Remake Chat Sematary Links: https://twitter.com/ChatSematary https://www.chatsematary.com/
Campy On Purpose? (The Game of X/Condorman)
May 01, 2022 00:07 - 22.8 MBRounding out the Tri-Sheck-ta, the guys discuss the 1965 Robert Sheckley novella The Game of X and its 1981 “adaptation,” Condorman. Rankings!: Colin: Movie Book James: Book Movie Seth: Movie Book
Literal Screen Presence! (Immortality, Inc., by Robert Sheckley/Freejack)
March 26, 2022 15:37 - 49.6 MBThe guys discuss Robert Sheckley’s 1958 novel, Immortality, Inc. and its 1992 film adaptation (starring Mick Jagger), Freejack. Leg two of the Tri-Sheck-Ta is in the books! Rankings! Colin: Book/No Award James: Book/Movie Seth: Book/Movie
Shot With a Happy Ending (The Prize of Peril, by Robert Sheckley)
February 26, 2022 12:38 - 47.8 MBThis time, the guys take on some Robert Sheckley in non-English adaptations, namely the 1970 German TV film Das Millionenspiel and the 1983 French film Le Prix Du Danger. Both of these films were adapted from Sheckley’s 1958 short story “The Prize of Peril.” Of course, we engaged a couple of our friends who were native speakers … Continue reading Shot With a Happy Ending (The Prize of Peril, by Robert Sheckley) →
Dad Made a Rama (Rendezvous with Rama Adaptation, feat. Phil Nichols)
January 29, 2022 13:56 - 62.2 MBPhil Nichols of Science Fiction 101 joins us to discuss the announced adaptation of Arthur C Clarke’s Rendezvous With Rama. Spoilers for the book! Notes: Science Fiction with Damien Walter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpZQEdnPYv4 All Judgement Fled, by James White: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1928718.All_Judgment_Fled
Chekhov’s Vomit (8-Bit Christmas)
December 24, 2021 14:00 - 39.5 MBFor Christmas 2021, the guys discuss Kevin Jakubowski’s hilarious 8-Bit Christmas and its 2021 HBO Max adaptation. Rankings!: Colin: Movie Book James: Book Movie Seth: Book Movie
Try Some Chrono-Bismal! (Needle in a Timestack)
November 27, 2021 13:00 - 36.2 MBThe guys discuss Robert Silverberg’s 1966 short story, “Needle in a Timestack,” and the 2021 film adaptation of the same name. Rankings! Colin/James/Seth: short story movie
She’s The Invisible Man! (The Invisible Man, by H.G. Wells)
October 30, 2021 13:04 - 43.5 MBThis time, the guys discuss H.G. Wells’s 1897 novel The Invisible Man and its 1933 film adaptation, as well as 2000’s Hollow Man and the 2020 film also named The Invisible Man. Rankings! Colin/James: 2020 film novel Alien Voices audio-drama 1933 film Hollow Man Seth: 2020 film 1933 film Alien Voices novel Hollow Man
I Like the Flying Fat Man (Dune, 2021 film)
October 22, 2021 20:46 - 22 MBThis time we follow up on Episode #50 by giving our instant reaction to the new 2021 film Dune.
Nosebleeds for Everyone! (“Button, Button” and The Box)
September 25, 2021 14:00 - 45 minutes - 36.1 MBTaking another work of short fiction, this time the guys discuss Richard Matheson’s short story “Button, Button,” adapted to a 1986 Twilight Zone episode of the same name, and also adapted to the 2009 movie The Box. Rankings! Colin/James/Seth: short story Twilight Zone movie Notes & Links: Funny or Die comedy short: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7rzIwrEqpw CBS Radio Mystery Theater adaptation … Continue reading Nosebleeds for Everyone! (“Button, Button” and The Box) →
Drinking the Cadre Cola (The Running Man)
August 28, 2021 14:31 - 52 minutes - 42.5 MBPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast This time, the guys pick up a listener suggestion, from longtime listener Malc Foy, The Running Man, by Stephen King. Rankings! Colin: Movie/Book James: Book/Movie Seth: Movie/Book Note: We’ve been having some trouble with our digital recorder. I tried to mitigate the static/distortion we got in a few places, but if you hear it, … Continue reading Drinking the Cadre Cola (The Running Man) →
Take Me To Your Eater, Episode One? (feat. Roger Anderson)
August 09, 2021 16:44 - 21 minutes - 15.4 MBBonus episode! Premise: Can a skilled home cook replicate a cookie recipe just from the name? Roger takes a crack at “S’Mores Blossoms” and we get to taste the results. Sorry it’s not video, but we’ve attached photo evidence of everything except James, who was evidently hiding in a corner with his milk stout. Original … Continue reading Take Me To Your Eater, Episode One? (feat. Roger Anderson) →
The Marginal Value of Trolling (Stowaway)
July 30, 2021 14:58 - 28 minutes - 22.2 MBSeth needed a break from reading, so for this episode, we watched the 2021 Netflix film Stowaway and compared it to “The Cold Equations.” We also mentioned Cora Buhlert’s excellent response to the classic story, “The Cold Crowdfunding Campaign.” Highly recommended. Notes & LinksCora Buhlert:http://corabuhlert.com/“The Cold Crowdfunding Campaign”: http://corabuhlert.com/2021/03/16/the-cold-crowdfunding-campaign-is-now-available-as-a-free-e-book/Scott Manley’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtu...
Underselling the Penalty (The Cold Equations)
June 26, 2021 14:35 - 51 minutes - 41.3 MBThis time the guys discuss Tom Godwin’s 1954 classic short story “The Cold Equations” and tackle three of its adaptations: the 1980s Twilight Zone episode, the 1996 Sci-Fi Channel movie, both sharing the story’s title, and the 2014 short film titled The Stowaway. Rankings! Colin 1996 movie story Twilight Zone 2014 short film James Twilight … Continue reading Underselling the Penalty (The Cold Equations) →
He Flapped His Butterfly Wings (The Map of Tiny Perfect Things)
May 29, 2021 23:54 - 52 minutes - 41.3 MBPicking up a short title to keep Seth sane, and a cheery-ish one to keep Colin sane, the Pavement Pounders discuss Lev Grossman’s short story “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” and the 2021 Amazon film of the same name. Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/hugospodcast Rankings! Colin: movie/story James: tied! Seth: movie/story
It’s Not a Victimless Movie (Invasion of the Body Snatcher, Part Two: Remakes)
April 24, 2021 13:45 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBJonathan Watkins from Cinema Sins joins us for a discussion of the three remakes of Invasion of the Body Snatchers from 1978, 1993, and 2007. Rankings! Jonathan 1978 1956 book 1993 2007 James 1978 book 1956 1993 2007 Colin book 1958 2007 1978 1993 Seth 1978 book 1956 1993 2007 Notes & Links Jonathan’s Links: … Continue reading It’s Not a Victimless Movie (Invasion of the Body Snatcher, Part Two: Remakes) →
It’s Not a Victimless Movie (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Part Two: Remakes)
April 24, 2021 13:45 - 1 hour - 55.7 MBJonathan Watkins from Cinema Sins joins us for a discussion of the three remakes of Invasion of the Body Snatchers from 1978, 1993, and 2007. Rankings! Jonathan 1978 1956 book 1993 2007 James 1978 book 1956 1993 2007 Colin book 1958 2007 1978 1993 Seth 1978 book 1956 1993 2007 Notes & Links Jonathan’s Links: … Continue reading It’s Not a Victimless Movie (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Part Two: Remakes) →
Who is the rankest? (Seven Years of Rankings, Analyzed)
April 01, 2021 15:19 - 28 minutes - 22.5 MBIn this episode, Seth did a bunch of homework (not enough as it turned out), to find out which of the trio was more likely to pick a particular medium first in his rankings. Some assembly required, warranty void if opened, math not valid in Texas.
It’s a Veggie Tale! (Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Part One)
March 27, 2021 13:59 - 52 minutes - 34.5 MBFor our first post-100 episode, we dive into Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers, originally published in Collier’s Weekly and adapted four times. This episode covers the novel and the original 1956 adaptation Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Rankings! Colin/James/Seth: book movie
TMTYR Episode #100: Yeah…We Watched It (Dr. Strangelove & Fail-Safe)
February 28, 2021 22:55 - 1 hour - 42.9 MBFor episode #100, we discuss Red Alert, by Peter George, and Fail-Safe, by Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler, then talk about the adaptation of the former, Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, and the two adaptations of Fail-Safe, the 1964 film and the 2000 live teleplay. Rankings! Colin: … Continue reading TMTYR Episode #100: Yeah…We Watched It (Dr. Strangelove & Fail-Safe) →
TMTYR Episode #99: Bad Year for a Downer Movie (The Midnight Sky)
January 20, 2021 03:13 - 41 minutes - 32.4 MBThe guys discuss The Midnight Sky, the new film on Netflix, based on Lily Brooks-Dalton’s novel Good Morning, Midnight. Rankings! Colin: Movie/Book James: Book/Movie Seth: Book/Movie
TMTYR Episode #98: You Can’t Handle the Who! (The Grinch)
December 23, 2020 17:25 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBRoger from The Kitchen Counter Podcast joins the guys for a discussion of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, including the original TV special, the Jim Carrey remake, the 2018 Benedict Cumberbatch movie, and the recent TV musical abomination. Time Codes: Grinch book: 13:08 Grinch TV Special: 19:34 Sandwich planning: 24:16 James’s “An Old … Continue reading TMTYR Episode #98: You Can’t Handle the Who! (The Grinch) →
TMTYR Episode #98: You Can’t Handle the Who! (The Grinch, feat. Roger Anderson)
December 23, 2020 17:25 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBRoger from The Kitchen Counter Podcast joins the guys for a discussion of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas, including the original TV special, the Jim Carrey remake, the 2018 Benedict Cumberbatch movie, and the recent TV musical abomination. Time Codes: Grinch book: 13:08 Grinch TV Special: 19:34 Sandwich planning: 24:16 James’s “An Old … Continue reading TMTYR Episode #98: You Can’t Handle the Who! (The Grinch, feat. Roger Anderson) →