Shelf to Screen
Ever argued that the book was better? Or wondered how a 1,000-page epic fits into a two-hour movie?
From the creators of the Talk'aran'rhiod podcast comes Shelf to Screen, a deep dive into the transition of sci-fi and fantasy stories from the page to the premiere. Join Joe, Jen, and Tom as they dissect the newest adaptations and the cult classics, exploring what was lost in translation and what found new life on screen.
With the effortless chemistry and sharp wit you’ve come to expect, the trio tackles everything from Arrakis to Westeros. Whether you’re a "book-first" purist or a cinema enthusiast, tune in for insightful analysis, hilarious takes, and a celebration of the stories that are too big for just one medium.
Grab your popcorn, keep your bookmarks, and subscribe to Shelf to Screen.
Episodes
22 episodes
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (part 1)
Ever wondered what happened to Bingo Bulger-Baggins? This week we embark on an epic journey through middle earth and the chaotic production history of a cinematic masterpiece. We explore why a New Zealander turned a mythology into a commercial ...
The Hitchhiker's Guide to this Podcast
We dive into the absurdity of Douglas Adams’ universe to see if the 2005 film captures the magic of the guide. Hear Joe compare the breakneck comedy to 30 Rock! Hear Tom geek out in his literal bathrobe and 42 t-shirt because this is a top five...
Ready Player One: The Corporate Takeover of the OASIS
We dive into the glitchy transition of Ernest Cline’s 1980s gatekeeper manifesto. We analyze why Steven Spielberg turned a text-heavy treasure hunt into a $175 million monster truck rally! Is the book really just engagement bait for every 80s p...
Jurassic Park: The Hubris of Hammond
What happens when you turn a 400-page panic attack about human extinction into a heartwarming family vacation where the billionaire escapes the consequences of his actions? We dive deep into the DNA of Michael Crichton’s "techno-thriller" and S...
The Martian: Strict Rules for Survival
Can one man really science his way off a planet that is actively trying to kill him? We are diving deep into the red dust of The Martian by Andy Weir and its high-octane 2015 adaptation directed by Ridley Scott. We answer the burning question: ...
The Chronic-ills of Narnia: The Lyin’, the Which, and the War-robe
Today, we step through the wardrobe into the high-budget world of C.S. Lewis. Why did Disney turn a slim 200-page book into a massive CGI creature feature? We dive deep into the Christian allegory and the 5 million strands of fur that make up A...
Star-Bust: The Shining Review?
Explore the mysterious field between Wall and Stormhold as we tackle the wild transition of Neil Gaiman’s Stardust to the big screen. Why did a $70 million blockbuster transform a melancholic meditation on aging into a high-energy frenzy? ...
Total Recoil: Kick-Starting a Martian Revolution
Was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Martian adventure just a high-stakes vacation or a lobotomized fever dream? This week on Shelf to Screen, we dive deep into the 1990 sci-fi adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s short story, "We Can Remember It for You Whol...
Star-Studded Troopers
What if the action movie you grew up loving was actually a giant middle finger to its source material? This week on Shelf to Screen, we dive deep into the bug-infested trenches of any 90s kid's favorite sci-fi satire: Starship Troopers. We comp...
The Hobbit: The Baffle of the Five Armies
We dive into the physics-defying finale that traded whimsical fairy tales for heavy metal album covers. Hear Tom roast the goat cavalry and the $250 million price tag on digital chaos! Hear Jen question where those massive wereworms went after ...
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Sense
Is a hundred-million-dollar CGI dragon enough to save a story stretched thinner than a piece of lembas bread? We are dissecting the gold-plated autopsy of this Middle-earth sequel to find out! Hear Jen vent about how the iconic barrel esc...
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Disappointment
In this episode of Shelf to Screen, Joe, Jen, and Tom dive into the controversial 2012 adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved classic, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. How did a breezy 300-page children's book become a "kine...
War of the Worlds: We War With the Worlds!
In this episode of Shelf To Screen Joe, Jen, and Tom review H.G. Wells seminal sci-fi novel The War of The Worlds and the 2005 Spielberg/Cruise adaptation of the same name. It's time to ride the lightning! We talk about adaptation choi...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 E6: After the Roast!
In this episode of Shelf To Screen Joe, Jen, and Tom review episode 6 of "A Knight of the Seven (Nine) Kingdoms" and compare it to the George R. R. Martin's novella "The Hedge Knight." We talk about adaptation choices for the whole story, inclu...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 E5: Refrigerators of the Past
In this episode of Shelf To Screen, Joe, Jen, and Tom review episode 5 of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and compare it to the George R. R. Martin novella "The Hedge Knight." No book spoilers past the first five episodes, but we'll talk adapt...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 E4: Treason by Puppetry
In this episode of Shelf To Screen, Joe, Jen. And Tom review episode 4 of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and compare it to the George R. R. Martin novella "The Hedge Knight." No book spoilers past the first four episodes, but we'll talk adapt...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 E3: Alice Doesn't Fist Here Anymore
In this episode of Shelf to Screen, Joe, Jen, and Tom review episode 3 of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and compare it to the George R. R. Martin novella "The Hedge Knight." No book spoilers past the first three episodes, but we'll talk adap...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 E2: Perfect Strangers
In this episode of Shelf To Screen, Joe, Jen, and Tom review episode 2 of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms" and compare it to the George R.R. Martin novella "The Hedge Knight." No book spoilers past the first two episodes, but we'll talk adaptat...
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms S1 E1: We All Want A Crown Like That
In this episode of Shelf to Screen, Joe, Jen, and Tom review episode 1 of "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms", and compare it to the George R. R. Martin novella "The Hedge Knight." No book spoilers past the first episode, but we'll talk adaptation...
Dune: Part Two: The Padishah Bren-peror!
In our second episode of Shelf To Screen. Joe, Jen, and Tom welcome their old friend Brendan Johnston to discuss the 2024 film Dune: Part Two. We'll compare the film to the original novel, talk about style changes from part one, and wh...
Dune: Part One: Kwisatz Hader-chat
In this debut episode of Shelf To Screen, Joe, Jen, and Tom talk the 2021 adaptation of Frank Herbert's "Dune!" We'll dive into the origins of the novel, we'll talk a bit about the path it took to in being adapted, and then we'll review the mov...
