In episode 27, Alan and Nisha take on their first noir, discussing the 1934 novel The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain.This classic hardboiled tale of passion and crime, just like Cain's other major work Double Indemnity, has held huge influence over crime fiction and film noir. It has been directly adapted numerous times over the years, but for this conversation we focus primarily on 4 films:First, the 1946 noir film of the same name starring John Garfield and Lana Turner. Next, the much steamier 1981 remake/adaptation also sharing the same title, starring Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange.Then, the 1943 Italian film Obsession. This film is often credited as the birth of Italian neorealism.Lastly, the 2008 Christian Petzold film Jerichow, a modern retelling that is more loosely adapted.How does a work that has been iterated on so many times hold up? How do the earlier adaptations capture the carnal passion of the novel while working around censors?Is the book really better than the movie? Listen and find out!

In episode 26, Alan & Nisha delve into the counterculture classic One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.First published in 1962, the novel by Ken Kesey was inspired by his time working at a mental hospital while studying at Stanford. This experience, alongside his prolific use of psychedelic drugs, made Kesey adamantly outspoken against systems of oppression and dehumanization. The book even had a notable impact in helping improve conditions and treatment for mental health.This story further cemented itself when adapted in 1975 into a film directed by Milos Foreman and starring Jack Nicholson. This is one of only 3 movies to ever win all five of the major awards at the Oscars, and has been continually cited on lists of the best films of all time ever since.With both of these works being well regarded on their own merits, how do they compare to one another? Do they manage the same message of anti-establishment even with over a decade of distance between them? Why have they both lived on for so long?Join us as we discuss this and more, and ask the important question: Is the book really better than the movie?

In Episode 25, Alan and Nisha go back to a millennial childhood favorite and their very first Roald Dahl story... James and the Giant Peach!Originally published in 1961, this story is one of many Dahl classics that have remained beloved by both children and parents. Adapted into a stop-motion Disney animation film in 1996, this story feels like it was particularly present for those growing up in the 90s. Does it still hold the same appeal?Henry Selick and Disney captured magic with their previous film The Nightmare Before Christmas, but how does this film stack up and live on? Even with its many controversies over the years. why does this story mean so much to people?Join us as we find out once and for all... Is the book really better than the movie?

In Episode 24, Alan & Nisha blast off to the Red Planet to discuss The Martian.Originally self-published and released by Andy Weir as an online serial, the book was then adapted into a full novel released in 2014. Rights for a film had already been optioned by then, resulting in the 2015 film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon alongside a stacked supporting cast.Weir has gone on to have an incredibly successful career, with his second novel Project Hail Mary being recently adapted into a film starring Ryan Gosling, released to critical and commercial success.In this story, Mark Watney uses his knowledge as a botanist and astronaut to face an impossible situation when he is accidentally left for dead on Mars. The writing leans heavily on the science of space travel and the realities of survival on a distant planet. Join us as we discuss everything from Weir's intoxicating mix of humor and tension, to Aquaman and the Pope.Is the book really better than the movie? Join us on In Contrast and find out!

In episode 23, Alan & Nisha return to the classics with Pinocchio.Originally released as a serial, The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi was published as a novel in 1883. It quickly became a staple of children's literature and Italian culture, and has become one of the best-selling and most translated novels in the world.As such, it has been adapted numerous times over the years in films ranging from animated, to live action, to musicals. For this discussion, Alan & Nisha focus on Disney's 1940 animated version, and the most recent imagining from Guillermo del Toro in 2022. Of course, Alan watched a few more... These include a 1911 silent film that was once thought to be lost, a 1972 Italian TV film directed by Luigi Comencini, the nightmarish 1996 Adventures of Pinocchio, the 2002 version starring and directed by Roberto Benigni, and the CGI-dependent 2019 adaptation directed by Matteo Garrone.Join us as we discuss how this story became so beloved, the imaginative pros and cons of animation versus live action, and whether the book is really better than the movie.

In episode 22, Alan & Nisha take a trip to the Pacific Northwest to hear the tale of Robert Grainier in Train Dreams.Originally a 2011 novella by Denis Johnson, Train Dreams was nominated for the Pulitzer and has enjoyed a great reputation for its ability to capture the scope and beauty of life and the changing American West, in an impressively short format.The novella was adapted into a feature-length film in 2025, directed by Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, and William H. Macy. Acquired by Netflix out of Sundance, the film has been hailed as a triumph of cinematography and adaptation, and has been nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards.How does the story of a seemingly unremarkable man hold so much weight? How does this story get effectively compressed into these short formats?Is the book better than the movie? Join us as we find out!

Happy New Year from In Contrast!We are ringing in 2026 with a very special episode. In celebration of what would have been her 250th birthday, we discuss Jane Austen's timeless novel Pride and Prejudice.For the first time on the show, Alan & Nisha are joined by a very special guest, Jayanti Addleman! Jayanti is a career librarian and a champion of literacy and reading access. She is also the biggest Austen fan we know. Who better to help discuss this classic romance novel?First published anonymously in 1813, Pride and Prejudice is a biting satire of Regency-era society, the game of romance and marriage, and the roles of men and women in this world.This story has been adapted numerous times over the years, including a plethora of miniseries. For this discussion, we focus on three of the most well-known adaptations:The 1940 film adaptation, starring Greer Garson and Laurence Olivier.The 2005 film adaptation, starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden.The 1995 BBC miniseries, starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth.Which of these adaptations captures the humor and wit of Austen's writing? Join us as we discuss and celebrate one of the all-time great authors.

Happy holidays from In Contrast!In episode 20, Alan & Nisha look for some Christmas cheer with The Polar Express. Originally a 1985 children's picture book by Chris Van Allsburg, it was adapted into a 2004 feature-length film directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks.Some viewers found a modern Christmas classic, while others found its unique animation style...challenging.Grab your hot chocolate and join us aboard The Polar Express!

In episode 19, Alan & Nisha tackle a MONSTER of an episode (we're so sorry) -- Frankenstein!Among the most influential novels of all time, Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus has informed not just the gothic and horror genres but echoes throughout all of pop culture history. With over 400 films and numerous TV Shows adapting, lampooning, or otherwise referencing Frankenstein and/or his Monster, it is one of the most adapted works of all time.We explore how James Whale's 1931 Universal monster classic has taken on a life of its own separate from its source novel, beginning an ever-referential universe of films across nearly a century. Its sequel, 1935's The Bride of Frankenstein, expanded these possibilities even farther.Often cited as the most accurate major adaptation, Kenneth Branagh's 1994 film Mary Shelley's Frankenstein takes big swings and manages to connect a lot of them, but is it enough to stand tall among its peers?Finally, this conversation comes just one week after the release of Guillermo del Toro's new Frankenstein adaptation, starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, Mia Goth, & Christoph Waltz. On paper, this film feels like a culmination of the story's rich history and evolution, made by a director so deeply inspired by this character. Is it able to accomplish its lofty goals and live up to its inevitably high expectations?From the classics, to B-movies, to sex comedies, to bad sci-fi, we cover it all in this episode.Join us as we delve into one of the all-time greats and find out... is the book really better than the movie?

In episode 18, Alan and Nisha ring in spooky season with one of the classics... The Exorcist. The 1973 film, based on a 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty, has become the stuff of legends. Directed by the great William Friedkin with a screenplay adapted by Blatty himself, the film helped bring horror to the mainstream and revolutionized the genre for years to come. When it released, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon. Theaters experienced long lines that often turned to half-empty auditoriums by the end of showtimes. Audiences had arguably never before experienced the daring levels of grotesque special effects and heavy subject matter in a mainstream film. Coupled with strange occurrences on and around set leading many to believe the film was cursed, it looms large as a major cultural touchstone. How does such a shocking piece of media hold up over 5 decades later? How did the film approach adaptation with the book's author at the helm? Could the film really be cursed?Join us as we discuss this and much more on In Contrast!