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?