(Due to Podomatic space constraints, the audio file for this episode had to be taken down. If you're listening to back episodes and would like this one, you can find it at the LAMBcast Archives. Thanks!)

Is it just me, or is it strange how the discussions of certain book-to-film adaptations seem to center on the quality of adaptation rather than the quality of film; that the act of the adaptation is so inseparable from the film that it's impossible to ignore?  Think about The Hunger Games recently, or The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo; although certainly not all film bloggers read these books prior to seeing the films, it does seem as though an inordinately high percentage of them have, and as such the adaptation becomes the story.  Notice how with other adaptations, that act is rarely brought up (The Silence of the Lambs, The Help, etc.).  Or I am simply cherry-picking conversations colored by my experiences?

Anyway, all that is a long way of telling you that the accompanying LAMBcast for this month's film does indeed feature a heavy emphasis on the novel and how its quality translated (or didn't) to the film.  The one person that hadn't read the book just so happened to be the guy leading the conversation - Mark Griffith, a LAMBcast newcomer and the representative of 3 Guys 1 Movie chosen to take the spot after the site's choice won the previous MOTM poll.

Before we get to the links, here's the IMDb summary for the film, for those that aren't familiar with it:

"Forty-two students, three days, one deserted Island: welcome to Battle Royale. A group of ninth-grade students from a Japanese high school have been forced by legislation to compete in a Battle Royale. The students are each given a bag with a randomly selected weapon and a few rations of food and water and sent off to kill each other in a no-holds-barred (with a few minor rules) game to the death, which means that the students have three days to kill each other until one survives--or they all die."

* 3 Guys 1 Movie
* Dusty on Movies
* Commentary Track
* Foolish Blatherings
* Forced Viewing
* Is It Better Than Avatar?
* Random Ramblings of a Demented Doorknob
* The Stop Button
* Tips From Chip
* The Velvet Cafe
* When Movies Attack

It's also time to vote on next month's movie. Once again, I put out the call for MOTM Champions. The gist is this: I ask for volunteers - people to select a film to be placed on the poll (up to 10 per month, as usual), then promote it on their site, Facebook, Twitter, whatever. Should their film win, they are guaranteed a spot on the LAMBcast episode where we will discuss said film. As a bonus (?), they will also get to host that segment of the show.  Also, Joel likes me to mention that if you happen to campaign for your selection on your blog, he'd be happy to put up a Plug for it on the LAMB.

This month, we have nine Champions - the sites are listed along with the films in the poll below. You have one week to vote (and promote your movies!). I'll be putting out the call for the next MOTM in a few weeks, so stay tuned.

As we do every month, the LAMBcast is tied in with the MOTM. This time around, as mentioned, Mark hosted the MOTM segment, and was joined by Nick, Vern and Dylan.

Also on tap:

* Rants and Raves of the Week
* Last LAMB Standing

A couple notes:

* The show can be found, of course, via iTunes - just do a search for "LAMBcast." Also, I always post a link to the show on the LAMBcast's Facebook page, and there's a player there if you'd like to listen online.

* Shows will eventually make their way to the LAMBcast Archives. If you'd ever like to catch up on back episodes, go there.

If you're interested, you too can be a LAMBcaster - we love new blood! For more information on the LAMBcast, check out the topic at the LAMB Forums. Music provided royalty-free by Kevin MacLeod's Incompetech website. Big thanks to Kevin for providing this service. Opening song by Cake. The LAMBcast loves feedback, too - if you'd like yours read on a future show, leave it in the comments section at the LAMB. Please visit and like our Facebook page, and finally, we're on iTunes, and would still love a review, even if it's a bad one.

Thanks for listening!