Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, & Detective Fiction
87 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago - ★★★★★ - 77 ratingsPoint Blank is a podcast about hardboiled, noir, and detective fiction. Mixing serious analysis and humor, the co-hosts (Justin and Kurt) discuss classic or contemporary works of crime fiction in each episode. In addition to major works, they offer shorter reviews, and examine noir-ish topics such as alcoholism in detective fiction, the femme fatale, and race and labor in crime fiction. Stroll with Kurt and Justin down the rain drenched alleys and mean streets as they explore the fascinating world of crime fiction.
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Episodes
E82: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 8)
January 10, 2024 22:23 - 19 minutes - 21.8 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 words...
E81: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 7)
December 11, 2023 17:38 - 19 minutes - 23.5 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 words...
E80: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 6)
November 27, 2023 19:56 - 20 minutes - 23.8 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 words...
E79: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 5)
November 13, 2023 17:43 - 14 minutes - 16.7 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 words...
E78: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 4)
October 30, 2023 20:17 - 22 minutes - 17 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 words...
E77: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 3)
October 23, 2023 18:16 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 words...
E76 Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 2)
October 12, 2023 20:08 - 21 minutes - 16.3 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process as he writes 50,000 wo...
E75: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 1)
October 02, 2023 21:37 - 18 minutes - 14.3 MBWelcome to "Writing Rat Face," a Point Blank Limited Series on one writer's process of writing a 50,000 word novel first draft. Rat Face is a post-apocalyptic crime novel set in a world ravaged by nuclear war and climate change. The main character, Rat Face, is a noir-ish hitman and delinquent looking to solve his father figure's murder before the Terror Squads find & liquidate him. In this series of 6 to 10 short episodes, Justin Bendell discusses his weekly process writing 50,000 w...
E74: --The Third Man -- The Film
August 03, 2023 03:34 - 40 minutes - 30.6 MBWelcome! In this episode we discuss the film version of The Third Man. For the full plot summary and commentary on the novella, check out episode 73. We riff on our reactions to the film with the written story fresh in our minds. What a masterpiece! Truely a joy to watch, even when you know what's going to happen. ***Sorry this one took so long to publish. As we briefly discuss in the show, we have both got a lot going on this summer. Get in touch: [email protected]
E73 -- The Third Man -- Graham Greene
June 01, 2023 16:48 - 58 minutes - 43.2 MBBlankers! We review Graham Greene's novella, The Third Man. Is it better than the film? Listen to hear our thoughts! Email the show: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled-noir-detective-fiction/id1276038868 Support the show: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pointblankcrime Don’t forget to rate us on Apple Podcasts and share the sho...
E72 -- Drive (the film) -- Sallis, Gosling, Refn
March 22, 2023 19:30 - 41 minutes - 32.2 MBBlankers! Last episode we discussed James Sallis's hardboiled, neo-noir classic Drive. This time we interrogate Nicholas Winding Refn's 2011 film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling. In what ways is the film better than the novel and vice versa? Hit play to find out! Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Facebook Group #crimefiction #refn #gosling #jamessallis #drive #noir #neonoir
E71: -- Drive -- James Sallis
February 10, 2023 03:35 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBGet in and buckle up! In this episode, we cover Drive by James Sallis. It's a short work that speaks to the kind of crime fiction we love. For the appropriate listening experience break out your classic car and crank the stereo. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Facebook Group #crimefiction #sallis #jamessallis #drive #noir
Episode 70 -- Iceberg Slim -- Pimp
December 03, 2022 23:00 - 1 hour - 46 MBFor Episode 70, we visit mid-century urban America with Iceberg Slim's Pimp. This is a gritty memoir that sold millions of copies, yet remains under discussed in crime writing circles. We will talk about the good of this book, and we also dig into the problems we had with it. Email the show: [email protected] Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir and Detective Fiction
E69 - - Swag - - Elmore Leonard
September 20, 2022 18:41 - 58 minutes - 42.9 MBWe finally get to Elmore Leonard! We asked for recommendations and received a lot of great suggestions from our listeners. Swag delivered with a tale of two robbers trying to make a buck. If they stick to the 10 rules, what can go wrong? Email the show: [email protected] Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir and Detective Fiction
E68: Book Vs Film -- The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
August 23, 2022 19:26 - 38 minutes - 27.3 MBWith the book fresh in our minds we take a look at the classic film "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" directed by John Huston and starring Humphrey Bogart. This is mostly a reaction episode looking at how the film diverged from the source material. Enjoy. Email: [email protected] Find us on Facebook: Point Blank: Noir, Hardboiled, and Detective Fiction
E67: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre -- B. Traven
August 09, 2022 17:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MBGreed. Ambition. Gold Fever. Adventure. Join us for a discussion of "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" by the mysterious author B. Traven. Three men down on their luck strike out to find gold in the mountains of Mexico. Will they find their fortunes? Probably not or else it would be a boring book. While this one isn't exactly crime fiction, we think it offers a lot of the hardboiled and noir elements that crime fiction fans will enjoy. Contact the show: Email: pointblanknoir@gmail....
E66: Adios Muchachos -- Daniel Chavarria
June 05, 2022 00:11 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBBienvenido a Cuba! Grab a rum and join us for Adios Muchachos by Daniel Chavarria. Alicia is a woman looking for a rich man to help her escape. She's got a plan that involves a bicycle and seduction. What she doesn't plan for is a kidnapping. We discuss this novel, provide some short reviews, and touch on the world of Cuban Noir. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Find us on Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction
E65: Razorblade Tears -- Mildred Pierce -- The Asphalt Jungle
April 26, 2022 22:42 - 1 hour - 48.4 MBHello, again, Point Blank Listeners! Sorry for the delay. I've been sick. Here's episode 65. We cover the bestselling, award-winning Razorblade Tears. S.A. Cosby delivers another powerful noir tale, and we get down into the grit to examine why this one is making all of the "best" lists. Justin provides a short review of the classic James M. Cain novel Mildred Pierce , and we discuss the noir film The Asphalt Jungle. Contact the show: [email protected] Find Us on Facebook: ...
Episode 64 -- Margaret Millar -- Beast in View
February 15, 2022 04:58 - 52 minutes - 40.7 MBBlankers! This episode we discuss Margaret Millar's terrific noir classic Beast in View. This book's got it all: murder, threatening phone calls from bar telephones, a waterproof woman, domestic drama, gender politics, unreliable narrators, and a twist that will knock your socks off. Want to get in touch with the show? Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pointblankpodcast/ $ Support: https://www.patreon.com/pointblankcrime Give us a review on iTune...
E63 -- Tartan Noir -- Laidlaw
January 19, 2022 01:52 - 58 minutes - 44.6 MBWe are back! Sorry for the delay. We needed an extended holiday break. In this episode, we discuss Tartan/Scottish Noir through the lens of what is considered the first Tartan Noir Laidlaw. Laidlaw is a gritty detective novel taking place on the streets of Glasgow in the 1970s. William McIlvanney or Gus to his friends is considered the father of Scottish noir and gives us working-class fiction from a working-class town. Want to get in touch with the show? Email: pointblanknoir@gmail....
E62 -- Cop Hater -- Ed McBain
December 07, 2021 03:10 - 55 minutes - 43.1 MBHey Blankers - Kurt & I finally got around to recording Episode 62. This time we take a walk down the mean streets of Isola with Ed McBain's Cop Hater. The first novel in the acclaimed 87th Precinct series, Cop Hater (1956) set the blueprint for modern police procedurals. Does it hold up? Tune in & find out! Get in touch with the show: Email: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Good Reads Point Blank pa...
E61 -- Ecological Noir -- The Monkey Wrench Gang -- Animals
October 13, 2021 05:27 - 1 hour - 47.8 MBWhat in the world is eco-noir? We attempt to answer that question by looking at a few texts that might be ecological noir. In the discussion, we mention: The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abby Animals by Will Staples Zodiac by Neal Stephenson The Glass Factory by Kenneth Wishnia Nature Noir by Jordan Fisher Smith Captiva by Randy Wayne White If you'd like to get in touch with the show: Email: [email protected] Facebook: Point Blank: Noir, Hardboiled, and Detect...
E60 -- 5 Round Review: Summer Edition
August 17, 2021 03:30 - 1 hour - 47.3 MBBlankers! Find your sun hat, stab that beach umbrella into the sand, and break out the Banana Boat -- this is Five Round Reviews: Summer Edition. We have 13 short reviews for you--from Jim Harrison & Dorothy B. Hughes to David Heska Wanbli Weiden & Nick Kolakowski. (See the full list below.) Get in touch with the show: Email: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Good Reads Point Blank...
E59 -- Miami Blues
July 26, 2021 23:28 - 59 minutes - 45 MBThrow on your white blazer, power up the speed boat, and cut yourself a line. We're head to '80's Miami for Charles Willeford's 'Miami Blues." In what can only be described as a "weird and unsettling novel," we join Hoke Moseley, Frederick J. Frenger Jr, and Susan Waggoner for a bizarre tale of Floridian crime. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pointblankpodcast
E58 -- Chicago Noir
June 22, 2021 09:00 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBBlankers! Zip up your windbreakers and don’t forget change for the highway tolls — in Episode 58 we head to Chicago to wrap our heads around Chicago Noir. We talk about Chicago as a city for noir, and we look at crime fiction by Nelson Algren, Howard Browne, Frederic Brown, Sara Paretsky, Michael Harvey, Danny Gardner, Bob Hartley, & more. Italian beef, tavern cut pizza, Old Style, Malort, murder. You ready? Get in touch with the show: Email: [email protected] Twitter: @...
E57 -- Ride the Pink Horse & The Expendable Man --Dorothy Hughes
May 22, 2021 17:13 - 59 minutes - 43.8 MBWe promised an episode on The Expendable Man, but we just couldn't contain ourselves to one book by Dorothy B Hughes! We discuss these two masterpieces of crime fiction, sharing why we find Hughes' work so compelling. We'd love to hear from you: Email: [email protected] Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Join Our Facebook Group: Here
E56 -- Five Round Reviews
April 28, 2021 20:27 - 55 minutes - 41.4 MBIn Episode 57, we review the hell out of nearly a dozen books, + a couple films! We review: Run Man Run by Chester Himes Plan B by Chester Himes Darktown by Thomas Mullen The Man with the Getaway Face by Richard Stark If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned by Walter Mosley M. Ravenel's The Arrangement Champagne Cowboys by Leo W. Banks Freebooters : A Novel by Elleston Trevor Satan Takes the Helm by Calvin Clements The Shadow of What ...
E 55 -- S.A. Cosby -- Blacktop Wasteland
April 03, 2021 23:52 - 57 minutes - 44.8 MBBuckle your seat belts! This is going to be a wild ride! We take a deep dive into "Blacktop Wasteland" by SA Cosby, a novel we both describe as a modern classic. Cosby takes us on a journey through the rural hills of Virginia for an exhilarating, timely work that highlights everything modern noir crime fiction has to offer. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Find us on Facebook and join our Facebook group to discuss these books with other listeners. Point...
E 54 -- Raymond Chandler -- Farewell, My Lovely
March 08, 2021 17:00 - 54 minutes - 40.9 MBIn Episode 45, we revisit to one of the masters of hardboiled detective crime fiction, Raymond Chandler, and his acclaimed second novel, Farewell, My Lovely. Damn, this book is boozy. (And racist!) But also rich with memorable secondary characters (Moose Malloy & Jessie Florian) & Marloweian one-liners. It's a classic example of hardboiled detective fiction that finds Chandler at his most Chandleresque. Get in touch with the show: Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Har...
E 45 -- Raymond Chandler -- Farewell, My Lovely
March 08, 2021 17:00 - 54 minutes - 40.9 MBIn Episode 45, we revisit to one of the masters of hardboiled detective crime fiction, Raymond Chandler, and his acclaimed second novel, Farewell, My Lovely. Damn, this book is boozy. (And racist!) But also rich with memorable secondary characters (Moose Malloy & Jessie Florian) & Marloweian one-liners. It's a classic example of hardboiled detective fiction that finds Chandler at his most Chandleresque. Get in touch with the show: Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Har...
E53: Strap on Your Rocket Shoes, It's Time to Review Some Spy Fiction
February 08, 2021 18:03 - 55 minutes - 41.5 MBWe follow up our discussion of Spy Fiction from E52 with more in-depth reviews of books we read for the show. Books covered: 'A Coffin for Dimitrios' by Eric Ambler 'The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare' by GK Chesterton 'Moonraker' by Ian Fleming 'Spies of the Balkans' and 'Red Gold' by Alan Furst 'The Spy In the Ointment' by Donald Westlake 'The Quiet American' by Graham Greene 'Agent Running in the Field' by John Le Carre 'The Berlin Memorandum' and 'The 9th Directive' ...
E52: To Spy Fiction With Love
January 27, 2021 21:20 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBFrom the shadows, we emerge to discuss the huge topic of spy fiction. We look at this genre in broad strokes, covering nearly a century of spy novels. I'm sure we've missed a lot, so if you have books we should have covered, get in touch. Please find us on Facebook at Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction. Join our Facebook Group or find the Point Blank group on GoodReads. Send us an email: [email protected]
Cinema Spotlight: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy"
December 14, 2020 23:50 - 27 minutes - 22.2 MBEnjoy this mini-episode review of the 2011 film adaptation of John Le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Our last episode of 2020. We'll see you next year with a fully rendered episode dedicated to spy fiction.
E51: Russian Roulette with Kurt & Justin -- First 50 Episodes!
November 17, 2020 09:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MBHello Blankers! In this episode we celebrate our semicentennial by regaling you with memories of our first three years & by answering tough questions about personal favorite (and least favorite) novels, authors, characters, and settings from the first 50 episodes.
E50 -- Pop. 1280
October 14, 2020 05:11 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBWe made it to 50! In this golden anniversary of a show we return to the gritty, noir world of Jim Thompson with "Pop. 1280." It's another take on the corrupt sheriff that Thompson writes so well. Which character is more menacing; Lou Ford or Nick Corey? Which is the better novel? Tune in to find out. Get in touch with the show: Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled...
E49 -- Bluebird, Bluebird -- Deep Dive -- Cinema Spotlight -- Five Round Burst
September 07, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MBIn Episode 49, we dive deep into Attica Locke’s contemporary soon-to-be classic Bluebird, Bluebird. Justin reviews the western noir film Blood on the Moon, and we go five rounds in Five Round Burst. Get in touch with the show: Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled-noir-detective-fiction/id1276038868 Website: www.pointblankpodcast.com Support the show: Patreon:...
E48 -- Intro to Bluebird, Bluebird -- Rural Noir -- Forgotten Classics -- Attica Locke
August 16, 2020 15:49 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBIn Episode 48, we introduce Attica Locke's contemporary rural noir soon-to-be classic, Bluebird, Bluebird. We look more closely at rural noir -- what it is and who the major players are -- in Subject Unknown and take a close look at Chris McGinley's beautiful & disturbing short story collection, Coal Black. Finally, Kurt offers us up a Forgotten Classic, and we talk a bit about Attica Locke's early yet successful career. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Tw...
E47 -- Yakudoshi Age of Calamity -- Chris McKinney -- Scott Kikkawa
July 22, 2020 21:55 - 56 minutes - 42.5 MBHi Blankers! This is our second of two episodes dedicated to Hawaiian Noir. Our deep dive is the short, gritty Yakudoshi: Age of Calamity by Chris McKinney, an under-heralded Hawaiian author who should be getting far more attention than he does. We also feature a review of Scott Kikkawa's first novel, Kona Winds, a historical detective story set in 1950s Honolulu we both enjoyed. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point ...
E46 -- For a Song by Rodney Morales -- Hawaiian Noir -- 5 Round Burst
June 30, 2020 00:51 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBWelcome to episode 46! We head out into the Pacific for a look at Hawaiian Noir. For our featured book this time we focus on "For a Song" by Rodney Morales a classic detective tale with a lot of local flavor. In Subject Unknown and 5 Round Burst we focus on more reasons to enjoy Hawaiian Noir. This is part 1 of a 2 part look at the crime fiction of the islands. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, ...
E45 -- Richard Stark's The Hunter -- Deep Dive -- Cinema Spotlight -- Five Round Burst
May 25, 2020 04:03 - 53 minutes - 39.4 MBIn Episode 45 we do a deep dive of Richard Stark’s The Hunter. Did we like it? Yes, but. . . Also in this episode, Justin discusses two classic noir films in Cinema Spotlight, and we get back to basics in Five Round Burst. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled-noir-detective-fiction/id1276038868 Website: ...
E44 -- Intro to Richard Stark's The Hunter — Forgotten Classics? — Subject Unknown -- Donald Westlake
May 17, 2020 19:52 - 51 minutes - 39.5 MBHey, Blankers! In Episode 44 we introduce Richard Stark's The Hunter, featuring the antihero of antiheroes, no-sense thief & miscreant Parker. Wrong Parker once, and you best watch your back. Also in this episode, Kurt shares a Forgotten Classic, Nightmare Alley, we chat about Crime Fiction in the age of Pandemic, & we learn a bit about prolific-as-hell Donald Westlake. Get in Touch! Join our Goodreads Group Visit our Patreon Email Us Facebook Twitter Don’t forget to rate us on...
E43 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep — Deep Discussion -- Forgotten Classics -- Five Round Burst
April 25, 2020 21:12 - 59 minutes - 45.1 MBGreetings Blankers! In Episode 43, we dive deep into Philip K Dick’s sci-fi-noir classic, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? In Forgotten Classics, Kurt puts Home is the Sailor by Day Keene to the test. We also review 5 books in 5 minutes during 5 Round Burst. Get in Touch! Join our Goodreads Group Visit our Patreon Email Us Facebook Twitter Don’t forget to rate us on Apple Podcasts and share the show with your friends!
Quarantine Edition -- Panic in the Streets -- The Killer That Stalked New York
April 09, 2020 19:58 - 13 minutes - 9.73 MBHello Blankers! Here is another short episode for these very difficult times. I (Kurt) am on my own this time looking at two classic noir era films which cover pandemics. "Panic in the Streets" and "The Killer That Stalked New York" are both from 1950 and feature some interesting noir takes on the issue. I enjoyed watching them and I hope you gain something from them as well. Wash your hands and keep your distance! Note: Maybe don't watch these if you are already stressed about our ...
E42 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep -- Neo Noir -- Titanshade -- Philip K. Dick
March 31, 2020 22:13 - 1 hour - 47 MBGreetings Blankers! In Episode 42, don your jet packs because we are going "back to the future" with our introduction to Philip K Dick's sci-fi-noir classic Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? In Subject Unknown, we discuss Neo-Noir, particularly Sci-Fi Noir. For our Featured Review, we spend time with Dan Stout's terrific Titanshade, and Kurt also sheds light on Philip K. Dick: was he a paranoid drug-fueled narc, a genius, or both? Get in Touch! Join our Goodreads Group Visit ou...
Quarantine Edition -- Riot in Cell Block 11
March 23, 2020 21:38 - 22 minutes - 17.5 MBHello Point Blank Listeners. Odds are you are under some type of stay at home order or doing some sort of social distancing. We've got you covered with a mini-episode. We both watched "Riot in Cell Block 11." It's a classic prison noir film that we both enjoyed. We talk about the film without any major spoilers, and it's pretty easy to find online for free viewing. Enjoy!
E41: An Easy Thing (Part 2) -- Cinema Spotlight "El Che" -- 5 Round Burst
March 07, 2020 01:29 - 1 hour - 56.2 MBWelcome to Point Blank! This time around we share another round of Coca-Cola with Paco Ignacio Taibo II as we take a deep dive into An Easy Thing. We both loved this book and can't stop talking about it. In Cinema Spotlight, we still can't get away from Paco as we look at a documentary based on Paco's Che biography. It just happens to be hosted by Paco as well! In 5 Round Burst we look at fiction with a strong connection to Mexican Noir. Get in touch with the show: pointblanknoir@gmail...
E40: An Easy Thing (Part 1) -- Mexican Noir -- Forgotten Classics
February 16, 2020 05:02 - 1 hour - 45.3 MBWelcome to Point Blank! Grab your Coke and cigarettes (It's the fuel for both our writer and our detective this episode.) and join us for a discussion of "An Easy Thing" by Paco Ignacio Taibo II. I think we are both in love with Paco's writing and he's a pretty interesting person as well. We'll introduce his work and his life as well as have a discussion about Mexican Noir. Will this episode reveal a Forgotten Classic? Join us and see. Get in touch with the show. pointblanknoir@gmai...
E39: Brazilian Noir -- Blood of the Wicked (Part 2) -- Cinema Spotlight -- Five Round Burst
January 20, 2020 00:07 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBWelcome to Point Blank! We return to Sao Paulo, diving deep into Leighton Gage's Blood of the WIcked, the first Chief Inspector Mario Silva investigation. We'll also reflect on City of God (2003), a Brazilian crime film that both of us agree is a modern classic, and we give you five Brazilian crime fiction hard hitters in Five Round Burst. Get in touch with the show: [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction ...
E38: Brazilian Noir - - Books of the Decade - - Blood of the Wicked (Part 1)
December 28, 2019 13:02 - 59 minutes - 44.9 MBWelcome to Point Blank! In this episode we travel down to the beautiful beaches, massive cities, and humid jungles of Brazil to explore Brazilian Noir. We'll introduce Leighton Gage's 'Blood of the WIcked' the first Chief Inspector Mario Silva investigation. We'll take a look at some of the crime fiction books of the decade, and see if 'Carny Kill' is really a forgotten classic. We also ask, "Just who the hell is Leighton Gage?" Put on your swimsuit and join us on the beach. Get in ...
E37 -- Out -- Natsuo Kirino -- Stray Dog -- Manhunt Magazine
December 12, 2019 04:48 - 1 hour - 52.7 MBWelcome to the second part of our feature on Natsuo Kirino's noir classic Out. We dive deep into the text and discuss the good and the less good. Warning: spoilers aplenty so read ahead. We also review Akira Kurosawa's film noir classic Stray Dog, look back at Black Mask's lesser known young sibling, Manhunt Magazine, and give you five kill shots in Five Round Burst. Get in touch with the show! [email protected] Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, No...