Best Kurt Ellison Podcasts (2024)

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E84: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 10) 22:21

2M ago22:21

22:21

Welcome 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 …

1
E83: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 9) 18:40

5M ago18:40

18:40

Welcome 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 …

1
E82: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 8) 19:48

8M ago19:48

19:48

Welcome 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 …

1
E81: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 7) 19:55

9M ago19:55

19:55

Welcome 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 …

1
E80: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 6) 20:29

10M ago20:29

20:29

Welcome 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 …

1
E79: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 5) 14:08

11M ago14:08

14:08

Welcome 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 …

1
E78: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 4) 22:20

11M ago22:20

22:20

Welcome 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 …

1
E77: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 3) 22:02

11M ago22:02

22:02

Welcome 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 …

1
E76 Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 2) 21:29

12M ago21:29

21:29

Welcome 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 …

1
E75: Writing Rat Face: A Point Blank Limited Series (Episode 1) 18:54

12M ago18:54

18:54

Welcome 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 …

1
E74: --The Third Man -- The Film 40:13

1y ago40:13

40:13

Welcome! 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 …

1
E73 -- The Third Man -- Graham Greene 58:29

1+ y ago58:29

58:29

Blankers! We review Graham Greene's novella, The Third Man. Is it better than the film? Listen to hear our thoughts! Email the show: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-blank-hardboiled-noir-detective-fiction/id1276038868…

1
E72 -- Drive (the film) -- Sallis, Gosling, Refn 41:43

1+ y ago41:43

41:43

Blankers! 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Facebook Group #crimefiction #re…

1
E71: -- Drive -- James Sallis 1:03:51

1+ y ago1:03:51

1:03:51

Get 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Facebook Group #crimefiction #sallis #jamessallis #drive #noir…

1
Episode 70 -- Iceberg Slim -- Pimp 1:02:01

2y ago1:02:01

1:02:01

For 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboile…

1
E69 - - Swag - - Elmore Leonard 58:12

2y ago58:12

58:12

We 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir and Detective Fiction…

1
E68: Book Vs Film -- The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 38:11

2y ago38:11

38:11

With 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Find us on Facebook: Point Blank: Noir, Hardboiled, and Detec…

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E67: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre -- B. Traven 1:00:59

2y ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Greed. 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 thin…

1
E66: Adios Muchachos -- Daniel Chavarria 1:07:29

2+ y ago1:07:29

1:07:29

Bienvenido 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 …

1
E65: Razorblade Tears -- Mildred Pierce -- The Asphalt Jungle 1:01:52

2+ y ago1:01:52

1:01:52

Hello, 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 no…

1
Episode 64 -- Margaret Millar -- Beast in View 52:17

2+ y ago52:17

52:17

Blankers! 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.c…

1
E63 -- Tartan Noir -- Laidlaw 58:48

2+ y ago58:48

58:48

We 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 Sc…

1
E62 -- Cop Hater -- Ed McBain 55:05

3y ago55:05

55:05

Hey 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: point…

1
E61 -- Ecological Noir -- The Monkey Wrench Gang -- Animals 1:00:47

3y ago1:00:47

1:00:47

What 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'…

1
E60 -- 5 Round Review: Summer Edition 1:00:22

3y ago1:00:22

1:00:22

Blankers! 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.c…

1
E59 -- Miami Blues 59:36

3y ago59:36

59:36

Throw 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: pointblan…

1
E58 -- Chicago Noir 1:07:16

3+ y ago1:07:16

1:07:16

Blankers! 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 …

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E57 -- Ride the Pink Horse & The Expendable Man --Dorothy Hughes 59:33

3+ y ago59:33

59:33

We 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Detective Fiction Join Our …

1
E56 -- Five Round Reviews 55:04

3+ y ago55:04

55:04

In 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 Champ…

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E 55 -- S.A. Cosby -- Blacktop Wasteland 57:24

3+ y ago57:24

57:24

Buckle 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 sh…

1
E 54 -- Raymond Chandler -- Farewell, My Lovely 54:21

3+ y ago54:21

54:21

In 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 detectiv…

1
E53: Strap on Your Rocket Shoes, It's Time to Review Some Spy Fiction 55:05

3+ y ago55:05

55:05

We 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…

1
E52: To Spy Fiction With Love 1:06:49

3+ y ago1:06:49

1:06:49

From 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 …

1
Cinema Spotlight: "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" 27:38

4y ago27:38

27:38

Enjoy 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.

1
E51: Russian Roulette with Kurt & Justin -- First 50 Episodes! 1:00:34

4y ago1:00:34

1:00:34

Hello 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.

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E50 -- Pop. 1280 1:02:47

4y ago1:02:47

1:02:47

We 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: @pointblank…

1
E49 -- Bluebird, Bluebird -- Deep Dive -- Cinema Spotlight -- Five Round Burst 1:06:17

4y ago1:06:17

1:06:17

In 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/…

1
E48 -- Intro to Bluebird, Bluebird -- Rural Noir -- Forgotten Classics -- Attica Locke 1:01:22

4y ago1:01:22

1:01:22

In 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 Cl…

1
E47 -- Yakudoshi Age of Calamity -- Chris McKinney -- Scott Kikkawa 56:51

4y ago56:51

56:51

Hi 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…

1
E46 -- For a Song by Rodney Morales -- Hawaiian Noir -- 5 Round Burst 1:17:16

4y ago1:17:16

1:17:16

Welcome 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…

1
E45 -- Richard Stark's The Hunter -- Deep Dive -- Cinema Spotlight -- Five Round Burst 53:00

4+ y ago53:00

53:00

In 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: pointblanknoir@gmail.com Twitter: @pointblanknoir Facebook: Point Blank: Hardboiled, Noir, and Dete…

1
E44 -- Intro to Richard Stark's The Hunter — Forgotten Classics? — Subject Unknown -- Donald Westlake 51:42

4+ y ago51:42

51:42

Hey, 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…

1
E43 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep — Deep Discussion -- Forgotten Classics -- Five Round Burst 59:06

4+ y ago59:06

59:06

Greetings 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’…

1
Quarantine Edition -- Panic in the Streets -- The Killer That Stalked New York 13:34

4+ y ago13:34

13:34

Hello 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 …

1
E42 Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep -- Neo Noir -- Titanshade -- Philip K. Dick 1:01:03

4+ y ago1:01:03

1:01:03

Greetings 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 als…

1
Quarantine Edition -- Riot in Cell Block 11 22:49

4+ y ago22:49

22:49

Hello 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 …

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E41: An Easy Thing (Part 2) -- Cinema Spotlight "El Che" -- 5 Round Burst 1:17:35

4+ y ago1:17:35

1:17:35

Welcome 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 …

1
E40: An Easy Thing (Part 1) -- Mexican Noir -- Forgotten Classics 1:07:03

4+ y ago1:07:03

1:07:03

Welcome 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 disc…

1
E39: Brazilian Noir -- Blood of the Wicked (Part 2) -- Cinema Spotlight -- Five Round Burst 1:01:23

4+ y ago1:01:23

1:01:23

Welcome 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 t…

1
E38: Brazilian Noir - - Books of the Decade - - Blood of the Wicked (Part 1) 59:37

4+ y ago59:37

59:37

Welcome 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'…

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