Tag: noir

Movie Review: Nightmare Alley (2021)

Stan (Bradley Cooper) is a drifter with his own share of secrets when he hooks up with a Depression-era carnival. But he quickly learns the tricks of the cold reading trade and becomes the barker to the show’s “clairvoyant” act. Despite being warned about how dangerous it is to toy with people in this way, Stan has much grander ambitions for his talents. That is, until he finds himself in over his head. . . .

Kelli recommended this noir horror movie to me (an adaptation of a 1940s noir classic), and I’m glad she did–I really enjoyed it!

It’s like The Mentalist meets Freaks meets James M. Cain, which is a combination that really works for me.

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Old Favorites: Raymond Chandler

We’re focusing on newer books, movies, and television shows for 2019, but that doesn’t mean we’re entirely ignoring old favorites! After all, what’s that saying–what’s old may just become new again (or something like that)?

Next week marks the 131st birthday of noted hardboiled writer Raymond Chandler. You may or may not recognize Chandler’s name, depending on your familiarity with the genre, but you’re sure to have heard of his most famous creation–private eye Philip Marlowe.

And what better way to celebrate Chandler’s birthday–or just get in touch with some great classic detective fiction–than to revisit his work and adaptations of it?

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Book Buzz: Literary Noir, (Allegedly) Fraudulent Ghosts, and Crooked Saints

Happy New Year! We’re ringing in 2018 with a new feature — “Book Buzz.” We’ll be regularly profiling recent releases that have been getting attention or deserve to be getting more attention. This week, we’re looking at a unique historical novel, a nonfiction tale of fraud and (maybe) ghosts, and a young adult fantasy.

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