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A. J. Black

@ajblack.bsky.social
1.1K followers 575 following 1.5K posts

Author • Write about Film/TV & podcast @filmstories.bsky.social • Physical media collector • All the details: linktr.ee/ajblackwriter

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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Did a bit of writing about the new Resident Evil. ajblack.substack.com/p/resident-e...
ajblack.substack.com
Resident Evil points the way for video game adaptations
Zach Cregger’s sprightly, lore-free take could be a blueprint...
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
25 years since 9/11 today (incredibly) so I’ve written a bit about cinema’s response to it across several decades. ajblack.substack.com/p/911-in-cin...
ajblack.substack.com
9/11 in cinema and how we tried to make sense of it
25 years on, how have we reconciled it?
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Writing on my Substack today about THE DEATH OF ROBIN HOOD, a film which I think I found more interesting and visually arresting than compelling. Please subscribe for free too! ajblack.substack.com/p/the-death-...
ajblack.substack.com
The Death of Robin Hood grapples with the myth of heroism
Prince of more than just thieves…
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Today would have been the 96th birthday of the late, great Sean Connery. I’ve written a book on him so to help celebrate the big man, do consider buying a copy and digging into his career. Available most places books are sold. Thanks if you do. amzn.eu/d/0hLfF1AY
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One Rules Them All: A Lord of the Rings Podcast @onerulesthemall.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Interesting article from fellow Film Stories podcaster, Tony (and thanks for the plug). Are we obsessed with filling in all the gaps in #Tolkien canon? And does it matter? Aren't we all here to enjoy the ride? #Thelordoftherings #TheRingsOfPower
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
I’m chatting a bit about various shows - Rings of Power, Game of Thrones and especially Star Trek - as I talk about our obsession with canon. Do subscribe for free if you like what you read! ajblack.substack.com/p/why-are-we...
ajblack.substack.com
Why are we so obsessed with knowing everything?
TV and film's desperate need to sketch in Canon...
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I’m on @atthe90smovies.bsky.social this week with @bazgreenland.bsky.social chatting a fave! THE ROCK which affords me the opportunity to chat about my Sean Connery book, action cinema and a lot else besides. Available on all podcast players. Enjoy! open.spotify.com/episode/3BcV...
open.spotify.com
The Rock with Baz Greenland
At the Movies in the 90s · Episode
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Out today on Disney+ in the UK, here are my thoughts on the new The X-Files: I Want to Believe director’s cut for @filmstories.bsky.social. filmstories.co.uk/reviews/the-...
filmstories.co.uk
The X-Files: I Want to Believe - Vrach Frankenshteyn review | a Director's Cut injecting new life into an old body
X-Files: I Want To Believe has an unexpected new director's cut from Chris Carter. But does it change the movie? Here's our review.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
There’s a new cut of the second X-Files movie out on Friday, so I sat down with the creator of the show, Chris Carter, to chat about it. Always a massive pleasure talking to someone whose work I grew up watching and adoring. open.spotify.com/episode/4JPn...
open.spotify.com
Chris Carter on I Want to Believe: Vrach Frankenshteyn
The X-Cast: An X-Files Podcast · Episode
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Today on @filmstories.bsky.social, I’m talking about how Star Trek and Doctor Who find themselves in remarkably similar waters in terms of their future right now. filmstories.co.uk/features/sta...
filmstories.co.uk
Star Trek and Doctor Who | Two franchises facing one similar future
Dark days may be ahead for two of the best-known sci-fi franchises in TV. Are Star Trek and Doctor Who heading for a black hole?
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
Beware spoilers if you haven’t seen it, but I wrote a bit about Spider-Man: Brand New Day on my Substack. Thanks if you give it a read and especially if you subscribe. open.substack.com/pub/ajblack/...
open.substack.com
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is all about letting go of the MCU we loved
A fourth film that tries to please two different masters...
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Currently halfway through a 10-part appreciation on my Substack of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. I get into *that* moment where Indy directly faces Hitler. It’s remarkable on numerous levels. Would love it if you read and gave me a subscribe in the bargain. open.substack.com/pub/ajblack/...
open.substack.com
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Pt 5: "Into the Lion's Den"
A race against evil...
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Threw some thoughts together about #AvengersDoomsday on my Substack. Less so the film (it’s 5 months away after all) and more how it’s positioning itself in relation to Marvel and movie making. Please give me a subscribe if you give this a read. open.substack.com/pub/ajblack/...
open.substack.com
Avengers: Doomsday invites a new era of ‘legacyquel’ filmmaking
They’re bringing an old kind of party to you...
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Finished this last night. Injury Time by David Goldblatt. One for football fans primarily, but this weaves in politics and culture as it diagnoses the parlous state of football as a sport underneath all of the entertainment. It’s quite depressing to read actually 😀 but well done by Goldblatt.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Today on @filmstories.bsky.social I’m chattering about TROY from 2004, in the wake of The Odyssey. Very interesting returning to this one & seeing just how different the approach is. filmstories.co.uk/features/the...
filmstories.co.uk
The Odyssey highlights what went wrong with Troy
With The Odyssey in cinemas, attention has returned to 2004's Troy. Is it the definitive depiction of the Trojan War? We pay a return visit:
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Second best feeling to winning the World Cup as an Englishman? Watching this ghastly bunch of nasty POS Argentina players lose comprehensively. Viva Espana! 🇪🇸
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
Everyone and their 20 year old dog are writing about #TheOdyssey this weekend and, friends, I am no exception. Less a review, more thoughts on how this fits in Christopher Nolan’s broader work, but thar be spoilers a bit so exercise caution. Oh & please subscribe! open.substack.com/pub/ajblack/...
open.substack.com
The Odyssey of Christopher Nolan
A style. A theme. A link. A thesis.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
On my Substack, I’m kicking off a 10-part series talking about one of my cinematic loves - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Subscribe for free to get these in your inbox as I probably won’t put them all on social media. open.substack.com/pub/ajblack/...
open.substack.com
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Pt 1 - "You Lost Today, Kid..."
...but it doesn't mean you have to like it.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
On my Substack, I’m kicking off a 10-part series talking about one of my cinematic loves - Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Subscribe for free to get these in your inbox as I probably won’t put them all on social media. open.substack.com/pub/ajblack/...
open.substack.com
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade: Pt 1 - "You Lost Today, Kid..."
...but it doesn't mean you have to like it.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Kicking off a Substack where all of my writing, unless it’s for Film Stories, shall now go. Please subscribe and make an increasingly old man very happy. I thank you. substack.com/@ajblack/not...
substack.com
Shall we begin?
Notes on why I'm doing this
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Kicking off a Substack where all of my writing, unless it’s for Film Stories, shall now go. Please subscribe and make an increasingly old man very happy. I thank you. substack.com/@ajblack/not...
substack.com
Shall we begin?
Notes on why I'm doing this
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Wrote a bit about TOY STORY 5 and its use of technology @filmstories.bsky.social A few spoilers within so be cautious, but it’s a movie that warns us about the threat of tech to childhood but suggests we can make it work for us, not the other way around. filmstories.co.uk/features/toy...
filmstories.co.uk
Toy Story 5 understands that tech needs to serve childhood
Pixar's Toy Story 5 confronts an existential threat to childhood. With spoilers, a look at what it says about technology and the young.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Wrote a bit about TOY STORY 5 and its use of technology @filmstories.bsky.social A few spoilers within so be cautious, but it’s a movie that warns us about the threat of tech to childhood but suggests we can make it work for us, not the other way around. filmstories.co.uk/features/toy...
filmstories.co.uk
Toy Story 5 understands that tech needs to serve childhood
Pixar's Toy Story 5 confronts an existential threat to childhood. With spoilers, a look at what it says about technology and the young.
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Film Stories @filmstories.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: creepy anthologies, chilly aliens, lost entities and much more. Here’s what we’ve been up to… filmstories.co.uk/news/film-st...
filmstories.co.uk
Film Stories Podcast Network | Tales From The Crypt, War Of The Worlds, E.T. and more
This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: creepy anthologies, chilly aliens, lost entities and much more. Here’s what we’ve been up to…
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Name a film with a title that is a full sentence.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Just went to put the bin out. #UKHeatwave
static.klipy.com
Terminator 2 Nuclear Apocalypse Scene
ALT: Terminator 2 Nuclear Apocalypse Scene
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Toby Earle 🇺🇦 @tobyontv.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
In this heat remember your five a day: Breakfast: Solero Elevenses: Calippo Lunch: Fruit Pastilles lolly Tea: Strawberry Mivvi Dinner: Raspberry Ripple (2 litre tub)
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Never saw this one back in the day so it was a first viewing and I was… whelmed, shall we say? Mark and I had a good chat about Beatty’s distinctive comic-book adaptation so enjoy if you listen.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Honestly, the replies to this thread just show off how gorgeous so much of the U.K. is. We really do so often forget that or take it for granted.
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Some writing today for @filmstories.bsky.social about #007FirstLight and wondering if it’s stolen Denis Villeneuve’s thunder ahead of the next movie. filmstories.co.uk/features/007...
filmstories.co.uk
007: First Light might have stolen Denis Villeneuve’s thunder
A new James Bond game has landed, but has 007: First Light beaten Denis Villeneuve's upcoming film in telling an exciting origin story?
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A Dream Given Form @adreamgivenform.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
New episode! @lukewinch.bsky.social & @bazgreenland.bsky.social reach the end of #Babylon5 season 3. Joining them to tall the momentous season finale, Z'ha'Dum, are returning guests @ajblack.bsky.social and @clarajeanmc.bsky.social open.spotify.com/episode/4gIC...
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Writing today on @filmstories.bsky.social about #Backrooms (and I’ll have a podcast dropping on it tomorrow). Essentially, it’s okay if you don’t know the lore of this film. It’s a great watch anyway. filmstories.co.uk/features/the...
filmstories.co.uk
Backrooms | Why the hit film doesn't need to rely on lore
Backrooms is a based on a viral YouTube series filled with lore. So why does the film swerve backstory? With spoilers, here's the answer:
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Writing today on @filmstories.bsky.social about #Backrooms (and I’ll have a podcast dropping on it tomorrow). Essentially, it’s okay if you don’t know the lore of this film. It’s a great watch anyway. filmstories.co.uk/features/the...
filmstories.co.uk
Backrooms | Why the hit film doesn't need to rely on lore
Backrooms is a based on a viral YouTube series filled with lore. So why does the film swerve backstory? With spoilers, here's the answer:
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
If you’re off to see #Backrooms this weekend, I highly recommend this deep dive into the YouTube series and the associated lore. I’m going tomorrow and whether the film touches on it or not, I feel a bit enriched for the experience. youtu.be/_RZLBeU3lxU?...
youtu.be
The ENTIRE LORE of The Backrooms I guess
YouTube video by MA2
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Film Stories @filmstories.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Did you know we have a whole FILM STORIES PODCAST NETWORK? Here's what our wonderful podcasters have been up to this week: filmstories.co.uk/news/film-st...
filmstories.co.uk
Film Stories Podcast Network | CineMortuary @200, Punisher One Last Kill, Masters of the Universe 1984 and more
This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: podcast milestones, dark avengers, camp heroes and much more. Here’s what we’ve been up to…
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Today on my parody podcast @dontcallusshirley.bsky.social, @mattjlatham.bsky.social, Guy Walker of @britcomgoes.bsky.social and I chat the 1967 take on CASINO ROYALE. It’s a disaster. The film isn’t great either. open.spotify.com/episode/4wqA...
open.spotify.com
Casino Royale (1967) with spy memorabilia collector Derek Norman and Guy Walker
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The Bond Corner @thebondcorner.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
NEW EPISODE! @steelbookbluray.com joins @ajblack.bsky.social for a new ongoing series looking at #JamesBond pre-title sequences, starting with the 1960s. Jetpacks, space shuttles, cross dressers - it’s got the lot! 🎧 on all platforms. open.spotify.com/episode/4Ijb...
open.spotify.com
Pre-Titles Sequences of the 60s
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Having a complete blast with the new #JamesBond game 007: #FirstLight. This absolute tune is on repeat this afternoon. Best Bond theme since Skyfall? Could well be. youtu.be/yFPy8rDmPLM?...
youtu.be
007 First Light Title Sequence – Lana Del Rey
YouTube video by James Bond 007
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25/05/2026
Just popped to the shops. #ukheatwave
static.klipy.com
Kaboom Nuke: Massive Explosion
ALT: Kaboom Nuke: Massive Explosion
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
Bloody delighted at the Villa tonight. Didn’t just win the final, they won it easily. Up the Villa! Onwards to the Champions League!
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Film Stories @filmstories.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: magic, comedians, dark futures and much more. Here’s what we’ve been up to… filmstories.co.uk/film-stories...
filmstories.co.uk
Film Stories Podcast Network | Hokum, Scary Movie, Yakuza Apocalypse and more
This week on the Film Stories Podcast Network: magic, comedians, dark futures and much more. Here’s what we’ve been up to…
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Modern Horror Podcast @modernhorrorpod.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
NEW EPISODE! A load of old #Hokum this time with @ajblack.bsky.social @angryscotsman81.bsky.social & guest Emma Arneil. 🎧 & subscribe on all podcast platforms: open.spotify.com/episode/6YAO...
open.spotify.com
Hokum with Emma Arneil
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Simon Parker @sparkerworld.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
London welcomes Tommy Ten Names' "patriots"
When you have got rid of all the mosques but the costs of life still rise...what will you have earned? A badge for barbarism against a backdrop of decay.
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Rob Palk @robpalk.bsky.social · 15/12/2025
Quite moved to report that Fleming ends the entire Bond saga with A RECIPE FOR SCRAMBLED EGGS
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A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Just don’t tell him what he can’t do.
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Nina Metz @ninametz.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
At least jury member Paul Laverty, the Scottish screenwriter & longtime collaborator of Ken Loach, had something coherent to say about AI www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie...
Laverty was by far the most outspoken among the Cannes jurors on the festival's opening day, offering a sharper critique of the industry's embrace of AL. The Scottish screenwriter argued that the industry and society at large should be deeply skeptical of the companies and tech billionaires who own and control the world's most popular AI services, "because they decide on the algorithms that affect our lives in the deepest way."

"And what seems to me to be absolutely incredible" he went on, "is that they assume the rest of the world will follow and swallow it, no matter what the consequences are.
Look at the whole crisis now in data [centers] — affecting sustainability, water and populations. I think people are beginning to realize that we should not let these tech bros
— billionaires who are, mostly, right-wing libertarians — dictate how we live our lives."
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The Bond Corner @thebondcorner.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
NEW EPISODE! The great @markoconnell.bsky.social joins @ajblack.bsky.social to chat his great new book BOND, QUEER BOND in a chat spanning 60 years of the big man. 🎧 on all podcast platforms. open.spotify.com/episode/42On...
open.spotify.com
Bond, Queer Bond (with Mark O'Connell)
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