A. J. Black
@ajblack.bsky.social
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
· Nov 27
A. J. Black | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Author of books • Film/TV writer • Podcaster • Physical media collector
linktr.ee
Followers! If you’re interested in my podcasting or writing, please keep an eye on this handy link where everything will be regularly updated.
Also with Christmas approaching, do consider one of my books for your Dad (they’re very Dad books, let’s face it). Links within!
linktr.ee/ajblackwriter
Also with Christmas approaching, do consider one of my books for your Dad (they’re very Dad books, let’s face it). Links within!
linktr.ee/ajblackwriter
I mean, as much as I’m very happy for Rachel and Stephen, because they played a damn good game, there is some very 2026 energy in The Traitors being won by the liars and cheaters.
Maybe they should be given a place on the Board of Peace. #TheTraitors
Maybe they should be given a place on the Board of Peace. #TheTraitors
a woman with a bun on her head and earrings looks at the camera
ALT: a woman with a bun on her head and earrings looks at the camera
media.tenor.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:08 PM
I mean, as much as I’m very happy for Rachel and Stephen, because they played a damn good game, there is some very 2026 energy in The Traitors being won by the liars and cheaters.
Maybe they should be given a place on the Board of Peace. #TheTraitors
Maybe they should be given a place on the Board of Peace. #TheTraitors
Reposted by A. J. Black
Billy Wilder's penultimate film is an under-seen look at the end of old Hollywood. We take a glance...
Billy Wilder’s Fedora | the film that should have been his last
The late stage career of Billy Wilder, arguably one of the great directors of classic Hollywood, exemplifies how he ultimately becomes a filmmaker lost to time. When developing an episode of my podcast Last Take about his final movie, I found myself interested in his career and more specifically his penultimate picture, Fedora. His final movie, Buddy Buddy, arrived in 1981 just as the modern blockbuster is born, a world Wilder chooses never to play in, despite living for over twenty years after his last picture and flirting with adapting…
reliablenarrator.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Billy Wilder's penultimate film is an under-seen look at the end of old Hollywood. We take a glance...
Billy Wilder's penultimate film is an under-seen look at the end of old Hollywood. We take a glance...
Billy Wilder’s Fedora | the film that should have been his last
The late stage career of Billy Wilder, arguably one of the great directors of classic Hollywood, exemplifies how he ultimately becomes a filmmaker lost to time. When developing an episode of my podcast Last Take about his final movie, I found myself interested in his career and more specifically his penultimate picture, Fedora. His final movie, Buddy Buddy, arrived in 1981 just as the modern blockbuster is born, a world Wilder chooses never to play in, despite living for over twenty years after his last picture and flirting with adapting…
reliablenarrator.co.uk
January 23, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Billy Wilder's penultimate film is an under-seen look at the end of old Hollywood. We take a glance...
Such a great chat to kick off another year talking horror with Hugh.
We were joined by the ever excellent Kat to chew over The Bone Temple, which was such a mad riff on the zombie film.
Hope you enjoy.
We were joined by the ever excellent Kat to chew over The Bone Temple, which was such a mad riff on the zombie film.
Hope you enjoy.
NEW EPISODE!
The first main exploration of horror in 2026 for us is @ajblack.bsky.social @angryscotsman81.bsky.social & @kathughes.bsky.social tackling #28YearsLaterTheBoneTemple.
🎧 everywhere you get ‘em. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
The first main exploration of horror in 2026 for us is @ajblack.bsky.social @angryscotsman81.bsky.social & @kathughes.bsky.social tackling #28YearsLaterTheBoneTemple.
🎧 everywhere you get ‘em. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple with Kat Hughes
Podcast Episode · Modern Horror Podcast · 21/01/2026 · 1h 25m
podcasts.apple.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Such a great chat to kick off another year talking horror with Hugh.
We were joined by the ever excellent Kat to chew over The Bone Temple, which was such a mad riff on the zombie film.
Hope you enjoy.
We were joined by the ever excellent Kat to chew over The Bone Temple, which was such a mad riff on the zombie film.
Hope you enjoy.
Reposted by A. J. Black
Exploring a bit of YouTube on @filmstories.bsky.social chatting #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy.
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
STARFLEET ACADEMY episode 1 review | Can Star Trek turn its troubles around?
YouTube video by Film Stories
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Exploring a bit of YouTube on @filmstories.bsky.social chatting #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy.
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
Exploring a bit of YouTube on @filmstories.bsky.social chatting #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy.
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
STARFLEET ACADEMY episode 1 review | Can Star Trek turn its troubles around?
YouTube video by Film Stories
youtu.be
January 20, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Exploring a bit of YouTube on @filmstories.bsky.social chatting #StarTrekStarfleetAcademy.
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
Check it out if you prefer watching my mug rather than reading my words!
youtu.be/TqbpprQFeBI?...
Reposted by A. J. Black
I’ll be reviewing the newest entry into the #StarTrek fold, #StarfleetAcademy, regularly for @filmstories.bsky.social.
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 1 review | Efficiently going where many have tried to go before
A new dawn for Star Trek on TV and an attempt to salvage its reputation after rocky times. Is Starfleet Academy the bright new hope?
filmstories.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 7:14 AM
I’ll be reviewing the newest entry into the #StarTrek fold, #StarfleetAcademy, regularly for @filmstories.bsky.social.
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
I’ll be reviewing the newest entry into the #StarTrek fold, #StarfleetAcademy, regularly for @filmstories.bsky.social.
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Star Trek: Starfleet Academy episode 1 review | Efficiently going where many have tried to go before
A new dawn for Star Trek on TV and an attempt to salvage its reputation after rocky times. Is Starfleet Academy the bright new hope?
filmstories.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 7:14 AM
I’ll be reviewing the newest entry into the #StarTrek fold, #StarfleetAcademy, regularly for @filmstories.bsky.social.
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Very pleasantly surprised to report that the pilot, ‘Kids These Days’, was far better than I was expecting. filmstories.co.uk/news/star-tr...
Reposted by A. J. Black
Ben Wheatley talks to us about making his sci-fi thriller Bulk with model kits and laser printers. Plus: his love of Star Wars knock-offs…
filmstories.co.uk/interviews/b...
filmstories.co.uk/interviews/b...
Ben Wheatley interview | Bulk, low-budget filmmaking and knock-off Star Wars movies
Ben Wheatley talks to us about making his sci-fi thriller Bulk with model kits and laser printers. Plus: his love of Star Wars knock-offs…
filmstories.co.uk
January 18, 2026 at 10:03 AM
Ben Wheatley talks to us about making his sci-fi thriller Bulk with model kits and laser printers. Plus: his love of Star Wars knock-offs…
filmstories.co.uk/interviews/b...
filmstories.co.uk/interviews/b...
To use a popular culture analogy, America increasingly reminds me of Daenerys Targaryen.
We always knew she was a wrong’un but we spent years hoping she was the good guy, before she finally went mad and showed her brutal true colours.
We always knew she was a wrong’un but we spent years hoping she was the good guy, before she finally went mad and showed her brutal true colours.
a woman in a blue cape is standing in front of a fire
ALT: a woman in a blue cape is standing in front of a fire
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 9:15 AM
To use a popular culture analogy, America increasingly reminds me of Daenerys Targaryen.
We always knew she was a wrong’un but we spent years hoping she was the good guy, before she finally went mad and showed her brutal true colours.
We always knew she was a wrong’un but we spent years hoping she was the good guy, before she finally went mad and showed her brutal true colours.
Reposted by A. J. Black
New episode!
@bazgreenland.bsky.social and returning guest @ajblack.bsky.social discuss why season 6 of #GameofThrones is a great season of #television, their history with the show and its ending, and deep dive into episodes The Door & The Battle of the Bastards.
open.spotify.com/episode/39aA...
@bazgreenland.bsky.social and returning guest @ajblack.bsky.social discuss why season 6 of #GameofThrones is a great season of #television, their history with the show and its ending, and deep dive into episodes The Door & The Battle of the Bastards.
open.spotify.com/episode/39aA...
January 12, 2026 at 7:44 AM
New episode!
@bazgreenland.bsky.social and returning guest @ajblack.bsky.social discuss why season 6 of #GameofThrones is a great season of #television, their history with the show and its ending, and deep dive into episodes The Door & The Battle of the Bastards.
open.spotify.com/episode/39aA...
@bazgreenland.bsky.social and returning guest @ajblack.bsky.social discuss why season 6 of #GameofThrones is a great season of #television, their history with the show and its ending, and deep dive into episodes The Door & The Battle of the Bastards.
open.spotify.com/episode/39aA...
Antitrust | Film of 2001 #1
Beginning a year long project exploring 2001 in film, a look at an increasingly old-fashioned thriller around digital big tech...
Beginning a year long project exploring 2001 in film, a look at an increasingly old-fashioned thriller around digital big tech...
Antitrust | Film of 2001 #1
Beginning a year long project exploring 2001 in film, a look at an increasingly old-fashioned thriller around digital big tech...
reliablenarrator.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Antitrust | Film of 2001 #1
Beginning a year long project exploring 2001 in film, a look at an increasingly old-fashioned thriller around digital big tech...
Beginning a year long project exploring 2001 in film, a look at an increasingly old-fashioned thriller around digital big tech...
Reposted by A. J. Black
Latest from me, on an eternally overlooked, sniffed-at issue that is politically huge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The UK’s high streets have reached a tipping point – and Reform will reap the benefits | John Harris
When even Poundland and charity shops are closing, we’re near a point of no return. But there is hope, says Guardian columnist John Harris
www.theguardian.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:12 PM
Latest from me, on an eternally overlooked, sniffed-at issue that is politically huge www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
For goodness sake people, just lettuce rest.
January 7, 2026 at 7:11 PM
For goodness sake people, just lettuce rest.
Pluribus, three episodes in, really reminds me in places of an old X-Files episode ‘Je Souhaite’, which Vince Gilligan also wrote/directed, where a genie grants wishes.
Mulder wishes for ‘peace on Earth’ and the genie takes it literally, wiping everyone but him off the face of the planet.
Mulder wishes for ‘peace on Earth’ and the genie takes it literally, wiping everyone but him off the face of the planet.
January 4, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Pluribus, three episodes in, really reminds me in places of an old X-Files episode ‘Je Souhaite’, which Vince Gilligan also wrote/directed, where a genie grants wishes.
Mulder wishes for ‘peace on Earth’ and the genie takes it literally, wiping everyone but him off the face of the planet.
Mulder wishes for ‘peace on Earth’ and the genie takes it literally, wiping everyone but him off the face of the planet.
Reposted by A. J. Black
NEW EPISODE!
Happy New Year! Ring in 2026 with @ajblack.bsky.social & @steelbookbluray.com chatting John Frankenheimer’s 1998 propulsive action thriller RONIN.
🎧 wherever you get your podcasts. open.spotify.com/episode/6gmt...
Happy New Year! Ring in 2026 with @ajblack.bsky.social & @steelbookbluray.com chatting John Frankenheimer’s 1998 propulsive action thriller RONIN.
🎧 wherever you get your podcasts. open.spotify.com/episode/6gmt...
Ronin
open.spotify.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:48 AM
NEW EPISODE!
Happy New Year! Ring in 2026 with @ajblack.bsky.social & @steelbookbluray.com chatting John Frankenheimer’s 1998 propulsive action thriller RONIN.
🎧 wherever you get your podcasts. open.spotify.com/episode/6gmt...
Happy New Year! Ring in 2026 with @ajblack.bsky.social & @steelbookbluray.com chatting John Frankenheimer’s 1998 propulsive action thriller RONIN.
🎧 wherever you get your podcasts. open.spotify.com/episode/6gmt...
Love this film and loved this chat about it with Mark.
We get into some fantastic car action sequence theatrics, deeper meanings & the brilliant way de Niro pronounces ‘Hereford’.
Hope you enjoy!
We get into some fantastic car action sequence theatrics, deeper meanings & the brilliant way de Niro pronounces ‘Hereford’.
Hope you enjoy!
NEW EPISODE!
Happy New Year! Ring in 2026 with @ajblack.bsky.social & @steelbookbluray.com chatting John Frankenheimer’s 1998 propulsive action thriller RONIN.
🎧 wherever you get your podcasts. open.spotify.com/episode/6gmt...
Happy New Year! Ring in 2026 with @ajblack.bsky.social & @steelbookbluray.com chatting John Frankenheimer’s 1998 propulsive action thriller RONIN.
🎧 wherever you get your podcasts. open.spotify.com/episode/6gmt...
Ronin
open.spotify.com
January 2, 2026 at 11:19 AM
Love this film and loved this chat about it with Mark.
We get into some fantastic car action sequence theatrics, deeper meanings & the brilliant way de Niro pronounces ‘Hereford’.
Hope you enjoy!
We get into some fantastic car action sequence theatrics, deeper meanings & the brilliant way de Niro pronounces ‘Hereford’.
Hope you enjoy!
Yep okay, I feel like this might be a chance giving me a good omen.
January 1, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Yep okay, I feel like this might be a chance giving me a good omen.
Reposted by A. J. Black
Episode 87 is out now! @samwellpv.bsky.social rounds up the best of 2025 with some help from @violeth310.bsky.social, @ajblack.bsky.social, @bazgreenland.bsky.social and @markadamshc.bsky.social. What were your favourites? Available on all major platforms.
@filmstoriespodnet.bsky.social
@filmstoriespodnet.bsky.social
January 1, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Episode 87 is out now! @samwellpv.bsky.social rounds up the best of 2025 with some help from @violeth310.bsky.social, @ajblack.bsky.social, @bazgreenland.bsky.social and @markadamshc.bsky.social. What were your favourites? Available on all major platforms.
@filmstoriespodnet.bsky.social
@filmstoriespodnet.bsky.social
Happy New Year all!
If you’re here for writing, I’m hoping to get more on the table in January, including beginning a new project looking at Film in 2001 for reliablenarrator.co.uk
If you’re here for podcasts, this month expect takes on 1998’s Ronin, the new 28 Years Later, Agnes Varda & more.
If you’re here for writing, I’m hoping to get more on the table in January, including beginning a new project looking at Film in 2001 for reliablenarrator.co.uk
If you’re here for podcasts, this month expect takes on 1998’s Ronin, the new 28 Years Later, Agnes Varda & more.
January 1, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Happy New Year all!
If you’re here for writing, I’m hoping to get more on the table in January, including beginning a new project looking at Film in 2001 for reliablenarrator.co.uk
If you’re here for podcasts, this month expect takes on 1998’s Ronin, the new 28 Years Later, Agnes Varda & more.
If you’re here for writing, I’m hoping to get more on the table in January, including beginning a new project looking at Film in 2001 for reliablenarrator.co.uk
If you’re here for podcasts, this month expect takes on 1998’s Ronin, the new 28 Years Later, Agnes Varda & more.
By no means a finished list, as I’ve not seen at all everything in 2025, but here’s how I’m finishing the year on Letterboxd.
Top 12 and bottom 12. Some great stuff at the top, some utter gash down below.
Top 12 and bottom 12. Some great stuff at the top, some utter gash down below.
December 31, 2025 at 8:49 PM
By no means a finished list, as I’ve not seen at all everything in 2025, but here’s how I’m finishing the year on Letterboxd.
Top 12 and bottom 12. Some great stuff at the top, some utter gash down below.
Top 12 and bottom 12. Some great stuff at the top, some utter gash down below.
Reposted by A. J. Black
Genuine end of an era to mark the end of the year.
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
This is the End: Reflections on THE X-CAST podcast
As a 10 year podyssey comes to an end on The X-Cast, some thoughts about the voyage…
reliablenarrator.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Genuine end of an era to mark the end of the year.
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
Amidst all the X-Cast ‘fervour’ today, don’t also miss a mammoth chat I did about It: Chapters 1 & 2 for Modern Horror.
That’s our 50th episode and a show that has become one of my favourite podcasting projects ever, with loads of great plans with @angryscotsman81.bsky.social in 2026.
That’s our 50th episode and a show that has become one of my favourite podcasting projects ever, with loads of great plans with @angryscotsman81.bsky.social in 2026.
NEW EPISODE!
It’s our 50th episode and it befits a mammoth episode, with @ajblack.bsky.social & @angryscotsman81.bsky.social joined by @kathughes.bsky.social & Dee Molumby to chat It: Chapters 1 & 2.
Hope you enjoy and Happy New Year to you all: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
It’s our 50th episode and it befits a mammoth episode, with @ajblack.bsky.social & @angryscotsman81.bsky.social joined by @kathughes.bsky.social & Dee Molumby to chat It: Chapters 1 & 2.
Hope you enjoy and Happy New Year to you all: podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m...
It: Chapter 1 & 2 with Dee Molumby and Kat Hughes
Podcast Episode · Modern Horror Podcast · 31/12/2025 · 2h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
December 31, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Amidst all the X-Cast ‘fervour’ today, don’t also miss a mammoth chat I did about It: Chapters 1 & 2 for Modern Horror.
That’s our 50th episode and a show that has become one of my favourite podcasting projects ever, with loads of great plans with @angryscotsman81.bsky.social in 2026.
That’s our 50th episode and a show that has become one of my favourite podcasting projects ever, with loads of great plans with @angryscotsman81.bsky.social in 2026.
Genuine end of an era to mark the end of the year.
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
This is the End: Reflections on THE X-CAST podcast
As a 10 year podyssey comes to an end on The X-Cast, some thoughts about the voyage…
reliablenarrator.co.uk
December 31, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Genuine end of an era to mark the end of the year.
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
After 10 years, my X-Files podcast The X-Cast comes to an end today.
Some reflections that crystallise the journey and how important this project has been to me over the last decade. I’ll miss it.
reliablenarrator.co.uk/2025/12/31/t...
Roderick is one of the best film writers out there and this is a magnificent trove of 2025 reviews. I don’t always agree with him, but I always enjoy reading him.
The fact he’s thinking of throwing in the towel is these days of withering genuine criticism is awful. Please read & support his work.
The fact he’s thinking of throwing in the towel is these days of withering genuine criticism is awful. Please read & support his work.
Confessions of a Film Freak 2025. A year of film comment in one place. 76 films. Dissent and devotion, argument and acclaim.
filmfreedonia.com/2025/12/29/c...
filmfreedonia.com/2025/12/29/c...
December 30, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Roderick is one of the best film writers out there and this is a magnificent trove of 2025 reviews. I don’t always agree with him, but I always enjoy reading him.
The fact he’s thinking of throwing in the towel is these days of withering genuine criticism is awful. Please read & support his work.
The fact he’s thinking of throwing in the towel is these days of withering genuine criticism is awful. Please read & support his work.