Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

A. J. Black

@ajblack.bsky.social

1K followers 570 following 1.1K posts

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

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · Dec 1

Just under a month until Christmas, so here’s a short 🧵 about the books I’ve written which you might want to grab as a present for one of your nearest and dearest.

Or just treat yourself! #Books #BookSky #Films #FilmSky

1 7 8

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 1d

I want your 10 point thread on how Donald Trump and Ted Bovis could be brothers and I want it yesterday.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 3d

I’m delighted. I don’t think a show has ever consistently disappointed me more after a superb pilot and great first season.

Digital Spy @digitalspy.com · 3d

"Deliciously diabolical" thriller Yellowjackets confirmed to end with season 4 and fans aren't happy bit.ly/4h8yH2N

2 2

Reposted by A. J. Black

The Magic Box: A LOST Podcast @themagicboxpod.bsky.social · 4d

@ajblack.bsky.social joins @rmuldrake.bsky.social again for the pivotal episode Orientation available on all good podcatchers and on video via Spotify in @filmstoriespodnet.bsky.social, #Lost #oceanic815 #dharma

1 1

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 5d

It’s not taught much at all in schools really. It’s a bit too distant now for Brits. So is the formation of the U.K. really. We know a lot about Henry VIII, Shakespeare, all that time, then we basically skip forward about 300-400 years in our cultural memory as a country.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 8d

oh dear what a pity never mind

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 9d

Imagine if progressive politicians spoke with anywhere near this truthful elegance?

Love RTD. And love what he says here.

nicola @gleanniucha.bsky.social · 9d

Please, if good television matters to you, repost or repackage this video until everyone you follow has seen it

#televisionmatters

1 1

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 9d

If anything suggests to me that Badenoch doesn’t really believe half of what she says, it’s this.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 11d

I’ve got an essay in this, all about Matt Smith’s (brilliant) tenure and his final story, ‘The Time of the Doctor’.

Essential Christmas reading for any #DoctorWho fan.

Baz Greenland @bazgreenland.bsky.social · 11d

Thrilled to share details on my latest book from @candyjarbooks.bsky.social - Doctor Who Christmas Specials.

Co-written with my son Ben, this book delves into the development and critical response to each episode. More details in the press release below!

#DoctorWho

mailchi.mp/62d3c20ce8b3...

2 7

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 11d

It’s #JamesBondDay so what better time to announce a new podcast project.

THE BOND CORNER on @filmstoriespodnet.bsky.social

Regular discussion on all things 007 hosted by yours truly in the years running up to the Amazon Bond era, with guests of all kinds.

Launch date TBC in 2026.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 12d

It’s good fun, I think. As ever, not all the films work but it enjoys amping up the gore significantly, plus tries to balance ghoulish horror and dark humour well. Better than last year’s effort, for me. Hope you enjoy.

1 1

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 12d

In a world right now of stupid people with stupid ideas doing stupid things, Amazon taking the gun away from Bond in their film posters and making him look like just a moody fucker who wants to fight you outside a pub, might be the stupidest.

MI6 - Home of James Bond @mi6hq.bsky.social · 13d

"Just being disarming, darling"
www.mi6-hq.com/sections/art...

1 2

Reposted by A. J. Black

Simon Brew @simonbrew.bsky.social · 12d

When you interview Malcolm McDowell, you're supposed to ask him about A Clockwork Orange. Instead, I asked him about ITV's Crossroads.

(Suspect @simonmayo.bsky.social might slightly approve!)

Video and audio versions here: filmstories.co.uk/podcast/podc...

Podcast | In conversation with Malcolm McDowell

Malcolm McDowell takes centre stage on the Film Stories podcast, to talk The Partisan, Peter Sellers, Michael Caine and more...

filmstories.co.uk

5 6 35

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 17d

I mean the Guardian have never employed more extraordinarily rubbish writers I think. Or the people who write their article headers should be sacked. Probably a bit of both.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 17d

Friends has the advantage by being 30+ years old I think! The Studio was alright but a bit naval gaze-y comedy, the definition of inside baseball.

Just seen who wrote this. Much less surprised now.

1 2

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 18d

Marc Maron is amazing.

Would that people with actual power and influence in progressive politics have the guts to speak such truth about the vast, overpowering gaslighting in Western culture right now.

Danny Cherry Jr (twitter/Insta/tiktok: @Deecherrywriter) @deecherrywriter.bsky.social · 20d

For those you who don't binge comedy gossip YouTube channels like me, Marc Maron has been going on a tear against the "rogan-sphere."

Him telling Howie Mandel "are you fucking out of your mind?" at minute 1:07 killed me LOL

www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1e0...

3 10

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 20d

Not sure Lord of the Brownshirts will catch on as a sequel.

1 2

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 20d

I think he does have principles & is a decent man, but he doesn’t seem to be politically aware of what a lot of voters in this country actually want. Or his advisors are being led by the nose by Reform, who I’m convinced don’t have nearly the amount of support its claimed.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 20d

How are they getting this so spectacularly wrong constantly?

1 2

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 21d

She’s having such a random, unexpectedly varied career.

There’s another timeline where all she makes is period dramas and Richard Curtis-lite quirky British romances.

Reposted by A. J. Black

𝙑𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙑𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙤𝙨 @vampirevideos.co.uk · 23d

Were you a fan(g) of DRACULA from 2020? We talked about this miniseries with guest @ajblack.bsky.social to start our 13th season in style!

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/v...

5 4

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 24d

I’m all for their balance and rationalism, but not when you’re talking about a fascist fucking bozo. It’s like saying “maybe the village idiot has a point about that chocolate teapot idea…”

1 10

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25d

See, you do exist! 😀

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25d

That is interesting. Especially as I’ve rarely met people who didn’t like this show once they’d seen it (I’m sure they exist). It does arguably have peaks and troughs, the former coming probably at the end of the 80s when it becomes blockbuster but before it starts to repeat itself a bit.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25d

To say its ’lowest common denominator’ isn’t fair, because OFAH was often very witty and built on two magisterial comic performances, but it taps into working class humour in a way that clearly still resonates. People I think still see themselves in aspects of Del and Rodney.

A. J. Black @ajblack.bsky.social · 25d

I think I will always find it funny. Like all old comedies now, references have dated and certain culturally acceptable things then aren’t now, but there was an honesty and reality to John Sullivan’s writing that I’m not surprised still appeals to the masses.