Alejandro A. Riera
@alejandroariera.bsky.social
Writer, editor, critic, movie lover, Doctor Who fan, proud to be a boricua, a cubano and a gallego. Curmudgeon extraordinaire. You can find my writing here https://alejandroariera.substack.com and at times at outlets like the Chicago Reader.
I hated MARTY SUPREME, I hated Chalamet in it. Deal with it, people. #criticschoice.
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 AM
I hated MARTY SUPREME, I hated Chalamet in it. Deal with it, people. #criticschoice.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
What if this is some kind of horrible bucket list scenario where Trump has been living with knowledge of a terminal diagnosis for a while now and has decided to spend whatever time he has left nihilistically wrecking shit and stealing more and more wealth for his extended family.
January 5, 2026 at 2:09 AM
What if this is some kind of horrible bucket list scenario where Trump has been living with knowledge of a terminal diagnosis for a while now and has decided to spend whatever time he has left nihilistically wrecking shit and stealing more and more wealth for his extended family.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
Dumping both Cinematography (Train Dreams) and International (The Secret Agent) into a commercial bumper was so unserious.
More Brazilian wins at the @criticschoice.bsky.social Awards! Adolpho Veloso wins Best Cinematography for TRAIN DREAMS!! 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🎥🎥🎥
January 5, 2026 at 12:49 AM
Dumping both Cinematography (Train Dreams) and International (The Secret Agent) into a commercial bumper was so unserious.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
The seizure of Maduro changed nothing in Venezuela. We are possibly jn a weakened position, because the regime and allies like Cuba are now on alert. No democracy, no oil for Trump's buddies, no resolution. Maduro is a bad guy, no doubt, but this whole exercise amounts to bloody content creation.
January 4, 2026 at 8:55 PM
The seizure of Maduro changed nothing in Venezuela. We are possibly jn a weakened position, because the regime and allies like Cuba are now on alert. No democracy, no oil for Trump's buddies, no resolution. Maduro is a bad guy, no doubt, but this whole exercise amounts to bloody content creation.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
Rubio admitted Trump no more runs Venezuela than the FBI runs Philadelphia after making an arrest there. To be clear, occupying the country would be a huge mistake. Making wild claims was egomaniacal idiocy. Reporters should ask Trump at every opportunity, "So when will you get Venezuela's oil?"
January 4, 2026 at 6:12 PM
Rubio admitted Trump no more runs Venezuela than the FBI runs Philadelphia after making an arrest there. To be clear, occupying the country would be a huge mistake. Making wild claims was egomaniacal idiocy. Reporters should ask Trump at every opportunity, "So when will you get Venezuela's oil?"
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
This is the moment I've been waiting for: The administration is retreating from Trump's wild claims rather than deploy troops to assert actual control. Look for Trump to claim he never said he'd run Venezuela or was being sarcastic.
BREAKING: The U.S. won’t govern Venezuela, but will press changes through an oil blockade, Rubio says, after Trump claims of running the country.
Venezuela live updates: Uncertainty and legal questions remain after US captures Maduro
The Trump administration’s capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and claims that it will “run” the country are raising stark new questions about the legality of the U.S. actions and its future operations in the South American nation.
bit.ly
January 4, 2026 at 6:03 PM
This is the moment I've been waiting for: The administration is retreating from Trump's wild claims rather than deploy troops to assert actual control. Look for Trump to claim he never said he'd run Venezuela or was being sarcastic.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
Okay. This is driving me crazy but because I'm a pedant I need to point this out. The ONLY mention of Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS being set in 2026 is in a title card from the Giorgio Moroder version of the film. That is neither in the original nor in the novel.
And I don't even like METROPOLIS.
And I don't even like METROPOLIS.
January 4, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Okay. This is driving me crazy but because I'm a pedant I need to point this out. The ONLY mention of Fritz Lang's METROPOLIS being set in 2026 is in a title card from the Giorgio Moroder version of the film. That is neither in the original nor in the novel.
And I don't even like METROPOLIS.
And I don't even like METROPOLIS.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
I don’t have a problem with management making good money but have some respect for the people and institution you lead, especially during hard times. This is an old-fashioned principle that too often falls by the wayside.
Matt Moog was already making great money as CEO over WBEZ and the Sun-Times. But as the organization’s financial problems worsened and he slashed jobs, the board jacked up his compensation. Bad management and greed are not sustainable. Story by Dave Roeder
chicago.suntimes.com/work/2025/12...
chicago.suntimes.com/work/2025/12...
Ex-CEO of Chicago Public Media saw $900,000 payout in 2024, IRS filings show
Compensation for Matt Moog rose as the company slashed jobs at the Chicago Sun-Times and at WBEZ.
chicago.suntimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:22 PM
I don’t have a problem with management making good money but have some respect for the people and institution you lead, especially during hard times. This is an old-fashioned principle that too often falls by the wayside.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
Let's not forget, millions of Americans voted for Trump. They are our fellow citizens. So regardless of where we stand politically, it is imperative to reach out and tell each and every one of them that they are stupid fucking assholes.
January 4, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Let's not forget, millions of Americans voted for Trump. They are our fellow citizens. So regardless of where we stand politically, it is imperative to reach out and tell each and every one of them that they are stupid fucking assholes.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
President Zelensky reacts to Maduro’s capture, suggesting Putin should be next:
If it is possible to deal with dictators like that, just like that, then the United States of America knows what to do next.
If it is possible to deal with dictators like that, just like that, then the United States of America knows what to do next.
January 3, 2026 at 9:48 PM
President Zelensky reacts to Maduro’s capture, suggesting Putin should be next:
If it is possible to deal with dictators like that, just like that, then the United States of America knows what to do next.
If it is possible to deal with dictators like that, just like that, then the United States of America knows what to do next.
Jesus Fucking Christ indeed. Time to vote the likes of Schumer and Jeffries out. They've been useless.
JFC 🤦♂️
Asked about the possibility of impeachment, Schumer says "we hope that we can have support from our Republican colleagues to put a brake on this long before it gets that far"
January 3, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Jesus Fucking Christ indeed. Time to vote the likes of Schumer and Jeffries out. They've been useless.
Can somebody confirm for me whether any of the major international news networks (BBC and Al-Jazeera included) made any mention or covered the role Puerto Rico played as a staging ground for this invasion? The island's airports were declared no fly zones for 24 hours disrupting air travel.
January 3, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Can somebody confirm for me whether any of the major international news networks (BBC and Al-Jazeera included) made any mention or covered the role Puerto Rico played as a staging ground for this invasion? The island's airports were declared no fly zones for 24 hours disrupting air travel.
The right choices in the right order.
Best Film Not in the English Language: THE SECRET AGENT (58 points)
Runners-up: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (57 points)
SENTIMENTAL VALUE (38 points)
Runners-up: IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT (57 points)
SENTIMENTAL VALUE (38 points)
January 3, 2026 at 9:34 PM
The right choices in the right order.
Boriiiiiicua!
And from Santurce, where I was born.
And from Santurce, where I was born.
Best Supporting Actor by general National Critics acclaim is Benicio del Toro ("One Battle After Another"), with Delroy Lindo ("Sinners") and Stellan Skarsgard ("Sentimental Value") 2nd and 3rd. Much debate over whether the "del" in "del Toro" is capitalized. #NSFC @nsfc.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Boriiiiiicua!
And from Santurce, where I was born.
And from Santurce, where I was born.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
A lovely surprise winner in our first voting category: Kathleen Chalfant is named Best Actress for her translucent performance as a woman slipping into dementia in "Familiar Touch." Runners-up: Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I'd Kick You") and Renate Reinsve ("Sentimental Value") #NSFC @nsfc.bsky.social
January 3, 2026 at 6:15 PM
A lovely surprise winner in our first voting category: Kathleen Chalfant is named Best Actress for her translucent performance as a woman slipping into dementia in "Familiar Touch." Runners-up: Rose Byrne ("If I Had Legs I'd Kick You") and Renate Reinsve ("Sentimental Value") #NSFC @nsfc.bsky.social
Yes!
Special Award for a Film Awaiting U.S. Distribution: LANDMARKS (Lucrecia Martel)
January 3, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Yes!
Wepa! And we'll deserved. @cinematropical.com's work is truly indispensable.
Film Heritage Award: Cinema Tropical, for its tireless efforts to distribute, program and promote Latin American cinema in the U.S.
January 3, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Wepa! And we'll deserved. @cinematropical.com's work is truly indispensable.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
Three million people live in Caracas, five million in the metro area. It's one of the densest cities in South America. Remember this in the morning when they try to spin this as anything other than a cold-blooded attack on a major civilian center.
January 3, 2026 at 7:20 AM
Three million people live in Caracas, five million in the metro area. It's one of the densest cities in South America. Remember this in the morning when they try to spin this as anything other than a cold-blooded attack on a major civilian center.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
36 years ago today, U.S. armed forces invaded Panama to arrest Manuel Noriega on drug charges. Thousands of civilians died. How many civilians died in today's Venezuelan sequel?
January 3, 2026 at 2:44 PM
36 years ago today, U.S. armed forces invaded Panama to arrest Manuel Noriega on drug charges. Thousands of civilians died. How many civilians died in today's Venezuelan sequel?
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
rubio pretty much believes in a reverse domino theory for latin america and since he is effectively running foreign policy in the region i would expect him to see cuba as his next target
And I don’t want to sound conspiratorial, but if they feel like they can do this in Venezuela without any serious consequences, they’re absolutely going to try it in Cuba too.
January 3, 2026 at 12:37 PM
rubio pretty much believes in a reverse domino theory for latin america and since he is effectively running foreign policy in the region i would expect him to see cuba as his next target
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
January 3, 2026 at 1:18 PM
I’m thinking this morning about all the people I spoke to last year who were absolutely convinced, and tried to convince me, that Trump would be antiwar compared to Biden and Harris.
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
In the past week alone he has attacked Nigeria and then Venezuela and also threatened to attack Iran (again).
According to @letterboxd.social…turns out I saw more movies starring or voiced by Alan Tudyk last year? And Charles Burnett was my most Watched Director. I did start and end my movie watching year strong with two incredibly humane films about the arts.
Alejandro’s 2025 Letterboxd Summary
A short summary of Alejandro’s 2025 activity on Letterboxd.
letterboxd.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:13 PM
According to @letterboxd.social…turns out I saw more movies starring or voiced by Alan Tudyk last year? And Charles Burnett was my most Watched Director. I did start and end my movie watching year strong with two incredibly humane films about the arts.
Reposted by Alejandro A. Riera
Not really discussed that often but one of the secondary & tertiary reasons Israel's public image has so rapidly declined among the youth in countries like the US, UK and Germany is because of behavior like this.
Petulant, circular, nonsensical, extremely whiny. It doesn't make *Mamdani* look bad.
Petulant, circular, nonsensical, extremely whiny. It doesn't make *Mamdani* look bad.
January 2, 2026 at 4:09 PM
Not really discussed that often but one of the secondary & tertiary reasons Israel's public image has so rapidly declined among the youth in countries like the US, UK and Germany is because of behavior like this.
Petulant, circular, nonsensical, extremely whiny. It doesn't make *Mamdani* look bad.
Petulant, circular, nonsensical, extremely whiny. It doesn't make *Mamdani* look bad.