SOJO SOTREIBA

dissecting media with eyes wide open. •the blog•

[sojosotreiba]

The Ugly Stepsister: When desire is 'afoot'!

By Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

This 2025 Norwegian adaptation, set in the mid 1800s, finally delivers what the original story of Cinderella depicts: the ugly stepsister's desperate attempt of self-mutilation to marry the prince. Yet, no matter how much she tries or how much pain, cruelty, and humiliation she suffers, the protagonist's sweet, pretty, and pink fantasy clashes with reality. With the collaboration of cinematographer Marcel Zyskind, the film captures with visual impact the tone of the original fairytale since there's beauty, compassion, and white doves as well as cruelty, violence, and all types of disgusting worms. The film weaves these elements harmoniously, keeping the viewer's attention glued to the screen even when an eye gets violated with a needle. This Cinderella adaptation by Emilie Blichfeldt creates a space to scrutinize the female characters and their choices while the ultimate symbol of the patriarchy (father/husband) rots in his own house.

[sojosotreiba]

The Ugly Stepsister: When desire is 'afoot'!

By Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

This 2025 Norwegian adaptation, set in the mid 1800s, finally delivers what the original story of Cinderella depicts: the ugly stepsister's desperate attempt of self-mutilation to marry the prince. Yet, no matter how much she tries or how much pain, cruelty, and humiliation she suffers, the protagonist's sweet, pretty, and pink fantasy clashes with reality. With the collaboration of cinematographer Marcel Zyskind, the film captures with visual impact the tone of the original fairytale since there's beauty, compassion, and white doves as well as cruelty, violence, and all types of disgusting worms. The film weaves these elements harmoniously, keeping the viewer's attention glued to the screen even when an eye gets violated with a needle. This Cinderella adaptation by Emilie Blichfeldt creates a space to scrutinize the female characters and their choices while the ultimate symbol of the patriarchy (father/husband) rots in his own house.

[sojosotreiba]

Furiosa: The Unsatisfying Origin Story

By Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

Seeking revenge against a comical yet dangerous man seems beneath the strong, badass, and cunning protagonist of George Miller's new movie Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024). Although the movie continues the same wild, visually-striking, petro-punk dystopian world, with all the elements and details that reflect the genius of Miller (now 79 years old), the story falls flat compared to its 2015 predecessor due to its cliched revenge plot, disappointing characters, and reliance on VFX rather than practical effects.

[sojosotreiba]

Do you remember Peter Pan (2003)? I do, I do!

by Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

The story of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan & Wendy has been adapted many times in movies, from Walt Disney's animated picture Peter Pan (1953) and Paramount Pictures' silent film Peter Pan (1924) to live action films like Hook (1991), Peter Pan (2003), Pan (2015), Wendy (2020) and TV shows, such as Syfy's prequel Neverland (2011) and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) on Disney +. Apart from these adaptations, a biopic titled Finding Neverland (2004) based on J. M. Barrie's life was also made depicting his inspiration for writing the beloved children's tale. Nevertheless, the character of Peter Pan first appears in an episodic narrative for adults in 1902 titled The Little White Bird. Professor Sally Bushell of Romantic and Victorian Literature at Lancaster University writes, "Peter is represented in multiple ways, with his identity morphing and changing across these works to a considerable degree."

[sojosotreiba]

Do you remember Peter Pan (2003)? I do, I do!

by Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

The story of J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan & Wendy has been adapted many times in movies, from Walt Disney's animated picture Peter Pan (1953) and Paramount Pictures' silent film Peter Pan (1924) to live action films like Hook (1991), Peter Pan (2003), Pan (2015), Wendy (2020) and TV shows, such as Syfy's prequel Neverland (2011) and Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) on Disney +. Apart from these adaptations, a biopic titled Finding Neverland (2004) based on J. M. Barrie's life was also made depicting his inspiration for writing the beloved children's tale. Nevertheless, the character of Peter Pan first appears in an episodic narrative for adults in 1902 titled The Little White Bird. Professor Sally Bushell of Romantic and Victorian Literature at Lancaster University writes, "Peter is represented in multiple ways, with his identity morphing and changing across these works to a considerable degree."

[sojosotreiba]

Which show is most relatable?

Young Royals

Sex Education

Heartbreak High

Never Have I Ever

Voting ended onOct 3, 2023

Tell me what you think!

[sojosotreiba]

Thee only good thing about season 4.

agree

disagree

Voting ended onOct 5, 2023

[sojosotreiba]

Which show is most relatable?

Young Royals

Sex Education

Heartbreak High

Never Have I Ever

Voting ended onOct 3, 2023

Tell me what you think!

[sojosotreiba]

Imagined Spaces and Teenagers in High School

by Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

A comparative analysis of Sex Education (2019-2023), Heartbreak High (2022-), and Young Royals (2021-). "In light of the new and final season of Sex Education, I was inspired to write a comparative analysis of similar shows that target young audiences and achieve more demand from viewers by presenting coming-of-age stories through various tropes, styles, and aesthetics. These shows include UK's Sex Education, Australia's Heartbreak High, and Sweden's Young Royals."

[themarsbar]

I was thinking about how Young Royals loves to reside in the grey areas, where people say and do things that obviously cannot be boxed into categories of ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, and how everything and everyone can be in some ways equally justified (or at the very least empathized with) and criticized depending on the viewer’s sensibility. But what I find really interesting is how completely polarized the responses to the same actions can be.

There are many examples but one instance I’m particularly curious about is Sara reporting August to the police in an attempt to make things right with Simon. Because when I first saw the scene I was appalled at how she could make such a life-changing decision on behalf of his brother without consulting him first (not to mention the very much unsettled drug issue, even though she doesn’t know about that), and I still stand by it. But I also saw a lot of people react very positively to it, and it makes sense in terms of she’s finally stopping protecting a criminal for her own gain and is coming clean with the useful information she has in order for her brother to get well-deserved justice.

So I guess i’m curious to know how you took it and what you think about it.

Here’s a poll to make things easier but feel free to expand:

How did you react at Sara reporting August to the police?

I reacted positively

I reacted negatively

I was conflicted

Other (explain please?)

Voting ended onSep 27, 2023

[sojosotreiba]

I love this show! The best thing is the grey areas, grace, and flaws of the characters.

[sojosotreiba]

Although I don't agree with the ratings, I enjoyed watching girls fight boys.

by Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

Directed and cowritten by Emma Seligman, the R rated comedy Bottoms (2023) takes place in the early 2000s (mostly made evident by the use of a Motorola flip phone) and centers on two unpopular queer best friends, PJ and Josie. Both friends start an all-girls fighting club to become popular and date the hottest girls in school, Isabel and Britanny. The movie delivers lots of jokes, well suited for a Gen Z audience, and also puts queerness on the spotlight, celebrating diversity in a fun, humorous yet absurd story. High school stereotypes fuel the jokes in the script and the world building allows for extreme situations to appear normal.

[sojosotreiba]

Red White and Royal Blue: Book/Movie

Is RWRB a good movie?

Yes, (I did read the book)

Yes, (I didn't read the book)

No, (I read the book)

No, (I didn't read the book)

Voting ended onSep 21, 2023

[sojosotreiba]

Red White and Royal Blue: Book/Movie

Is RWRB a good movie?

Yes, (I did read the book)

Yes, (I didn't read the book)

No, (I read the book)

No, (I didn't read the book)

Voting ended onSep 21, 2023

[thatharringrovehoe]

This is how I KNOW this movie was written by a man. Ain't NO WAY miss 'eco-warrior' Layla Williams is picking that stale piece of wonder bread over 'grumpy cinnamon roll with daddy issues' Warren Peace. Ain't👏 no👏 way👏

[sojosotreiba]

I avoid superhero movies, but I watched Blue Beetle.

by Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

"I remember going to the movies when I was in high school and having fun with friends watching movies, like The Avengers (2012) and Thor (2011). My friend’s grandmother gave her a bag full of change for her to pay her ticket, and we all had to sit and count dimes, nickels, and pennies to reach $7, the cost for a movie in San Juan, Puerto Rico. After that, we tried to sneak in food and relish after succeeding in this thrilling and rebellious endeavor. Years later, I watched many superhero movies after high school, and my experience became less fun with each movie as I started to notice similar cocky characters, generic villains, and identical plotlines."

[sojosotreiba]

From Dickens to Bridgerton

by Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch

'While it is fruitful to understand television as a socio-cultural object and its materiality, it is also important to examine national broadcasting programs to understand the industry in a specific cultural context. When Queen Elizabeth II started her reign in the UK, one of the strategies she used to gain people’s trust and attention was through TV.'