‘The Marvels’ Is Here. Is It Too Late for the MCU?
Nov 14, 2023
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Joanna Robinson and Kristoffer Borgli join Sean and Amanda to discuss the successes and failures of 'The Marvels' and the challenges Marvel is currently facing. They also explore character motivations and thematic elements in the Marvel universe. Later, Kristoffer Borgli talks about his career, making films in the US vs Europe, and working with Nic Cage.
The Marvels received criticism for its flawed storytelling and weak villain, raising questions about the current state of the Marvel franchise.
Despite its flaws, The Marvels offers enjoyable moments and standout performances, opening up new possibilities for future projects.
Dream Scenario satirizes our cultural obsession with self and the commodification of personal experiences in a journey through the realm of dreams.
Director Kristoffer Borgli infuses his films with satire, comedy, and metaphysical exploration, delivering thought-provoking and entertaining experiences.
Deep dives
Introduction of House of Bar's new podcast feed
House of Bar has a new podcast feed featuring Mallory Ruben and Joanna Robinson, offering deep dives into nerd culture, nostalgic revisitations, and more.
Discussion of late capitalism and the MCU
The podcast explores the idea of late capitalism in the movies, discussing the intentional design of the MCU in its early years and how recent planning has led to unexpected challenges.
Failures and challenges faced by the Marvels
The Marvels faces criticism for its flawed storytelling, lack of clear explanation of plot points, and weak villain. The movie's box office performance has also been lackluster, raising questions about the current state of the Marvel franchise.
Positive aspects of the Marvels and potential for future projects
Despite its flaws, the Marvels offers some enjoyable moments and standout performances, particularly from Amandla Stenberg. The introduction of characters like Miss Marvel opens up new possibilities for future projects, including the Young Avengers series.
Dream Scenario: Exploring the World of Dreams
Dream Scenario is a film that delves into the realm of dreams and explores the intricacies of the human mind. The main character, played by Nicholas Cage, becomes obsessed with the idea of capturing and monetizing dreams. As the story unfolds, the film satirizes our cultural obsession with self and the commodification of personal experiences. It combines elements of comedy and metaphysical exploration, taking the audience on a journey into the fantastical and sometimes absurd landscape of dreams.
The Journey of a Filmmaker: From Norway to LA
Director Christopher Borgley, hailing from Norway, developed a deep love for movies at a young age. He started working at a video store and grew fascinated with films that depicted worlds different from his own. Borgley's passion for storytelling led him to explore different mediums, including music videos and advertising. However, he always had a desire to create films that were true to his artistic vision. After moving to LA and writing several scripts, he was able to bring his projects to life, including Sick of Myself and Dream Scenario.
Writing Style and Themes
Borgley's writing style focuses on capturing the essence of contemporary culture and the human experience. In Sick of Myself, he explores themes such as the obsession with self and the impact of social media on our lives. In Dream Scenario, he delves into the mysterious realm of dreams, highlighting our cultural fascination with dreams as well as the commodification of personal experiences. Borgley infuses his films with a unique blend of satire, comedy, and metaphysical exploration, offering audiences thought-provoking and entertaining experiences.
Working with Nicholas Cage and the Future
Borgley had the opportunity to work with acclaimed actor Nicholas Cage in Dream Scenario. Cage was drawn to the script and the director's unique vision. Their collaboration allowed Borgley to explore new territory and push his creative boundaries. As for the future, Borgley aims to continue creating art that stays true to his vision and voice. He recognizes the challenges posed by the film industry's focus on profitability but remains committed to making love-based decisions and delivering compelling stories to audiences.
Sean and Amanda are joined by The Ringer’s Joanna Robinson to discuss the successes and failures of ‘The Marvels’ and what it portends for Marvel’s hopes to pull out of their relative recent tailspin (1:00). Then, Sean talks with ‘Dream Scenario’ writer and director Kristoffer Borgli about how he get his career kick-started, making films in the United States vs. Europe, and working with Nic Cage (1:15:00).
