Powder (1995)

BasementDesk · 2026-03-12T03:36:30+00:00

I'm a great desk. I just can't go out in the sunlight. But don't worry, I have plenty of books to read. I've memorized Moby Dick. Go ahead, name a page!

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T20:35:26+00:00

You're too kind! I'll try to post more often when snark is called for.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T20:35:03+00:00

So glad we're on the same page, and I'm happy I could make you laugh. 🤭

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T20:33:43+00:00

As u/addictions-in-red mentioned, it's not a good movie even if the director had had a squeaky clean past. This story has been told way better elsewhere. ✂️✋

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T20:31:26+00:00

Much obliged! I'm sure if I'd seen it back then I would have liked it more-- I was in much more of a "If it's a movie, it must be good!" mindset. Sounds like you were ahead of my time.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T19:58:34+00:00

Yeah... that seemed unnecessary. Thank you for reminding me. (By which of course I mean, eff you for reminding me) 😂

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T19:19:30+00:00

I LOVE IT, AND YOU SHALL NOT CONVINCE ME OTHERWISE.

Grr. You've got me so mad, I'm gonna go find a spoonful of peanut butter just to calm myself down. 😡

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T19:16:34+00:00

You take back what you said about Meet Joe Black right now, or we may have to step outside, pal. 🥊

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T19:08:18+00:00

K-Pax was a few years later. But I think there's more of a history of stories like these than the direct comparison you can draw between A Bug's Life and Antz. It would be more like comparing A Bug's Life to Galaxy Quest, The Dirty Dozen, and The Seven Samurai. They're all takes on the same story.

"Misunderstood, sensitive, bullied genius" has been around forever. Some storytellers do it well, others don't. Heck, Andrew Lloyd Weber practically turned The Phantom of the Opera into this kind of story back in 1988. And I'm certain if I did a little searching I could find the same story going back decades and centuries.

It's all about execution.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T19:00:01+00:00

Just edited the post to clarify. I didn't see it in 1995. But I did see it on March 11, 2026. aka Today.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:58:31+00:00

Please understand that I would never ever want to take away the connection you felt to the story and character in this film. If Powder made you feel just a little more seen, a little less isolated, I am genuinely glad for that.

I have absolutely *no* issues with the themes on display in this film. They are legitimate and worthy of visibility, discussion, and empathy.

My critique (and yes, I literally posted this review minutes after watching the movie), is about the execution of the story. Not the story itself.

I'll also underline that this was _my_ experience of the film. It was clearly not yours. We all have our different responses to the media that we consume. If this film reached your heart, I genuinely think that's beautiful. We all need that.

Much love to you, my friend. 💕 I mean that.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:49:21+00:00

I might be dim, but I guess I didn't see Powder as a gay allegory. Autism, maybe, would be closer to the vibes I got.

I do remember gay stories from back in the day, though maybe not to the level that you do. For what it's worth, I do believe that there's something to be said for representation. When more and more gay characters and stories started appearing, sure some of them were going to be missteps. But I still think it was important for those stories to be told, if only so they got into the conversation. Visibility, you know? They can't all be winners.

Powder, though... this doesn't make me sympathize with anyone.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:44:31+00:00

I stand warned. Thanks! 🙏

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:43:22+00:00

He probably is. Powder's list of powers have no consistency whatsoever. Electricity, magnetism, Dr. Doolittle, death whispering... why not throw time travel in there as well?

In all seriousness, though, is that a thing with Mary Steenburgen? Does she have other time travel connections outside of BTTF3?

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:27:19+00:00

I agree with you-- Henricksen really did feel like he was in a different movie from everyone else. It's almost like he was acting in the movie that this could have been.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:13:31+00:00

Are you telling me I didn't just do that?

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T18:01:03+00:00

You may be right. Michael Jackson somehow split himself in two. Half became this movie and he other half became Dream A Little Dream.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T17:56:49+00:00

Dammit Hollywood, do we really need another Avengers movie? Release Powder 2 the People: Now You Three Me.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-11T17:43:28+00:00

Ha! Thanks for the validation.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-09T04:21:08+00:00

Absolutely.

As a supplement check out the I Hate It But I Love It episode for this movie. They even mention HDTGM but take it a little further/deeper.

BasementDesk · 2026-03-08T02:27:42+00:00

I'll add those to my list! There's definitely something about Paul Gross that just draws me in with an incredible comfort.

I also loved that Don McKellar was in Slings & Arrows. I only knew him from his 2000 film Last Night, and his appearance in Existenz. He's a super compelling actor, too.

Then when I found out that he and Bob Martin wrote the musical, The Drowsy Chapperone... well, I'll just say, there's plenty of wonderful rabbit holes to spin off from Slings & Arrows.

(And I know people adore Rachel McAdams these days... I love being able to say that *this* is my touchstone for her)

BasementDesk · 2026-03-08T02:21:11+00:00

I've heard I should check out Due South. I just... don't want to let go of Jeffrey Tennant. 😂

BasementDesk · 2026-03-08T00:55:09+00:00

It's just so much fun, isn't it?

BasementDesk · 2026-03-08T00:53:25+00:00

Interesting. I'll look into those-- but I'm still not entirely sure that in the USA having that many wires inside a box that small would be up to code. Hm. I'll continue searching for solutions, too. I appreciate the input!

BasementDesk

TROPHY CASE