Rating: 
Summary: what a movie!
Review: What a movie is right! the story of outcast jeremey/powder is an amazing touching yet creppy story. when his preggant mother carries Jeremy inside her she is stroked by lighting, she gives birth to electricity itself. Jeremy is made of electricity and raised by his grandparents and lives in there basment till he is a teen. when he is taken from his world by a headmistress of a troubled boys school, she finds that he is a most unique being. Jeremy discovers the pain outside of his home, discovers love and sees the terrible truth about this place he was born into.
The music is beautiful and Powder/Jeremy is really an amazing character! love love this movie! should have one something for anything!! it's just awesome! but i warn some over protective parents about the film... if are afraid to show your children nudity this isn't the best film to show them. there is a scence where powder is naked but the film only cutsa few parts of his body out of the picture I'm just warning that this alittle close to show real nudity in the film....thats all but most of the film is okiedokie for most people! enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent, deeply moving parable
Review: Every so often, a movie comes out of nowhere which touches you so deeply, on so many levels, that it stays in your heart forever. "Powder" (1995) is such a movie.The premise is deceptively simple: Following the death of his last remaining adult guardian on their isolated farm, a young albino man nicknamed 'Powder' (Sean Patrick Flanery) is taken into the custody of local authorities. But his genius IQ and ability to harness electricity - leading to spectacular displays of apparently 'magical' behavior - arouses the suspicions of frightened townsfolk, and while he's able to change some people's lives for the better (and how!), others are too consumed by hatred to accept this strange, unique outsider. Thus, the stage is set for potential tragedy... Writer-director Victor Salva (also responsible for the superb "Rites of Passage", 1998) has constructed a modern parable which works both as a simple entertainment and as a powerful meditation on the nature of Good and Evil. Episodic in structure, the narrative pitches Powder's strange appearance and gentle manner against some of the worst aspects of the human condition - bigotry, mistrust, cruelty - and though Salva makes a brave attempt to portray these shameful characteristics in various shades of grey, his script acknowledges that some people are defined by their hatred and cannot easily be changed. That said, whilst the film doesn't flinch from the rough stuff, it's ultimately a joyous celebration of the human spirit: Though evil flourishes, goodness prevails. "Powder" contains a wealth of memorable moments, but some scenes are truly outstanding, such as Powder's first appearance as a ghost-like figure hovering in the darkness of the cellar where he's been hiding since his grandfather's death; the beautiful/terrible moment in the dining hall of the reformatory when Powder realizes he's never going to be accepted by his peers, no matter how hard he tries; the emotionally devastating sequence with the wounded deer (absolutely unforgettable!); and the sheriff's (Lance Henriksen) last desperate attempt to communicate with his terminally-ill wife (a touching, wordless performance by Dannete McMann). Few other 'fantasy' films of recent years have been so deeply, profoundly moving as this. Production values are top-notch all the way down the line: From Jerzy Zielinski's beautiful, flawless cinematography, to Jerry Goldsmith's low-key score; from Waldemar Kalinowski's unobtrusive production design, to Dennis M. Hill's expert editing - this is the work of talented craftspeople operating at the top of their game, perfectly in tune with the director's intentions. But the real magic is conjured by a superb cast: Top-billed Mary Steenburgen and Jeff Goldblum are quietly effective in virtual supporting roles, while Brandon Smith underplays the part of a bigoted deputy sheriff whose life is changed forever by his encounter with the title character. As always, Lance Henriksen (who also played the lead in Salva's earlier "The Nature of the Beast", 1994) distinguishes himself as a humane but disillusioned lawman whose convictions are thoroughly shaken by Powder's remarkable abilities. Look out, also, for terrific turns by Bradford Tatum (as the leader of the bullies who make life a misery for Powder), Missy Crider (the potential love-interest) and the always-wonderful Susan Tyrrell (the sheriff's well-meaning but narrow-minded housekepeper) in small but crucial roles. But the heart and soul of the picture is, of course, Powder himself, played with heartbreaking sensitivity by Sean Patrick Flanery. Almost unrecognizable beneath an unusual makeup job (by industry veterans Thomas R. Burman and Bari Dreiband-Burman) which preserves much of his natural beauty whilst also emphasizing the characters' appealing otherworldliness, he plays Powder without any trace of self-pity; instead, he highlights the kindness and vulnerability of a Christ-like figure whose greatest curse is his total comprehension of the world and its inequities, and by his understanding that he'll never be a part of it (when a vicious thug whispers in his ear: "You really think you can be like us...?", you half-expect Powder to reply: "Who'd WANT to be?!"). Powder embodies many of the qualities which are largely absent from our own lives - goodness, compassion, and an appreciation of Nature in all its rich diversity - and Flanery captures those qualities with vivid grace. Of all the fine performances in this exceptional film, his is the most dignified and triumphant. Though aimed at the widest possible audience, "Powder"s theme of the persecuted loner will strike a real emotional chord with anyone who's ever found themselves on the sidelines, watching the rest of the world go by. This is a movie which speaks loudest to the outsiders amongst us, the disenfranchised and the dispossessed. It will be warmly embraced by anyone who's ever reached out to others and been rejected...anyone who's ever felt lost and afraid, or found themselves alone in the dark...anyone who's ever believed that the world has turned its back on them because of WHO and WHAT they are...anyone who's ever stood aside from the crowd and refused to relinquish their ideals in the face of overwhelming odds..."Powder" is THEIR movie, their glimmer of hope. Once seen, never forgotten. Hollywood Pictures' region 1 DVD surely deserves a major overhaul. The letterboxed image (1.85:1) is beautifully detailed but prone to all the drawbacks of non-anamorphic encoding, while the uncomplicated 5.1 soundtrack merely serves to reinforce the drama. The disc - which runs 101m 32s - is captioned, but there are no other extras, not even a trailer, which is disappointing. Because of the unfortunate events surrounding the original theatrical release, Salva may not be willing to revisit the picture for any future special edition, but an audio commentary with the director and Flanery - much like Salva's fascinating collaboration with Jason Behr on Wolfe Video's superb DVD edition of "Rites of Pssage" - would be more than welcome. All in all, five stars for the movie, two for the DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: hmmmm
Review: haven't seen this movie, and don't intend to. a movie about a special boy who is misunderstood and has super powers written and directed by a convicted child molester just doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. It was rated as one of the top ten worst movies of the year it was released, I will rely on that.
Rating:
Summary: pure energy
Review: Powder is an enjoyable drama, with many good points of view and very good acting. Jeremy (Sean Patrick Flannery) is an albino kid that spent all his life in the basement of his home, spending time with his grandfolks or reading. Once both his grandparents die, he's discovered and taken in the real world. It's all about discovering the world through the eyes of a teenager that hasn't seen almost nothing yet. Because of his white skin and paranormal abilities he's considered a freak by some people, that keep making fun of him. Seeing the real face of the world, brutal, tough and ugly, Jeremy's only wish is to get back home. Sean Patrick Flannery is great as Jeremy, aka Powder. He does a very good job with a difficult role. Most scenes are well created and almost every time touching, but the ending seemed to me a bit below expectations
Rating:
Summary: Very prophetic and touching movie.
Review: Beautiful and inspiring movie. Heart-felt & soulful.
It makes one contemplate, what really is important
in life? It touches on man's inhumanity, and cruelty to
his fellow man.
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent, deeply moving parable
Review: Every so often, a movie comes out of nowhere which touches you so deeply, on so many levels, that it stays in your heart forever. "Powder" (1995) is such a movie. The premise is deceptively simple: Following the death of his last remaining adult guardian on their isolated farm, a young albino man nicknamed 'Powder' (Sean Patrick Flanery) is taken into the custody of local authorities. But his genius IQ and ability to harness electricity - leading to spectacular displays of apparently 'magical' behavior - arouses the suspicions of frightened townsfolk, and while he's able to change some people's lives for the better (and how!), others are too consumed by hatred to accept this strange, unique outsider. Thus, the stage is set for potential tragedy... Writer-director Victor Salva (also responsible for the superb "Rites of Passage", 1998) has constructed a modern parable which works both as a simple entertainment and as a powerful meditation on the nature of Good and Evil. Episodic in structure, the narrative pitches Powder's strange appearance and gentle manner against some of the worst aspects of the human condition - bigotry, mistrust, cruelty - and though Salva makes a brave attempt to portray these shameful characteristics in various shades of grey, his script acknowledges that some people are defined by their hatred and cannot easily be changed. That said, whilst the film doesn't flinch from the rough stuff, it's ultimately a joyous celebration of the human spirit: Though evil flourishes, goodness prevails. "Powder" contains a wealth of memorable moments, but some scenes are truly outstanding, such as Powder's first appearance as a ghost-like figure hovering in the darkness of the cellar where he's been hiding since his grandfather's death; the beautiful/terrible moment in the dining hall of the reformatory when Powder realizes he's never going to be accepted by his peers, no matter how hard he tries; the emotionally devastating sequence with the wounded deer (absolutely unforgettable!); and the sheriff's (Lance Henriksen) last desperate attempt to communicate with his terminally-ill wife (a touching, wordless performance by Dannete McMann). Few other 'fantasy' films of recent years have been so deeply, profoundly moving as this. Production values are top-notch all the way down the line: From Jerzy Zielinski's beautiful, flawless cinematography, to Jerry Goldsmith's low-key score; from Waldemar Kalinowski's unobtrusive production design, to Dennis M. Hill's expert editing - this is the work of talented craftspeople operating at the top of their game, perfectly in tune with the director's intentions. But the real magic is conjured by a superb cast: Top-billed Mary Steenburgen and Jeff Goldblum are quietly effective in virtual supporting roles, while Brandon Smith underplays the part of a bigoted deputy sheriff whose life is changed forever by his encounter with the title character. As always, Lance Henriksen (who also played the lead in Salva's earlier "The Nature of the Beast", 1994) distinguishes himself as a humane but disillusioned lawman whose convictions are thoroughly shaken by Powder's remarkable abilities. Look out, also, for terrific turns by Bradford Tatum (as the leader of the bullies who make life a misery for Powder), Missy Crider (the potential love-interest) and the always-wonderful Susan Tyrrell (the sheriff's well-meaning but narrow-minded housekepeper) in small but crucial roles. But the heart and soul of the picture is, of course, Powder himself, played with heartbreaking sensitivity by Sean Patrick Flanery. Almost unrecognizable beneath an unusual makeup job (by industry veterans Thomas R. Burman and Bari Dreiband-Burman) which preserves much of his natural beauty whilst also emphasizing the characters' appealing otherworldliness, he plays Powder without any trace of self-pity; instead, he highlights the kindness and vulnerability of a Christ-like figure whose greatest curse is his total comprehension of the world and its inequities, and by his understanding that he'll never be a part of it (when a vicious thug whispers in his ear: "You really think you can be like us...?", you half-expect Powder to reply: "Who'd WANT to be?!"). Powder embodies many of the qualities which are largely absent from our own lives - goodness, compassion, and an appreciation of Nature in all its rich diversity - and Flanery captures those qualities with vivid grace. Of all the fine performances in this exceptional film, his is the most dignified and triumphant. Though aimed at the widest possible audience, "Powder"s theme of the persecuted loner will strike a real emotional chord with anyone who's ever found themselves on the sidelines, watching the rest of the world go by. This is a movie which speaks loudest to the outsiders amongst us, the disenfranchised and the dispossessed. It will be warmly embraced by anyone who's ever reached out to others and been rejected...anyone who's ever felt lost and afraid, or found themselves alone in the dark...anyone who's ever believed that the world has turned its back on them because of WHO and WHAT they are...anyone who's ever stood aside from the crowd and refused to relinquish their ideals in the face of overwhelming odds..."Powder" is THEIR movie, their glimmer of hope. Once seen, never forgotten. Hollywood Pictures' region 1 DVD surely deserves a major overhaul. The letterboxed image (1.85:1) is beautifully detailed but prone to all the drawbacks of non-anamorphic encoding, while the uncomplicated 5.1 soundtrack merely serves to reinforce the drama. The disc - which runs 101m 32s - is captioned, but there are no other extras, not even a trailer, which is disappointing. Because of the unfortunate events surrounding the original theatrical release, Salva may not be willing to revisit the picture for any future special edition, but an audio commentary with the director and Flanery - much like Salva's fascinating collaboration with Jason Behr on Wolfe Video's superb DVD edition of "Rites of Pssage" - would be more than welcome. All in all, five stars for the movie, two for the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: 1 star is way too generous.
Review: This is easily one of the worst movies i have ever seen in my life. I am all but shocked that they even financed this movie to dvd. Avoid like the plague. Stay as far away as possible from this movie. Much like young ones should stay as far away as possible from the director.
Rating:
Summary: very deep,profound,one of a kind movie...period
Review: THE MOVIE PER SE IT'S A PHENOMENA FILM AND SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED UNIQUE AWARDS, BUT I REGARD THIS MOVIE IS MARVELOUS AND "ACADEMY AWARDS" WOULD ONLY MAKE THE GENERAL PUBLIC CRITIZED ON IT OR TRY TO COPY IT IN A WAY...BUT IN NO DOUBTS THE MOVIE "TOUCHED ME, AND I KNOW MANY "MANY" MORE PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE. THEREFORE I STILL WATCHED THIS MOVIE.. I RECOMMEND WATCHING IT BY YOURSELF (JUST A BETTER VIBE & NO CRYING IN FRONT OF YOUR GIRL-FRIEND) BUT IT PLAIN TEACHES YOU THE BASIC ESSENTIALS OF LIFE AND HOW WE ALL SHOULD CHERISHED ONE ANOTHER AND NOT HATE OR STEREOTYPE ANY ONE,JUST BECAUSE OF THEIR APPEARENCES,STYLES,WAY OF LIFE AND INTELLIGENCE. WE SHOULD ALL FIND OUT ONE ANOTHER INNER DEPTHS AND SOCIAL VIEWS, WHICH IN "FINIS" WERE ALL THE SAME, AND WERE ALL BUT CONFUSED WITH EACHOTHER..."QUOTE"THE GIRL/JEREMY "THE GIRL TELLS HIM WHAT DO YOU SEE IN EVERYBODY'S MIND? HE REPLIES THAT THERE ALL CONFUSED, BUT THERE ALL CONNECTED." OVERWHELMING,MAGICAL,AMAZING AND BEST FILM SINCE 1995-PRESENT.
Rating:
Summary: God-like man in ape-like society
Review: What would happen if a being with an I.Q. off the measuring scale ,and near god-like powers, were born in rural Texas? Why, he would automatically be labeled as a freak, defective, retardate, and deviant, of course! That's the message of this message film, namely, that all you have to do to be denigrated and dehumanized in most of American society is to be "different." Whether that difference makes you fundamentally superior or inferior to the norm is irrelevant- all that matters is the fact that one is different. If you don't "smell right" to the dominant ape-like personalities in charge, then you must be rejected and driven out. I wish that I could say that the hateful characters in this film came across as cartoonish, but the fact is that they do not- they are perfect examples of the American norm. Even the more intelligent and sympathetic characters, such as Mary Steenburgen's character, participate in the dehumanization by mindlessly following the rules like good "professionals." So, what you have here are the two extremes of human evolution, the god-like man, and the ape-like majority. While it is the writing and message that stands out in this film, the special effects and the quality of dramatic acting are also far above the average. There are scenes here that you never forget: the father's rejection in the hospital, the "friends don't" scene in the councilor's office, the wedding ring scene, the dieing deer scene.... Any one of them would have made a film memorable, but all together they make this a classic. The film isn't all together depressing by any means. It is about hope. It shows what man may yet become, by contrasting the ideal with the all-too-prevalent current state of the species. As Jeff Goldblum states at the end, "I see you and I think that one day our humanity may one day surpass our technology." I've found that there are few neutral opinions on this movie- people tend to either love it or hate it. The people that hate it seem to have a problem with the basic humanity and honesty of the character- they want to attack him too. Watch it with a friend- it will tell you if that person is worth keeping as a friend....
Rating:
Summary: Sean Patrick Flannery
Review: This movie is really amazing, I love it. Just wanted to mention that Sean Patrick Flannery is an incredible actor and another kick ass movie he's in is called "Suicide Kings" with Christopher Walken...it's definitely a must see. :)
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