Nice work. I agree with just about everything here and have had similar thoughts myself about Powell. He strikes me as bland in a way that you articulate very well with the comparisons to Cruise. Does that blandness help make him more universally appealing? Is whiteness a part of that blandness? I’m not sure. Jeremy Renner had been heir apparent to Cruise and the Mission: Impossible franchise. But he lacks *something* Powell has. Maybe it’s the look. Of course, both are white guys. While I don’t think it’s totally about race, I do agree that it’s a factor and I’m sure there are statistics to back that up. Anyway, solid read.
Thanks, man! Your point about his blandness making him more universally appealing is a good one. In our polarized age, it's hard to find someone that basically everyone agrees on. Perhaps blandness is the only way.
Whoa Whoa Whoa! I am going to disagree with you on Tom Cruise who, you might recall, I dislike intensely. I've loathed him since "Risky Business" and could never understand why he appealed to women. "Sexy" is not a word I'd use to describe Cruise. He's all teeth and fake charm. I don't think Powell is at all like him. He's more like Brad Pitt - dipping his toe into hits for years until the real meaty roles kick come his way. I hope the Batman rumours aren't true.
As to racism, there's no doubt about it in the Hollywood star system. Michael B. Jordan has everything it takes to grab the brass ring.
As will I! I'm embarrassed to confess how many times I paid to see "Thelma and Louise", "Legends of the Fall", "Interview With a Vampire" and "Meet Joe Black"...just because he made my heart beat out of control. It was kind of a relief when his physical beauty was balanced by his talent as the years passed.
However, it is also possible now that Powell has enough clout to front and financially back projects that truly reflect his acting range and political beliefs.
I hope so. His next two projects - TOP GUN 3 and a remake of THE RUNNING MAN - don't inspire confidence, but after those, he'll have even more clout. So....maybe?
Nice work. I agree with just about everything here and have had similar thoughts myself about Powell. He strikes me as bland in a way that you articulate very well with the comparisons to Cruise. Does that blandness help make him more universally appealing? Is whiteness a part of that blandness? I’m not sure. Jeremy Renner had been heir apparent to Cruise and the Mission: Impossible franchise. But he lacks *something* Powell has. Maybe it’s the look. Of course, both are white guys. While I don’t think it’s totally about race, I do agree that it’s a factor and I’m sure there are statistics to back that up. Anyway, solid read.
Thanks, man! Your point about his blandness making him more universally appealing is a good one. In our polarized age, it's hard to find someone that basically everyone agrees on. Perhaps blandness is the only way.
I can remember when they called Brad Pitt "bland"...nothing could be further from the truth.
Whoa Whoa Whoa! I am going to disagree with you on Tom Cruise who, you might recall, I dislike intensely. I've loathed him since "Risky Business" and could never understand why he appealed to women. "Sexy" is not a word I'd use to describe Cruise. He's all teeth and fake charm. I don't think Powell is at all like him. He's more like Brad Pitt - dipping his toe into hits for years until the real meaty roles kick come his way. I hope the Batman rumours aren't true.
As to racism, there's no doubt about it in the Hollywood star system. Michael B. Jordan has everything it takes to grab the brass ring.
If Powell has a career like Pitt's, I'll be delighted!
As will I! I'm embarrassed to confess how many times I paid to see "Thelma and Louise", "Legends of the Fall", "Interview With a Vampire" and "Meet Joe Black"...just because he made my heart beat out of control. It was kind of a relief when his physical beauty was balanced by his talent as the years passed.
"His physical beauty was balanced by his talent as the years passed." That's beautifully put!
However, it is also possible now that Powell has enough clout to front and financially back projects that truly reflect his acting range and political beliefs.
I hope so. His next two projects - TOP GUN 3 and a remake of THE RUNNING MAN - don't inspire confidence, but after those, he'll have even more clout. So....maybe?