It's Thursday so this must be a...
Jun. 25th, 2009 10:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alonewiththemoonI think some dancers--coughPhillipcough-- are starting to show that they've hit their limits already, but that's good, it's the point of the show.
Toni Basil is giving Mary Murphy a run for her money in the immobile Botoxed face department. It's all street though.
Karla and Jonathan's hip hop--I thought Karla was great in this, she was hitting it hard and throwing herself into character, but she was dragged down by Jonathan's utter lack of an inner gangster/gangsta. With the right guy that could have been an awesome routine, but as it was, I expect to see them in the bottom three.
Asuka and Vitolio's Mandy Moore jazz number to Pat Benetar--okaaaayyyy... This is another one that could have worked but didn't. Asuka dragged it down and didn't seem to be able to let loose and throw herself into the character (especially when compared with Janette's rock chick later in the show). Vitolio brought it for the most part. Have to admit that manly man strut across the stage carrying his woman was pretty hot. I generally really like the quality of his movement; I think he is always aware of the music, and I think that's why he did better under Mandy Moore's direction than Asuka did. Liked Cat Deely's Siouxsie Sioux comment though :)
Ade and Melissa's rhumba--holy cow that dress!!! *loved* it! Find the rest of its skirt and I'd wear it as a belly dance costume in a flash, if I had that pilates body. Oh, and they danced, too! None of the judges mentioned that pretty obvious mis-step in the middle, right after one of Melissa's Arabesque turns, but I was willing to overlook that too. It obviously wasn't their dance style but I think they carried it off well. They are one of my favorite couples so I'm probably biased. Only thing I didn't really like about the routine was the aural/visual dissonance between the Destiny's Child smooth disco and the movements based on Latin rhythms. But that's not the dancers' fault.
Janette and Brandon's hip hop--now that was fun! Both of them were very into their characters and got the story across, and managed the technique just fine. They are another very strong couple, very versatile and hard working. Brandon is somewhat turning into teacher's pet, but he's earning it. I do rather wonder if the producers have had him picked as their winner from the start and set up this "not living up to expectations" thing just to obfuscate their plans and make sure he gets enough sympathy votes at the start to keep him in the competition until the end. At any rate, even without my conspiracy theories this routine should more than keep them safe this week.
Kupono and Kayla's Viennese Waltz--surprisingly beautiful. I think the waltz is a great showcase for Kupono's fluidity of movement, and Kayla flowed right along with him. It was elegant yet warm, and really one of my favorite routines of the evening. Re Toni Basil's comment about Jean-Marc pushing it with no shoes on Kupono, I'm pretty sure Jean-Marc tried to holler back that it was Kupono's idea, which I wouldn't doubt. I thought it was a little odd at first, but it didn't bother me, and in fact it suited the story of his coming to her in a dream. Then again as a belly dancer I'm used to performers in fantastic dresses performing barefoot.
Evan and Randi's Mia Michaels contemporary--Evan really needed cartoon wolf ears and eyes and tongue to complete the routine. It even would have fit the poodle thing (which btw made me think of Torchwood: "that's a poodle!" "yeah but it's hot!"). I think it was a deceptively complex routine, contrary to what the judges said. They were wrong about there being no props, because I think Randi's shoes became props in the way they were removed, and to some extent Evan's big suit was a prop too. Kudos to Randi btw for maintaining balance and poise while dancing in only one high heel! And some of the movements were very challenging, even if they were tight and close rather than big and showy. I felt some glimmers of body memory recognition as a dancer in a very internal core based style myself. I was also amused by Evan's remark about how different Mia's style is, because a movement will start with one muscle then suddenly go, his word, skeletal. It's not just belly dancers who see movement as muscularly or skeletally generated, apparently.
Caitlin and Jason's paso doble--I really wanted to like this one much more than I did. Great music, fantastic costumes, strong dancers, but the whole was less than the sum of its parts. I completely agree with the judges that both dancers but especially Jason focused too much on the crowd and nowhere near enough on each other. I was struck by the contrast with the tango couple who were guest stars on the first results show; I don't think they looked away from each other throughout their entire routine, and it was utterly mesmerizing. These two dancers need to learn that confidence in themselves, to trust that the audience will be carried along. I know firsthand how hard that is, not with a partner dance but with something like a taqsim, where it almost always feels like taking a big risk to go so internal in a performance. But if you do it well, it's spell binding. Anyway, they didn't have that, and they also didn't embody the movements enough, didn't do enough follow through. Caitlin did somewhat better than Jason did, imo.
Jeanine and Phillip, Broadway--Jeanine was cute as a button and I agree with Mary, she could walk right onto a Broadway stage now and look like she belonged. She really nailed it. Phillip, well, he was there. If he knew he split his trousers, that certainly could have been impacting his dancing. But I think he is reaching the limits of his versatility. He is absolutely brilliant in his own style and I hope is now in a good position to build a career based on the publicity he's already gotten, but he's getting outclassed.
So the bottom three: I'd expect for sure Karla and Jonathan, unless Nigel's harshness makes people go vote for them, Caitlin and Jason, and then it should be Jeanine and Phillip but probably won't be. The dancers I think should go home would be Asuka and either Jonathan or Phillip, but who knows which of them will be in the bottom three.
Don't tell anybody but I think the sun might be coming out!
Toni Basil is giving Mary Murphy a run for her money in the immobile Botoxed face department. It's all street though.
Karla and Jonathan's hip hop--I thought Karla was great in this, she was hitting it hard and throwing herself into character, but she was dragged down by Jonathan's utter lack of an inner gangster/gangsta. With the right guy that could have been an awesome routine, but as it was, I expect to see them in the bottom three.
Asuka and Vitolio's Mandy Moore jazz number to Pat Benetar--okaaaayyyy... This is another one that could have worked but didn't. Asuka dragged it down and didn't seem to be able to let loose and throw herself into the character (especially when compared with Janette's rock chick later in the show). Vitolio brought it for the most part. Have to admit that manly man strut across the stage carrying his woman was pretty hot. I generally really like the quality of his movement; I think he is always aware of the music, and I think that's why he did better under Mandy Moore's direction than Asuka did. Liked Cat Deely's Siouxsie Sioux comment though :)
Ade and Melissa's rhumba--holy cow that dress!!! *loved* it! Find the rest of its skirt and I'd wear it as a belly dance costume in a flash, if I had that pilates body. Oh, and they danced, too! None of the judges mentioned that pretty obvious mis-step in the middle, right after one of Melissa's Arabesque turns, but I was willing to overlook that too. It obviously wasn't their dance style but I think they carried it off well. They are one of my favorite couples so I'm probably biased. Only thing I didn't really like about the routine was the aural/visual dissonance between the Destiny's Child smooth disco and the movements based on Latin rhythms. But that's not the dancers' fault.
Janette and Brandon's hip hop--now that was fun! Both of them were very into their characters and got the story across, and managed the technique just fine. They are another very strong couple, very versatile and hard working. Brandon is somewhat turning into teacher's pet, but he's earning it. I do rather wonder if the producers have had him picked as their winner from the start and set up this "not living up to expectations" thing just to obfuscate their plans and make sure he gets enough sympathy votes at the start to keep him in the competition until the end. At any rate, even without my conspiracy theories this routine should more than keep them safe this week.
Kupono and Kayla's Viennese Waltz--surprisingly beautiful. I think the waltz is a great showcase for Kupono's fluidity of movement, and Kayla flowed right along with him. It was elegant yet warm, and really one of my favorite routines of the evening. Re Toni Basil's comment about Jean-Marc pushing it with no shoes on Kupono, I'm pretty sure Jean-Marc tried to holler back that it was Kupono's idea, which I wouldn't doubt. I thought it was a little odd at first, but it didn't bother me, and in fact it suited the story of his coming to her in a dream. Then again as a belly dancer I'm used to performers in fantastic dresses performing barefoot.
Evan and Randi's Mia Michaels contemporary--Evan really needed cartoon wolf ears and eyes and tongue to complete the routine. It even would have fit the poodle thing (which btw made me think of Torchwood: "that's a poodle!" "yeah but it's hot!"). I think it was a deceptively complex routine, contrary to what the judges said. They were wrong about there being no props, because I think Randi's shoes became props in the way they were removed, and to some extent Evan's big suit was a prop too. Kudos to Randi btw for maintaining balance and poise while dancing in only one high heel! And some of the movements were very challenging, even if they were tight and close rather than big and showy. I felt some glimmers of body memory recognition as a dancer in a very internal core based style myself. I was also amused by Evan's remark about how different Mia's style is, because a movement will start with one muscle then suddenly go, his word, skeletal. It's not just belly dancers who see movement as muscularly or skeletally generated, apparently.
Caitlin and Jason's paso doble--I really wanted to like this one much more than I did. Great music, fantastic costumes, strong dancers, but the whole was less than the sum of its parts. I completely agree with the judges that both dancers but especially Jason focused too much on the crowd and nowhere near enough on each other. I was struck by the contrast with the tango couple who were guest stars on the first results show; I don't think they looked away from each other throughout their entire routine, and it was utterly mesmerizing. These two dancers need to learn that confidence in themselves, to trust that the audience will be carried along. I know firsthand how hard that is, not with a partner dance but with something like a taqsim, where it almost always feels like taking a big risk to go so internal in a performance. But if you do it well, it's spell binding. Anyway, they didn't have that, and they also didn't embody the movements enough, didn't do enough follow through. Caitlin did somewhat better than Jason did, imo.
Jeanine and Phillip, Broadway--Jeanine was cute as a button and I agree with Mary, she could walk right onto a Broadway stage now and look like she belonged. She really nailed it. Phillip, well, he was there. If he knew he split his trousers, that certainly could have been impacting his dancing. But I think he is reaching the limits of his versatility. He is absolutely brilliant in his own style and I hope is now in a good position to build a career based on the publicity he's already gotten, but he's getting outclassed.
So the bottom three: I'd expect for sure Karla and Jonathan, unless Nigel's harshness makes people go vote for them, Caitlin and Jason, and then it should be Jeanine and Phillip but probably won't be. The dancers I think should go home would be Asuka and either Jonathan or Phillip, but who knows which of them will be in the bottom three.
Don't tell anybody but I think the sun might be coming out!
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no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 03:20 pm (UTC)I was privileged to see these two live at the Tango festival thingie. They were amazing, but so was everyone else there. You should definitely go to the show, if you get an opportunity. I came away inspired...
It's always wonderful to watch people who are so dedicated to their craft and will throw themselves into it so wholeheartedly.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 03:47 pm (UTC)I wanted to love the paso doble too...I think the music was too difficult to compete with. I love that song...but it may have made the dancers feel like they needed to complete for the attention.
LOVED the waltz...and was annoyed that the judges sort of made light of it - "No one is going to stand up and cheer for it" was sort of obnoxious.
And I have to say...I can't stand Asuka...she's my "Meghan Joy Corkrey" of SYTYCD...her mere presence annoys me :-)
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 04:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 03:52 pm (UTC)The Paso Doble - the costumes were great and the music - but the dance didn't live up to it and I felt disappointed. It felt "fake".
I loved the rocknroll/hip hop one - couldn't look away for a second during it.
Some of the other ones bored me or didn't keep my attention {I was folding laundry for 2 hours last night while I watched.}
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 04:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 05:07 pm (UTC)but yeah, it's odd how the judges kept saying "that was a simple choreography." By whose standards? What makes a choreography simple - the # of movements or the complexity or difficulty of them?
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 04:43 pm (UTC)Did I say I hated it?
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 04:50 pm (UTC)Last night's show kept making me think of belly dance in a lot of ways. The Paso Doble made me think of comments by Egyptian dancers about how there's almost always something missing from performances by non-Egyptians to Arabic music. I think the music choice could have worked well for stronger dancers, but they had no feel for what the movements were supposed to convey, so they didn't stand any chance of interpreting the music well. Or at all. And the lack of meaning in the movements made it really not a paso doble.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-26 12:38 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 05:30 pm (UTC)The paso doble was disappointing. I was just confused. That music is so strong but the dancers didn't rise to it. Needed more passion and Jonathan to concentrate on his partner.
Loved the Mia Michaels routine. That movement...I love her!
Jazz..if not done well to me looks like a recital piece from a local dance school. Not saying there aren't gifted dancers in those local dance schools but Asuka reminded me of one of dancers just doing a recital piece and that's it. Her partner carried her thru that piece.
Janette and Brandon...That was a great routine and it worked b/c they gave it there all. Loved seeing him pop and lock and her just out doing herself.
Ade and Melissa...I so enjoy them.
The judges (Nigel and Mary) keep saying this is the best crop of dancers they've had...I just wonder in terms of what? Compared to last years contestants? Compared to what these contestants did in auditions this year? There are some talented dancers but....I don't know.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 07:38 pm (UTC)I mean, they aren't going to say "gee, this crowd just isn't as good as last year."
no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 07:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-26 12:41 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-06-25 07:30 pm (UTC)Asuka - there is no chemistry there whatsoever. She needs to go.
Ade and Melissa - they're my favorite, too. I think they did a fantastic job.
Janet Brandon - one of my favorite couples, too. They've been solid throughout. And damn! Brandon can bring it.
Kupono and Kayla's - Good but not my favorite piece.
Evan and Randi - I think they are solidly awesome in their routines but don't have enough spark to receive as much attention as some of the other groups. It's a shame, too, because I think they are some of the best dancers out there.
Caitlin and Jason - UGH. I have no idea what the judge's were talking about. That piece had so much potential and it fell flat on its face. I *really* wish that Ade and Melissa got it instead because I think it would have been one of my favorite routines if they were able to put into it their power and attention to detail.
Jeanine and Phillip - Gah. Sound is off for the videos. Stupid YouTube.
no subject
Date: 2009-06-26 12:42 am (UTC)