Jeanine, Brandon, Evan and Kayla in the Finale. All are very talented, all deserve to be there! I'm going to guess . . .hmm . . . Kayla. I just think it is a girl's year.
but I've been wrong before!
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
SYTYCD - Let's get down to business
I'm starting this post half way through watching tonight's episode of the top 6. The finale is next week so I thought I'd post a few thoughts . . .who is really going to win this thing?
Brandon - Well no doubt he is the "best" dancer technically and is an amazing performer with a phenomenal stage presence. His tour jete in the Stacey Tooke routine made me say "wow" out loud. and he definitely deserved the standing ovation from his solo. BUT the winner of this show is also based on personality and the way they carry themselves when they're not dancing. This is where he lacks professionalism and confidence. Do you remember Will from last season? He really had it all, just thinking about him for some reason. . . .
Ade - Totally talented and I like his solos I think he and Melissa really worked well together, she brought out a lot of great things in him and he let her shine. But his personality is just kind of on a plateau, just a little blah. I mean, compare him to Joshua or Twitch (the two boys in the finale) from last season personality wise, do you see what I mean?
Evan - Oh, Evan is still here, I forgot! Well, Evan is great, lots of personality, but just not versatile enough to win this. He can do the other styles and pull them off but he's kind of a one trick pony at the end of the day. Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed a lot of his routines this season! He does have a professionalism and an optimism about him that I admire. But I think he's going home tomorrow. It's been fun seeing him get this far. (i'm adding this later, I was thoroughly impressed with his turns into the side leap in his solo tonight)
Jeanine - Never really stood out to me until about three weeks ago. Yep, this girl is really good. Great technique, very versatile and a good presence on and off stage. I could see her in the finale but I think having Phillip as a partner hurt her in the beginning and she hasn't been in any really memorable routines this season, at least nothing comes to mind for me right away. Didn't really feel the hip hop tonight either. Her transitions and preps kind of linger a little longer than they should sometimes.
Kayla - It took me a while to see what the judges were seeing in her but she is really a very talented dancer technically and does a great job of portraying emotion on stage. That addiction routine a few weeks back was one of her best. She's a great mover and I enjoy watching her dance but there is something about the connection between her upper and lower body, her legs and her torso that just rubs me the wrong way when she dances. There is nothing wrong with it, it just isn't what I prefer in a girl dancer. Also I just don't see a light in her eyes and in her performances, don't know how else to explain that, it's not just that she's in serious routines. I think she'll be great in the finale though.
Melissa - Well, if you haven't figured it out already I'm predicting her to take it all. Out of the top 6 I think she has everything that the winners of this show tend to have. She's grown a lot, she stands out specifically in some way (as the oldest dancer), she's had some very memorable routines (the one about cancer last week, the pas de deaux). What I really love about her is that light and joy in her eyes. She was perfect for that cancer routine last week (btw, I didn't know it was about cancer, I just thought it was about a husband and wife because I was talking to someone during the little pre performance thing, and it still almost made me cry!). She and Kayla have different strengths. I think if Melissa didn't take it I'd be ok with Kayla taking it, I think it is a girls year.
Well, that is my two cents. I think it's cool that all 6 of these dancers have been in the bottom before. I should add that I'm not always right about these things though. Season one I was positive Blake would win but when he went home early I was happy with Nic. Season two I was all about Travis, I'm still all about Travis, one of my favorites ever on the show, but Benji took it all. Season three I was all about Sabra and she won! Season 4 I was a big Joshua fan all through the season but then at the finale I kind of fell to the Twitch side but was so happy for Joshua. We'll see!!
P.S. funny how I don't even vote!
p.p.s. Brandon and Kayla's routine had a lot of potential but honestly, it looked tired and heavy, I can't believe not one judge mentioned it.
Brandon - Well no doubt he is the "best" dancer technically and is an amazing performer with a phenomenal stage presence. His tour jete in the Stacey Tooke routine made me say "wow" out loud. and he definitely deserved the standing ovation from his solo. BUT the winner of this show is also based on personality and the way they carry themselves when they're not dancing. This is where he lacks professionalism and confidence. Do you remember Will from last season? He really had it all, just thinking about him for some reason. . . .
Ade - Totally talented and I like his solos I think he and Melissa really worked well together, she brought out a lot of great things in him and he let her shine. But his personality is just kind of on a plateau, just a little blah. I mean, compare him to Joshua or Twitch (the two boys in the finale) from last season personality wise, do you see what I mean?
Evan - Oh, Evan is still here, I forgot! Well, Evan is great, lots of personality, but just not versatile enough to win this. He can do the other styles and pull them off but he's kind of a one trick pony at the end of the day. Don't get me wrong, I've really enjoyed a lot of his routines this season! He does have a professionalism and an optimism about him that I admire. But I think he's going home tomorrow. It's been fun seeing him get this far. (i'm adding this later, I was thoroughly impressed with his turns into the side leap in his solo tonight)
Jeanine - Never really stood out to me until about three weeks ago. Yep, this girl is really good. Great technique, very versatile and a good presence on and off stage. I could see her in the finale but I think having Phillip as a partner hurt her in the beginning and she hasn't been in any really memorable routines this season, at least nothing comes to mind for me right away. Didn't really feel the hip hop tonight either. Her transitions and preps kind of linger a little longer than they should sometimes.
Kayla - It took me a while to see what the judges were seeing in her but she is really a very talented dancer technically and does a great job of portraying emotion on stage. That addiction routine a few weeks back was one of her best. She's a great mover and I enjoy watching her dance but there is something about the connection between her upper and lower body, her legs and her torso that just rubs me the wrong way when she dances. There is nothing wrong with it, it just isn't what I prefer in a girl dancer. Also I just don't see a light in her eyes and in her performances, don't know how else to explain that, it's not just that she's in serious routines. I think she'll be great in the finale though.
Melissa - Well, if you haven't figured it out already I'm predicting her to take it all. Out of the top 6 I think she has everything that the winners of this show tend to have. She's grown a lot, she stands out specifically in some way (as the oldest dancer), she's had some very memorable routines (the one about cancer last week, the pas de deaux). What I really love about her is that light and joy in her eyes. She was perfect for that cancer routine last week (btw, I didn't know it was about cancer, I just thought it was about a husband and wife because I was talking to someone during the little pre performance thing, and it still almost made me cry!). She and Kayla have different strengths. I think if Melissa didn't take it I'd be ok with Kayla taking it, I think it is a girls year.
Well, that is my two cents. I think it's cool that all 6 of these dancers have been in the bottom before. I should add that I'm not always right about these things though. Season one I was positive Blake would win but when he went home early I was happy with Nic. Season two I was all about Travis, I'm still all about Travis, one of my favorites ever on the show, but Benji took it all. Season three I was all about Sabra and she won! Season 4 I was a big Joshua fan all through the season but then at the finale I kind of fell to the Twitch side but was so happy for Joshua. We'll see!!
P.S. funny how I don't even vote!
p.p.s. Brandon and Kayla's routine had a lot of potential but honestly, it looked tired and heavy, I can't believe not one judge mentioned it.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Almost a Day at the Beach . . .
The day before the 4th to me was just a regular day. We had some time so I said to Jared, "Let's go to the beach!". Max and I go on walks there quite often but we haven't been with Jared and we haven't packed a picnic and swimsuits and towels and spent an afternoon there. So we got all ready and headed over to Corona del Mar, a 10-15 minute drive usually, but this time it took over an hour!! What was I thinking? It was the beginning of the holiday weekend and it was packed trying to turn on to PCH, let alone find a parking spot. Max decided he didn't want to be in his car seat anymore about 20 minutes into the whole thing and was crying. Well, we decided we could just come back another day and found a little park just down the hill in between Corona del Mar and Balboa. It was perfect. Max really enjoyed the sunshine and breeze and finally being out of his carseat! He also could watch some other kids run around, which I think he really enjoyed. Finished the whole trip off with ice cream at Costco . . . perfect.
Doesn't that lip just make you so sad? It's tough when he cries in the car, there is nothing you can really do.
Love these little swim trunks, a gift from sweet Mallory L.!
We let him try out the swing, I only let go of him for the picture, but he loved sitting in it! We'll try actually swinging a little later.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Capo Beach and a day with the Girls
The last day of June we went to a church activity with Jared's home ward at Capo Beach. It was the perfect beach evening. Max really loves the ocean, I think it's just the sound and the breeze.
Max's uncle Chase
Jared's high school friend Ben and his daughter Zoe
yeah, Max WISHES he could ride in the front seat of the car! He was so happy up there while I was organizing the diaper bag, he really doesn't like facing backwards in his car seat lately.
Also during the last week of June, Max and I went to SAN DIEGO to visit my beautiful friends Krista and Brooke . Honestly I've known them since as early as I can remember! Kris was visiting from Utah and Brooke lives down there with her husband, right next to the San Diego temple. We had a lot of fun hanging out and catching up.
Max's uncle Chase
Jared's high school friend Ben and his daughter Zoe
yeah, Max WISHES he could ride in the front seat of the car! He was so happy up there while I was organizing the diaper bag, he really doesn't like facing backwards in his car seat lately.
Also during the last week of June, Max and I went to SAN DIEGO to visit my beautiful friends Krista and Brooke . Honestly I've known them since as early as I can remember! Kris was visiting from Utah and Brooke lives down there with her husband, right next to the San Diego temple. We had a lot of fun hanging out and catching up.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
So You Think You Can . . .
. . .Critique
I've made it clear that I love So You Think You Can Dance. I've been watching it since season 1 and the show has certainly come a long way. A high point for me was season 2 when a guy I took class with was in the top twenty. Most nights, Jared has been the one who watches the show with me (except 2 summers ago, Sarah, that was so fun!). He's a good sport about listening to all my opinions and critiques on the dancers and choreography. All I really ask him to do is listen. But I thought it would be fun to post up my thoughts on my blog as well. So tonight, instead of doing the dishes after the show I ran up here to the computer. Here are Em's thoughts:
Brandon and Jeanette -
missed this one, I was putting Max to bed but I will say that Brandon really is amazingly talented. It's not just this weird hype that Mary started. He is a brilliant dancer who does make every style look like his own, a true sign of greatness in my opinion. His personality doesn't really rub me the right way though. I think he seems a little young and doesn't quite have a grasp on how he presents himself.
- Jeanette I haven't really been paying attention to so far but there isn't anything I don't like about her.
Kayla and Kupono - Sonja Routine
-Kayla is growing on me. I didn't really see what the judges saw in her during auditions but she is growing on me.
- Kupono I haven't really liked and I thought he'd go home a couple times, just isn't very versatile.
-OK, this routine was probably my favorite this season. With this Sonja lady you just never know what to expect but this was AWESOME. The music, the partnering, the levels, the focus, the emotion, and the commitment of the dancers, it was all there. Kupono DID look like a completely different person than I'm used to seeing as the judges mentioned. Kayla nailed this triple pirouette right in the middle of it all and it was so beautiful. I LOVE a good turner and a good leaper. I've been dissappointed that the dancers don't showcase their pirouettes and fouettes in their solos. I know their capable, they just need to find a way to throw them in with a smooth transition in and out so it's not like "ok i'm turning now".
Randi and Evan - Broadway
- I do cheer for Randi, she's from Utah Valley! Evan I do like as well but I preferred his brother over him, but I guess I'll be seeing him in the Fall season they're doing?
- Choreography is a bit confusing. Broadway should be crisp and clear as far as a storyline goes and I felt like this was either out of a musical I didn't know anything about or just confusing. The unison movement was just kind of thrown in for unison's sake, I don't know. Oh so Nigel I guess is saying it is a Fosse style, ok, now I see the subtleties with the wrists and everything, got it. But I've only done Fosse in a group number, this didn't seem like the Fosse I know but that definitely clarifies the punching and stuff. Eh, not my favorite and I did expect more out of Evan as well as this is supposed to be his cup of tea.
Caitlin and Jason - Jazz
- Caitlin, I don't really get it with her. She's good, but I don't know what made her stand out so much at the auditions other than the fact that she's tricky b/c she was a gymnast, but tricky doesn't cut it with me, and is it just me or does she look just like Amy Smart the actress? But her solos have really been great, I don't not like her.
- This is the first time Jason has stood out to me, I want to see more from him.
- Choreography, I'm glad Brian Friedman is back this season. Ok, so this whole alien thing, I think it was pulled off very well actually. It was different but not so out there that people don't get it and not so characterized that it was cheesy. Her costume was very distracting however. I really wish they wouldn't tell us the story before the actual dance, it looses some of it's artistic value. Dance is supposed to portray a message through movement, without words, so please don't ruin the viewers journey for us by telling us the exact intent of the choreographer. Jason did a great job of playing the submissive role, I felt she held back a smidgen in her dominance but still pulled it off.
Phillip and Jeanine - hip hop
- These two haven't really stood out to me much.
- Napolean and Tabitha, I'm usually a fan of their stuff. I think they're a cute little choreographing couple and I'm amazed they can do this together as a job. Oh, Love Lockdown by Kanye West!! I've had a dance simmering in my brain to this song as well, it was nothing like this dance and certainly wasn't hip hop! But the chain is creative. I felt though that there were only a few moments where they actually did steps that they could only do with the chain. I don't know I kept waiting for some really cool chain moment and it just didn't come. There was some creative floor work. I LOVE how Mia sort of commented on how the choreography was lacking. Because sometimes it really is, but the judges will never say so and I know they know so!
Melissa and Ade - Pas de Deaux
- I really like African American male dancers and I really am liking Ade
- I always look forward to Melissa's dances too, I think it's great that she is the oldest on the show, 29.
- Ok so the routine. Hmm they didn't make Ade wear tights, I know men in tights is not what this audience is used to seeing but if it's going to be a classical number they should commit to it. Oh well. He looks like a very comteporary dancer doing ballet. I actually love it, but if it is supposed to be classical style then it doesn't cut it. She is very flawless and has great technique BUT it is pretty simple ballet, I know she is capable of more. This is being played safe. It really was wonderful, it was over too soon! Both could've done more technical stuff but I think they just played it safe overall. But it worked, it was simple and sweet.
Karla and Vitolio - Quickstep
- I REALLY like Vitolio, he may just be my favorite male as of this moment. His personality and how he talks actually reminds me of one of my advanced students at Granite Park from Liberia. I just love it. I also love the rawness and commitment in his movment. I've loved his solos and don't understand why the judges have been so hard on them.
-Karla is good but I'm surprised they've kept her over other dancers they've sent home.
- This dance I don't have much to say as far as technique because I know nothing about the quickstep but I just love Vitolio's confidence and how he completely embraces his role. Karla does look a little unsure compared to him but there is no moment where you could pin point it. Love the costume change, that was fun. One of my favorite ballroom numbers this season.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think! Even if you disagree!
I've made it clear that I love So You Think You Can Dance. I've been watching it since season 1 and the show has certainly come a long way. A high point for me was season 2 when a guy I took class with was in the top twenty. Most nights, Jared has been the one who watches the show with me (except 2 summers ago, Sarah, that was so fun!). He's a good sport about listening to all my opinions and critiques on the dancers and choreography. All I really ask him to do is listen. But I thought it would be fun to post up my thoughts on my blog as well. So tonight, instead of doing the dishes after the show I ran up here to the computer. Here are Em's thoughts:
Brandon and Jeanette -
missed this one, I was putting Max to bed but I will say that Brandon really is amazingly talented. It's not just this weird hype that Mary started. He is a brilliant dancer who does make every style look like his own, a true sign of greatness in my opinion. His personality doesn't really rub me the right way though. I think he seems a little young and doesn't quite have a grasp on how he presents himself.
- Jeanette I haven't really been paying attention to so far but there isn't anything I don't like about her.
Kayla and Kupono - Sonja Routine
-Kayla is growing on me. I didn't really see what the judges saw in her during auditions but she is growing on me.
- Kupono I haven't really liked and I thought he'd go home a couple times, just isn't very versatile.
-OK, this routine was probably my favorite this season. With this Sonja lady you just never know what to expect but this was AWESOME. The music, the partnering, the levels, the focus, the emotion, and the commitment of the dancers, it was all there. Kupono DID look like a completely different person than I'm used to seeing as the judges mentioned. Kayla nailed this triple pirouette right in the middle of it all and it was so beautiful. I LOVE a good turner and a good leaper. I've been dissappointed that the dancers don't showcase their pirouettes and fouettes in their solos. I know their capable, they just need to find a way to throw them in with a smooth transition in and out so it's not like "ok i'm turning now".
Randi and Evan - Broadway
- I do cheer for Randi, she's from Utah Valley! Evan I do like as well but I preferred his brother over him, but I guess I'll be seeing him in the Fall season they're doing?
- Choreography is a bit confusing. Broadway should be crisp and clear as far as a storyline goes and I felt like this was either out of a musical I didn't know anything about or just confusing. The unison movement was just kind of thrown in for unison's sake, I don't know. Oh so Nigel I guess is saying it is a Fosse style, ok, now I see the subtleties with the wrists and everything, got it. But I've only done Fosse in a group number, this didn't seem like the Fosse I know but that definitely clarifies the punching and stuff. Eh, not my favorite and I did expect more out of Evan as well as this is supposed to be his cup of tea.
Caitlin and Jason - Jazz
- Caitlin, I don't really get it with her. She's good, but I don't know what made her stand out so much at the auditions other than the fact that she's tricky b/c she was a gymnast, but tricky doesn't cut it with me, and is it just me or does she look just like Amy Smart the actress? But her solos have really been great, I don't not like her.
- This is the first time Jason has stood out to me, I want to see more from him.
- Choreography, I'm glad Brian Friedman is back this season. Ok, so this whole alien thing, I think it was pulled off very well actually. It was different but not so out there that people don't get it and not so characterized that it was cheesy. Her costume was very distracting however. I really wish they wouldn't tell us the story before the actual dance, it looses some of it's artistic value. Dance is supposed to portray a message through movement, without words, so please don't ruin the viewers journey for us by telling us the exact intent of the choreographer. Jason did a great job of playing the submissive role, I felt she held back a smidgen in her dominance but still pulled it off.
Phillip and Jeanine - hip hop
- These two haven't really stood out to me much.
- Napolean and Tabitha, I'm usually a fan of their stuff. I think they're a cute little choreographing couple and I'm amazed they can do this together as a job. Oh, Love Lockdown by Kanye West!! I've had a dance simmering in my brain to this song as well, it was nothing like this dance and certainly wasn't hip hop! But the chain is creative. I felt though that there were only a few moments where they actually did steps that they could only do with the chain. I don't know I kept waiting for some really cool chain moment and it just didn't come. There was some creative floor work. I LOVE how Mia sort of commented on how the choreography was lacking. Because sometimes it really is, but the judges will never say so and I know they know so!
Melissa and Ade - Pas de Deaux
- I really like African American male dancers and I really am liking Ade
- I always look forward to Melissa's dances too, I think it's great that she is the oldest on the show, 29.
- Ok so the routine. Hmm they didn't make Ade wear tights, I know men in tights is not what this audience is used to seeing but if it's going to be a classical number they should commit to it. Oh well. He looks like a very comteporary dancer doing ballet. I actually love it, but if it is supposed to be classical style then it doesn't cut it. She is very flawless and has great technique BUT it is pretty simple ballet, I know she is capable of more. This is being played safe. It really was wonderful, it was over too soon! Both could've done more technical stuff but I think they just played it safe overall. But it worked, it was simple and sweet.
Karla and Vitolio - Quickstep
- I REALLY like Vitolio, he may just be my favorite male as of this moment. His personality and how he talks actually reminds me of one of my advanced students at Granite Park from Liberia. I just love it. I also love the rawness and commitment in his movment. I've loved his solos and don't understand why the judges have been so hard on them.
-Karla is good but I'm surprised they've kept her over other dancers they've sent home.
- This dance I don't have much to say as far as technique because I know nothing about the quickstep but I just love Vitolio's confidence and how he completely embraces his role. Karla does look a little unsure compared to him but there is no moment where you could pin point it. Love the costume change, that was fun. One of my favorite ballroom numbers this season.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think! Even if you disagree!
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