Sasha's Movie -- First Review

[Linny]

Lose the idolization?

You have to lose the idolization or you'll never be able to defeat them.

I respectfully disagree. Each skater takes the ice alone. Each skater does their program to the best of their ability on that day. If Alice Axel beats Sally Salchow, it's because she skated a better program (in the opinion of the judges), not because Alice does or does not idolize Sally.

It's not the same as, say, running a foot race where you and your competitor are side-by-side on the track. A runner has to believe they can get to the finish line faster than the other guy.

But a skater mostly has to practice their routine, know the number of points that can be earned if they hit their elements, believe that they CAN hit all their elements and do it with the passion necessary to earn PCS scores as well as TCS scores... and that same skater has absolutely no control over whether or not their competitor can do the same. Each skater is, ultimately, alone on the ice.

Linny

 

[chuckm]

I don't think anyone expects a skater to idolize a competitor. What might be expected, though, is respect. I believe Sarah Hughes did respect Kwan, but I don't think Sasha has ever spoken of or shown any respect for her competitors, not even Kwan or Slutskaya. She's just behaved as if they didn't exist.

Kwan and Slutskaya competed against one another from 1995 until 2005. They not only respected one another, they actually liked each other.

 

[kittyjake5]

I respectfully disagree. Each skater takes the ice alone. Each skater does their program to the best of their ability on that day. If Alice Axel beats Sally Salchow, it's because she skated a better program (in the opinion of the judges), not because Alice does or does not idolize Sally.

It's not the same as, say, running a foot race where you and your competitor are side-by-side on the track. A runner has to believe they can get to the finish line faster than the other guy.

But a skater mostly has to practice their routine, know the number of points that can be earned if they hit their elements, believe that they CAN hit all their elements and do it with the passion necessary to earn PCS scores as well as TCS scores... and that same skater has absolutely no control over whether or not their competitor can do the same. Each skater is, ultimately, alone on the ice.

Linny

Great post and I agree. Many times I have heard various skaters,
(when asked numerous sometimes silly questions about their opponents) reply I can't control what anyone else does on the ice I only can control what I do on the ice.

 

[attyfan]

I don't think anyone expects a skater to idolize a competitor. What might be expected, though, is respect. I believe Sarah Hughes did respect Kwan, but I don't think Sasha has ever spoken of or shown any respect for her competitors, not even Kwan or Slutskaya. She's just behaved as if they didn't exist.

Kwan and Slutskaya competed against one another from 1995 until 2005. They not only respected one another, they actually liked each other.

I think it significant that Sasha also said she wanted to "pull a Tara" -- win and go pro after a comparatively short Oly eligible career. This would allow to ignore her competitors.

It is harder to ignore someone who you see year in and year out. Instead, they have a choice -- either the open dislike (Yags/Plushy model) or like each other (or at least get along well) as much as possible (Kwan/Slute model) I think that Kwan/Slute have a relationship based on a choice -- and I think the nature of that choice speaks volumes about their characters.

I also think that both the sport and skating fans are richer for the choice made by Kwan and Slutskaya.

 

[Joesitz (RIP)]

I believe Sasha and Sarah used to play table tennis together while in COI. Can anyone confirm this?

btw, Angela Lansbury when asked about her friendship with Elizabeth Taylor replied, we are friendly, but not friends. I think that could apply to figure skater competitors.

Am I correct to think that male competitors are more friendly to each other than Ladies?

Joe

 

[kandidy]

This is off the topic's discussion of Sasha's acting career, bbut now discussing on her personality off the ice.
I agree that she is not that kind of humble girl in front of the press, but I think it is kind of American's style that you always try to be positive thinking in your skating. As long as she didn't hire someone to injure other athletes's knees or whinning in front of the press, I don't see why it is bothering some people so much about wanting to be the first to touch the ice in warm up.

 

[chuckm]

Well, it's just plain RUDE to shove another skater out of your way because you want to be first on the warm-up ice. Sasha has exhibited other rude behaviors, such as chewing gum on the podium at Skate Canada and TEB in the 2003-2004 season.

Besides the pushing and shoving, Sasha's had a reputation for ignoring other skaters on warm-up ice and expecting them to look out for HER. Her habit of treating other skaters as if they don't exist is a very dangerous thing on warm-up ice.

 

[cassieandcheetah]

This is off the topic's discussion of Sasha's acting career, bbut now discussing on her personality off the ice.
I agree that she is not that kind of humble girl in front of the press, but I think it is kind of American's style that you always try to be positive thinking in your skating. As long as she didn't hire someone to injure other athletes's knees or whinning in front of the press, I don't see why it is bothering some people so much about wanting to be the first to touch the ice in warm up.

Well, I don't think it's off-the-topic because given her on-ice personality, it's difficult to imagine her in some roles if not in others. For instance, I think in her CSI episode she played the role of a female skater who was in distress over her friend's murder, and her looking concerned and sad for another person did not come across to me as convincing at all. Maybe it's just her lack of acting skills but you can't imagine her playing the blind skater in "Ice Castles" either, can you? I don't think Lynn-Holly Johnson had much experience in acting either, but I found her to be sympathetic and convincing. I can't imagine feeling the same way about Sasha had she been the one playing her.

 

[R.D.]

Sasha has exhibited other rude behaviors, such as chewing gum on the podium at Skate Canada and TEB in the 2003-2004 season.

I keep hearing about this OVER and OVER again, yet there is no video. anyone care to supply it?

 

[R.D.]

Well, I don't think it's off-the-topic because given her on-ice personality, it's difficult to imagine her in some roles if not in others. For instance, I think in her CSI episode she played the role of a female skater who was in distress over her friend's murder, and her looking concerned and sad for another person did not come across to me as convincing at all. Maybe it's just her lack of acting skills but you can't imagine her playing the blind skater in "Ice Castles" either, can you? I don't think Lynn-Holly Johnson had much experience in acting either, but I found her to be sympathetic and convincing. I can't imagine feeling the same way about Sasha had she been the one playing her.

I think Cohen would fit a "villian" or "bratty" role much better than a "good girl" role, but that's just based on what I've seen. I'm totally unconvinced if she tries anything else.

 

[chuckm]

I keep hearing about this OVER and OVER again, yet there is no video. anyone care to supply it?

There was such a video, and I saw it. The video was supplied by a fan who had captured it from Japanese TV (Shizuka Arakawa won silver in the TEB competition). When the officials put the medal on Arakawa's neck, you could see Sasha standing next to her with a huge bulge in her cheek. Sasha chomped away through the entire medal ceremony.

 

[sillylionlove]

I loved the movie Ice Castles!!

However, I will proably not see this movie. Doesn't really interest me regardless of who is in it.

 

[Linny]

Playing yourself

Back to the original topic - Sasha as an actress.

There are many, many actors and actresses who have had successful careers basically playing themselves. Burt Reynolds immediately comes to mind but I'm sure there are plenty of others.

So, if Sasha is thought of as "haughty", well, playing the competing rider in a horse show shouldn't be a big stretch. I've been at plenty of horse shows and I know the type.

I haven't seen the movie - obviously, I'm going to, being both a figure skating fan and an equestrian sports participant. Even though the movie is clearly not aimed at my demograph.

Linny

 

[kittyjake5]

There was such a video, and I saw it. The video was supplied by a fan who had captured it from Japanese TV (Shizuka Arakawa won silver in the TEB competition). When the officials put the medal on Arakawa's neck, you could see Sasha standing next to her with a huge bulge in her cheek. Sasha chomped away through the entire medal ceremony.

I remember seeing that video.

 

[Dee4707]

For instance, I think in her CSI episode she played the role of a female skater who was in distress over her friend's murder, and her looking concerned and sad for another person did not come across to me as convincing at all.

I thought she did a good job in that show.

Could you do a better job?? Why don't you take a home movie and show us what concern and caring looks like. Post it on youtube. I can't wait to see it.

Dee

 

[krenseby]

I think it significant that Sasha also said she wanted to "pull a Tara" -- win and go pro after a comparatively short Oly eligible career. This would allow to ignore her competitors.

It is harder to ignore someone who you see year in and year out. Instead, they have a choice -- either the open dislike (Yags/Plushy model) or like each other (or at least get along well) as much as possible (Kwan/Slute model) I think that Kwan/Slute have a relationship based on a choice -- and I think the nature of that choice speaks volumes about their characters.

I also think that both the sport and skating fans are richer for the choice made by Kwan and Slutskaya.

The choice to respect your competitor, as in the case of Kwan and Slutskaya, is based on the love of challenge and competition.

Slutskaya's attempts in 2000 to skate with more choreography and more difficult jumps such as triple-triples was partially due to the fact that this would be needed to beat Michelle. Kwan also needed to skate a perfect program with no mistakes in her jumps to keep her title. They drew their motivation from each other and that's why they also valued each other.

Cohen, on the other hand, wished that Kwan would pack her bags so that she can have her national title. Cohen did not like competition and did not appreciate the fact that she would have try harder to beat Michelle at Nationals. Now, I don't think there's anything wrong with that. When competition is unpleasant and undesire, the competitor is disliked. It's as simple as that. Without the love of competition on both sides, there can be friendship between competing skaters.

 

[Lumi]

I thought she did a good job in that show.

Could you do a better job?? Why don't you take a home movie and show us what concern and caring looks like. Post it on youtube. I can't wait to see it.

Dee

Because she thinks Sasha didn't do good job acting, she should be better than Sasha in acting? Please, don't be ridicilous.''

(I don't think that Sasha has game across natural in any of her films. I am sure there is huge amount of more talented actross in queue trying to get same jobs as she)

 

[cassieandcheetah]

I thought she did a good job in that show.

Could you do a better job?? Why don't you take a home movie and show us what concern and caring looks like. Post it on youtube. I can't wait to see it.

Dee

Gosh, this is getting kind of laughable isn't it. Sorry, but I haven't got time:I've got better things to do such as school.

 

[Mathman]

Well, I think I can find it in my heart to forgive Sasha for chewing gum. Unless it was Juicy Fruit, of course -- yuck.

As for skaters admiring their competitors, I remember when Jenny Kirk won the World Junior Championship her bio page on USFS said, under Favorite Skater, "Michelle Kwan."

The next year she moved up to seniors and it said, "Kristi Yamaguchi."

 

[Dee4707]

Gosh, this is getting kind of laughable isn't it. Sorry, but I haven't got time:I've got better things to do such as school.

Glad you see it is. That's why I posted the question.

Dee