Cui/ Rogers FD @ LPIDI
I am still enjoying watching the video. Amy & Jonathan are portraying the Chinese-American husband and wife, in
Sinners, 'Bo & Grace Chow'. At one point (2:02 - 2:05), during a circular glide move that precedes their combo spin, 'Bo' leans horizontally over 'Grace,' who is in a knee bend spread eagle with an arm up as if to block 'Bo', but he has already bitten her in the neck during the prior sequence. 'Bo' holds onto 'Grace' with his right arm while his left leg extends outward in time to the music. This is one of the FD's major highlights. Because the music is synced to the video from another source, we don't get the full effect and proper timing of when Jonathan, as 'Bo', extends his leg to the music.
I have already seen the film, and I've read commentary about these particular characters. Actually, 'Grace' has the stronger, more dominant personality in the film. She was not a victim to her husband's vampirism. Her wanting to escape the juke joint entrapment is what causes her husband to be bitten. Her response to him being changed is dramatic, powerful, and sacrificial. I realize that traditional roles of dominant male and submissive female or sultry, vixen female are usually what we get in ice dance. And Weaver knows she can only adapt a few bits from the film for a young team. Plus, Jonathan is the more dominant talent and personality in this young partnership. But hopefully, Amy will ultimately be able to convey a bit more strength and feisty courage in her portrayal of 'Grace'.
I wish C/R could also be less cliche in their obligatory steps toward the judges. Instead of merely glaring in the judges' faces, why not at the boards have 'Grace' suddenly grab 'Bo' by the neck and push him backward, showing her defiance and courage! They could move into a furious spin at the end and then slump in each others' arms and twirl downward in a heap, which would better connote the blaze they are lit up in due to the selfless actions by 'Grace' to try and save their daughter, at the end of the film. Sorry for these spoilers for those who haven't yet seen the film.
Grace and Bo are supporting characters, too, not even the main characters in the film. But they are strongly written, and based in reality on Southern Chinese-American grocers in the Mississippi Delta. I can see Jacob Sanchez portraying the young protagonist, Preacherboy Sammie Moore, who is a guitar playing genius. Perhaps Sasha Selevko could do a program portraying the twin brothers, Elijah (Smoke) and Elias (Stack), whom Michael B. Jordan brought to life in a dual performance, which won him the Best Actor Oscar. Or else, Sasha and his bro, Mihhail, could do an exhibition together portraying the twin brothers in
Sinners.
This FD for Cui/ Rogers, once again, shows the importance of rich music selection, and depth of story and character. Albeit, Weaver and C/R's coaches could do a bit more to help C/R bring out the true depth of the characters. It's not your traditional vampire horror story.
Not a great start for one of my faves, Calhoun/ Zheltyshev (in junior LPIDI) They have typically scored 6 to 7 pts higher in the RD last season. Rooting for them to pull up in the FD. 
But kinda unfair to go from dance floor vibing, popular jiving, rapping, strutting, and hip-hopping to ...
They are such an emotionally expressive team, beautiful to watch. 
I can't wait to see the LPIDI videos, with music. And the photos that are always posted on icedance.com
Whew!
