18. Hot cereal brand since 1893: CREAM OF WHEAT. I haven't had this since not liking it as a kid. I have developed a fondness for oatmeal, though. HEAT is a 1995 taut psychological drama about an obsessive detective and a brilliant thief whose fates are linked in the aftermath of a high-stakes securities heist.
38. Page on a novelist's website: ABOUT THE AUTHOR. Where the author introduces him/her self, work and persona. Here are some tips. THOR is a Marvel super-hero fantasy movie from 2011.
52. Military sanction: ARMS EMBARGO. A restriction or a set of sanctions that applies solely to weaponry, and may also apply to "dual-use technology". ARGO Is a Warner Bros. Pictures' and GK Films' dramatic thriller. Based on true events, "Argo" chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis--the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.
Hi gang - JazzBumpa here to unpack the rest of the puzzle. Let's get to work
Across:
1. Top banana: MR. BIG. Somebody in a position of power - especially in the criminal world.
6. Egg size: JUMBO. Bigger than large eggs weighing 2.5 each.
11. Wrap with feathers: BOA. A long, thin, decorative scarf.
14. Like some close ball games: ONE RUN. A baseball game [I vaguely remember such things] won by a single run.
16. Ancient market: AGORA. In ancient Greece, an open public place for gatherings or markets.
17. Objective: AIM. Desired outcome.
20. "Baby Cobra" stand-up comedian Wong: ALI.
22. Implant: EMBED. Attach to the inside of something, Frex: into a blog post, like a picture or MOVIE TRAILOR. Are these terms really equivalant?
24. Sit-up targets: ABS. The ABdomnal muscles.
30. Got another opinion from: RAN PAST. I RAN my symptoms PAST another doctor.
33. Subway critter: RAT. Underground rodent.
34. Sail support: MAST. On an appropriately equipped ship.
35. Scandinavian coastal feature: FJORD. A long, narrow, deep inlet of the sea between high cliffs, as in Norway and Iceland, typically formed by submergence of a glaciated valley. Which, I suppose explains why they aren't found in the tropics.
36. Patio-brewed drink: SUN TEA. A beverage made by steeping the leaves in water under direct sunlight instead of boiling water.
43. Took a curious look: PEERED. To look keenly or with difficulty at somebody or some thing. I'm peering at the word "curious" in the clue.
44. Birthstone after opal: TOPAZ. A gemstone that is an orthorhombic crystalline form of aluminum silicate, found in a variety of colors.
46. Most-traded Latin American currency: PESO.
49. Part of a cage: RIB. In human or animal torsos.
50. Venezuelan herder: LLANERO. A South American herder. The name is taken from the Llanos grasslands occupying western-central Venezuela and eastern Colombia. The Llanero were originally part Spanish and Indian and have a strong culture including a distinctive form of music.
55. Word between surnames: NEE. In marriage announcements.
56. Mean: CRUEL. Willfully causing pain or suffering.
57. Motor-assisted rides: E-BIKES. Electric powered bicycles.
60. Women's History Mo.: MAR. In late April, it is now history.
67. DOJ bureau: ATF. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
68. 21-Across carrier: SHARK. Vide supra.
69. Dress like a judge: ENROBE.
70. Rapper Lil __ X: NAS. Any "iRapper" who came to prominence during the "iGeneration" of Gen Z that lack traditional musical talent. Typically these people gained fame on SoundCloud thru younger Gen Z'ers and are considered entertainment clowns by those born before 1986.
Yeah - I had to look it up.
Evidently also a specific person. This is getting confusing.
71. Handy bags: TOTES.
72. Manage: GET BY. Do OK, under the circumstances. Relatable.
Down:
1. Soft shoe: MOC. Short for moccasin: a soft leather slipper or shoe, strictly one without a separate heel, having the sole turned up on all sides and sewn to the upper in a simple gathered seam, in a style originating among North American Indians.
2. Mil. time off: RNR. Rest and Relaxation.
3. Smug brew "expert": BEER SNOB. Someone who considers themselves to be superior to non-craft and quite a few craft drinker due to the beers he chooses consume. He or she also loves to flaunt his or her knowledge of the beverage despite evidence otherwise.
I'll note that I scored a 6 pack of Smithwick's Red ale at Trader Joe's last week. It's complex - hoppy but not too much so with a rich malt finish.
4. "Dies __": hymn: IRAE. The Day of Wrath, a 13th century [possibly much older] liturgical chant of uncertain origin, based on a latin poem about the last judgement.
5. Garland, at birth: GUMM. Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10, 1922 – June 22, 1969) was an American actress, singer, and dancer known as Judy Garland. During a career that spanned 45 years, she attained international stardom as an actress in both musical and dramatic roles, as a recording artist, and on the concert stage.
6. Talk endlessly to: JAW AT. Blah, blah, blah.
7. "I hate it": UGH. Expression of disgust.
8. One of the Pep Boys: MOE. The others are Manny and Jack.
9. Half a bikini: BRA. A garment worn to conceal and/or support the bosom.
10. Hall partner: OATES. Music duo I never liked very much. IIRC, Sting, of the Police, did, though, so YMMV.
11. "__, black sheep ... ": BAA BAA. Have you any wool?
12. Mideast fleet: OILERS. Ships loaded with a product whose value has declined rather disastrously.
13. In the center of: AMIDST.
15. Gaming rookies: NOOBS. Derived from Newbie - a greenhorn or tyro.
19. __ party: FRAT. College fraternity shindig.
23. Carson's sidekick: MCMAHON. Ed [1923-2009] was an announcer, game show host, comedian, actor and singer.
24. Yelp alternative: ARF. Canine commentary.
25. Westernmost Mexican state, familiarly: BAJA. California, to make it complete.
27. Made level, with "up": TRUED. As in carpentry or construction.
28. "Big Eyes" singer Del Rey: LANA.
31. Request a hand?: PROPOSE. Ask for one's hand in marriage. Other body parts come at no extra charge.
32. For two, in music: A DUE. French, maybe?
36. Biblical queendom: SHEBA. The history is not clear.
37. Bluesy James: ETTA. I had her last time, too.
39. Stretch in office: TERM.
40. Salt Lake daily, familiarly: TRIB. Tribune more formally.
41. Available schedule hour: OPEN SLOT.
42. Burger order: RARE. True - I don't order one very often.
45. Kravitz of "Big Little Lies": ZOE. [b 1988] She is the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet.
46. Video game with a maze: PACMAN.
47. List of slips: ERRATA. Mistake catalog.
48. Gargamel foes: SMURFS. Small blue humanoids.
50. Rainbow flag letters: LGBT. Lesbian, Gay, Bi-, Trans- . . . There are some more symbols now, to be more inclusive, but I don't remember what they are
51. Tours can be found on it: LOIRE. French city on a river.
53. Horror film loc.: ELM ST. Nightmares there.
54. Gives a strong impression (of): REEKS. Not in a pleasant way.
58. __ the Conqueror, Marvel supervillain: KANG. A mysterious time-traveling villain with alternate versions in various story lines.
59. Celt's land: EIRE. The Emerald Isle.
62. "Now I get it!": OHO. Eye opening exclamation.
63. Chocolate factory fixture: VAT. A big, open container. Caution is advised.
64. Anger: IRE. The island of anger is Ire Land.
65. Recede: EBB. As tides or hair lines.
66. King of Spain: REY. Literal.
That wraps up another Wednesday in the year of the great plague. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy.
Cool regards!
JzB
Notes from C.C.:
Hahtoolah (Susan) and I made today's USA Today puzzle, edited by the genius Erik Agard. You can solve it here. Congrats, Susan! Thank you for the idea. Thanks for making it happen.
