Thursday March 21st 2019, NY Times Crossword

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Time: 10:57
Thursday Average: 25:00
Best Thursday: 10:18

Maybe my favorite new crossword test is whether or not you can spell SAOIRSE Ronan's name. Of course, pronunciation is a separate test that doesn't come up in crosswords, but I assume in your everyday life. As for me, I'm proud to say that I got it in one and it helped me blaze through this crossword.

The SLASHER FILM theme is straightforward as we have three film names that have a "/" in them. Get it? I'd never heard of VICTOR/VICTORIA, but IMDB describes the plot succinctly as follows: "A struggling female soprano finds work playing a male female impersonator, but it complicates her personal life." Got it. Meanwhile, I can say that I have recently re-watched Nicolas Cage classic FACE/OFF, which still has enough classic lines and moments to make up for its tedious action film pacing. If nothing else, be sure to watch Nicolas Cage's iconic "I'm Castor Troy!" scene. Give that man on Oscar for that one minute alone! Oh, and FROST/NIXON is also a film. The answers crossing the theme clues are frightfully dull with AC/DC (not even clued like the band), AM/FM, and the exceedingly tiresome HE/SHE.

MAD DASH is probably the tamest possible answer to "Happening after doors open on Black Friday." I'm sure I'm not alone in running through answers in my head such as "human stampede," "tragic demise," and "complete loss of faith in humanity."

Are "many A.T.M.s" NO FEE? Not in my experience.

This is the second time Australian Olympic swimmer Ian THORPE has come up in a crossword. I'm making a note to remember him next time. 

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