Comments on: Independent 7542/Phi

By: scarpia

scarpia — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 23:54:46 +0000

Thanks John.
Like sidey and flashling I found this one of Phi’s easier puzzles.Still,plenty of good stuff,CABERNET being my favourite clue.

By: sidey

sidey — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:32:34 +0000

Neal, I think it’s a reference to the corny ‘Why was the cannibal feeling ill?’ ‘He’d eaten someone who disagreed with him’, not the best clue ever.

By: NealH

NealH — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:42:40 +0000

I’m afraid I didn’t like 1 across at all and didn’t really follow it. I’m still not sure I really do – it seems a bit too vague. Other than that, there was nothing to complain about. The idea of there being a film link did go through my mind when I saw Memento but I didn’t pursue it.

By: flashling

flashling — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:19:07 +0000

I found this easy too despite my ‘flu ridden state. Last in Klingon which I gave myself a metaphorical kicking as the only thing I saw fitting was Clinton – alien life forn, well maybe!

Don’t know the actor so the theme went straight over my head.

Thanks John/Phi for this.

By: sidey

sidey — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:28:00 +0000

Good job we’re all different, I found this the easiest Phi for ages. I’d never have spotted the theme though.

By: nmsindy

nmsindy — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:49:31 +0000

Thanks for the blog, John, and Phi for the puzzle. I too found this much harder than usual for Phi tho, as usual, all the clues were meticulously fair and clear. nmsindy is v weak on films having never heard of the actor or the films but always knows where to check for these afterwards, the Internet Movie Database which is incredibly comprehensive.

Nice to watch that sun in Perth whatever about the changing trend of the cricket. Those Ashes will have to be earned out there, just a little complacency had crept in among some commentators, I thought. K’s D had assumed in a comment some puzzles back that nmsindy was less interested in cricket than football, that is so, but it’s very much his second sport and it’s quite a series that is developing.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:57:59 +0000

Sorry, if that all sounded a bit negative, just to say that I did really like MORALE, CABERNET and INTELLIGENT.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 12:49:56 +0000

Thank you, John, for the blog.

I think you do have an excuse, because this was certainly harder than your average Phi. Nothing wrong technically with the crossword: Phi is always very precise with his clueing. But IMMESH, MIASMAL and AD HOMINEM were new to me, and I’m not saying at all that you shouldn’t come across new or unfamiliar words in a daily cryptic, but perhaps a few too many today.

The theme? I guess only familiar to movie enthusiasts (ie not me). Did it make the puzzle more difficult because of having to accommodate the relevant clues? I know naff all about setting, so don’t ask me … but I will say that we’ve had another good week in the Indy. Not matched by the performance in Perth, I know, but it ain’t over till the fat lady sings. I suspect she’s rehearsing right now, though.

By: IanN14

IanN14 — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 08:33:26 +0000

There is a hidden theme, here, revolving around 10, 24. and contains four of his films.

By: sidey

sidey — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 02:25:53 +0000

10 is (the porch is)* + R(ex) John. Thanks for the blog.