STATUESQUE
ACROSS
4 Modify a robot, perhaps, eliminating erratic antics from organised terror campaigns (9) REPROGRAM {tERROR+caMPAiGns}*
9 Going away from conflict after South shelled closer to neighbourhood (7) OUTWARD {WAR}<=>{sOUTh} and {n...oD}
11 Fancy glass heliport around one lawmaker's office (14) LEGISLATORSHIP {GLASS+HELIPORT}* over {1}
12 Green tea oddly a part of one's make-up? (4) GENE {GrEeN+tEa}
13 Emergency worker's norm in the morning: dice bananas (9) PARAMEDIC {PAR}{AM}{DICE*}
17 Mysterious hit list includes initials of your parents? That's a serious problem (9) TYPHLITIS {HIT+LIST}* over {Your}{Pa...s}
19 Chief's ECG monitor providing regular readings (4) EMIR {Ecg+MonItoR}
22 You'll find out soon that W.C. is broken—express disapproval and walk back and forth (5,4,5) WATCH THIS SPACE {THAT+WC}*{HISS}{PACE}
26 She eats very well, somewhat mocking our metabolism (7) GOURMET [T]
27 Many orbit weirdly, showing deviation (9) ABNORMITY*
28 Right, lock doesn't open, key's tip rough? (5) ROCKY {R}{lOCK}{keY}
DOWN
1 Work unofficially with Spooner's crackpot force (9) MOONLIGHT (~loon might to moonlight)
2 Shape of cut has grown unevenly (7) OCTAGON {Of+CuT+hAs+GrOwN}
3 Thin box, susceptible at the edges (6) SPARSE {SPAR}{Su...lE}
4 Upcoming sprinter inspires Germany, favoured to get VIP treatment (3,6) RED CARPET {RAC{D}ER<=}{PET}
5 Possibly grand plan to turn Liberal into Independent? Fiasco, ultimately (5) PIANO {P(-l+i}IAN}{f...cO}
8 Movies struggle to get released, netting nothing in cattle calls (4) MOOS {MOvieS} over {0}
14 In a grating voice: "God alone holds power" (9) RASPINGLY {RA}{S{P}INGLY}
15 Find faults with item's woodwork (9) CARPENTRY {CARP}{ENTRY}
16 Recycled phone—gather, mostly, it's safe (3-5) ALL-CLEAR {(-c)ALL(+c)C}{LEARn}
18 Company policy restricts unreasonably (7) PLATOON {PLA{TOO}N}
20 Rank Florida city around second, approximately (7) MIASMIC {MIA{S}MI}{C}
21 Publishing company is the plaintiff (6) ISSUER {IS}{SUER}
23 Filthy minds filled with "glandular organs" (5) THYMI [T]
Reference List
Party = DO, Norm = PAR, Right = R, Germany = D, Liberal = L, Independent = I, Power = P, Second = S, Approximately = C
Sunday surprise.
ReplyDeleteOnce, Col. has kick started it, I think Sunday will have no change from daily TH cryptic. Setters eill rake their turns, I think.
Thanks for the Sunday crossword blog, Col.!
ReplyDeleteFYI: typo in the pseudonym: "Gussalufx"
Corrected
DeleteThanks!
DeleteGussalufz lives up to our expectations.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
Sundays becoming more enjoyable.
A challenging CW by Gussalufz. Still good for leisurely Sunday solve.
ReplyDeleteSathia
Special at 10:30 by new setter William Kenny
ReplyDeleteThe theme of this crossword can be seen from the thematic entries that Col. Gopinath has highlighted. There are three thematic ninas to be found too.
ReplyDeleteCan't find the Nina's. Any help?
ReplyDeleteAnora (piAnO RAsp...), oscar (moOS CARp...)
DeleteThe third is in the square!
DeleteEasier than usual Gussalufz fare.
ReplyDeleteOne small doubt.
In 18d -TOO is unreasonable?
Can someone explain?
Otherwise fun on a Sunday.
My fav - WATCH THIS SPACE, PARAMEDIC, OUTWARD.
Thanx Viresh!
One of the synonyms for too
Deleteis unreasonably-
Merriam-Webster.
The price is too much, please reduce.
DeleteStandard routine statement of every "gruhani"
Very high/unreasonable!
Thank u.
DeleteThanks, everyone for solving and comments! Here are my notes for this crossword:
ReplyDeleteNotes
This crossword is themed around the Academy Awards for movies (in which Oscar statuettes are awarded to the winners, hence the title). OSCAR can be seen as a nina running down the last column, straddling 8d and 15d.
The titles of these best-picture-winning movies can be found in the puzzle:
1d. MOONLIGHT (2016).
18d. PLATOON (1986).
24d. CODA (2021).
28a. ROCKY (1976).
PARASITE (2019): a circular nina in the middle.
ANORA (2024): nina in the 9th column, straddling 5d and 14d.
RED CARPET in 4d is also thematic. PIANO in 5d is slightly thematic: The Piano (1993) was nominated but did not win. GENE in 12a can be construed to be thematic, as Gene Hackman won quite a few Oscars.
I'm using a new grid design in this crossword, replacing a grid design that did not have good connectivity across the left and right halves. This grid has 30 lights, which is nice as my other three THC grid designs have 29, 31, and 32 lights. It also has two 14-letter lights, which I do not have in any of the other designs, opening up new opportunities.
Personal notes
I was doing the grid fill while the Oscar awards ceremony was going on (March 2, 2025). After Anora won the best picture award, I tweaked the grid a bit to get it in too as a nina, above the RA that I already had available in a suitable spot (having already hidden PARASITE in the middle).
This is the third year for my cherry tree, and it just blossomed. Hope we get at least a few dozen cherries this year. The state of affairs in the U.S. continues to be grim, and any joy on offer—from cherries and nesting finches and crosswords and running and beer—needs to be maximally embraced.