entertainment HOROSCOPES Because the stars know things we don't. Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7 Today is a 7 Stand on your toes for a while. A surprise is in the works. It requires patience and flexibility, but you can handle it. Your communications go farther than expected; make them count Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 9 Tempers are running short, but there's no need to dwell in any arguments. Focus on chores that increase your income, and postpone the unnecessary ones. There are more goodies coming in, if you keep your eyes open. Collect them. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is an 8 today is an 8 You're a powerhouse right now, and that can be intimidating to others. There may be a disagreement about priorities. Compromise without compromising your integrity or commitment. Keep the trains on time, and then take time to relax and appreciate. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19. 2013 Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 6 Avoid grumpy people. Spend time with family or by yourself doing the things you love. Blow off steam on the basketball court or by climbing a mountain (metaphorical or literal) Take care of your spirit. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 Finances are in a state of flux for the better. There's more money available than it seems. Group participation contributes. Share the wealth, give and receive. A pizza party could be in order Today is a 7 A disruption breaks your routine. Find the motivation to get the job done. The deadline's right around the corner. Count on your friends for help, and return the favor. Talk is cheap. Have a backup plan. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7 Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8 More challenges head your way. Your actions and intentaions could seem thwarted by circumstances. Keep your humor. Study the terrain. The surprises you encounter could be refreshingly fun. Keep costs down. Physical games are good. scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7 Work together to get farther. Your partner has what you need. Things may not always go according to plan. From the ashes rises the Phoenix. Get creative with an original plan, and articulate your message. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Significance is a key skill. Today is an 8 Gently rearrange the facts and make them work. Put in a correction and minimize financial risk. Focus on what you have in common rather than your differences and avoid the obvious argument. Use your words to build partnership. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 9 Take action to provide great service rather than just talking about it. Some ideas may not work. Keep your stinger sheathed. Avoid reckless spending. Little by little, pay back what you owe. Try a partner's suggestion. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 A new idea has bugs, but it works! Don't throw money at the problem. Use imagination. Make a fool of yourself if necessary. It could get fun. Look on the bright side, and share that with cohorts. CROSSWORD It's good to let another drive now. A fantasy seems more real than facts. Go with the flow and stay flexible but without excluding doing what you promised. Draw on your reserves. Get creative at home. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 6 ACHROSS 1 Discard unceremoniously 5 "There!" 9 Charlotte's creation 12 Pound of poetry 13 Cupid's alias 14 Shade 15 Zinger 17 Play-wright Levin 18 Mary's follower 19 "Breaking Bad" actor Paul 21 Commandment verb 24 Carbon compound 25 Dalai — 26 Nut 30 Hearty brew 31 Gaggle birds 32 Bobby of hockey 33 Gut, maybe 35 Little (Sp.) 36 Drones 37 Diet entree 38 Chasm 40 Register shock 42 Existed 43 Complain 48 Illustrations 49 Black-and-white treat 50 Midday 51 "Of course" 52 Philosopher Immanue 53 Raced DOWN 1 Morning moisture 2 Submachine gun 3 “— Doubtfire” 4 Saffron-and-rice recipe 5 Expression 6 Speedy steed 7 “What's up, —?” 8 Scornfully 9 Eddy 10 Continental coin 11 Noggin 16 Feline 20 Fine, to NASA 21 High-five, basically PAGE 5 CHECK OUT THE ANSWERS DOWN http://bit.ly/1aCjcZB 22 Head light? 23 Deep purple stones 24 Simple 26 Animation frames 27 Prot. or Cath. 28 Killer whale 29 Stepped (on) 31 Large African antelope 34 School-kids' transport 35 Hymns of praise 37 Agent 38 Vacationing 39 Naked 40 Singer Campbell 41 Oodles 44 Mound stat 45 Police officer 46 Weeding tool 47 Conclusion 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 | | | | 13 | | | | | 14 | | 15 | | | | 16 | | | | | 17 | | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | | | | 18 | | | | 19 | 20 | | | 21 22 23 | | | | | | 24 | | | | | 25 | | | | | 26 | 27 | | | | 28 29 30 | | | | 31 | | | | | 32 | | 33 | | | 34 | | | | | 35 | | | | | | 36 | | | | | 37 | | | | 38 39 | | | | | 40 | 41 | | | | 42 | | | | 43 | 44 | | | | 45 46 47 48 | | | | 49 | | | | 50 | | 51 | | | | 52 | | | | 53 | | | SUDOKU CRYPTOQUIP 11/19 Difficulty Level ★★★ A Y S H M Y R O Z Y D V Z L MTZ E T F O F S J Y S E B W D V E W D R Z A F R Y F E Y S R F Z L F S B J F R Z E U D F L R: F U Y U U Y S J Z L R U F V V H . Today's Cryptoquip Clue: Z equals I RockChalkLiving SEARCH DON'T SETTLE MOVIES '12 Years a Slave' deserves Oscar, evokes emotion MADDY MIKINSKI mmikinski@kansan.com There isn't a word in the English language that can describe director Steve McQueen's masterpiece "12 Years a Slave." Gorgeous. Tragic. Merciless. Heartfelt. These are all fairly apt descriptors but they fall short when it comes to describing the movie as a whole. It has to be seen to be believed. The film, based on Solomon Northup's autobiographical book of the same name, follows Northup through his experiences as an illegal slave. After being kidnapped from his home in New York, wealthy freedman Solomon is transported through the South to New Orleans. For the next 12 years, he's subjected to all the horrors of slavery. Solomon witnesses families being torn apart terrible, unnecessary violence at the hands of ruthless masters, and lynchings — both attempted and successful. The film's defining characteristic is its realism. It doesn't try to gloss over the nasty bits or turn them into something reminiscent of sugar and spice and everything nice. The movie presents what slavery was in graphic detail - from the brutal beatings to the sickening racism. The movie doesn't try to protect the audience, but shoves it into a world entirely unfamiliar and uncomfortable. This wouldn't be possible without the astounding talent of the cast. Chiwetel Ejifor does a heartbreaking portrayal of Northup. Somehow, through the screen, he is able to create emotions and project them into the audience, making them feel what Solomon is feeling. Ejifoor pulls watchers into the character and the story and doesn't let go until the film's conclusion. Ejifoor's performance is Oscar-worthy and deserves any and all praise it gets. On the complete other side of the spectrum from Ejiofos' for Solomon is the star-studded string of actors who portray the various masters he is passed through. "Sherlock" star Benedict Cumberbatch plays Northup's first owner, Ford. Cumberbatch does an outstanding job — as usual — portraying one of Northup's more sympathetic owners. All relatively good things come to an end, though, and Northup is passed to the owner he'll be with for the rest of the film. “12 Years a Slave” is a movie that encompasses some of the best acting this year. It's an emotional rollercoaster ride that lives up to the Oscar buzz surrounding it. “12 Years” has the talent and intensity to contend with other Oscar contenders such as “Gravity” and “Captain Phillips”. FASHION Michael Fassbender, as Edwin Epps, gives one of the film's other standout performances. Epps is brutally sadistic and Fassbender plays him to perfection. He morphs, somewhat scarily, into Edwin Epps' cruel figure. He's remorseless and selfish. Fassbender makes you hate Epps. He perfectly embodies the violent, destructive nature of slavery in the South. Epps is the perfect foil to Northuph's character. Though not a likeable character by any means, Fassbender gives an intense performance that sets itself apart from all others. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN 1. (Flannel, necklace, red hoop skirt, cowgirl boots, boot socks) This outfit touches all the bases. That fall flannel tucked into the staple red skater skirt makes it winter friendly. The statement necklace dresses it up a bit for those looking to go out after a big win. In order to keep your legs warm, take advantage of the approaching season's popular boot socks. 2. (Blue flowy dress, leather jacket, black boots, red socks) Because leather is trendy this year, it's the perfect thing to throw on over those flowing red and blue dresses so many students invested in for football season. To add a bit of game day glam, pin up your hair in an oversized hair bow. 3. (High-waisted jean shorts, statement red necklaces, flowing long-sleeve top, boots and boot socks) MACKENZIE LEANDER mleander@kansan.com How to dress for game day without breaking the bank It's no secret that basketball season has officially arrived and is causing people to suit up in their reds, blues and yellows once again. Students can transition their football wardrobe into basketball season to make this time of year easier on their bank accounts. After investing significant amounts of money in new apparel for football game days, many female students don't want to rush back out and buy new clothes for basketball season. Andrea Serrano, a senior from Lenexa, said she understands students' desire to buy new clothes for football with the back-to-school hype. However, she doesn't find it as feasible for basketball season with money and time in short supply around finals. "Once football season is coming to an end, which is right now, I have a lot of bills," Serrano said. "I don't have the money to spend on new clothes. On top of that, it's a busy time of year so it's difficult to take the time to go buy clothes, especially for game day." Sales associates at Fortuity, a local women's clothing store, agreed that the most popular items purchased for game day were skater skirts, flannels, flowing red and blue dresses, high-waisted jean SEE GAME DAY PAGE 9