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THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1 "Les
Miser-
ables"
author
5 Brooks or
Blanc
8 Vintage
video
game
12 Crudites
veggie
14 Elliptical
15 Working
16 Peru's
capital
17 Tokyo's
old name
18 Attacked
suddenly
20 Emergency
light
23 Denomina-
tion
24 Lairs
25 Secretly
28 Past
29 Egg-
shaped
30 Mentalist
Geller
32 Busy
34 Conrad of
"Diff'rent
Strokes"
35 Ostenta-
tion
36 Property
divider
37 Frolic
40 Turf
41 Hebrew month
42 Going there
47 Schnozz
48 Move to a new home
49 Examination
50 — volente
51 Recognized
DOWN
1 Showtime
alternative
2 Coffee
shop
vessel
3 Obtained
4 Earthy pigments
5 Magical power
6 "Xanadu" band, for short
7 Operatic text
8 Courteous
9 "Metamorphoses" writer
10 Appellation
11 Pleased
13 Relinquish
19 Rue the run
20 Rx overseers' org.
21 Toy block brand
22 Soon, in verse
23 Unseen problems
25 Absolute ruler
26 Campus area
27 Advanced math, for short
29 Midwestern state
31 Chemical suffix
33 Writing pad
34 Adorn
36 Popular cream-filled cake
37 Kindly bloke
38 Lotion additive
39 Touse
40 Normandy battle town
43 Born
44 Pale
45 Dined on
46 Ever-green variety
Series about untimely death still refuses to be buried
MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE
LOS ANGELES — The "Final Destination" series has skirted death many times.
MOVIES
Originally conceived as a sample script for "The X-Files" in 1995, it made the unusual transition into a feature film five years later. That horror movie was thought of by executives at New Line Cinema as a low budget one-off, but when it became a surprise hit, a sequel was quickly cooked up.
By 2009, fourth entry "The Final Destination" was, as its title implied, intended to finish the series. But despite negative reviews and fan reactions, 3-D projection saved the day. Domestic box-office sales rose modestly to $66 million, and international grosses nearly doubled from the previous high to $120 million, sending producers back to the drawing board yet again.
As "Final Destination 5" hits theaters in 3-D this Friday, the future of the franchise about teenagers who cheat death only to meet a grisly demise as retribution is uncertain. Pre-release audience polling indicates it could open $10 million lower than the $27.4-million debut of "The Final Destination," perhaps in part because audience interest in 3-D has waned over the last year.
"We're really fortunate to have a concept that can keep going and going with new cast members or writers or directors," said Craig Perry, who has produced all five "Final Destination" films. "We could even take these movies into the Old West or outer space. It's only up to how long the audience will have us."
In an industry obsessed with repeatable franchises and cost control, "Final Destination" may be a Hollywood marketer's dream: an idea with endless iterations. Each movie is built around a series of set pieces in which young cast members fall victim to, or narrowly escape, an unlikely but painful end. Instruments of killing in the fifth entry include a bridge collapse, acupuncture needles, and eye surgery.
Every sequel includes a new group of young, up-and-coming, inexpensive actors, such as Nicholas D'Agosto from the TV show "Heroes," who leads the cast of the latest installment. And after two directors worked on the first four films, Steven Quale, who previously did second-unit work for James Cameron on "Avatar" and "Titanic" took charge
of "Final Destination 5."
As a result,
Warner Bros. label New Line was able to bring down the budget
"We're really fortunate to have a concept that can keep going and going with new cast members or writers or directors."
Street."
"That was always the hard part about getting the studio to come on board," Reddick said. "For a while they had me conceptualize death as a spectral figure."
In the modern world of horror films, where high-concept series with unseen villains like "Paranormal Activity" are red hot, "Final Destination" may be more relevant than ever. But Perry said pumping out annual sequels, as Paramount is doing for the third year in a row with "Paranormal," is impossible for his franchise given the extensive special effects.
The hardest part, however, is simply coming up with cre-
from close to $50 million for "The Final Destination" to a little over $40 million for the new movie.
Original co-screenwriter Jeffrey Reddick had come up with the concept of fate seeking revenge on people who find a way to cheat death as a sample "X-Files" script in order to land an agent. But when it turned into a feature in development at New Line, where Reddick worked as an assistant at the time, executives were wary of the lack of an iconic villain like Freddy Krueger of "A Nightmare on Elm
"Being able to re-create the experience but keep costs down by never making this a star-driven franchise means we have continued to feel it's worth repeating," said New Line production President Richard Brener.
CRAIG PERRY producer
ative ways for more kids to die. People involved in making 2009's "The Final Destination" admit the picture was creatively lacking, citing uninspired scenes
such as an explosion in a theater where people are watching a 3-D movie.
They're hoping to make up for it this time around with a new idea in "Final Destination 5": People targeted for death can escape their fate by killing another person. Initial skepticism among horror fans who felt burned in 2009 might make it tough to match the $27.4-million opening of "The Final Destination."
But if word of mouth is good enough, the studio is hopeful that this new entry could still match the $186-million worldwide total of its predecessor and merit another entry in 2013.
"We don't have a script in development yet," Brener said, "but we're always tossing around cool ideas for a death."
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HOROSCOPES
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today is a 7
Get together with family and share what you've been learning. You're very persuasive now. Think about what you really want, for yourself and for others. You might get lucky.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today is an 8
Gemini (May 21-June 21)
Today is a 7
If you can't get what you need close to home, look farther away. Get your message out now, and send it far and wide. Listen, and follow the music.
Keep your purse strings tight, and go slow to avoid accidents. Double-check your work to catch errors. A family expert offers excellent advice.
Cancer (June 22-July 22)
Today is an 8
It's a good time to convey your perspective. Great service is key, and work is good now. Let an elder know what you want, and follow their advice. You can make it happen.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Today is an 8
You're motivated to make a difference. Support someone on the leading edge. Write down what you want, and send it. Make sure your loved ones know how much you care.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Today is an 8
Today's a good day to interact. You know what to say. Use visuals, if you can. Check in with more distant family, just to keep in touch.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today is an 8
Get financial deals in writing.
Learn from friends, or at a seminar... your new skills are instantly useful. Repurpose something you already had,
saving money and resources.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today is an 8
Your diligence earns you brownie points. You can cash them in early, or save them up for a larger prize. Ask for what you want.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today is an 8
Everybody wants to dance tonight. Put on some great music. Feel the movement in your feet and let it rip. Your energy is contagious, and others want to be around you.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today is an 8
An investment in your home is okay now. Check out expansion potential. You may encounter criticism. If so, listen carefully and learn from it (even if you don't agree).
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today is a 7
You may want to spend some time enjoying the outdoors today. Take a little hike; it's good for your health and for your heart. Include water in the plan.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today is a 7
You gain new power with moneymaking capabilities, even if it's not immediately obvious. A job promotion or rise in status could open up. Get the news out.
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