WONDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2012
PAGE 4A
HOROSCOPES Because the stars know things we don't
Aries (March 21-April 19)
Today is a 7
Continue to repay obligations.
Take time out for recreation today and tomorrow. Romance is a growing possibility. You're gaining support.
Celebrate with a home-cooked meal and coziness.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today is a 6.
Make household decisions the next few days, and focus on home and family. Improvements to shared living spaces benefit everyone. It's amazing what a little paint can do.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
The next two days are excellent for studying. You'll learn quickly with laser focus. Research the situation and any new developments. Catch up on the reading. Back up hard drives.
Today is a 5
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today is a 7
That money could show up any time now. You're entering a two-day phase of financial planning and practical effort. A spending spree could tempt; contemplate costs first.
For the next few days, innovation and personal assessment rule. You're back in control for the most part. Assertiveness works well now. Decide who you're growing up to be.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)
Today is a 5
Today is a 6
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a f
Watch out for surprises. Clarify your direction with friends, and keep an eye on the competition. Review your plans. Finish your work in private.
Today is a 6
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today is a 6
You're entering a cooperative cycle today and tomorrow. Your friends are happy to give you a boost. Make sure what you build is solid. Guard against being impetuous.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today is a 6.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Plan for the spotlight, and focus on your career. There's still a way to win, although conflict could be possible. Don't let anybody push you around.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec.
Today is a 5
Wash everything in sight. Take time for long-term planning. Travel compels, but it could get complex. Mercury goes retrograde tomorrow for the next three weeks. Book tickets for later.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
Today is a 6
Handle financial matters today and tomorrow. Work out a compromise. Put away provisions for the future. Pay the bills, and reward yourself with relaxation and peace of mind.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today is a 5
Spend more time with your mate the next few days. Partnership is at the forefront. The focus is on peacemaking and compromise. Listen to suggestions, and negotiate a win-in.
"Star Wars" creator George Lucas negotiated with top Disney officials before agreeing to sell his media empire for roughly $4 billion.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)
Today is o 7
You're entering an intense work phase. Sort through feelings as they arise. A co-worker demands your time. Chives need attention. Schedule workflow for ease.
EXCESS HOLLYWOOD Review
Lucas sells to Disney
LANDON MCDONALD
imcdonald@kansan.com
The news hit the Internet with all the force of a proton torpedo exploding in the Death Star's thermal exhaust port.
Not only was George Lucas officially retiring from filmmaking, he was also selling his Lucasfilm media empire to Disney, giving Emperor Mickey clearance to green-light at least three new "Star Wars" films based on Lucas's long-rumored, oft-denied outlines for a sequel trilogy taking place after the events of "Return of the Jedi." In fact, Disney executives are already eyeing a 2015 release date for what's now being billed as "Episode VIL."
Public reaction has been sharply divided since the $4.05 billion deal, which encompasses control of Industrial Light & Magic, Skywalker Sound and all future theme park options, was announced last Tuesday.
One side sees the news as wholly positive, a chance for the franchise to redeem itself after the prequel trilogy failed to meet the messianic expectations of older fans, many of whom still sudder at the mention of Jake Lloyd or. Yoda forbid, Jar Jar Binks.
Others fear the deal will cost "Star Wars" its identity as a transcultural touchstone, making the beloved and enormously influential series just another rebranded cog in Disney's ruthless corporate machinery.
Personally, I see the deal as a welcome changing of the guard. As franchise caretaker, Lucas has been keeping "Star Wars" in metaphorical carbonite for far too long. Over the last 15 years, he and his fans have engaged in a tumultuous love-hate relationship that eerily mirrors the redemptive arc of Darth Vader, the former knight turned intergalactic scourge who ultimately finds salvation when confronted by a new generation.
After the prequels, Lucas went from a celebrated vanguard of independent cinema and the architect of
childhood dreams to the dark lord of green screen, a controlling techno freak who shunned collaborators, marginalized actors and compulsively tinkered with his classic trilogy, cranking out endless "Special Editions" while pointedly refusing to release the unaltered originals on a worthy format. Just ask the average fan how he or she feels about Greedo shooting first or Vader's cringeworthy outburst during the formerly wordless, note-perfect climax of "Return of the ledi."
Disney, on the other hand, has embraced a surprisingly hands-off approach when dealing with its newly absorbed partners. Marvel Studios, which Disney acquired in 2009, operates largely outside the Mouse House's sphere of influence, a business model that recently paid off in spades with the extraordinary box office success of "The Avengers."
Although Disney officially bought Pixar in 2006, great pains were taken to ensure the Emeryville, Calif.-based animation studio remained a separate entity, free from the compulsory sequels and creative meddling that had soured company relations during the Michael Eisner years. Hopefully, Lucasfilm president Kathen Kennedy will be granted similar autonomy now that she's managing the "Star Wars" brand for Disney.
All corporate blather aside, the prospect of a "Star Wars" trilogy emancipated from Lucas's misery
stewardship is rife with potential. In a statement released last week, Lucas himself expressed interest in passing the torch to younger filmmakers, relegating himself to the role of "creative consultant," a post far removed from the director's chair or screenwriter's table. This is ideal, because despite his weakness for dialogue and disdain for non-pixilated performers, George Lucas remains one of the industry's great idea men.
I just hope the new writers and directors can reconcile their respect for the franchise with a willingness to push it further in the storytelling department. Irvin Kershner's "The Empire Strikes Back" widely regarded as the saga's high-water mark, found a precise balance between spectacle and substance, creating a lived-in universe inhabited by believably flawed, humanly written characters. Someone like Brad Bird ("The Incredibles"), Neil Blomkamp ("District 9") or Rian Johnson ("Looper") would fit the bill nicely.
For the first time since 1999, the future of "Star Wars" looks bright and secure, with expectations large enough to fill the Great Pit of Carkoon. Even fans who aren't fully convinced should take comfort from the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi: "You've taken your first step into a larger world."
Edited by Joanna Hlavacek
SUDOKU
NEW YORK — For the victims of Superstorm Sandy, it was a sorely needed message delivered.
Difficulty Level ★
SUPERSTORM
From "Livin' on a Prayer" to "The Living Proof," every song Friday at NBC's benefit concert became a message song.
NBC concert benefits Hurricane Sandy victims
11/05
The hourlong event, hosted by Matt Lauer, was heavy on stars and lyrics identified with New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area, which took the brunt of this week's deadly storm. The telethon was a mix of music, storm footage and calls for donations from Jon Stewart, Tina Fev, Whooo! Goldberg and others.
The show ended, as it only could, with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, tearing into "Land Of Hope and Dreams."
"God bless New York," Springsteen, New Jersey's ageless native son, said in conclusion. "God bless the Jersey shore."
Associated Press
CROSSWORD
Corner of 9th & Iowa St. Open: 7am - 10pm Bus Routes 4 & 36 See our daily Dell Menu at www.TheMerc.coop 785 843 8544
ACROSS
37 Naval prisons
39 Own
41 Rachma-minov or Prokofiev
43 — -jongg
44 Volcanic outflow
46 Luxury boat
50 Bullets and such
53 Autumn mo.
55 Entrance
56 Serve tea
57 Pi follower
58 Napoleon's exile site
59 Nervous
60 Ever-
green
type
61 Plaything
DOWN
1 Goes up and down
2 Acknowledge
3 Hawaiian dance
4 Guy's partner
5 Second-hand
6 Bundle of wheat
7 1990s Burt Reynolds sitcom
8 Annoy
9 Exist
10 Peacock network
36 Singer Campbell
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THE ANSWERS
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12 Trumpet-shaped flower
19 Encountered
21 Cow's call
23 Stir-fry pan
25 Hay bundle
26 False-hoods
27 Sea eagles
28 Triangular sails
29 Land measure
30 Black (Fr.)
31 Tear
35 Male cat
38 Caribbean, for one
40 Express
42 Tusk material
45 Liniment target
47 Stallion, as a child
48 Vagrant
49 Salver
50 Gorilla
51 Chic, in the '60s
52 Coffee holder
54 AAA job
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 25 26 27
22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 47 48 49
44 45 46 47 48 49
51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61
CRYPTOQUIP
TXFHILCB ZDG IQALTFD
FRZQS F RVDZNVG RHVYVG
RVNVHFBV YLSX XVFDSX
RVCVPLSA: "ZP SVF L ALCB."
Today's Cryptoquip Clue: Z equals O
Proven Leadership
"Representative Ballard works on behalf of KU students in the state legislature. She has our interests at heart, and is constantly advocating student needs in the Kansas legislature. As a student, Ballard was one of the most helpful people I encountered at KU, and her continued representation in the legislature is vital for student needs."
Margarita Caulfield
Barbara Ballard
State Representative Forty-Fourth
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