Andrew Linzer’s New York Times crossword—Amy’s write-up

I had some doubts about this grid for the reason that NW and SE corners are pretty minimize off from the remainder of the enterprise, but it surely ended up not posing any bother to me. And the middle swath with stagger-stepped 9s, a factor of magnificence. Stacked 11s, additionally on my “yes” listing. So a lot good fill!

Things I favored: THAT’S A FIRST, RELEASE DATE (“check release dates” is on my to-do listing for work each couple weeks, primarily for motion pictures and TV exhibits), IMAX THEATER, KWAME Nkrumah, MASTER KEY, HUGUENOTS (such an unique phrase to come across after I was younger), a enjoyable WATER RIDE, JAZZ DANCE, SHAZAM, ONLINE POKER (shout-out to crossworder Ben Bass!), MED STUDENTS, DESK JOB, FUTZ, and BAZOOKA bubble gum.

What else? These 5:

• 27a. [Super-useful item?], MASTER KEY. Super = a constructing superintendent with a grasp key to the flats. Chicago doesn’t name them supers, although. Maintenance guys, perhaps? One of the fellows throughout the road from me is nice as a result of when Amazon misdelivers packages to his constructing’s mailroom, he takes it upon himself to trot the packages round to neighboring buildings to ring doorbells and depart the parcels in a safe spot for us. Golden!
• 46a. [Helps out with a lift], SPOTS. As in recognizing somebody who’s lifting weights.
• 1d. [Seated position?], DESK JOB. Good clue.
• second. [“Yes, this has been brought to my attention”], “I’M AWARE.” I really feel like that is finest uttered with a withering stare.
• 6d. [“___ the day!” (exclamation from “Twelfth Night”)], ALAS. This might be a helpful all-purpose gripe, no?

4.25 stars from me.