Latest news with #StarWars:ANewHope
USA Today
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Strands hints today: Clues and answers on Sunday, May 4 2025
Strands hints today: Clues and answers on Sunday, May 4 2025 WARNING: THERE ARE STRANDS SPOILERS AHEAD! DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT THE MAY 4, 2025 STRANDS ANSWER SPOILED FOR YOU. Ready? OK! Have you been playing Strands, the super fun game from the New York Times, the makers of Connections and other brain-teasers like Wordle in which you have to do a search in a jumble of letters and find words based on a theme? It's pretty fun and sometimes very challenging, so we're here to help you out with some clues and the answers, including the "Spangram" that connects all the words. Let's start with the clue: Star Wars: A New Hope If you want our help? Think about that movie! As for the answers, scroll below the photo below: Empire, Planet, Rebel, Long, Time, Galaxy, Space The Spangram is ... OPENING CRAWL. Play more word games Looking for more word games?
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
NYT Strands Answers, May 4, 2025: Spangram, hints, and theme for puzzle # 427
The New York Times' latest word game offering, NYT Strands, is steadily capturing the attention of puzzle enthusiasts worldwide. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India much better equipped to target cross-border terror since Balakot India conducts maiden flight-trials of stratospheric airship platform Pakistan shuts ports for Indian ships after New Delhi bans imports from Islamabad With a fresh format and a daily brain teaser based on thematic word associations, it has quickly joined the ranks of Wordle , Connections , and the Mini Crossword as a must-play feature in the NYT Games suite. On Sunday, May 4, puzzle number 427 brought a galactic twist to the grid, aligning its theme with one of cinema's most celebrated franchises— Star Wars: A New Hope , as mentioned in a report by Parade magazine. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Below, we provide a comprehensive breakdown of the day's puzzle, including hints, the spangram, and a full solution set. Understanding the NYT Strands Format As per guidelines from The New York Times , NYT Strands challenges players to find a list of interconnected theme words hidden within a board of letters. Live Events Unique to this format is the spangram —a special word or phrase that runs from one edge of the board to the opposite side and encapsulates the day's theme. Key rules include: Theme words are highlighted in blue once found. The spangram is highlighted in yellow. No overlap exists between theme words. Every three valid non-theme words discovered grants one hint. Today's Theme and Initial Clues Puzzle Theme: Star Wars: A New Hope Date: Sunday, May 4, 2025 Game Number: #427 Spangram Orientation: Predominantly vertical (top to bottom) Hint: The theme pays homage to the opening of the original Star Wars film. To assist solvers, the game revealed the first two letters of each target word, as mentioned in a report by Parade magazine: GA TI SP LO RE EM PL OP (Spangram) Spangram Solution: OPENINGCRAWL The term 'OPENINGCRAWL' refers to the iconic scrolling text at the start of A New Hope , setting the tone for the space opera that would revolutionize science fiction on screen. In today's puzzle, this term served as the central axis around which all other related words revolved. Complete Word List for May 4 Beyond the spangram, players were challenged to uncover seven additional theme words, all of which closely relate to the Star Wars universe: GALAXY TIME SPACE LONG REBEL EMPIRE PLANET Each word ties into the lore and language of the original film, from the intergalactic setting ("GALAXY", "SPACE", "PLANET") to the opposing forces of the "EMPIRE" and the "REBEL" alliance. Rising Popularity of NYT Strands With its blend of logic, pattern recognition, and thematic depth, NYT Strands is positioning itself as the next go-to for word puzzle aficionados. The game not only tests vocabulary but also thematic understanding, offering a uniquely immersive experience with every installment. As Sunday's edition demonstrates, the developers are keen on aligning puzzles with cultural landmarks and fan-favorite franchises—ensuring daily relevance and continued engagement. FAQs Is NYT Strands free to play? Yes, Strands NYT is completely free to play on both desktop and mobile platforms. Who invented Strands? The game was originally conceived by Juliette Seive, with puzzles curated and edited by Tracy Bennett.
Washington Post
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
D.C. celebrates Star Wars: Kids swing lightsabers, parents consider ‘how liberty dies'
Here comes those first notes of soundtrack maestro John Williams's iconic strut, blasting off mounted speakers into the growing crowd at Eastern Market Metro Park: duh-duh-duh-dun-da-duh-dun-da-duh. Eyes shoot to the corner of Pennsylvania Ave and 7th Street SE, where a quartet of white-armored Stormtroopers stomp into the park on this bright Saturday in Capitol Hill. Within moments, two of these evil Empire denizens from the 'Star Wars' universe are bump-and-grinding to techno music in a PG-13-rated performance. More than 50 kids wave plastic lightsabers to the beat while they watch, confused but happy as parents in Jedi costumes and Han Solo vests bake in the midday heat. The sacrifice is worth it, on this eve of May 4th, a high holy day for Star Wars fandom (May the Force be with you — get it?) Fans, from obsessed to the casual follower, use the date as an opportunity to celebrate a franchise that crash-landed into pop culture in 1977 with creator George Lucas's 'Star Wars: A New Hope,' and has only gotten bigger generation after generation. Events, costume parades, academic panels, social media posts, think-pieces, Facebook love letters — in early May, they all pop up. This year has more resonance for some fans who see echoes of Lucas's scrutiny of power in the warp-speed changes to government coming from the Trump administration. 'The lesson from Star Wars is you have to fight fascism when you can,' said Pete Musto, 39, a Hyattsville resident who came to the third annual District's Barracks Row neighborhood event with his wife and 4-year-old daughter. The basic plot of Lucas's original trilogy — how a farm boy from a nowheresville planet joins the scrappy insurgency battling the evil totalitarian Galactic Empire — pulled heavily from both the iconography of 1940s fascist regimes and the political cynicism of the Watergate years in America, Lucas has said in interviews. When Lucas returned to the Star Wars universe with 1999′s prequel 'Star Wars: The Phantom Menace,' the creator drilled into the political and moral circumstances that midwife a democracy's willing slide into a more repressive form of government. That first prequel film begins with — of all things — a trade dispute. The trilogy ends with a representative body, poisoned by misinformation and manipulated by crisis, voting for a dictatorship. This cues up actress Natalie Portman's famous line: 'So this is how liberty dies. With thunderous applause.' 'The second trilogy is more aligned to the mechanics of democratic decline,' said Cass R. Sunstein, a former Obama administration official and current Harvard Law School professor who in 2016 published the book-length study 'The World According to Star Wars.' 'I think it's fair to say Lucas captured the patterns by which democracies have historically unraveled. He studied the 193os and he studied the fall of the Roman Republic. I think he hasn't been given enough credit for capturing that.' In 2012, Lucas sold 'Star Wars' to Disney, which has since unleashed a regular bumper crop of new movies, cartoons and prestige live-action shows. Although those new stories are scattered among different time periods, before and after the original movies, they all thematically orbit the fall of democracy and the struggle to topple a repressive regime. The franchise has seen an upswing in interest and activity in recent years, including the release in April of a second season of 'Andor' — the 'Star Wars' product that most directly addresses the terror and fear of totalitarianism. For Musto, the show's message is more important now than ever. 'I know that the writer of Andor has a very specific political message.' Where some fans see an event to bring the kids or an occasion to consider deeper trends, Brian Ready sees opportunity. 'This is going to be our big thing,' Ready, Barracks Row Main Street's executive director and the main architect of the May 4th festivities, said in an interview. 'We want to be ground zero going ahead for Star Wars events.' The events spread over the weekend include staged lightsaber battle, film screenings, pop-up bars, costume contests, and more. On Saturday, as costumed actors dueled with plastic lightsabers and children chased around Chewbacca, some parents didn't care to address the politics. Clinton Lin, 36, who came with his 4-year-old son, said his interest was in the characters: 'He loves robots right now. All about R2D2 and C3PO.' But because Star Wars has been a pop culture fixture of nearly 50 years, there are generations of fans who grew up as kids loving space battles and Han Solo's swagger, and now are adults watching 'Andor' and zeroing in on a different message. A resident of D.C.'s Bloomingdale neighborhood soaking through a Han Solo costume Saturday said he grew up a fan. Back then, the Empire — with its shiny uniforms — was cool. Now he had two sons, 5 and 8, both transfixed by boogying Stormtroopers, His boys recently became fans, the man said, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, citing the political climate. He was happy to share the world with them. But his read of Lucas's message has deepened with time. These days, he said, he thinks about the darker shades of Star Wars. 'We don't have the Jedi to come save us,' he said.
CBS News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Celebrating Star Wars Day in Pittsburgh? These events will transport you to a galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars Day, the informal holiday recognized every May 4, has become one of the marquee ways to celebrate the blockbuster media franchise spawned in May 1977 with the debut of "Star Wars: A New Hope." The holiday has garnered worldwide appeal, and fans of the sci-fi space opera in the Pittsburgh area have a few ways to celebrate their favorite Jedi or Sith. Visiting an out-of-this-world vending machine A vending machine advertising the May 1999 release of "The Phantom Menace" has since become a bit of a destination for fans. This vending machine, which remains fully operational, has sat outside the Mount Washington fire station on Virginia Street for more than two decades. The Pepsi-branded machine features a young Anakin Skywalker and his podracing rival Sebulba. (Photo byfor Pepsi) A weekend-long celebration at Space Bar Space Bar in Downtown Pittsburgh's Market Square is hosting a weekend-long Star Wars extravaganza. Running until midnight Saturday night is the "Sith Soiree," which is billed as a "moody, immersive atmosphere of red lights, dark elegance, and whispered power to embrace the allure of the Dark Side. Cloak yourself in your finest dark attire and prepare for an evening where the shadows reign supreme." On Sunday, there will be a cosplay karaoke event followed by a costume contest with prizes. More information about these events can be found here. Visit the Yoda mural This mural, crafted by artist and muralist Jeremy M. Raymer, depicts the wise Jedi Master, Yoda. Found on Mulberry Way in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood, fans can seek guidance and photo ops with one of the galaxy's greatest warriors. Do or do not. There is no try. Play Star Wars-themed video games at barcades across Pittsburgh Several barcades around Pittsburgh will transport you to different eras of the Star Wars universe. For a full list of games and locations, click here. Pittsburgh Pirates celebrating Star Wars Day The Pirates on Sunday will also join the galactic fun by hosting Star Wars Day activities at PNC Park while the team battles the San Diego Padres. Fans who purchase a special promotional ticket will receive a limited edition collectible PNC Park-Millennium Falcon figurine. Fans are also encouraged to interact with various Star Wars characters seen around the ballpark. Watch the original trilogy and visit C-3PO and R2-D2 at the Carnegie Science Center This weekend, the Carnegie Science Center will show the original Star Wars trilogy in the Rangos Giant Cinema. "Star Wars: A New Hope" was shown Friday at 7 p.m., "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back" will be shown on Saturday at 7 p.m., and "Star Wars: Return of the Jedi" will be screened on Sunday at 7 p.m. Fans can get up close with Star Wars' two most famous droids inside the Robot Hall of Fame on the Science Center's lower levels. More information about the screenings and ticket prices can be found here.
Newsweek
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Complete Episode Schedule for 'Andor' Season 2—Plus a Recap From Season 1
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. After a nearly three-year hiatus, Andor has returned for its final season, continuing the gritty evolution of Cassian Andor as he transforms into the rebel spy seen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The new season debuted on April 22 on Disney+ with the first three episodes and features a non-traditional release schedule that wraps up in less than a month. Starring Diego Luna, the series dives deeper into the Star Wars universe by examining the early sparks of rebellion against the Galactic Empire. As a prequel to Rogue One, Andor fills in a critical timeline that leads directly to the events of the original 1977 Star Wars: A New Hope. Why It Matters Andor has been hailed as a standout within the Disney+ Star Wars lineup, praised for its grounded storytelling and complex characters. The first season, which premiered in September 2022, earned eight Primetime Emmy nominations and set a high bar with its mature tone and sharp political intrigue. The second season is the show's last. Initially intended to run for five seasons, the series was pared down to two due to the intense production schedule. Because each season took over two years to complete, it would have been "impossible to keep the rigor, the attention to detail that we have in this show" for three more seasons, Luna previously told The Hollywood Reporter. Diego Luna is seen at a special screening for the second season of "Andor," a "Star Wars" story, on April 10 in London. Diego Luna is seen at a special screening for the second season of "Andor," a "Star Wars" story, on April 10 in London. Thomas Krych/AP Photos When Do New Andor Episodes Drop on Disney+? Season 2 comprises 12 episodes, grouped into four arcs of three episodes each. The release schedule is tightly compressed, with the entire season unfolding over just three weeks. According to Forbes, the release calendar is: Episodes 1–3: April 22 Episodes 4–6: April 29 Episodes 7–9: May 6 Episodes 10–12 (Finale): May 13 New episodes air Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on Disney+. Plans start at $9.99 per month, with higher tiers offering ad-free and 4K streaming options. How Did Andor's Season 1 End? Season 1 ended with a surge of rebellion. Andor returned to Ferrix to attend his adoptive mother Maarva's funeral, only to be caught in the middle of a violent uprising against the Empire. The confrontation triggered a key turning point for Andor who narrowly escaped capture but emerged fully committed to the rebellion. According to Esquire, the finale solidified Cassian's transformation from a cynical loner into a dedicated insurgent, setting up his role in the formation of the Rebel Alliance. Who Is in the Cast for Andor's Season 2? Luna reprises his lead role as Cassian Andor. Genevieve O'Reilly returns as Mon Mothma, and Stellan Skarsgård continues as Luthen Rael, the enigmatic rebel operative. Adria Arjona reprises her role as Bix Caleen. Alan Tudyk joins the cast as K-2SO, Andor's sardonic droid companion from Rogue One. According to Disney+, Season 2 will also feature appearances from Ben Mendelsohn and Forest Whitaker. Series creator Tony Gilroy told ScreenRantthat viewers should expect more familiar faces. "You certainly know who's gonna be on Yavin 4. [Cassian] and Mon Mothma have a scene together in Rogue [One]," he said, referencing continuity-driven cameos throughout the final arc. What People Are Saying Alison Herman, TV critic for Variety, wrote: "One of the many, many impressive accomplishments in 'Andor,' the Disney+ series that will conclude its two-season run in the coming weeks, is that it retroactively transforms "Rogue One" from a trivial footnote into a thrilling conclusion." Adria Arjona, who plays Bix Caleen, posted on Instagram on April 20: "Yesterday was EPIC thank you so much for all the love. Just TWO more days until @andorofficial comes out!! So honored to be a part of this show and the beautiful STAR WARS community. LOVE U so much." X, formerly Twitter, user @TSoS_ posted on April 23: "#Andor dared to go to the darkest places Star Wars could offer. An Imperial Officer abusing his untouchable status to rape an undocumented migrant, while his troops are rounding up other undocumented citizens. This is the real world seeping into Star Wars storytelling; this is the world WE live in, reflected in the galaxy far, far away, this is Star Wars at its most political, its most potent, its most frightening. I must commend the writing team's bravery to not shy away from such topics. To depict fascist regimes as they are, speak the word 'rape' directly into the camera, show just how despicable fascists really are. Andor is as brilliant as it is terrifying." What Happens Next? As Andor races toward its conclusion next month, audiences can expect high-stakes missions, political intrigue, and the foundational moments of rebellion that lead into Rogue One. The season's tight timeline and major returning characters promise a dense, cinematic payoff for fans as one of Star Wars' most lauded series concludes.
