Movies

I have a confession to make, and I have a feeling I’m not alone. After devotedly watching the Star Wars movies in order since I was a kid, I’ve been pretty uninterested in Disney+’s offerings from the universe. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve definitely attempted to watch multiple shows from a galaxy far, far away on the streaming platform, from The Mandalorian Season 1 to Obi-Wan Kenobi. But considering each time I have for a few years now, I’ve found myself getting either pretty bored, confused or disappointed, I’ve simply decided the franchise is no longer my thing. That is, until this year rolled along.

Reflecting on Keira Knightley’s first ten years in acting is nothing short of astounding. Her second film credit was “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace,” followed by a string of notable roles in “Bend It Like Beckham,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” “Love Actually,” and “Pride & Prejudice” within just three years. More recently, Knightley opened up about her early career days, candidly describing them as “extremely tough,” but she also highlighted a significant positive aspect of it.

In the 2021 episode “Great Wide Open,” lead character Leroy Jethro Gibbs, from the hit series NCIS, departed the show to find adventure and tranquility in Alaska. This move sparked discussion about when or how Mark Harmon might reappear as Gibbs in a future episode of NCIS. Contrary to these expectations, Harmon appeared instead as the narrator for the prequel series, titled NCIS: Origins, which debuted in 1991. In this spin-off, Austin Stowell portrays a younger Gibbs who embarks on his investigative journey with the Naval Investigative Service (NIS), the precursor to NCIS, as he deals with the loss of his daughter and wife.

2024 marked the comeback of cherished comedy series such as “Hacks,” “Abbott Elementary,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” along with the ongoing, albeit somewhat confusing, episodes of shows like “The Bear.” The year also introduced fresh series with varying amounts of raw emotion, complexity, and innovative twists in their storylines.

The complex bond between characters Indiana Jones and Marion Ravenwood played a crucial role in the popular movie series about the daring educator-turned-explorer. Although Allen reappeared in 2023’s film, seemingly wrapping up Indy and Marion’s love story on a positive note, there has always been an unanswered question: what led the pair to part ways following the events depicted in that movie. Until now, this issue remained unexplored.