tombrookes2007's Reviews

Point Blank (2010)

7/10

punchy, French, action based film that was quite good

9 January 2012

This was a punchy, French, action based film that was quite good, but with more developed characters, could have been brilliant.

Point Blank is well paced, dramatic, entertaining and I suppose most importantly believable. A criminal escapes murder, whilst in hospital, and forces his nurse to team up with him, as he avoids the police and his killers. The reluctant nurse aids the gangster, with his kidnapped pregnant wife held captive, to escape what is a corrupt police unit. To say any more would almost spoil the plot.

PB is ambitious, true to the action-chase genre and boasts some nice French cinema, and culture elements (especially visually), but ultimately comes up short of anything other than just plain good. A refreshing spin on this sort of thing, providing a decent afternoon's viewing.

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The Debt (I) (2010)

7/10

I did enjoy this film, but I can see why it has been slated.

9 January 2012

I did enjoy this film, but I can see why it has been slated.

The film tells the tale of 3 Nazi contract killers who were praised for a target project, that in truth got away. The plot sees them regroup many years later to locate the evil doctor, and finish the job, before the story leaks.

I loved the subject matter (a Nazi war criminal brought to organised vigilante justice) and the cast was on the whole solid, but totally miscast (especially the latter actors when the characters were older). I think a lot of the film's credentials were based upon, and reviewed on Helen Mirren's inclusion, and I do not think this is fair, even if inevitable. The film is well shot, generally well acted, paced and it is entertaining, if you can stick with it.

The Debt is a great promise that will disappoint some, but I'm guessing only those really interested d will watch this little almost-gem.

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Troll Hunter (2010)

8/10

'Blair Witch Project meets Lord of the Rings'

9 January 2012

I really liked this 'Blair Witch Project meets Lord of the Rings' with an extra touch of humour film.

It is a mockumentary Norwegian Film whereby a film crew team up with a Government Troll Hunter! The idea is fun and the film appears to have fun with subject, masking the absurdity with a plausible explanation as the film develops and progresses nicely.

Yes, granted it is silly at times, but it boasts some praiseworthy effects, lines and scenes. It entertains, gripping you with an almost believable and likable story, worthy of most horror/thriller type plaudits. The level of escapism and individuality should be noted and will appeal to some - this is an independent, cult film after all.

I would recommend this, not just because there is nothing else like this but because it is actually a surprisingly decent watch (for those intrigued by the concept), and would suggest an easy, open mind stance when adopting the idea of troll hunting.

A 3 out of 4 heads from me!

The DVD has the option of English subtitles, or dubbing - I would recommend and suggest the original subtitles as it does not take away from the intensity or character.

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Moneyball (2011)

7/10

the base-balling 'Rocky' this is not.

9 January 2012

For what has been hailed such a great sports movie I'd have to object. Yes the film is good, but it is overly long, plays on Americanisms (baseball) and really does lack the subject to entertain thoroughly.

Brad Pitt is very good in arguably this one dimensional role, as likable ex-player and now GM Billy Bean. He hires a statistician, computer geek (Jonah Hill) to help him rebuild the Oakland Athletics baseball team, on a tiny budget (to compete in Major League Baseball). Based on and telling a real story adds to it's impact, but the base-balling 'Rocky' this is not.

The script and cast although tight, arguably fails to entertain and some of it's scenes are too basic, light and almost over-thought to create added effect or realism. It really strikes out for me in a few key areas, and it's US backed hype will soil opinion of it's following European counterparts.

So, a good film lies beneath this very American based tale, if you can bare the 2 hours and watery content which tells the tale of a sporting underdog.

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The Change-Up (2011)

7/10

This is a daft but funny comedy, from good stock.

9 January 2012

The Change-up involves a hectic lawyer father husband (Bateman) swapping places with a single bachelor friend (Reynolds).

This is all far-fetched but it is played for laughs, treading a thin line at times with taste, emotion and it's daft but inevitable scenarios.

This is a rom-com for couples and comedy fans and just about holds onto a safe, silly idea with entertaining license and care-free frivolity.

A good, safe, silly laugh of a film with some good acting thrown in too (Bateman and Mann especially).

The Director (David Dobkin) also has 'Wedding Crashers' and 'I Know Pronounce You Chuck and Larry' on his CV - so expect a mash-up of these 2 films's humour (with mixed results).

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The Help (2011)

5/10

This best-selling novel adaptation is a light, silly, poo based Hollywood drama.

9 January 2012

I was disappointed by this light Movie version of a great book, which it is not 100% true to. The light, fluffy, glossy look and woeful acting (from a good female ensemble cast) strips away the suffering and hardship reducing the feeling for the characters (which should be it's focus). Instead of staying truly serious to the subject matter this is flipped into an ugly light-hearted entertainment journey (trying to create the Helps versus the nasty white housewives).

The film was interesting but limited, with most of the second half giggling and obsessed with a 'poo pie' and failed to show the 'Help's' as anything other than minimally reluctant nannies (not slaves).

I would wash away my small memories of this film, in a way that would sum up this forgettable, washy, disappointment of a film. I think too much fun was had, and ultimately was the focus, of a Mississippi history lesson that never took off. 'To Kill A Mocking bird' this most definitely isn't!

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Beginners (2010)

8/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this quirky but at times magical and human love story.

9 January 2012

It stars Ewan McGregor as Oliver, the son grieving the loss of his father (Christopher Plummer), who came out as gay aged 75 once his wife had died. Oliver (a 38 year old artist) is a quitter on relationships, but falls for a younger French actress (Melanie Laurent).

The cast is excellent, if not oddly eccentric, and the inclusion of a little Jack Russell Dog is a sweet and sublime touch. It is a true story and is told well, mixing realistic tones with those of fantasy based dreamy touches and emotion. The music compliments impressively and the light, heady feel to the film makes it quite unique and it thus owns a quality of independent creativity.

My only moans are that it is quite quirky and the prominent American element (such as McGregor's accent) may dilute it's individualism amongst viewers.

I, on the whole, love and praise this film, a quirky cup of tea mixing love, sadness, confusion and emotion well.

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The Snowtown Murders (2011)

7/10

very slow, bleak, as cold as it's title

13 December 2011

This is a slow, grim, dark, chilling, creepy and real film. It's power is in it's sinister poverty and the fact that the murders actually happened.

Snowtown is a trailer trash styled estate where in 1999, John Bunting was convicted of 11 murders making him Australia's worst serial killer. Robert Wanger was also convicted of 10 murders, with Mark Haydon guilty of assisting 7, and Jamie (the main focus of the film) jailed until a possible release in 2025 aged 45.

The film tales the mega-grim tale of a vigilante trio, led by the visiting John Bunting, dealing with local paedophiles and gays. Bunting inducts young teen Jamie, a quiet teen and victim of incestuous rape. Bunting is a sinister but likable leader, this evil force almost a product of the area's backwards, aggressive, abandoned poverty. Jamie is taken in and involved in a series of murders that follows.

The movie is very slow, bleak, as cold as it's title and features scenes of anal rape, brutal torture and 'gay bashing'. I found it a tough watch, mainly due to its pace, with a few electric scenes amidst the shadowy nothingness. The brutal scenes and ending are praise worthy but in the main the film is too slow, long, cold and simple. Better films from this genre and neck of the woods include the better 'Horseman' and 'Animal Kingdom'.

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Sket (I) (2011)

4/10

A sket is a nasty girl, and this film is skettish.

28 November 2011

A sket is a nasty girl, and this film is skettish.

This oestrogen and adrenaline fuelled female-Shank UK film is a girl hoody gang drama.

Capturing female youth gang culture the film is low budget and aspiring to Noel Clarke films (Kidulthood, Shank, 4321 etc) but falls way short, being an awful ITV drama escapade.

Amid the niche market subject matter lies some credible acting. The film is character-rich, visual, menacing and real. It is slightly better than average independent film making titles UK style, being a small drama for the under 25's.

Skank = rough and ready, but ultimately 80% poor. A

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The Guard (2011)

9/10

Witty, smart and delightful Irish humour

28 November 2011

This is a brilliant find and film gem of 2011. The Guard is witty, amusing, like-ably entertaining and smart.

An Irish policeman (known as 'The Guards') who is care-free and confrontational is reluctantly teamed up with an FBI Agent (played by Don Cheadle) to help catch a trio of drug smugglers.

Brendan Gleeson (from In Bruges, ) plays Sergeant Gerry Boyle, a once athletic swimmer who has now hit a mid-life crisis almost and sarcastically lives an unvalued life as a Guard, in Galway Ireland.

The film is nicely paced, humorous throughout, with Boyle a lovable rogue character, and realistic in its setting and filming. The baddies (3 drug traffickers) are welcomed stars (Mark Strong and Liam Cunningham) in what is a classic modern comedy from the UK, being subtle, clever and delightfully slapstick.

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Miss Bala (2011)

7/10

A good, distinctive Drug war thriller

28 November 2011

This is a dramatic, creepy, draggingly real and touching good watch. Technically this movie impresses, with solid acting and location shooting, in a fresh way to make you feel a part of the struggles.

This Latin America film is low-key, being removed from Hollywood formulas like modern foreign cinematography, being unusual, distinct and intense. It's independence makes it, with memorable ground-shots and a patience requiring build up to the horror expected.

Miss Bala, tells the mostly believable tale of a beauty queen who survives an event shoot-out and thus has to evade the criminals, as she is the lobe eye-witness. Yanked into a world of crime, Stephanie Sigman survives, with little fight back, playing a usual male role in a drug war thriller.

I enjoyed the film but critics have diluted it's good points with negative criticism over the acting and premise of a modern world cinema piece.

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Weekend (II) (2011)

7/10

An openly gay love story, for all sexualities to watch.

28 November 2011

Weekend is genuine, original, natural, well made and well done. It is all about a relationship, gaining the audiences attention through involving, immersing, connecting, emotional quality. It is well shot (with real camera angles and immersion) and rewards an invested viewer.

Maybe not for everyone, as it is a real-life modern gay love story, but a credible British drama film (shot in Nottingham, England). For film and life study fans this is as non-Hollywood as it gets, being a low- cost independent film, which is all about emotion, intimacy, sex and love.

Weekend is a 2011 romantic comedy directed by Andrew Haigh. The film stars Tom Cullen and Chris New. The couple meet at a Gay nightclub and so develops a loving relationship that changes both the men's lives. This represents the uniting of strangers and how one person can change your life and you (romantically).

The director Andrew Haigh is known for his plays, short films and Gladiator film crediting. Cullen and New are rising British actors, known also for plays and short films.

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The Veteran (2011)

8/10

Woah! Brill ending rewards patience in this great Brit drama

12 September 2011

Toby Kebbel is excellent as the veteran, returning to his London council estate following retiring from army duty. The decorated soldier struggles to find work and so gets involved in an anti terrorist undercover role, tailing an informant (the team being led by Brian Cox). Whilst this is going on he tries to help his friend against the neighbourhood hoodie gang, who are brainwashing his brother into the local gang culture.

Dark, gritty, slow to build up but gripping and exciting (and threatening) this Brit flick is a great watch. Miller (Kebbel) then realises all is not what it first seemed and has to find a way out and rectify a situation he is struggling to deal with. The thing that made it for me was the arguably non sell out ending, remaining in keeping with the film and rewarding the viewers patience with the story and slower first half. It is far from perfect, but with a forgiving film fan head, this film may surprise a few and entertain, and that is the point.

Definitely a top 20 film of 2011 and it's non blockbuster status will make it an even better watch for admirers of this sort of film and content, a modern underdog fighting back styled film.

This film is similar to Harry Brown, Taxi Driver and Outlaw.

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Freight (2010)

6/10

The British TAKEN?! For a select few just maybe

8 September 2011

Warning: Spoilers

Firstly I am a Fairbrass fan, I like macho cockney geezers, I like Brit films and I like action underdog films. This is clearly all four of these. This makes it a cult film for a select few only. It will suffer from Hollywood comparisons (Taken, Face, Lock Stock, Rise of, Essex Boys even Love, Honour and Obey all miles better) and that is a shame as it is a small film (£2 mill budget) that needs to be judged as it stands alone. I guess it is ambitious from a small team, but I accept it is an easy current story laced with masculine themes and action. If you are up for a brainless revenge chase action romp then this has all the content needed, with dodgy simple acting and accents throughout.

Freight will get slated but I enjoyed it. It is relatively well paced, shot in good definition and a solid enough Brit Movie. Fairbrass and Murray team up once again (Dead Cert) and this is their best film by far. Many critics will question these TV actors (soap EastEnders) intent on being movie stars (however small a film) but for fans of the Danny Dyer genre of modern Brit gangster films this is a good watch.

Romanian sex-trafficking gang steal a toilet trailer with son in law inside, from a Boxing Club gangster. They go to get it back, using over the top force, killing a few of the gang. Evil leader Christie gets revenge by bombing the boxing club, and stealing Taylor's daughter. The revenge games then begin, with a dose of cage fighting, prostitution out of a strip club and the usual guns and explosive killings to find his daughter.

Better than Bonded by Blood, but not as good as Rise of The Footsoldier.

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Super (I) (2010)

Super is not so super, but an MTV Kick-Ass parody (in The Office styling)

7 September 2011

Super overall is an MTV like movie, parodying super hero movies like Kick-Ass, adding Wilson's humour along the way. It will be a cult hit for several teens and can be praised for being different, likable and risqué (gore, religion and Page's swearing).

A geeky man, who has visions, fights to get his vacant wife (Tyler) back, after she runs off with local villain Jock (Bacon), and gets back onto drugs. Having been inspired by a Christian commercial, and through comics, he creates a super hero alias (Crimson Bolt) for himself and decides to fight crime (with a wrench) and free his druggie wife.

Yes, it is funny, stupid but sound, wacky and quite believable. But no it is not super and yes it becomes too long, tedious and like a drawn out TV idea. Having Page as his sidekick makes and breaks the story (she's over excitable) and for me took away some of the brilliance, such as his visions (god's finger and tentacles included).

Super is worth a watch on DVD for comic fans, teens and those who think all this tomfoolery sounds appealing. It is quite good in places with real hope and promise for Wilson, but it feels a bit cheap, long-winded and thus falls down on entertaining.

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Ken Park (2002)

Not as good as KIDS, just more explicit

7 September 2011

This is a light but non easy on the eye documentary styled film, delving into teenage life. There are some explicit sex scenes as the teens rebel and experiment, fighting back against restricting parents. This stands out and overshadows any valid message and makes it look poor compared to KIDS (1995) with this a follow-up film.

Ken Park is a mini doco type film about several kids (class-mates) in California, beginning with a suicide in Ken Park. The grainy off-colour flick focuses in on teens with peculiar parents that are affecting them, and ventures on a journey of sex, power and lessons about young life.

It is all a bit hazy, lacking a point and far superior to Kids, with less likable characters, being not as well shot or scripted and thus ends up more expressive as a documentary than film.

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You, the Living (2007)

2/10

This is a wild, weird, ARTY, foreign, pointless trip.

7 September 2011

The Swedish film is billed as a comedic meditation, but for me it was just too arty, cold and a study from a warped artistic mind. There are apparently 50 ironic vignettes in this film, whereby a mainly muted story made from rolling scenes of uncomfortable nonsense combines visions of bored individuals, with a link to musical instruments.

The film could be interpreted as deep, meaningful and different but most will see it for the art for arts sake tripe study of expression that makes art so subjective and personal. Be in the mood, for enlightenment, and see what you can draw from this piece of film.

Here, filmmaker Roy Andersson draws the viewer into the world of a woman whose most uplifting moments are always balanced by tragedy, and whose joy is constantly offset by sorrow. This comic tragedy of life manifests itself in a manner that all can surely relate to, it's just whether YOU GET IT

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Running with Scissors (2006)

Woah! A mega weird, out there left-field dark black comedy drama film.

7 September 2011

RWS utilises a great support cast (Cox and Bening) to prop up a wonderfully weird ball of head zapping expression. The intense film follows a single child, ?, who is a young gay man left by his splitting parents in the hands of a wacky psychiatrist and his non conventional family. The premise of the film is a idiopathic mother that brings her son into a world of psychology and disorganised abnormality.

This film was praised for its individuality, ambition and the few points that stick out as funny, but it is a grueling tightrope walk of a watch (verging between madness and genius).

For me the film was just too wacky to be enjoyed, and whilst it has moments of amusement (I.e the mastabatorium) and clever observations into characters, it is too dramatic a drama to be credible. It was based on a complicated book and some of this was lost, but other bits captured and improved.

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Donkey Punch (2008)

An almost dark and good Brit horror-drama, but ends up a Donkey

7 September 2011

Warning: Spoilers

Donkey Punch (meaning hitting a woman whilst having sex) is an odd mash-up of poorly acted Brit flick foolery and a suspenseful murder tainted drama. It sees 3 girls hook up with 3 moronic guys, who then proceed to party on a luxury yacht. Drugs lead to filmed sex partying, which leads to an accidental death. The cover-up of the murder then leads to boys versus girls, and survival. Far-fetched, painfully trying to be trendy and slow this almost decent effort loses it's shock elements and brutal gore to a weakened script and purpose.

Nothing more than OK, this is an average Brit horror based drama with twinges of quality, leaving you with a pointless empty feeling that could have been so much more. Brits should not copy US teen styled slasher flicks and stick to gritty, dark, clever plots instead.

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Elite Squad 2: The Enemy Within (2010)

9/10

This Brazilian masterpiece series continues with manly adrenaline and macho ferocity.

7 September 2011

I loved this gem of a film. This sequel continues on from the first, giving dramatic insight into BOPE, a crime fighting elite police squad, wiping out the drug dealers in Brazil's slums. Elite Squad 2 is superb, entertaining, slick and interesting colliding BOPE into a circle of political corruption and complication (Mafia and the militia).

BOPE (the Elite Squad) is now a beefed up operation, led by main character Nasicmento, an admirable crime fighting genius. It gets involved in taking down the campaign team for an election candidate, including the police, media and politicians. The film has drugs, guns, power and greed, creating a knuckle clenching drama ride.

Yes it is a bit hectic, macho and confusing but the action, drama and settings make this another Brazilian work of art, depicting corruption and the fight for justice. World Cinema fans should rejoice and praise a more exciting (if not less credible) sequel.

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Cashback (2006)

7/10

you would NOT ask for your cash back

6 September 2011

This English low budget film tells the light hearted tale of Ben Willis, an Art College student who gets a job to deal with his newly acquired insomnia. He has just suffered a relationship break-up and sinks into a mini world of depression and dream like statuses. It does this with a pinch of silly humour and nudity. When in his supermarket night shift job he realises he can pause time and add dreamy scenarios to the mix. He also befriends a wacky mix of slacker friends.

This is a surprisingly easy, charming Brit flick of cult worthy labelling. It is likable, different and subtle, being a piece of visual escapism for an average 20+ soul-searching male.

Michelle Ryan (of EastEnders fame) is the ex, and the title cash-back refers to the phrase cashiers ask when customers pay by card. The supermarket job is with Sainsbury's. Emilia Fox also co-stars (Silent Witness).

A modern Brit Clerks?

During time pausing Ben can ogle and draw naked women.

Nick Hancock, Keeley Hazell, also cameo.

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How Do You Know (2010)

4/10

Odd waste of a Rom-com, you KNOW it's a miss

6 September 2011

From the title, to the cast, to the characters, this film is totally lacking and lame. The Rom-com is trying to be smart, with mind boring dialog, and suffers from a real vital lack of charisma and likable characters. There is little chemistry and content and so confuses and irritates rather than entertain and provide face softening smiles. From a director with a mixed CV, you can almost see into the thinking for elements being the way they are (looking at past films) but the Rom-com element here is lacking both romance and comedy.

Witherspoon is annoying, Rudd is a Rom-com whore, Owen Wilson is his usual effortless self, and Nickelson just looks ill. Surely a better script and direction could have made something more bearable than this. The other fact that the lead lady is a retiring baseball player, dating another player, will also be lost on non Americans.

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Stay Alive (2006)

7/10

Great little film for computer game fans (only)

6 September 2011

This ambitiously current, light thriller inserts computer game virtual reality into horror. And...does it quite well.

A group of young 20 some things are playing a survival horror computer game. However, when one dies later identically how he died in the game, the remaining group of friends decide to play on. The game puts the player into it as a resembling character and they have to work as a team to fight off zombies and ghosts, to survive and unravel the secrets of the haunted house.

Even in 2011 it looks good visually and a small cast of C-listers help it along. It feels in the vein of Final Destination and other modern US teen horror thrillers. The game either drives the teens mad, creating hallucinations etc or the fact they get totally immersed and become their character, and thus create their fates.

It stars small roles for Frankie Muniz (Malcolm in the Middle), Jon Foster (Brotherhood) and Wendell Pierce (The Wire).

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Hobo with a Shotgun (2011)

7/10

Hobo looking for change....great gory, silly horror triumph

6 September 2011

This 1980's styled horror genre cult attempt is a mighty fine effort and a great film for 2011. Yes HWAS is a silly, sick, gore-fest vigilante romp, but what it does it does excellently for fans of this type of horror. Some of Hobo is Tarantino-esque and thus a worthy watch.

Rutger Haur is brilliant as a tired, angry and infuriated hobo tramp. In the chaotic city of Hope Land, Hobo Haur has had enough, saving then befriending a young prostitute, amidst riotous robbers and thugs. All he wanted to do was save up for a lawnmower to go legit, but a robbery brings him into a violent rampage to clean up the streets. The city is being run by coke fiend villains The Duke and his moronic teen sons. This battle thus concludes a great tongue in cheek horror film, with a retro fun feel, in the manner it all begins.

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Hanna (2011)

6/10

Poor Bourne Identity on drugs?!

6 September 2011

I was disappointed with this film, following rave reviews. It is loud, odd and far-fetched, resembling the Bourne Identity on drugs. This trip of a movie has plenty of action but it's the feel and characters that fail for me. A poor cast includes the albino like Ronan (Lovely Bones), the pouting gingered Blanchett (Elizabeth) and ill placed and sounding Bana (Hulk flop) . It's bizarres simply did not impress me, as admirable as the film is.

Hanna, is a 16 year old girl, trained in the snowy woods by her father, an ex top CIA op, to be a lethal fighter. This is all to avenge her mother's death and deliver revenge against the CIA boss who crossed them. The twist towards the end surrounds Hanna's identity and future.

Hanna is a great, simple idea, delivering fast paced action once it gets going. However, with ambitious over thought out locations and unlike able characters, the film fails to live up to its excellent soundtrack and billing. Maybe for me it was just simply the cast, but my feeling is there are far better action-busters that have come and set the bar far higher than this teen-girl revenge escapade.

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