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Post by ursamajor on Dec 28, 2009 17:01:12 GMT -5
Went and saw Nowhere Boy last night, it was a great film, great acting and it showed what it would have been like as a teenager back in the mid-late 50s.
John's story is a sad one right from the beginning, you don't feel much sympathy for Mimi in the beginning but by the end you do, you feel it for all of them.
It shows how the Quarry Men started , how a very young Paul came to audition after the Wooton fete and how George came into the Quarry Men.
Really good movie, also you can see how John ended up with a strong woman like Yoko.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Dec 28, 2009 19:02:10 GMT -5
Went and saw Nowhere Boy last night, it was a great film, great acting and it showed what it would have been like as a teenager back in the mid-late 50s. John's story is a sad one right from the beginning, you don't feel much sympathy for Mimi in the beginning but by the end you do, you feel it for all of them. It shows how the Quarry Men started , how a very young Paul came to audition after the Wooton fete and how George came into the Quarry Men. Really good movie, also you can see how John ended up with a strong woman like Yoko. Can't wait till it gets over here.
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Post by ursamajor on Dec 29, 2009 18:42:35 GMT -5
Went and saw Nowhere Boy last night, it was a great film, great acting and it showed what it would have been like as a teenager back in the mid-late 50s. John's story is a sad one right from the beginning, you don't feel much sympathy for Mimi in the beginning but by the end you do, you feel it for all of them. It shows how the Quarry Men started , how a very young Paul came to audition after the Wooton fete and how George came into the Quarry Men. Really good movie, also you can see how John ended up with a strong woman like Yoko. Can't wait till it gets over here. I think you'll like it, it got some really good reviews too. Also, it's good to watch this and then watch Backbeat after it.
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Post by John S. Damm on Dec 29, 2009 22:15:02 GMT -5
This is one movie depicting the Beatles, or a part of them, that I am really enthusiastic about. Sure, there have been some decent ones like "Birth Of The Beatles"(that gets better for me with every new viewing) and "Backbeat" but also some God-awful ones like "John And Yoko: A Love Story" and that movie about Linda McCartney.
I wonder if this film will make it out to the heartland or be just a big city film with limited showings?
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 5, 2010 5:57:18 GMT -5
Went to see 'Nowhere boy' over the weekend. Firstly, let me say that originally I wasn't remotely interested in this film. I'm no great film buff and am extremely wary of biopics, so my initial reaction was one of total disinterest. However, having read some favourable reviews I decided to to give it a go...
In a nutshell, I thought the film was excellent. Central characters, John, Julia, Mimi were all brilliantly cast. The film was totally engaging from start to finish, depicting John's life from aged 15 up until the eve of the Beatles' first trip to Hamburg. Most importantly, the film was really enthralling from a human interest point of view, capturing the traumas of John's upbringing without sentimentality or melodrama. It sketched out the development of John's relationship with Julia with sensitivity and accuracy. Both sisters are portrayed with balance -- both flawed characters -- but with sympathy.
The fact that really rings home is how Mimi's decision to take John into her home, aged five, really put a wedge between Mimi and Julia and pulled the family apart. All this hurt and disharmony was slowly being mended in the latter months of Julia's life - credit to all parties.
Being from Liverpool, I was particluarly interested in the accuracy of the depiction of John's surroundings - and of the people - and of the period. All aspects were really impressive. I wanted, as Lennon said to George Martin during the recording of 'Mr. Kite', to 'smell the sawdust' -- and it does this almost to perfection: the austerity of the river Mersey and its 'cast iron shore', the bleakness of the docks, the lush green-ness of Allerton and Woolton (Allerton golf course is prominently featured, as is Calderstones Park), the buildings, even the brickstock - the accents and people are authentic - everything rings true. The key domestic arenas of Mendips (Mimi) and Newcastle Road (Julia) are not used -- I didn't recognise the locations - but these are merely details. All the Liverpool stuff was done really well.
Julia's demise is shocking and immensely moving - people were in tears in the cinema.
It's a really good film. Go and see it.
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Post by ursamajor on Jan 5, 2010 6:03:36 GMT -5
Great review Wooltonian. The entire history of the Lennon family is sad.
Also, I liked how John's dad , Alfred did come back and try to save the marriage but they had to move to New Zealand. This of course didn't happen so it makes you wonder if some things are just meant to be.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Jan 5, 2010 11:11:29 GMT -5
Went to see 'Nowhere boy' over the weekend. Firstly, let me say that originally I wasn't remotely interested in this film. I'm no great film buff and am extremely wary of biopics, so my initial reaction was one of total disinterest. However, having read some favourable reviews I decided to to give it a go... In a nutshell, I thought the film was excellent. Central characters, John, Julia, Mimi were all brilliantly cast. The film was totally engaging from start to finish, depicting John's life from aged 15 up until the eve of the Beatles' first trip to Hamburg. Most importantly, the film was really enthralling from a human interest point of view, capturing the traumas of John's upbringing without sentimentality or melodrama. It sketched out the development of John's relationship with Julia with sensitivity and accuracy. Both sisters are portrayed with balance -- both flawed characters -- but with sympathy. The fact that really rings home is how Mimi's decision to take John into her home, aged five, really put a wedge between Mimi and Julia and pulled the family apart. All this hurt and disharmony was slowly being mended in the latter months of Julia's life - credit to all parties. Being from Liverpool, I was particluarly interested in the accuracy of the depiction of John's surroundings - and of the people - and of the period. All aspects were really impressive. I wanted, as Lennon said to George Martin during the recording of 'Mr. Kite', to 'smell the sawdust' -- and it does this almost to perfection: the austerity of the river Mersey and its 'cast iron shore', the bleakness of the docks, the lush green-ness of Allerton and Woolton (Allerton golf course is prominently featured, as is Calderstones Park), the buildings, even the brickstock - the accents and people are authentic - everything rings true. The key domestic arenas of Mendips (Mimi) and Newcastle Road (Julia) are not used -- I didn't recognise the locations - but these are merely details. All the Liverpool stuff was done really well. Julia's demise is shocking and immensely moving - people were in tears in the cinema. It's a really good film. Go and see it. wooltonian: First, I agree. Great review. But second, how is Liverpool reacting to it? I read that Julia and some members of the Lennon family aren't happy with it. How are others who have been involved with Beatle history taking it?
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lowbasso
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Post by lowbasso on Jan 5, 2010 12:18:45 GMT -5
Went to see 'Nowhere boy' over the weekend. Firstly, let me say that originally I wasn't remotely interested in this film. I'm no great film buff and am extremely wary of biopics, so my initial reaction was one of total disinterest. However, having read some favourable reviews I decided to to give it a go... In a nutshell, I thought the film was excellent. Central characters, John, Julia, Mimi were all brilliantly cast. The film was totally engaging from start to finish, depicting John's life from aged 15 up until the eve of the Beatles' first trip to Hamburg. Most importantly, the film was really enthralling from a human interest point of view, capturing the traumas of John's upbringing without sentimentality or melodrama. It sketched out the development of John's relationship with Julia with sensitivity and accuracy. Both sisters are portrayed with balance -- both flawed characters -- but with sympathy. The fact that really rings home is how Mimi's decision to take John into her home, aged five, really put a wedge between Mimi and Julia and pulled the family apart. All this hurt and disharmony was slowly being mended in the latter months of Julia's life - credit to all parties. Being from Liverpool, I was particluarly interested in the accuracy of the depiction of John's surroundings - and of the people - and of the period. All aspects were really impressive. I wanted, as Lennon said to George Martin during the recording of 'Mr. Kite', to 'smell the sawdust' -- and it does this almost to perfection: the austerity of the river Mersey and its 'cast iron shore', the bleakness of the docks, the lush green-ness of Allerton and Woolton (Allerton golf course is prominently featured, as is Calderstones Park), the buildings, even the brickstock - the accents and people are authentic - everything rings true. The key domestic arenas of Mendips (Mimi) and Newcastle Road (Julia) are not used -- I didn't recognise the locations - but these are merely details. All the Liverpool stuff was done really well. Julia's demise is shocking and immensely moving - people were in tears in the cinema. It's a really good film. Go and see it. Great to hear a Liverpudlian Beatle scruff give it the thumbs up! That will make it all the more enjoyable to watch when it finally opens on this side of the pond! Thanks!
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 5, 2010 12:57:09 GMT -5
How is Liverpool reacting to it? I read that Julia and some members of the Lennon family aren't happy with it. How are others who have been involved with Beatle history taking it? I'm not sure that the film has provoked much reaction in Liverpool, Steve. I doubt it's seen here as a 'Liverpool' film -- more of a cult interest movie. Me and Mrs. woolie saw it at Fact - an arty cinema - where it was well attended but the audience average age was probably over sixty. I, too would be interested to hear how the film played with the 'families'.
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Post by John S. Damm on Jan 6, 2010 0:40:23 GMT -5
Let me join in the chorus of great review, woolie!
Philip Norman's "John Lennon: The Life" really made me appreciate Freddie Lennon a lot more and showed that the Lennon's had a lot to do with John his first five years until Mimi decided John would be hers. The book did soften me on Mimi though as she was doing what she thought best(even if she might have been wrong) and the book sure softened me on Yoko.
Anyway, I can't wait to see this if it comes to my neck of the woods.
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Post by stavros on Jan 6, 2010 14:52:37 GMT -5
Wooltonian. I haven't seen the film as yet I will probably wait for the DVD. Just interested to know did they depict the Liverpool of the 1950s accurately? The waterfront is now clean and sparkling and no longer dominated by the Liver Buildings as it once was until recent years. And were the authentic accents those of a 50s Merseyside? (I ask because it has certainly changed with each generation).
And let's hope all this damned snow melts soon hey!
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 6, 2010 15:14:47 GMT -5
Wooltonian. I haven't seen the film as yet I will probably wait for the DVD. Just interested to know did they depict the Liverpool of the 1950s accurately? The waterfront is now clean and sparkling and no longer dominated by the Liver Buildings as it once was until recent years. And were the authentic accents those of a 50s Merseyside? (I ask because it has certainly changed with each generation). And let's hope all this damned snow melts soon hey! Stavros, I don't know about 1950s Liverpool, because I was born in 1962....so all the 'period' stuff is slightly guesswork. As a Scouser, though, the Liverpool details of the film just ring true. There are no fake accents, no cringeworthy caricatures, no silly, jarring pseudo-'Scouse' portrayals (which there are in some BBC productions like the horrible 'Bread'.) You just get a 'gut' feeling when something doesn't feel right - and all the 'Liverpool' stuff in 'Nowhere boy' was perfectly OK. As for the waterfront, it's better than it was, but it's still an urban / docklands vista -- it ain't the Blue Lagoon.
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Post by stavros on Jan 6, 2010 15:35:53 GMT -5
Stavros, I don't know about 1950s Liverpool, because I was born in 1962....so all the 'period' stuff is slightly guesswork. As a Scouser, though, the Liverpool details of the film just ring true. There are no fake accents, no cringeworthy caricatures, no silly, jarring pseudo-'Scouse' portrayals (which there are in some BBC productions like the horrible 'Bread'.) You just get a 'gut' feeling when something doesn't feel right - and all the 'Liverpool' stuff in 'Nowhere boy' was perfectly OK. As for the waterfront, it's better than it was, but it's still an urban / docklands vista -- it ain't the Blue Lagoon. Good to know. Bread was awful although I remember an excellent series starring our own David Morrisey called "One Summer" that portrayed 80s Liverpool a lot more accurately until the plot moved to North Wales. As for the waterfront LOL! . But it was black as hell with soot back in time. I am only a few years younger than you and miss getting the ferry at Seacombe across the Mersey to visit all the record shops in the city centre or take in a game at Anfield in the late 70s and early 80s . Those truly were the glory days. Both for LFC and all those bands that came after the Beatles in the post-punk era. Anyway thanks for your comments.
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 6, 2010 16:00:06 GMT -5
I am only a few years younger than you and miss getting the ferry at Seacombe across the Mersey to visit all the record shops in the city centre or take in a game at Anfield in the late 70s and early 80s . Those truly were the glory days. Both for LFC and all those bands that came after the Beatles in the post-punk era. Anyway thanks for your comments. I hate to sound like an 'oldie', but that's how I still think of Liverpool city centre. Record shops like 'Probe' in Whitechapel (just opposite where NEMS used to be), 'Penny Lane Records' etc. where we used to buy loads of 'punk' stuff. Venues like Eric's in Mathew Street, where we saw the Clash, Big in Japan, XTC and Warsaw (later 'Joy Division'). It's all been re-modelled now and I can't find my way around!
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Post by ursamajor on Jan 6, 2010 16:09:47 GMT -5
Ah re Wooltonian... LFC ?
It's all falling apart ...
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Post by John S. Damm on Jan 6, 2010 17:27:53 GMT -5
Ah re Wooltonian... LFC ? It's all falling apart ... LOL! Are we going to have to break-up a brawl over football teams here in the movie section? ;D I sure hope Nowhere Boy comes to Indiana, home to the mighty Indianapolis COLTS!
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Post by stavros on Jan 6, 2010 17:43:08 GMT -5
I am only a few years younger than you and miss getting the ferry at Seacombe across the Mersey to visit all the record shops in the city centre or take in a game at Anfield in the late 70s and early 80s . Those truly were the glory days. Both for LFC and all those bands that came after the Beatles in the post-punk era. Anyway thanks for your comments. I hate to sound like an 'oldie', but that's how I still think of Liverpool city centre. Record shops like 'Probe' in Whitechapel (just opposite where NEMS used to be), 'Penny Lane Records' etc. where we used to buy loads of 'punk' stuff. Venues like Eric's in Mathew Street, where we saw the Clash, Big in Japan, XTC and Warsaw (later 'Joy Division'). It's all been re-modelled now and I can't find my way around! Yeh some weird people used to hang around Probe but it was always worth a visit. I used to buy a lot of stuff from Penny Lane Records. But there was so much choice . Even Littlewoods, Woollies and Binns used to sell records in them days. Then you had Rumbelows, HMV, WH Smiths, and then a few I can't even remember the name of around and about the city centre.....it is so different now. In fact it's so different I use the internet to buy my music. But the music from OMD, Elvis Costello,the Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, Dalek I Love You, The Icicle Works, Pale Fountains, Wah!, Afraid of Mice, Flock of Seagulls and Wings - ( the band the Beatles could have been it will live on forever with me. Oh and ursamajor you should not mock the mighty Liverpool FC ! YNWA How off topic did this get? ;D
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Post by winstonoboogie on Jan 6, 2010 21:46:36 GMT -5
How off topic did this get? ;D Shhhhh! Don't tell Steve! ;D (Just kidding, Steve! )
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 7, 2010 3:29:20 GMT -5
Ah re Wooltonian... LFC ? It's all falling apart ... Ursa - don't get me started on LFC -- we'd be here all day. In one sentence, the story of Liverpool FC since our last League title in 1990 has just been a succession of false dawns -- current manager Rafa Benitez is no exception. He'll be gone by the summer. The long-term ownership situation is just as worrying...
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 7, 2010 3:37:07 GMT -5
But the music from OMD, Elvis Costello,the Bunnymen, Teardrop Explodes, Dalek I Love You, The Icicle Works, Pale Fountains, Wah!, Afraid of Mice, Flock of Seagulls and Wings - ( the band the Beatles could have been it will live on forever with me. At one stage I thought the Teadrop Explodes were going to be huge - the next Big Thing - global domination. Then Julian Cope lost the plot and embarked on a fitful, if occasionally inspired solo career. He's now a pale shadow of his former self....even the diehards on his own message board ( www.headheritage.co.uk ) have given up on him!
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Post by ursamajor on Jan 7, 2010 6:21:47 GMT -5
Ah re Wooltonian... LFC ? It's all falling apart ... Ursa - don't get me started on LFC -- we'd be here all day. In one sentence, the story of Liverpool FC since our last League title in 1990 has just been a succession of false dawns -- current manager Rafa Benitez is no exception. He'll be gone by the summer. The long-term ownership situation is just as worrying... I'm a Liverpool supporter and I had the sh*ts hard when Man U won last year.. we only lost 2 games , beat them twice and they still won.. They won because of a few injury time wins and draws.. they are so arsy.. Now this year we have to fight to get into Champions League.. it ain't looking good .. and some of the selections have been bad... very bad... and yes stavros... we are way off topic now
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Post by Zander on Jan 11, 2010 18:06:29 GMT -5
I have to say I agree pretty much with Wooltonian, I had little interest but gotta say it was a good film. My main comments are:
1. I can't understand why they didn't use the proper "Mendips" in the film.
2. I thought the lad playing Paul was a bit weak. (However Mimi was fantastic, possibly portrayed a little too harsh but great nonetheless).
3. Was Julia at Woolton Village Fete on the day John met Paul? I thought not but maybe I'm wrong...?
4. It was Nigel Whalley who spoke to Julia before she died - not Ivan Vaughn.
5. I thought the John / Paul / Pete Shotton fracas at Julia's wake wasn't needed.
Apart from that, I go as far to say it's one of the better Beatles films. What really pissed me off was that I only saw it on Saturday 9th January - there were NO cinemas in a 30 miles radius of Blackburn (Lancashire - yay!) showing it til then. The closest was either Blackpool, Manchester or Liverpool. To say it's a film about North-West lads the availabilty & promotion has been rather poor.
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Post by ursamajor on Jan 11, 2010 21:52:50 GMT -5
I have to say I agree pretty much with Wooltonian, I had little interest but gotta say it was a good film. My main comments are: 2. I thought the lad playing Paul was a bit weak. (However Mimi was fantastic, possibly portrayed a little too harsh but great nonetheless). I thought that too but then I realised how young they would have been and it actually made sense. Did you notice the part when Paul first meets John and they're talking, the young Paul puts his finger next to his mouth the way the real Paul does in so many interviews. I thought that was funny.
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wooltonian
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Post by wooltonian on Jan 12, 2010 3:23:24 GMT -5
My main comments are: 1. I can't understand why they didn't use the proper "Mendips" in the film. 2. I thought the lad playing Paul was a bit weak. (However Mimi was fantastic, possibly portrayed a little too harsh but great nonetheless). I didn't understand not using Mendips either. The property was donated to the National Trust and you'd have thought that they would have made it available for filming. The house has become so well known, almost iconic, it seemed a strange decision. Ditto Newcastle Road and Julia's house. In the end it didn't really bother me. As JoeK would say - artistic license. I thought Paul was probably the weakest of all the actors. It was almost certainly a tough part to cast - the guy is so well known in terms of both looks and personality. Even though the actor playing Lennon wasn't a 'lookie-likie' (in a cliched, 'Bootleg Beatle' sort of way) he was totally convincing and captured his essence. Although not bad, Paul looked a bit geeky and missed the mark for me.
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Post by John S. Damm on Jan 21, 2010 14:19:27 GMT -5
When does Nowhere Boy hit the U.S.? Wikipedia just says after the Sundance Film Fest which is this month of January. Is it out at U.S. theaters already? It is not here.
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Post by Steve Marinucci on Jan 22, 2010 0:35:19 GMT -5
When does Nowhere Boy hit the U.S.? Wikipedia just says after the Sundance Film Fest which is this month of January. Is it out at U.S. theaters already? It is not here. It's not. I was told in the spring.
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Post by John S. Damm on Jan 22, 2010 10:18:05 GMT -5
When does Nowhere Boy hit the U.S.? Wikipedia just says after the Sundance Film Fest which is this month of January. Is it out at U.S. theaters already? It is not here. It's not. I was told in the spring. Thanks Steve although that doesn't bode well in my opinion for me ever seeing this movie in a movie theater. The film was already released to theaters in the U.K. so why the delay here? There is not such a lag time across the pond for each new Harry Potter film. I realize this film is not a Harry Potter blockbuster but if the studio felt it was worthwhile and a moneymaker, it would be at the Logansport State Theater by now it seems. Is it possible they are tweaking the film, changing its content, based on early opinions from U.K. viewers? Haven't some films had alternate endings upon re-release if initial viewers didn't like the original ending? Can't hardly do that here with John Lennon's childhood! I suspect that the film is deemed too British for an American audience. The filmmaker should have had a worldwide release at or near 09/09/09 when for a couple of weeks many were talking about The Beatles. On woolie's new Let It Be Thread we are talking about being cynical, well I am cynical about ever seeing Nowhere Boy other than on dvd.
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Post by vectisfabber on Jan 22, 2010 10:50:22 GMT -5
Boo hoo. Like we never have to wait for US films. Stop being a crybaby!
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Post by John S. Damm on Jan 22, 2010 12:15:34 GMT -5
Boo hoo. Like we never have to wait for US films. Stop being a crybaby! LOL! I want my childhood Lennon film NOW!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2010 0:54:44 GMT -5
I err downloaded Nowhere Boy and watched it last night.... what a great movie... i really enjoyed it....not sure how accurate the story is but it made for a great movie...... ;D
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