“Knives Out” stars Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson, Michael Shannon, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, and Christopher Plummer. Released on November 27, 2019, the film has a master detective solving a murder mystery. The film is written and directed by Rian Johnson, who also directed films such as “Brick”, “Looper” and “Star Wars: The Last Jedi”. There’s no doubt about the fact that everyone loves a good mystery, especially the ones that involve murder. After helming two science-fiction films, including the divisive chapter in the popular space-opera saga. writer/director Rian Johnson decided to take a break from the genre in favor of a modern take on the murder mystery genre, complete with an all-star cast. This is actually my first time seeing him write and direct something that’s not related to sci-fi since I only knew him from his involvement in “Looper” and “The Last Jedi”. I thought he did really well in handling that type of genre, so it would be interesting for me to see if his style can handle the mystery genre as well. I was able to catch an early screening of the film last weekend so that I don’t have to worry about running into spoilers because let’s face it, it’s always better to experience these types of films firsthand without knowing anything about them. The critics who saw it before the general audience have been loving it so far for the cast and its execution, so it looks like Johnson has another critical hit on his hands. Now that I got to experience the mystery for myself, is it as compelling and entertaining as the reviews suggested? The story centers on a successful mystery novelist named Harlan Thrombey (Plummer), who invites his dysfunctional family to his mansion for his birthday. When he mysteriously dies the next morning, it is up to private detective Benoit Blanc (Craig) to solve the case and arrest the suspect responsible for Harlan’s death. This is exactly all that you need to know about the film’s plot because mystery films tend to be spoiler-heavy, and I don’t do spoilers in my reviews. The film is said to be influenced by several mystery classics such as “The Last of Sheila”, “Murder on the Orient Express”, and “Clue”, so if you’ve seen any of them, you’ll easily understand what you’re getting yourself into in “Knives Out”. Without giving too much away, it is a quirky and suitably-paced whodunit that offers a unique and modern take on the classic mystery genre, and I loved every minute of it. The story that was brought to the table did seem a bit risky at first, but thanks to Johnson’s stylistic vision and his ingenious screenplay, it paid off extremely well. This is honestly one of those types of experiences that you have to see for yourself with a clear mind because it offered plenty of effective twists that made the film much more engaging and, more importantly, highly entertaining. One of the biggest highlights for me has to be the brilliant cast, ranging from Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc to Christopher Plummer as Harlan Thrombey. There was never a dull moment to be found when these talented actors were on screen together in terms of the witty humor and the performances. Chris Evans was, without a doubt, the best of the bunch as Harlan’s grandson, Hugh Drysdale. His character was a pretty big butthole, but he had the right mixture of charm and annoyance to make me not want to stab his eyes out. The film’s cinematography and editing were just as sharp as an ordinary knife, and its score by Nathan Johnson was flawless. Overall, Rian Johnson’s “Knives Out” is a mystery that’s worth investigating. It’s an amusing and extremely well-written whodunit that not only pays tribute to the genre, but also flips it around to great effect. Thanks to its fantastic cast, Rian Johnson’s script, Nathan Johnson’s score, and its cinematography, this is one of the most riveting and entertaining mystery films I have ever witnessed. The best part about that is that it’s an original project. I wish I could explain it even further, but again, it’s the type of film that you just have to see for yourself. I would gladly recommend this film to anyone who’s a fan of the mystery genre. A
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“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” stars Tom Hanks, Matthew Rhys, Susan Kelechi Watson, and Chris Cooper. Released on November 22, 2019, the film is about a journalist who is assigned to write a profile piece on Fred Rogers. The film is directed by Marielle Heller, who also directed “The Diary of a Teenage Girl” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”. It is based on the Esquire article Can You Say…Hero? by Tom Junod. There are plenty of people in this world that are kind and full of love, but no one can come close to the amount of kindness that one man had inside his soul. That man is none other than Fred Rogers, the creator and host of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as well as the most kind-hearted person on the planet. It somehow amazes me that this one guy had so much empathy and warmth to inspire millions to look at life differently. Too bad he’s not in our lives anymore because we could really use his inspiration right about now. This film isn’t the first time Hollywood took audiences to the world of Fred Rogers. Last year, filmmaker Morgan Neville created a documentary centering on Rogers’ life and his show titled “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”. I was able to see that movie with my mother and my grandmother, and I thought it was great enough for me to name it my second-favorite film of 2018. This year, director Marielle Heller will be displaying her take on the iconic host and how his act of kindness changed the world. So far, I was quite impressed with Heller’s last two films in her filmography, especially “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, which I happened to watch at home a while ago. Can she impress me again with her Fred Rogers biopic? Instead of chronicling the entire life of Fred Rogers, the film takes the “Saving Mr. Banks” route by centering on the unexpected relationship between Rogers (Hanks) and Lloyd Vogel (Rhys), a rough journalist who is loosely based on Tom Junod, a journalist from Esquire. Yes, I did reference “Saving Mr. Banks”, another fact-based drama starring Hanks, because it somehow reminded me of that film. You got the main character who’s a bit of a grouch, and you got Tom Hanks as the nicest guy around who changed that character’s life with his kindness and inspiration. It’s a strange comparison for me to make, but I couldn’t help but mention it. It’s easy to explore Rogers and the people he inspired in a documentary format, but showcasing him in a motion picture format is a different story. The way I see it, this is something that’s very precious to those who grew up watching Fred Rogers, and the reactions from them would be truly chaotic if it’s not handled correctly. Luckily for us, it was handled in the best possible way. Much like “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is a heartwarming and passionate perspective on how one man’s kindheartedness inspired someone to be a friendly neighbor to those around them. The story is basically the experience of meeting Fred Rogers from the point-of-view of someone who doesn’t see him the way everybody does and is internally in pain. Some can say that it’s sentimental, others can say that it’s sweet. Personally, I prefer the term “thoughtful”. It’s the type of thoughtful that touches one’s heart and comforts them until they feel good about themselves. Thanks to Marielle Heller’s direction, the film offered a perfect blend of emotion and warmth that didn’t try to shove its relatable messages down the audience’s throats, which is quite impressive for a PG-rated biopic. Yes, the film is actually rated PG (surprise, surprise), but that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for kids. In terms of the pacing and its themes, the young ones might feel a bit uncomfortable with this one. I think the best way to introduce a new generation of kids to Fred Rogers without all of the dramatic stuff is the “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” show itself. Other than that, I would consider this as a respectable option for the older kids. The only part of the story that I thought was interesting was how it was told. It’s told in a way that you would usually see in an episode of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” when it comes to the structure. You have the classical music, the happy-go-lucky tone, the introduction to the topics, and the practical sets that are used for specific transitions. The aspect ratio changes were a bit odd at first, but I got used to them later on. It was quite impressive from a narrative standpoint, and it’s also nostalgic for people who grew up watching the show. This is one of the things that represent how much the filmmakers care about making a film that honors Rogers’ legacy. The other being Tom Hanks’ fantastic performance. If there's an opponent for Joaquin Phoenix that might threaten his chance to earn himself an Oscar win, that opponent would be Hanks. Everything about his role just screams “Fred Rogers”, including his mannerisms and his calming tone. There’s literally no one that can portray him better than Hanks. Matthew Rhys also did a great job with his performance as Lloyd Vogel. Some people might have a hard time following him as the main character due to him being a jerk, but the film handled this character in a way that’s both tolerable and relatable. Lloyd is the source of the film’s main themes, such as forgiveness and understanding. Its portrayal of its themes had that “feel-good” feeling that’s not overly sentimental nor heavily hokey. It’s well-balanced and comfortable. I also thought the musical score by Nate Heller was very generous. It had that classical, upbeat feel to it that clearly resembled the positive tone of the show and Fred Rogers himself. Overall, “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” is the perfect resemblance to Fred Rogers: kindhearted, warm, and more importantly, neighborly. This is another thought-provoking and sweetly poetic experience that honors the legacy of Rogers and will continue to do so for generations. From the performances (particularly Hanks) to the emotional storytelling, the film has the right ingredients to be the best neighbor that everybody needed right now. In this day and age, this is an exemplary reminder for us to put aside our pettiness and be kind to one another. No more violence, no more stupidity, no more hate. Just throw that negative stuff out the window and show the world that an act of kindness can make our lives better. If you’re familiar with Fred Rogers and are in need of something positive, it’s definitely worth checking out. A“Frozen 2” stars Kristen Bell, Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, Josh Gad, Evan Rachel Wood, Alfred Molina, and Sterling K. Brown. Released on November 22, 2019, the film has Anna, Elsa, and their friends journeying beyond Arendelle. The film is directed by Jennifer Lee and Chris Buck. It is a sequel to the 2013 film, “Frozen”, which was also directed by Lee and Buck, and it serves as the 58th film in the Walt Disney Animation Studios library. Well, we all knew this was going to happen. Given how immensely popular the first film was, it’s inevitable that Disney will continue the franchise with a full-length sequel. It has been six years since “Frozen” made its way to the big screen and infected our hearts and minds with its unforgettable songs and its wonderful story about the power of sisterhood. Ranging from its best-selling merchandise to its short films, this is one franchise that refuses to let itself go, whether you like it or not. I’m part of the population that really enjoys the heck out of “Frozen”. In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I saw it in the theater at least three times during its theatrical release. It is one of my favorite Disney animated films because of its well-executed story, memorable characters, vibrant animation, and of course, the songs. Without this film, I wouldn’t have met my new Disney Princess crush, Queen Elsa, and I wouldn’t have included Hans on my list of movie characters that I would love to punch in the face repeatedly. You’ll know what I mean when you watch it for yourself. I also thought the “Frozen” shorts were pretty entertaining, even though they’re not on par with the original. So now we have the ultimate test for the Disney team: to see if its theatrical follow-up is worthy enough to continue the global phenomenon. They made a great sequel to “Wreck-It Ralph” last year, so let’s see if they can do the same with “Frozen”. Taking place three years after the first film, the story once again centers on Queen Elsa (Menzel) and Princess Anna (Bell), two sisters who live peacefully in Arendelle with their friends Kristoff (Groff), Olaf the snowman (Gad), and Sven the reindeer. However, their lives take a sudden left turn when Elsa starts hearing a mysterious voice and an unknown source of magic arrives to threaten Arendelle. With the kingdom in danger once again, Elsa and the gang embark on a perilous journey to the enchanted forest in order to solve the origin of Elsa’s powers and find a way to save their home. This is another animated sequel that expands not only the world created for its predecessor, but also the relationships between the characters. It is also designed to answer a few questions that were left unanswered in the first film, including the one that involves Elsa’s ice powers, so there’s no need for us to keep asking ourselves these questions for the rest of our lives. While it’s nice for me to revisit my favorite characters and learn about the mysteries surrounding the first film, all that matters to me is to see whether or not the trip to the unknown is worth taking. So what’s my take on this highly-anticipated sequel? Well, let me answer that question with another question. Do you remember the low-quality sequels that Disney used to make in the 2000s, like “Cinderella 2”, “Mulan 2”, and “The Jungle Book 2”? I do, and this film surprisingly reminded me of those types of movies. The only difference is that they put some effort into the animation. To its credit, “Frozen 2” didn’t disappoint in solving the mysteries that were left unsolved in the first film and providing a decent amount of enjoyability for the kids. As for everything else, despite having the same team that worked on the original return for the sequel, its heart was about as cold as Hans’ heart. “Frozen 2” had everything it needed to create a compelling and emotional story that delves deep into the first film’s themes, but the direction the filmmakers took for those elements prevented it from reaching the same heights as its brilliant predecessor. There were a couple of parts that weren’t well-earned in terms of the emotional impact and there were also some parts that were dark just for the sake of being dark. When you look at the other animated sequels like “Kung Fu Panda 2” and “How to Train Your Dragon 2”, these films have dark moments that give the characters and the situations that they’re in a sense of urgency and make you want to know what’s going to happen next. For “Frozen 2”, they tried to do the same thing, but the way they executed those dark moments felt a bit forced to me, which resulted in an unrewarding follow-up that only exists to sell more merchandise. This is the same problem I had with “The Secret Life of Pets 2” a few months ago. It was a cute movie, but it didn’t identify itself as more than just a way to put out more toys. If you don’t like these types of sequels, “Frozen 2” isn’t going to win you over. There were a few bright spots that I actually liked despite its disappointing plot, such as the voice cast and the enjoyable characters. Menzel and Bell both delivered some great chemistry together as Elsa and Anna respectively, and Josh Gad was once again really funny as Olaf. There was this one scene involving Olaf that got me laughing out loud, but everything else from him didn’t quite match the same amount of hilarity as his sense of humor in the first film. One thing you should know about Olaf is that if you don’t like him in the first film and the shorts, you won’t like him in this. If you do, then you’ll like him even more in the sequel. He’s adorable and innocent as always, for better or for worse. As for Kristoff, who is voiced by Groff, he has a subplot that involves him trying to ask Anna to marry him. It’s cute, but obviously cliched. But what about the new characters, like Lieutenant Destin Mattias (Brown) and Yelana (Martha Plimpton), the leader of the Northuldra tribe in the enchanted forest? All I could say about them is that they’re fine additions, even though they weren’t anything too special. Similar to the first film, the animation in “Frozen 2” was gorgeous and immersive, plain and simple. Whether the plot is good or not, you have to admit that it’s hard to ignore its stunning animation style from its beautiful environments to the musical sequences. Speaking of which, let’s talk about the film’s songs. These songs include the likes of “All is Found” by Evan Rachel Wood, “Into the Unknown” by Idina Menzel and Aurora (who voiced the mysterious voice), and “Lost in the Woods” by Jonathan Groff. Like the new characters, they’re fine, but nothing too special. These are the types of songs that you would normally hear from a Disney direct-to-video sequel from the 2000s, and while they’re not entirely bad, they just don’t have the sparks that made the likes of “Let It Go” and “For the First Time in Forever” such massive hits. I do like “Into the Unknown” because of Menzel’s amazing singing voice, but I found the “Lost in the Woods” sequence a bit weird to me. It’s like I was watching a music video from a popular male artist who’s singing about his feelings for his love. It’s strangely hokey, but I got a good smile from how hokey it was. Overall, “Frozen 2” is a sequel that every young “Frozen” fanatic will go nuts for. Unfortunately, for everybody else, its substance isn’t powerful enough to thaw its cold soul. While the characters are likable and the animation is simply attractive, it doesn’t have a good reason as to why it should exist other than to solve unanswered questions from its predecessor and to sell more merchandise. Due to its disappointing story, its unrewarding emotional depth, and its average songs, this is a pretty big letdown from the Walt Disney Animation Studios team. I was really hoping that it would become the next “Ralph Breaks the Internet”, but no, I was wrong. They still got a lot of work to do in terms of full-length theatrical sequels. If you like the first film, you may or may not like the sequel. The kids will enjoy the heck out of “Frozen 2”. As for the adults, it’ll depend on what they want out of this one. Otherwise, just wait until next year for Disney’s new original project, “Raya and the Last Dragon”. C+“Klaus” stars Jason Schwartzman, J. K. Simmons, Rashida Jones, Joan Cusack, Will Sasso, and Norm Macdonald. Released in theaters on November 8, 2019, followed by a Netflix release on November 15, 2019, the film is about a postman who befriends a toy-making carpenter. The film features the directorial debut of Sergio Pablos, who served as a character designer for Disney films such as “A Goofy Movie”, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”, and “Tarzan”. He is also known for creating the “Despicable Me” franchise. It’s never too early to celebrate the holidays, and Netflix knows it. The popular streaming service is putting out several new Christmas-themed content to get viewers into the spirit of the season, including a new animated film about Santa Claus. Serving as the first original animated feature from Netflix, the film has character designer Sergio Pablos attempting to portray 2D animation in a unique way, which happened to be one of the main reasons why it immediately captured my attention. While I respect the art of CGI animation for its immersive world building and breathtaking visuals, I also have a soft spot for 2D animation for its vibrant colors and its undeniable sense of wonder, with the prime examples being the films from Disney and Studio Ghibli. With CGI dominating the animation department, the filmmakers took the easy route and turn to Netflix to distribute their traditionally-animated film since 2D animated films haven’t made that much money nowadays. This is also another Netflix film that’s released in theaters before making its way to the streaming service, so it looks like it’s going after the Oscar for animation as well as some Oscars for their live-action films, like “The Irishman”. Question is, is it good enough to earn it? Serving as a fictional origin story of Santa Claus, the film’s story centers on Jesper (Schwartzman), a young, selfish member of a wealthy family who distinguishes himself as the worst student in the royal postal academy. He is sent by his father to an island where he is tasked to post 6,000 letters in one year, or risk being cut off from the family. Unfortunately for him, this is easier said than done when he discovers that the island’s town of Smeerensburg consists of two feuding families: The Krums and the Ellingboes. When he meets Klaus (Simmons), a carpenter who makes toys, Jesper sees this as an opportunity to accomplish his task. During the process, he learns that one good deed can spark another. There are plenty of films and specials that depict different versions of how the big man in red came to be, ranging from the “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” stop-motion special from 1970 to Disney’s “The Santa Clause” with Tim Allen. “Klaus” appeared to be no exception as it provided an original and heartfelt take on the early days of the traditional holiday, and I have to say that it’s definitely worth a watch during the holiday season. While the story does have some familiar elements that are impossible to ignore, “Klaus” was able to use these elements to develop the right amount of emotion and heart that you would normally get from a Disney 2D animated film from the 90s and the classic Christmas specials that came before it. It’s well-told, it’s cleverly funny, and best of all, it’s simply charming. I was a little concerned that some of the film’s mean-spirited moments (including Jesper) might become a nuisance and overshadow its charm. However, I was surprised to see that it made these moments bearable. Although I’m not a fan of the families’ leaders, I thought the main characters were likable and nicely-developed. The cast who voiced the characters were very talented and full of delight, including Schwartzman as Jesper and Simmons as Klaus. The next thing I want to mention is the animation, which is a mixture of classic 2D animation and CGI animation. From what I read about it, it sounded like they worked really hard in recreating the classic feel of hand-crafted animation using modern technology. Luckily for them, all that hard work has paid off. The animation in “Klaus” is one of the main reasons why it deserves some attention. From its character designs to the environments, the film succeeded in delivering a gorgeous visual treat that resembles the traditionally-animated Christmas classics from the past. Yeah, it’s that good. I would also give it credit for not relying so much on the usual kid-friendly jokes to gather some chuckles from the young ones, and by that, I mean fart jokes and pop culture references. The humor is suitable (and hilarious) enough to entertain the kids as well as the adults. Overall, “Klaus” is another heartwarming and beautiful holiday-themed film that’ll get you into the spirit of Christmas in no time. The film’s plot is sweet and clever, the characters are likable, the humor hits all the right funny bones, and the animation is irresistibly incredible. In a year where most of the animated content are sequels, this is another original animated film that deserves to be on everyone’s radar, especially people who are into the art of animation. If you enjoy watching Christmas films and specials during the holidays and you have Netflix, this film is worth checking out. A-“Charlie’s Angels” stars Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska, Elizabeth Banks, Djimon Hounsou, and Patrick Stewart. Released on November 15, 2019, the film has a new team of Angels saving the world from a dangerous threat. The film is directed by Elizabeth Banks, who also directed “Pitch Perfect 2”. It is the third installment in the “Charlie’s Angels” film series, which is based on the 1976 television series of the same name created by Ivan Goff and Ben Roberts. Have any of you enjoyed “Charlie’s Angels”, a show that involves a group of women kicking some bad guy butt? If you answered yes, then you’re in luck, because we got ourselves another film based on the show. The good news about that is that it’s not a reboot. The bad news is that it doesn’t have Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz, and Lucy Liu reprising their roles from the last two films. Instead, we have the likes of Bella Swan, Princess Jasmine, and…the new girl who I’m not familiar with. I don’t have that much experience with “Charlie’s Angels”, although from what I heard about the concept, I would like to get into it someday. I am, however, familiar with the films that are based on the show: “Charlie’s Angels” in 2000 and its 2003 sequel, “Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle”. I haven’t watched any of them all the way through, but I have seen parts of them and based on what I saw, they’re pretty entertaining. So I was hoping that this film will offer the same amount of entertainment as the last two installments. Elizabeth Banks had plenty of shoes to fill as she was given the task to deliver both a fun and action-packed comedy and a decent reintroduction of the franchise. Was she able to succeed? The film revolves around the Townsend Agency, a secret global organization that consists of female agents known as “Angels”. They are tasked to protect the world from the forces of evil with the use of girl power and their set of skills. Their latest mission involves Elena Houghlin (Scott), a programmer who’s involved with a project that is invented by the company she’s working for. After discovering that they’re covering up a dangerous flaw in the device that could threaten the entire human race, Elena teams up with Angels Sabina Wilson (Stewart) and Jane Kano (Balinska) to put an end to the company’s foul deed for good. This is another film in a specific franchise that attempts to “spice things up” a bit in order to lure in newcomers as well as people who grew up watching the previous installments. As I mentioned before, instead of giving itself a “reboot” makeover, the 2019 version of “Charlie’s Angels” continues the story arc that was introduced in the television series and the two film adaptations, similar to what “Men in Black: International” did back in June. Even though it doesn’t always work well for certain fans, I still appreciate the idea of expanding the franchise’s world instead of hitting the reset button because it gives filmmakers creative freedom to tell their own stories that are set in that universe…as long as they put in some easter eggs and references from the past installments in that franchise in the process. Unsurprisingly, “Charlie’s Angels” fits the bill as it has everything it needed to reintroduce something that was popular in the past, but does that make it a good film? Not really, but I had fun watching it regardless. This isn’t the type of film that you go in expecting something like “John Wick” or “The Godfather”. It’s something that you go in to escape from the harsh reality and just enjoy yourself. There are other films that offer that same type of enjoyment, but some of them often turn out to be pretty bland when it comes to the execution, with “Men in Black: International” being one of them. “Charlie’s Angels” has most of the qualities of being a highly entertaining film, like the cast and the action. The three main actresses (Stewart, Scott, and Balinska) were pretty solid in their roles and the chemistry between them has plenty of suitable moments that made me want to join in on the action. Kristen Stewart has the type of role that allows her to express her fun side compared to her starring in some serious indie dramas, and I thought she played the role quite well in terms of her sense of humor. It’s not a perfect performance from her, but I’m glad that she’s still making herself known outside of her role in the “Twilight” films. Newcomer Ella Balinska also did a good job with her performance as Jane, another member of the Angels, despite her character being a bit formulaic. Elizabeth Banks expressed her acting talent once again as Rebekah Bosley, and Patrick Stewart had a splendidly good time portraying John Bosley. As both an actress and a director, Elizabeth Banks has that specific spark that drives her films with energy and charm, which are the things that made her last directorial effort, “Pitch Perfect 2”, a decent hit for me. There are still a few things that she could improve on in the near future, but other than that, Banks is turning out to be a suitable director for female-led films. There were also some action sequences that were fun and energetic to watch. They’re not entirely immersive and the editing for one of those sequences was a bit choppy, but they did their part in providing some popcorn entertainment. As for its flaws, the film’s plot can come off as corny and predictable and the characters didn’t have enough depth to pull off some unexpected emotional punches, but if you don’t care about any of that stuff and just want to be entertained by the action and the three main actresses, you’ll be fine watching this. There’s also this one moment that I think might rub some fans the wrong way. I’m not saying what happens because I don’t do spoilers. Let’s just say that it reminded me of the direction they took for “Terminator Genisys”. Overall, Elizabeth Banks’ take on “Charlie’s Angels” suffers from a few setbacks in its mission to deliver a satisfying reintroduction of the franchise, but it has enough skills to provide some watchable popcorn entertainment. Despite its flawed plot and its lack of strong character depth, the film’s cast, the action, and Banks’ direction were able to prevent it from being a total bust. Like the other installments in specific franchises like “Men in Black” and “Terminator”, the film might not impress every fan of “Charlie’s Angels”, but if you’re looking for a fun, action-packed girls night out film, this one should be able to fit your needs. C+ |
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