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‘Star Wars: Episode VII’ Cast Officially Announced

By
Rebecca Murray
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The Star Wars Episode VII Cast Announcement
The 'Star Wars" Episode VII' Cast (Photo Courtesy of Lucasfilm)

Lucasfilm and Disney have released the cast list for the upcoming Star Wars: Episode VII film, however they did not reveal the names of the characters new cast members will be playing. Filming is expected to begin next month on the relaunch of the Star Wars franchise with J.J. Abrams at the helm.

Here’s the official announcement:

The Star Wars team is thrilled to announce the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII.

Actors John Boyega, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow will join the original stars of the saga, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew, and Kenny Baker in the new film.

Director J.J. Abrams says, “We are so excited to finally share the cast of Star Wars: Episode VII. It is both thrilling and surreal to watch the beloved original cast and these brilliant new performers come together to bring this world to life, once again. We start shooting in a couple of weeks, and everyone is doing their best to make the fans proud.”

Star Wars: Episode VII is being directed by J.J. Abrams from a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and Abrams. Kathleen Kennedy, J.J. Abrams, and Bryan Burk are producing, and John Williams returns as the composer. The movie opens worldwide on December 18, 2015.


-By Rebecca Murray

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It’s Jimmy Fallon vs. Emma Stone in an Epic Lip Sync Battle

By
Rebecca Murray
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Emma Stone and Jimmy Fallon Lip Sync Battle
Emma Stone and host Jimmy Fallon during a lip sync battle (Photo by: Nathaniel Chadwick/NBC)

It wasn’t even a close contest. By the time Emma Stone was halfway through her second song, the winner of the lip sync battle between Jimmy Fallon and The Amazing Spider-Man 2 star was decided. Fallon and Stone engaged in the lip sync battle on the April 28, 2014 episode of The Tonight Show while Stone was promoting her second Spider-Man outing.

For those of you who want to know the song choices:

Jimmy Fallon
“Fancy” by Iggy Azalea
“Mr. Roboto” by Styx

Emma Stone
“Hook” by Blues Traveler
“All I Do is Win” by DJ Khaled

Watch the video:

2014 Tony Awards – The Nominees

By
Rebecca Murray
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2014 Tony Awards Nominees

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder earned 10 nominations, Hedwig and the Angry Inch picked up eight, while After Midnight, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, The Glass Menagerie, and Twelfth Night each earned seven nominations when the 2014 Tony Awards were announced on April 29th by Lucy Liu and Jonathan Groff. Among the big-name actors who made the cut and earned Tony Award nominations this year are Neil Patrick Harris, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Tony Shalhoub, and Idina Menzel. Unfortunately, Daniel Radcliffe, Denzel Washington, and Zachary Quinto were left off the nominee list.

The best of Broadway will be honored on June 8th when Hugh Jackman hosts the 68th Annual Tony Awards live on CBS.

Best Play
Act One
All the Way
Casa Valentina
Mothers and Sons
Outside Mullingar

Best Musical
After Midnight
Aladdin
Beautiful
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

Best Revival of a Play
The Cripple of Inishmaan
The Glass Menagerie
A Raisin in the Sun
Twelfth Night

Best Revival of a Musical
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Les Miserables
Violet

Best Book of a Musical
Aladdin – Chad Beguelin
Beautiful- The Carole King Musical – Douglas McGrath
Bullets Over Broadway – Woody Allen
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder – Robert L. Freedman

Best Direction of a Play
Tim Carroll, Twelfth Night
Michael Grandage, The Cripple of Inishmaan
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
John Tiffany, The Glass Menagerie

Best Direction of a Musical
Warren Carlyle, After Midnight
Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Leigh Silverman, Violet
Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre
Aladdin – Music: Alan Menken, Lyrics: Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Chad Beguelin
The Bridges of Madison County – Music & Lyrics: Jason Robert Brown
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder – Music: Steven Lutvak, Lyrics: Robert L. Freedman & Steven Lutvak
If/Then – Music: Tom Kitt, Lyrics: Brian Yorkey

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play
Samuel Barnett, Twelfth Night
Bryan Cranston, All The Way
Chris O’Dowd, Of Mice and Men
Mark Rylance, Richard III
Tony Shalhoub, Act One

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play
Tyne Daly, Mothers and Sons
LaTanya Richardson Jackson, A Raisin in the Sun
Cherry Jones, The Glass Menagerie
Audra McDonald, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Estelle Parsons, The Velocity of Autumn

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Ramin Karimloo, Les Miserables
Andy Karl, Rocky
Jefferson Mays, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
Bryce Pinkham, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Mary Bridget Davies, A Night with Janis Joplin
Sutton Foster, Violet
Idina Menzel, If/Then
Jessie Mueller, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Kelli O’Hara, The Bridges of Madison County

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play
Reed Birney, Casa Valentina
Paul Chahidi, Twelfth Night
Stephen Fry, Twelfth Night
Mark Rylance, Twelfth Night
Brian J. Smith, The Glass Menagerie

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play
Sarah Greene, The Cripple of Inishmaan
Celia Keenan-Bolger, The Glass Menagerie
Sophie Okonedo, A Raisin in the Sun
Anika Noni Rose, A Raisin in the Sun
Mare Winningham, Casa Valentina

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical
Danny Burstein, Cabaret
Nick Cordero, Bullets Over Broadway
Joshua Henry, Violet
James Monroe Iglehart, Aladdin
Jarrod Spector, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Linda Emond, Cabaret
Lena Hall, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Anika Larsen, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Adriane Lenox, After Midnight
Lauren Worsham, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Best Scenic Design of a Play
Beowulf Boritt, Act One
Bob Crowley, The Glass Menagerie
Es Devlin, Machinal
Christopher Oram, The Cripple of Inishmaan

Best Scenic Design of a Musical
Christopher Barreca, Rocky
Julian Crouch, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Alexander Dodge, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
Santo Loquasto, Bullets Over Broadway

Best Costume Design of a Play
Jane Greenwood, Act One
Michael Krass, Machinal
Rita Ryack, Casa Valentina
Jenny Tiramani, Twelfth Night

Best Costume Design of a Musical
Linda Cho, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
William Ivey Long, Bullets Over Broadway
Arianne Phillips, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Isabel Toledo, After Midnight

Best Lighting Design of a Play
Paule Constable, The Cripple of Inishmaan
Jane Cox, Machinal
Natasha Katz, The Glass Menagerie
Japhy Weideman, Of Mice and Men

Best Lighting Design of a Musical
Kevin Adams, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Christopher Akerlind, Rocky
Howell Binkley, After Midnight
Donald Holder, The Bridges of Madison County

Best Sound Design of a Play
Alex Baranowski, The Cripple of Inishmaan
Steve Canyon Kennedy, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill
Dan Moses Schreier, Act One
Matt Tierney, Machinal

Best Sound Design of a Musical
Peter Hylenski, After Midnight
Tim O’Heir, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Mick Potter, Les Miserables
Brian Ronan, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical

Best Direction of a Play
Tim Carroll, Twelfth Night
Michael Grandage, The Cripple of Inishmaan
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
John Tiffany, The Glass Menagerie

Best Direction of a Musical
Warren Carlyle, After Midnight
Michael Mayer, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Leigh Silverman, Violet
Darko Tresnjak, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Best Choreography
Warren Carlyle, After Midnight
Steven Hoggett & Kelly Devine, Rocky
Casey Nicholaw, Aladdin
Susan Stroman, Bullets Over Broadway

Best Orchestrations
Doug Besterman, Bullets Over Broadway
Jason Robert Brown, The Bridges of Madison County
Steve Sidwell, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
Jonathan Tunick, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder

Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre – Jane Greenwood
Regional Theatre Award – Signature Theatre, New York, N.Y.
Isabelle Stevenson Award – Rosie O’Donnell
Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre – Joseph P. Benincasa, Joan Marcus, Charlotte Wilcox

-By Rebecca Murray

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Sundance Will Be Hitting the Road Again with ‘The Red Road’

By
Rebecca Murray
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The Red Road with Jason Momoa Premiere Date
Jason Momoa stars in the Sundance Channel original series "The Red Road" (Photo Credit:James Minchin)

The Red Road starring Jason Momoa (Game of Thrones), Julianne Nicholson, Martin Henderson, and Tamara Tunie has been given a second season order by SundanceTV. The series from writer Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners) and producer Sarah Condon (Bored to Death) will be back in 2015 with six brand new episodes.

SundanceTV President Sarah Barnett made the renewal announcement stating, “The Red Road tells the tale of a shocking conflict which plays out in a very specific place – the land that the Native Americans live on literally oozes danger. It’s a show about what happens when you try to bury the truth and the devastating impact of that. We’re proud of this tremendously talented cast and can’t wait to see where creator Aaron Guzikowski takes this story in season two.”

Filming will take place later this year in Georgia.

The Plot:

The tense drama revolves around two clashing communities – a small town and the neighboring mountains, home to a Native American tribe – and two dynamic men on a collision course – played by Jason Momoa and Martin Henderson.

Craig Ferguson is Leaving ‘The Late Late Show’

By
Rebecca Murray
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Craig Ferguson Leaving The Late Late Show

Just when you thought the ‘late night host’ lineup had actually settled down into place comes news that Craig Ferguson will be saying goodbye to The Late Late Show in December 2014. Ferguson announced during the April 28, 2014 taping of his show he’ll be vacating the hosting job.

Stealing a line from Gwyneth Paltrow, Ferguson made the announcement, saying, “CBS and I are not getting divorced, we are ‘consciously uncoupling,’ but we will still spend holidays together and share custody of the fake horse and robot skeleton, both of whom we love very much.”

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson has won a Peabody Award and earned Ferguson an Emmy nomination.

“During his 10 years as host, Craig has elevated CBS to new creative and competitive heights at 12:30,” said Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “He infused the broadcast with tremendous energy, unique comedy, insightful interviews and some of the most heartfelt monologues seen on television.”

Added Tassler, “Craig’s versatile talents as a writer, producer, actor and comedian speak to his great days ahead. While we’ll miss Craig and can’t thank him enough for his contributions to both the show and the Network, we respect his decision to move on, and we look forward to celebrating his final broadcasts during the next eight months.”

Ferguson will be keeping busy post-The Late Late Show with Celebrity Name Game and other TV projects.




‘Veep’ Season Three May Episode Guide

By
Rebecca Murray
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Veep Season 3 May Episode Guide
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Sam Richardson in 'Veep' season three episode one. (Photo: Paul Schiraldi/HBO)

HBO’s Veep is in the middle of another strong season, with series star Julia Louis-Dreyfus likely on her way to another Emmy nomination. Season three continues in May 2014 with three brand new episodes and the network’s released plot details along with air dates.

VEEP MAY 2014 EPISODES

Episode #23: “Fishing”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 4 (10:30-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: May 4 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 5 (12:15 a.m.), 6 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 7 (8:30 p.m.), 8 (9:00 p.m.) and 9 (1:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 5 (10:00 p.m.), 9 (8:00 p.m.) and 10 (5:15 p.m., 11:05 p.m.)
As Amy (Anna Chlumsky) and Dan (Reid Scott) vie for position as Selina’s (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) campaign manager, Ben (Kevin Dunn) arranges a secret lunch for the Veep with hotshot strategist Bill Ericsson (Diedrich Bader). Meanwhile, Mike (Matt Walsh) tries to maintain his strict fertility schedule; Jonah (Timothy C. Simons) is offered a job on Maddox’s (Isiah Whitlock Jr.) team; and Gary’s (Tony Hale) mysterious shoulder pain threatens his job. Later, Selina is invited by Maddox to his country house, and Amy has a dinner party with the staff as part of her pitch.
Teleplay by Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; story by Armando Iannucci & Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; directed by Becky Martin.

Episode #24: “Detroit”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 11 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 11 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 12 (11:30 a.m.), 13 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 14 (8:30 p.m.), 15 (9:00 p.m.) and 16 (1:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 12 (10:00 p.m.), 16 (8:00 p.m.) and 17 (5:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.)
At an economic summit in Detroit, Selina’s staff and her family are peeved by the presence of Ray, her new personal trainer. Meanwhile, Jonah and Mike negotiate a photo-op with Selina and Maddox. Later, Catherine (Sarah Sutherland) protects her mom from a protestor, and Selina attends a women’s gun show.
Teleplay by Kevin Cecil & David Quantick & Andy Riley; story by Armando Iannucci & Kevin Cecil & David Quantick & Andy Riley; directed by Tim Kirkby.

Episode #25: “Special Relationship”
Debut: SUNDAY, MAY 18 (10:30-11:00 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: May 18 (12:30 a.m., 3:30 a.m.), 19 (midnight), 20 (11:00 p.m., 1:00 a.m.), 21 (8:30 p.m.), 22 (9:00 p.m.) and 23 (1:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: May 19 (10:00 p.m.), 23 (8:00 p.m.) and 24 (4:00 p.m., 11:00 p.m.)
In the U.K. for the 100th anniversary of World War I, Selina’s staff worries about Ray’s growing influence on the Veep. Meanwhile, Dan’s nerves begin to fray as Ben gets news that sends him back to D.C. Later, Jonah arrives in London to spy for Team Maddox.
Teleplay by Simon Blackwell & Tony Roche; story by Simon Blackwell & Armando Iannucci & Tony Roche; directed by Becky Martin.




Film Review: ‘Following the Ninth: In the Footsteps of Beethoven’s Final Symphony’

By
Contributing Writer
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Following the Ninth Film Review
People sitting and standing on the Berlin Wall, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, celebrating the New Year and the opening of the wall. (Image by © Wolfgang Kumm/dpa/Corbis/© Corbis. All Rights Reserved.)

Reviewed by Dr. Roberta Valdez

From the student protests in Tiananmen Square to the tearing down of the Berlin Wall, the documentary Following the Ninth shows how Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony has inspired people around the world. Chinese students played the composition over loudspeakers during the ill-fated Tiananmen Square protests. In Chile, women sang their version in the streets in defiance of the Pinochet dictatorship; those in prison could hear their voices. At a celebration of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Leonard Bernstein conducted the Ninth and changed “Ode to Joy” to “Ode to Freedom.” “Daiku” means “ninth” in Japan and all over the country, choral groups as well as amateurs sing Beethoven’s Ninth on New Year’s Eve. The film even features a 5,000 member chorale singing the work in Japan.

According to screenwriter and director Kerry Candaele, the film has been screened nationwide and has been featured on the BBC and NPR. Candaele said he worked for six years to bring together people and stories from around the world, and the documentary includes very effective use of archival footage intercut with individuals who were there at the events relating their experiences. One particularly moving interview was with a Chilean who was a political prisoner, heard the women singing, and recounted that the current President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, was with him in prison.

While the Japanese choral groups were impressive, a more thorough explanation of the origins of the “Daiku” would have been helpful in connecting it to the other segments. The tone was uplifting but better quality photos in the closing montage would have made the impression even stronger. Overall, though, by showing how people’s lives all over the world were touched by a beautiful piece of music, the film achieved a sense of hopefulness.


Following the Ninth screened at the Newport Beach Film Festival, held April 24-May 1, 2014, as part of a multi-media exploration of Beethoven by the Orange County California Philharmonic Society that included exhibitions, lectures, films, and music.

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Eric Bana Discusses ‘Deliver Us From Evil’ and Horror Films

By
Rebecca Murray
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Eric Bana Deliver Us From Evil Interview
Eric Bana from 'Deliver Us From Evil' at the 2014 WonderCon (Photo © Richard Chavez)

Eric Bana (Lone Survivor, Hanna, Star Trek) tackles the lead role of a New York police officer who over the course of his investigations into a series of disturbing crimes begins to believe the cause could be of demonic origin in the upcoming Screen Gems supernatural thriller Deliver Us From Evil. The horror film’s based on the book Beware the Night by NYPD Sergeant Ralph Sarchie (the character Bana plays in the movie), and at the 2014 WonderCon in Anaheim, CA, Bana discussed what it is that makes Deliver Us From Evil different than other films of the genre.

Deliver Us From Evil opens in theaters on July 2, 2014.

Eric Bana Exclusive Interview

What sets Deliver Us From Evil apart from other horror movies and other films about demons and exorcism?

Eric Bana: “I think anytime we loosely base something on reality, it sort of – I don’t know about you but it immediately makes it slightly scarier. Ralph’s a real guy and we’re dealing with some story elements that are based on his life and his past. It just kind of feels spookier. Scott [Derrickson] is such an adept director at this genre, it’s really the reason I wanted to get involved. I love his previous work and he knows more about the subject matter and the genre than any of us ever will so I felt in really great hands. It was just an awesome character.”

How did Scott help you? He does know this genre so well.

Eric Bana: “Yeah, he’s literally a walking encyclopedia. He helped me as a director should with an actor and we became great friends. But beyond that, his level of intellect to do with religion and his history and all this sort of stuff is just never-ending. So we were able to have great, broad philosophical conversations that had nothing to do with the specifics of the film that just really helped. It makes things interesting on the set. It opens your mind to a lot of things. Working on a film like this exposes you to some things that otherwise wouldn’t have. That’s great. That’s the beauty of the job.”

Did you go in believing that this could actually be a true story?

Eric Bana: “I had to be careful. I had to approach this just as I would any other film and be completely open. I think whichever character you’re playing, whatever world you’re entering, you have to be open to everything because otherwise I don’t think you can do your job as well as an actor. This was another one where you go in…and I don’t want to go through pre-production again. I saw some stuff I’ve got no interest in revisiting, let me tell you. Absolutely.”

It stuck with you?

Eric Bana: “Oh, for sure. For sure. It definitely educated me on how much room there is within the subject. It’s not just black and white. It’s not just someone’s not possessed or they’re possessed. There’s a million shades in between that are intriguing and interesting and scary.”

Watch the interview:




‘Star-Crossed’ Season One Episode 11 Preview

By
Rebecca Murray
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Star-Crossed Season 1 Episode 11 Preview
Matt Lanter as Roman and Greg Finley as Drake in 'Star-Crossed' (Photo: Skip Bolen/The CW © 2014 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved.)

Executive producers Meredith Averill and Adele Lim promise season one of The CW’s Star-Crossed will go out with a huge cliff-hanger, and episode 11 titled “Give Me a Torch” looks like it’s setting events in motion that could lead to that huge finale.

STAR-CROSSED “Give Me a Torch” — (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET) (TV-PG, DLV)

EMERY IS KIDNAPPED — Sophia (Brina Palencia) suspects Taylor (Natalie Hall) is pregnant with Drake’s (Greg Finley) baby. Sophia tells Emery (Aimee Teegarden) and the two research Atrian pregnancies. Vartan (guest star Marcus Hester) stumbles upon the information and mistakenly believes Emery is pregnant, so he kidnaps her.

Vega (guest star Merle Dandridge) tasks Teri (Chelsea Gilligan) with finding the Iksen’s key, which they need to complete the Suvek. Meanwhile, Roman (Matt Lanter) and Castor (Johnathan Schreach) testify before the Hwatab about the day the spaceship crashed. Also, Eric (Jesse Luken) shares a nice moment with Julia (Malese Jow). Michael Katleman directed the episode written by Marc Halsey & Jay Faerber.

New Extended Trailer Arrives for ‘The Fault in Our Stars’

By
Rebecca Murray
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Fault in Our Stars Extended Trailer
Gus (Ansel Elgort) and Hezel (Shailene Woodley) are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them - and us - on an unforgettable journey. (Photo Credit: James Bridges- TM and © 2013 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.)

It bears repeating: The Fault in Our Stars appears to be one of the most faithful book-to-screen adaptations in recent movie history. The latest trailer looks like it’s lifted straight from the page of John Green’s novel, and the film’s stars Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort seem to perfectly match Green’s description of Hazel and Gus. Plus, the tone, humor, and heartbreak in this new extended trailer are spot-on.

Coming to theaters on June 6, 2014, the cast also features Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Mike Birbiglia.

The Plot:

Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them — and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. The Fault in Our Stars, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love.

Watch the trailer:

Source: 20th Century Fox

-By Rebecca Murray

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