Repo Men - You. Upgraded.

To promote the new film Repo Men, Universal has released clever ads showing the articifial organs people can buy in the movie. Check out the rest after the jump. [click for bigger versions]

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Criterion Collection Announces May Titles

On May 11, the illustrious studio will release Fritz Lang's psychological thriller M on Blu-ray. A week later, Nicolas Roeg's Walkabout will hit shelves on DVD/Blu-ray. Finally, on May 25, Criterion will release John Ford's classic western Stagecoach and By Brakhage: An Anthology, Volumes One and Two on DVD/Blu-ray.

M Blu-ray
Peter Lorre stars as serial killer Hans Beckert in Fritz Lang’s harrowing masterwork M, a suspenseful panorama of private madness and public hysteria that to this day remains the blueprint for the psychological thriller.

Extras include:

• Audio commentary by German film scholars Anton Kaes and Eric Rentschler
• The long-lost English-language version of M
• Documentary on the physical history of M, from production to distribution to digital restoration
• Conversation with Fritz Lang, a fifty-minute film by William Friedkin
• Claude Chabrol's short film M le maudit, plus a video interview with Chabrol
• Classroom audiotapes of editor Paul Falkenberg discussing M and its history, set to clips from the film
• Video interview with Harold Nebenzal, son of M producer Seymour Nebenzal
• Stills gallery, with behind-the-scenes photos and production sketches
• A booklet featuring an essay by film critic Stanley Kauffmann, a 1963 interview with director Fritz Lang, the script for a missing scene, and contemporaneous newspaper articles

Walkabout
A young sister and brother are abandoned in the harsh Australian outback and must learn to exist in the natural world, without their usual comforts, in this hypnotic masterpiece from Nicolas Roeg.

Extras include:

• Audio commentary featuring director Nicolas Roeg and actress Jenny Agutter
• Video interviews with Agutter and actor Luc Roeg
• Gulpilil-One Red Blood (2002), an hour-long documentary on the life and career of actor David Gulpilil
• Theatrical trailer
• A booklet featuring an essay by author Paul Ryan

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Chloe

The new film by Atom Egoyan (The Sweet Hereafter, Adoration) stars Julianne Moore as an untrusting wife who attempts to prove that her husband is cheating by hiring an escort to seduce him. Liam Neeson and Amanda Seyfried co-star with a script by Erin Cressida Wilson (Secretary, Fur). It is based on the French film Nathalie. Egoyan always manages to make complex, thought-provoking films and I look forward to seeing these three great actors clash together.

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Awkwardly Cute Awards - Web Series

Continuing with the Awkwardly Cute Awards, it's time to spotlight three web series that offered a good amount of quirky moments. All three series were created exclusively for the web, each ground-breaking in their own way.

Rockville CA
Music nerds.

For Deb and Hunter, their lives revolve around indie rock. They meet at a local venue (think LA's Spaceland) and banter over who knows more about "the scene." Excutive producer Josh Schwartz (The O.C., Gossip Girl, Chuck) wanted to showcase music in original way and instead of going the soundtrack route Rockville CA features live sets from real bands. Some notable performances include: Passion Pit, The Kooks, Lykke Li, Lights and Anya Karina.

Watch now: www.thewb.com/shows/rockville-ca

The Lake
High school nerds.

Summer crushes, family drama and beach barbecues. Olivia is the new girl. Drew is the shy guy. And everyone on Lake Eleanor knows that should end up together except them. The series was directed by Jason Priestley (90210) and premiered last summer on TheWB.com. You can check out my interview the star Heather Ann Davis here.

Watch now: www.thewb.com/shows/the-lake

The Guild
Computer nerds.

Felicia Day is the unofficial web series queen. She financed the first season of The Guild with support from fans, then later on secured a deal with with xBox and Microsoft. The award-winning show is about a group of online gamers whose lives are as offbeat as their online adventures.

Watch Now: www.watchtheguild.com

Missed the first part of the Awkwardly Cute Awards? Then check out the Best Couples of 2009.

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Waking Sleeping Beauty

Oscar-nominated director Don Hahn and producer Peter Schneider, key players at Walt Disney Studios Feature Animation department during the mid 80s, offer a behind-the-scenes doucmentary of the turbulent times the Animation Studio was going through and the staggering output of hits that followed over the next ten years.

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TV Tonight - Lost

A new episode, entitled Lighthouse, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Hurley must convince Jack to accompany him on an unspecified mission, and Jin stumbles across an old friend. It was written by Damon Lindelof/Carlton Cuse and directed by Jack Bender.

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Notable New Releases

The Informant!
Soderbergh. Damon. A must see.

Extras include:

• Commentary (BD Exclusive)
• Deleted Scenes

The Box
Richard Kelly's third film is like a great Twilight Zone episode (the short story was actually already an ep). It's creepy, confusing, and has a great throwback score by Arcade Fire.

Extras include:

• Commentary (BD Exclusive)
• The Box: Grounded In Reality (BD Exclusive)
• Music Video Prequels (BD Exclusive)
• Visual Effects Revealed (BD Exclusive)
• Richard Matheson: In His Own Words

Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant
The promotion for this made it seem terrible, but it's actually a fairly entertaining family film that's filled with great character actors. It's like if Carnivàle was made by Nickelodeon.

Extras include:

• Paul Weitz Mini PIP Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Guide to Becoming a Vampire
• Tour du Freak

[READ MORE...] 

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Head-On (Gegen Die Wand)

Head-On is gritty in all the right ways. Sibel Kekilli and Birol Unel make their characters come alive with bad habits, fast-living and crazy romance. Set in Germany, two people meet in a hospital and decide to get married as way to escape their current despair. Cahit (Unel) has no sense of purpose, he drinks and cleans up trash at a bar while Sibel (Kekilli) is smothered by the traditions of her Turkish family. Together they embark on a journey that leads them down an unexpected path.

If you're a fan of Leaving Las Vegas and Crazy Heart then you'll enjoy this film. Head-On lives up to its title, it pins you down with its rawness.

Available on Netflix.

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Maori Boy Takes it Home

Yesterday at the 60th Annual Berlinale International Film Awards, Indigenous filmmaker Taika Waititi (also known as Taika Cohen) won The Grand Prix of the Deutches Kinderhilfwserk for the Best Film for his film, Boy.

Boy is Waititi's loose film-à-clef about an 11-year-old in New Zealand who lives on a farm and has to confront the reality of his absentee father not living up to his imagined heroic expectations. It has already played to warm reception at Sundance Film Festival this January.

Taika Waititi is of Maori and Jewish descent who gained international acclaim when his 2003 short Two Cars, One Night was nominated for an Academy Award. He also made the cult classic Eagle Vs. Shark and as involved on many episodes of Flight of the Conchords.

I can't dig up if it will be screened in any North American theaters or when the DVD release might be, but I will be sure to share the information as soon as I hear word.

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The Good Guy

In The Good Guy Alexis Bledel's character has to choose between two Wall Street types, a hot-shot and a newbie. Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights) and Bryan Greenberg (How To Make It In America) play her dashing love interests, but the real star of the film is New York City. First-time director Julio DePietro captures some beautiful scenes of the city and layers them with a solid soundtrack including songs from Ra Ra Riot and Plushgun.

Now in theaters (New York and Los Angeles).

Official Website: www.thegoodguyfilm.com

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PAFF: Anomaly

Anomaly, a documentary about biracial families, had its West Coast premiere at the Pan African Film Fest over the weekend. I wrote about the film last year and how I wanted to watch the final product after catching a work-in-progress cut at a Swirl Inc. event.

It turned out well and I kind of wish there was a sequel.

Official Site: http://anomalythefilm.wordpress.com

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PAFF: Speed-Dating

Speed-Dating is a cute indie rom-com starring Wesley Jonathan (What I Like About You, Roll Bounce). The film had its world premiere at the Pan African Film Fest on Valentine's Day.

Johathan plays a carefree bachelor who creates a speed dating scam with his buddies (Chico Benymon & Leonard Armond Robinson) to get as many girls as possible.

It's good to see more black filmmakers entering the quirky man-child genre. I nominate Benymon for a leading role. His storyline and on-screen chemistry with Vanessa Simmons was especially cute. An indie rock soundtrack would have been more refreshing instead of hip-hop but overall the film was enjoyable.

Speed-Dating doesn't have a set release date because they're still looking for a distributor but keep this film on your radar.

Official Site: www.speed-datingmovie.com

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TV Tonight - Lost

A new episode, entitled The Substitute, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Locke goes in search of help to further his cause. Katey Sagal guest stars. It was written by Elizabeth Sarnoff/Melinda Hsu Taylor and directed by Tucker Gates.

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Film Independent: Director's Close-Up

The Director's Close-Up is a great forum to listen to top-notch filmmakers discuss their experience in the entertainment business. I attended the session where Jason Reitman and his creative team talked about the art of collaboration. Eric Steelberg (cinematographer), Dana E. Glauberman (editor) and Rolfe Kent (composer) worked with Reitman on his previous projects Thank You For Smoking, Juno and his latest Oscar-contender Up in the Air.

John August moderated the discussion and they showed clips from Juno and Up in the Air to analyze and compare the beautifully directed conversation scenes where: A.) Clooney, Kendrick & Farmiga talk "love" in the airport and B.) where Juno and her dad  first meet her baby's soon to be adopted family.

Reitman said that his goal is to make a scene as good as possible before adding a soundtrack instead of fully relying on music to convey the intended emotion. He wants the songs to sneak up on the audience "like a ninja."

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Notable New Releases

Black Dynamite
This blaxploitation parody looks hilarious and has gotten great reviews for its spot-on take on the genre.

Extras include:

• Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• 'Lighting The Fuse' Making-of Featurette
• The 70's: Back in Action
• The Comic-Con Experience

Law Abiding Citizen
Didn't look great but everything I've heard suggests it's actually a pretty fun over-the-top revenge flick.

Extras include:

• Commentary
• The Justice of 'Law Abiding Citizen'
• Law in Black and White - Behind the Scenes
• Preliminary Arguments - Visual Effects Progressions
• The Verdict - Winning Trailer Mash-Up

Hunger (Criterion Collection)
Michael Fassbender's fearless performance has been earning rave reviews and I can't wait to check out the story of political prisoner Bobby Sands.

Extras include:

• Steve McQueen interview
• The Making of Hunger
• Michael Fassbender interview
• 'The Provos' Last Card?' 1981 News Program
• Booklet - a 16-page illustrated booklet containing Chris Darke's essay 'On The Threshold'

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PAFF: Andy Allo

Andy Allo performed at the Pan African Film Festival's Night of Tribute that honored Glynn Turman, Tatyana Ali, Nate Parker, F. Gary Gray and Nollywood filmmaker Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima.

Allo and her band played a couple songs that have a neo-soul/folk vibe. Whether you're into that genre or not, the music video is really cute...

Official Site: www.andyallo.com

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18th Annual Pan African Film Festival

Here are some photos from the opening night gala for Blood Done Sign My Name. The Pan African Film Festival runs February 10th - 17th.

Nate Parker and Miluana Jemai

Lela Rochon

Shannon Kane

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PAFF: Blood Done Sign My Name

Blood Done Sign My Name had its world premiere at the Pan African Film Festival earlier this week. The film stars Nate Parker, Lela Rochon and Rick Schroder in a story about a racially divided smalltown in North Carolina in the 1970s. The town reaches its tipping point when a black soldier returns from Vietnam only to face a brutal death by a white store owner. Blood Done Sign My Name is based on a true story, from the accounts of Tim Tyson.

Nate Parker gives a solid performance as, Ben Chavis, an activist who helps organize the protest in Oxford, North Carolina. Parker has been on my radar since The Great Debaters and I hope he gets more leading roles. Other notable performances include Afemo Omilami as "the stoker", Gattlin Griffith as a young Tim Tyson and Milauna Jemai as the widow.

In theaters February 19th.

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Reel Injun

This looks good...

Reel Injun takes an entertaining and insightful look at the Hollywood Indian, exploring the portrayal of North American Natives through the history of cinema. Travelling through the heartland of America, Cree filmmaker Neil Diamond looks at how the myth of “the Injun” has influenced the world’s understanding – and misunderstanding – of Natives.

Official Site: www.reelinjunthemovie.com

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TV Tonight - Lost

A new episode, entitled What Kate Does, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Kate’s on the run while Jack must do something that could jeopardize the life of a friend. It was written by Adam Horowitz/Edward Kitsis and directed by Paul A. Edwards.

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Notable New Releases

A Serious Man
Why the Coen Brothers' latest film slipped under the radar is beyond me. It's a really smart, darkly comedic fable in the vein of Barton Fink. If you like early Woody Allen you will also enjoy all the Jewish humor they use.

Extras include:

• Becoming Serious
• Creating 1967
• Hebrew and Yiddish for Goys

The Time Traveler's Wife
I'm a sucker for stories with time travel, so I'm looking forward to checking it out.

Extras include:

• 'An Unconventional Love Story' Featurette
• 'Love Beyond Words' Featurette

Bronson
One of my favorite surprises. Director Nicolas Winding Refn (Pusher trilogy) has crafted a very unconventional prison film and Tom Hardy's amazing lead performance make this a must see.

Extras include:

• Charles Bronson Monologues
• Making of Bronson
• Interviews with Writer/Director Nicolas Winding Refn, Actors Tom Hardy, Matt King, and Paul Daniels
• Behind-the-Scenes Footage
• Training Tom Hardy

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HBR Fest: Verônica

Maurício Farias' new film follows Verônica (Andréa Beltrão), a divorced teacher, who works in a periphery poor school in Rio. One day, after class, Leandro (Matheus de Sá), a seven year old kid is waiting for his parents by the school gate. They don't appear. She decides to take him home. When she enters in the slum and discovers that his parents were killed by the drug trafficking gang. The boy's life is in danger and she discovers a network of police corruption, that may involve her cop ex-husband, as she tries to protect him. This is a really effective thriller due to the uniformly great performances and the tight direction. Once the danger is introduced, the tension doesn't let up leading the audience on a high-speed journey. It just premiered at the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival as the closing film.

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HBR Fest: Paulista

Roberto Moreira's new film Paulista (meaning someone from São Paulo) is an ensemble piece, following three connected stories. Aspiring actress Marina (Sílvia Lourenço) arrives in São Paulo with dreams of independence and fulfillment. She shares an apartment with Suzana (Maria Clara Spinelli), a lawyer who was born a man. A few floors up lives Jay (Fábio Herford), a frustrated writer seeking for meaning in his life. At a nightclub, Marina becomes obsessed with a singer, Justine (Danni Carlos). At the courthouse, Suzana begins a relationship with a colleague, Gil (Gustavo Machado). In the streets, Jay takes a prostitute named Michelle (Leilah Moreno) as his muse. I really liked the tone that the director establishes. It is a somber film about lost love and the loneliness of a big city, recalling the work of Wong Kar-Wai. The dreamy cinematography is wonderful and is the first Brazilian production to be shot on the RED camera. It also marks one of the first times a transgender character has been played by an actual transgender actress and its an amazing performance that will break your heart. It just had its Los Angeles premiere at the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival, where it took home awards for best actress (Maria Clara Spinelli) and best film.

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TV Tonight - Chuck

A new episode, entitled Chuck Vs. The Mask, airs tonight at 8/7c on NBC. Shaw (guest star Brandon Routh) sends Chuck and Hannah (guest star Kristin Kreuk) on a mission, forcing Sarah to work with him. Meanwhile, Morgan and Ellie team up to find out information regarding Chuck.

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HBR Fest: Now Boarding

Allan Fiterman's new film follows Wagner (Jonathan Haagensen) a young airport employee, who dreams about leaving Brazil for a better life in New York. He crosses paths with fellow employee Justina (Marília Pêra) an experienced woman who tries to advise him. Together they try to realize their dreams. It's an incredibly charming and funny story, filled with amusing characters. Marília Pêra gives a hilarious performance as the high-strung Justina. If you like over-the-top quirky comedy, check it out. It just had its US premiere at the Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival.

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TV Tonight - Smallville: Absolute Justice

If you're a fan of sci-fi and superheroes then this is one epsiode you don't want to miss. The Justice League comes to life on Smallville tonight. This isn't particularly "artsy" but it's still one of my favorite TV shows.

After you watch, share your thoughts!

 

[Photo Credit © 2009 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved.]

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Soundtrack Review - The Book of Eli

Atticus Ross makes his feature film debut with a haunting and atmospheric score. Ross incorporates electronic elements within a classical sound to create the sonic landscapes of the Hughes Brothers' post-apocalyptic world. Creepy electro-blips permeate throughout the score creating an off-kilter sense of threat. 

"Panoramic" starts things off with an epic theme that effectively uses synthesizers to create a somber yet hopeful motif. This mood is reflected throughout the diverse album. Ross often employs low-key vocals and tribal drums ("Outland", "The Journey"). There is some ominous brass linked to the villainous characters ("Amen", "Convoy Destruct"). The action scenes dip into industrial rock ("The Convoy"). "Solara Violated" uses sparse sound design to make an uncomfortable scene even more powerful. There are also more traditional tracks like the simple piano melodies on "Human" and "The Passenger". "Carnegie's Demise" rumbles along with an unsettling assortment of baritone sounds. It's not all gloom though, sentimental strings frame "Blind Faith" and the hopeful closer "The Purpose". 

It is one of the more original scores I have heard and is one of my favorite aspects of the film. Ross previously worked on Nine Inch Nails albums, including the Grammy-nominated instrumental Ghosts. He wrote the score with his wife, Claudia Sarne, and brother, Leopold Ross. This marks his third collaboration with the Hughes Brothers, having also scored their TV show Touching Evil and their segment of New York, I Love You. 

The soundtrack is currently available on Reprise Records as well as iTunes [which offers a deluxe edition with four bonus tracks] and will be released on 2LP vinyl on Feb 23rd. I highly recommend it, especially if you're a fan of NIN or electronic music.

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Blue Valentine

Blue Valentine premiered at Sundance this year and it's been getting good buzz. It stars Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams in a bittersweet story about a married couple. That by itself is refreshing because most movies about love tend to focus on the struggle of the two people getting together instead of them staying together. The latter offers more depth and with Gosling and Williams in the lead roles you can expect something impressive, their prior work in Half Nelson and Wendy and Lucy showcased a new range so the Blue Valentine pairing is a nice fit.

The cinematography has a naturalistic vibe, so I'm looking forward to seeing how Blue Valentine turns out. No word on a release date but The Weinstein Co. picked it up for distribution. I'll keep you posted as new info becomes available.

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TV Tonight - Modern Family

A new episode, entitled Moon Landing, airs tonight at 9/8c on ABC. Claire's memory is tested by a visit from an old friend (guest star Minnie Driver), Mitchell gives Gloria legal advice, and Jay's racquetball game with Cameron is marred by an uncomfortable encounter in the locker room.

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TV Tonight - Lost

The sixth and final season of Lost starts tonight at 9/8c on ABC! The two-hour premiere, entitled LA X: Parts 1 and 2, begins in the aftermath of the H-bomb detonation, as the survivors learn 'when' they are. It was written by showrunners Damon Lindelof/Carlton Cuse and directed by Jack Bender. There will also be a recap episode preceding it at 8/7c. Can't wait.

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Oscar Nominations Announced

The nominations for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards were announced this morning. Check out the full list of nominees HERE. My favorites include Up for best picture, District 9 for best picture and adapted screenplay, and Gabourey Sidibe for best actress. The Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 7th.

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Notable New Releases

Zombieland

A really funny movie that's a must see for horror fans. It's got clever writing (and titles), fun performances, and an amazing cameo. Grab some twinkies and enjoy.
Extras include:

• Commentary
  
• Deleted Scenes
  
• In Search of Zombieland
  
• Zombieland Is Your Land
  
• Visual Effects Progression Scenes
  
• Theatrical Promo Trailers

The House of the Devil
One of the best horror films i've seen in a while. Ti West's throwback to 80's horror is pitch-perfect. This is how you make an homage. It's a slow burn of a film, in the tradition of early Polanski, that really deserves to be a cult classic. Also for those of you who still have VCRs, Amazon is releasing an exclusive DVD/VHS bundle!
Extras include:

• Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• In The House of the Devil
• Behind The House of the Devil

New York, I Love You
Twelve interwoven short films by renowned directors. Missed it in its limited run, but I loved Paris, Je T'aime and can't wait to check this out. It's a great concept and I hope they will make more movies/cities.
Extras include:

• Deleted Scenes
• Interviews

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TV Tonight - Chuck

A new episode, entitled Chuck Vs. Nacho Sampler, airs tonight at 8/7c on NBC. Continuing his taxing quest to balance his two lives, Chuck must train new Buy More employee Hannah (guest star Kristin Kreuk) while his spy work involves handling his very own asset, a scientist who's entangled in a nefarious organization. Meanwhile, poor Awesome must lie to Ellie about Chuck's undercover endeavors; and Morgan, Jeff, and Lester snoop into Hannah's background. Glad to see Kristin Kreuk's character returning, seems like a nice girl...but you never know.

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This Is England

This Is England is a bittersweet coming-of-age story about a young boy who gets entangled in a world of hate. Mistreated at school and fatherless, Shaun, turns to a group of skinheads who give him the acceptance he so desperately craves. Some scenes are disturbingly raw but that's what makes this movie so good. If you haven't seen it yet add it to your Netflix queue.

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