Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Movie Review: “Black Panther”


Finally got out to see my second movie in 2018. As a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I had been looking forward to seeing “Black Panther” — an origin story about the superhero introduced to the big screen in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War.”

Marvel has been at this in earnest the past decade. Generally speaking, Kevin Feige & Co. tend to deliver the goods. They know how to make compelling dramas out of the massive catalog of source material available to their stable of filmmakers. 

“Black Panther” tells the story of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) — the prince “who would be king” of Wakanda after the death of his father T’Chaka (John Kani). The movie picks up a short time after the events of “Captain America: Civil War.”


Wakanda is a fictional nation in the heart of Africa — surrounded by mountains and jungle and hidden away from prying eyes. A meteorite composed of vibranium (the stuff Captain America’s shield is constructed from) hit the nation long ago, and the substance (which is incredibly rare) has led to all variety of technological advances in the society — including, but not limited to, Black Panther’s suit. 

As a result, there are many interested parties trying to get their hands on the rare metal. But the Wakandans work diligently to control access to their world, and their sphere of influence in the outside world. 

In the early stages of the movie, we find a man named Erik Stevens (Michael B. Jordan) perusing a museum, showing interest in an ancient axe on display. It turns out the blade is made of vibranium, and Erik — with the help of an arms dealer named Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) — stage a robbery. 


T’Challa and the crew in Wakanda are interested in Klaue’s exploits. We learn that T’Challa’s father investigated Klaue back in 1992 for stealing vibranium from Wakanda. 

The artifact heist results in T’Challa, Okoye (Danai Gurira), and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) heading on a mission to South Korea to retrieve the artifact, and capture Klaue. 


The sequence takes place in a casino that looks like it stepped out of the James Bond movie “Skyfall.” Also at the casino is CIA Agent Everett K. Ross (Martin Freeman) — and he is about to make an exchange for the vibranium axe head. 

This results in a shootout and fight sequence in the casino, and a chase on the streets of Busan — eventually leading to an interrogation of Klaue. 


We learn that Erik Stevens isn’t a simple criminal. Ross informs our heroes that Stevens is a former Navy SEAL and JSOC operator — who registered kills for the U.S. government in various foreign excursions. He goes by the name “Killmonger.” 

One of the movie’s most enjoyable characters is the cute and feisty Shuri (Letitia Wright). In addition to being T’Challa’s sister, she is also the tech-nerd for Black Panther — a la “Q” in the James Bond franchise. 


There is a lot going on in “Black Panther.” As is the case with Marvel’s origin stories in the MCU, a considerable amount of exposition and world building can be unleashed on viewers. That’s especially true in the first half of “Black Panther.”

We get to see the ceremonial rituals behind T’Challa's rise to power. We learn a variety of things (and see a variety of set pieces) regarding the mythology guiding Wakandan lore.


I don’t want to delve into too many spoilers (even though it seems like the entire universe has seen “Black Panther” at this point), but as the movie progresses, the very foundation of Wakandan civilization is threatened — which means our entire planet is under the gun. 

The inevitable question is whether or not “Black Panther” is the “best superhero movie in years” (as some of have suggested)...?


In my mind, 2014’s “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” is the benchmark as it regards recent superhero movies — especially those in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. 

Truth be told, the past 12 months have seen some terrific entries in the “superhero genre” at the box office. “Wonder Woman,” “Logan,” and “Thor: Ragnarok” breathed new life into filmed superhero tomes in 2017.

“Black Panther” is a solid entry as well. Director Ryan Coogler built a stylized adventure that sets up the superhero for future adventures. 


I liked the tone and style of “Black Panther” quite a lot — along with the attractive cast. In my mind, future “Black Panther” movies have the opportunity to spend less time with “world building” and “origin-story exposition,” and instead delve more into the characters — especially as they are fighting foes around the globe. 

The ending of “Black Panther” provides a launching pad for such stories (it appears the team might gear up in Los Angeles in the future).

I look forward to each entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the years have progressed, the entire franchise has become a multi-layered cake — rich and robust worlds teeming with compelling characters, beautiful settings, and immersive mythologies. 

I’m excited to see more of Black Panther in April’s “Avengers: Infinity War.” 

“Wakanda will no longer watch from the shadows. We can not. We must not. We will work to be an example of how we, as brothers and sisters on this earth, should treat each other” -- T’Challa, “Black Panther”







Netflix Revives “Lost In Space”: 10-Episode Season April 13


Did you know that CBS turned down the original “Star Trek” series in the 1960s in favor of “Lost in Space”...?

It’s true. CBS execs apparently thought the outer space exploits of the Robinson family would be more commercial. 

We all know how that story ended. “Star Trek” is a pop-cultural icon. “Lost in Space” is several parsecs less than iconic. Oddly enough, both 1960s series lasted three seasons, and both have been rebooted and reimagined (anyone remember the 1998 “Lost in Space” movie with Matt LeBlanc?)

The latest incarnation of “Lost in Space” comes to our galaxy on April 13 courtesy of Netflix and Legendary Television.


Netflix dropped the full trailer for the new series today. It is difficult to glean the finer plot points of the 10-episode first season. Howver, the visuals look solid, and Parker Posey plays Dr. Smith:


In a nutshell, “Lost in Space” is a conceptual reimagining of the classic “Swiss Family Robinson” tale. A family of space colonists struggle to survive when their ship is thrown off course by a saboteur. 


As the changing media landscape continues to evolve, Netflix will need to continue to make inroads in the “family friendly” arena (especially with Disney launching a competing streaming service in 2019). 

Whether or not “Lost in Space” becomes a tent pole in that strategy remains to be seen. 

By the way, there is an interesting bit of music trivia about the 1960s “Lost in Space” — the show’s theme song was composed by John Williams (referred to as “Johnny Williams” in the closing credits):







Sunday, March 4, 2018

Five Best “The Greatest Showman” Fan Medley/Mashup Videos


"The Greatest Showman” has proven to be a popular movie at the box office. I reviewed the film back in January, and I believe much of the praise stems from the buoyant and fun soundtrack — which features rousing anthems and power ballads.

“The Greatest Showman” song scribes Benj Pasek and Justin Paul have had their original song “This Is Me” nominated for various awards — including “Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song)” at the 2018 Academy Awards

It isn’t a surprise that musically-inclined fans on YouTube have recorded various tribute videos. It is pretty amazing the production value injected into some of these videos, and the effort that “YouTubers” put in to get views. 

So, I’d like to count down my favorite medleys, mashups and musical tributes to “The Greatest Showman.”

5. Anthem Lights: “The Greatest Showman Medley”
If you ever wondered what “The Greatest Showman” soundtrack would feel like if it were performed by a 90s-esque “boy band,” then you need look no further than Anthem Lights medley:



4. Fever Dream Creative: “The Greatest Showman A Cappella Medley”
Fever Dream Creative brings a Pentatonix-like sensibility to their medley. The a cappella vocals and harmonies might not be the most dynamic thing in the world, but it is a refreshing take:



3. Aaron Encinas: “The Greatest Showman Mashup”
The the look and feel of this video plays with darkness and light. The noir-ish vibe creates a dynamic effect. The choreography is a nice touch as well:


2. Lyza Bull: “The Greatest Showman MASHUP by Lyza Bull of OVCC”
Young artist. Lots of dancing. This take on “The Greatest Showman” features terrific choreography (the choreography was actually done by the same group that is behind my No. 1-ranked video). Bull’s vocals might not be the most dynamic (give her time, she’s young), but the video has a light and airy “dance recital” feel to it:



1. BYU Vocal Point & Friends: “The Greatest Showman A Cappella Mashup”
From the costumes to the vocals to the choreography, BYU Vocal Point’s medley/mashup (with help from the BYU Cougarettes and Aeris Aerial Arts) is one of the best on YouTube. Yeah, it might feel like it stepped out of an episode of “Glee,” but it is really well done:



So there you have it. If you are looking for a fun movie that is sweet and sappy, check out “The Greatest Showman” (on blu-ray and DVD). The soundtrack has quickly become one of my favorites. If the videos featured above are any indication, a lot of people share the same sentiment...



Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Book Review: "Persuader" By Lee Child


“I don’t really care about the little guy. I just hate the big guy. I hate big smug people who think they can get away with things.” — Jack Reacher in “Persuader”

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again... Lee Child doesn’t write the same book twice. 

That’s what keeps his Jack Reacher series so fresh, interesting, and readable. 

The past month I have been working to fill in the gaps and read all of Child’s novels. In that effort, I spent the past week reading his 2003 novel “Persuader.” 

I only have three novels to go — 2004’s “The Enemy,” and Lee Child’s most recent efforts published in 2016 and 2017. 

It’s going to feel unusual being all caught up. I love books — bookstores are deadly to my wallet — and I am in the midst of reading a number of series. I wanted to go into Lee Child’s April 11 appearance at UNO’s Baxter Arena ready, like a student who has carefully prepared for an examination. As such, I thought it’d be fun to have read all of his novels.

“Persuader” is one of Child’s most enjoyable Jack Reacher tomes. I’m kind of sorry I hadn’t read it earlier. The novel served up a heaping dose of action, clever twists, and an ample supply of “bad assery.”

“Persuader” starts off with a bang. On the opening pages of the novel, we find Jack Reacher on a college campus, next to a brown panel van parked outside a music store. He is about to kill a police officer with a Colt Anaconda — a huge, stainless steel revolver. 

Reacher is the vigilante hero of 22 novels — a former military policeman who wanders the globe on his own time and dime. 

To say the opening passages of “Persauder” are startling is an understatement. Not only does Reacher gun down the cop ("an accident," as he puts it), he thwarts the kidnap attempt of a college student named Richard Beck.

Before we know it, Reacher has eluded law enforcement, switched vehicles, and returned the boy to his familial home in Abbot, Maine — a stone mansion ensconced along the Atlantic Ocean. 

But all is not as it seems, and we soon find out that Reacher is working for the DEA, attempting to infiltrate the Beck family compound, rescue another undercover operative (Teresa Daniel), and locate a “ghost” from his past (who appears to be doing business with Richard Beck’s father). 

The “ghost” in question is a former military intelligence operative named Francis Quinn. Reacher is wandering the streets of Boston when he randomly runs into a man he believes to be Quinn — a man who had been shot in the head and presumed dead 10 years earlier. 

Reacher starts dialing old phone numbers from his MP days and asks a Warrant Officer named Powell to run the man’s license plate for him. That move alerts the DEA — Agents Susan Duffy and Steven Eliot approach the unwary Reacher in Boston as he attempts another run-in with Quinn. 

As the “knight errant” in Lee Child’s novels, Reacher is willing to help out the DEA. Reacher has an unquenchable thirst to learn about Lazarus rising from the dead. Quinn is presumed to be working with a Maine rug importer named Zachary Beck — and the feds don’t believe Beck is on the up-and-up. 

“Persuader” is told using the first person narrative, and Child uses that structure to good effect as he ratchets up the suspense throughout the novel. Everything is told through Reacher’s point of view — the reader finds out when Reacher finds out. 

As the novel progresses, there are two concurrent stories going on — the investigation of Zachary Beck’s business dealings in Maine, and “flashbacks” to an investigation of Francis Quinn during Reacher’s tenure as a military police officer. 

While “Persauder” doesn’t tread any new ground for Lee Child, the pacing is brisk compared to the three preceding entries in the Jack Reacher series (“Running Blind,” “Echo Burning,” and “Without Fail”). It feels like a kindred spirt with the novels to follow. 

Reacher also has more of an edge in this novel.

A clever “Easter Egg” in the novel (if you want to call it that) is the title of the novel — “Persuader” — which is a clue in and of itself. 

A quote that keeps coming up in “Persauder” is “bloody wars and dread diseases” — a phrase apparently uttered during toasts by the British Army in India during the Raj. It meant that a casualty further up the chain of command was the only way to get ahead. 

The sentiment plays out in both the novel’s main storyline and flashback passages. To be sure, the events that play out in both threads are bloody and full of dread. 

Child is a master at making the mundane feel compelling. “Persuader” illustrates once again why Jack Reacher — facing long odds — is one of the smartest sleuths in fiction today. He has the intellect of Sherlock Holmes mixed with the toughness of John McClane in “Die Hard.” 

If you are interested, you might consider checking out Lee Child at UNO’s Baxter Arena on April 11. I’ve watched a number of interviews with the author on YouTube, including this event where he is “in conversation” with author Stephen King in Cambridge, MA:


Lee Child is fascinating to listen to, and tells a number of interesting tales about his life. 

Click here to learn more about the event at UNO’s Baxter Arena on April 11 — the event is open to the public and tickets are free. 

>> If you enjoyed my review of Lee Child’s “Persuader,” be sure to follow me on Twitter/X – @TheJonCrunch 

Related posts on author Lee Child and Jack Reacher: 












Thursday, February 22, 2018

Omaha World-Herald Lays Off 43... What’s Happening?


“We are entering a golden age of journalism. I do think there has been horrible frictional costs, but ... I look at my backpack that is sitting here, and it contains more journalistic firepower than the entire newsroom that I walked into 30 to 40 years ago.” — David Carr

As something of a news junkie who binges on information, I’ve been concerned about the state of my local daily newspaper.

I’ve watched the size and scope of the Omaha World-Herald become more svelte the past few years. It’s a well-worn tale, a reality that has hit a number of dailies around the United States.

There was a time when subscriber revenue was “gravy” for newspapers. The real money was made off of advertising — in-column ads, classifieds, and automobile advertising. 

My wife and I have degrees in journalism, and we own a marketing communications business. Along with the rest of our ilk, we’ve watched the seismic shifts in the industry the past decade with a sense of foreboding.


This week, the Omaha World-Herald announced it was cutting 43 employees, and making changes to the newspaper. 

I have a friend who lost his job with this round of cuts. He found out when he arrived at work that morning — it hit him like a punch to the gut. 

The public expresses concern about “quality journalism” in our society. They bemoan the rise of "fake news" as a scourge on the public good. Yet, as is often the case in these situations, little is being done by the citizenry to staunch the bleeding.  

Nobody likes a train wreck, but everyone likes to watch a train wreck... if you get my gist.

My brother-in-law Sean Weide spent his adult life working in media. He died unexpectedly in 2017, but I had the opportunity to work for him in the mid 1990s, and we often talked about the state of media.

Sean's most recent jobs were in the role of press officer for professional cycling teams. 

Sean would tell me how the media rooms at cycling events (generally multi-stage tours around the globe) were full of bloggers. As such, he often wondered aloud why Bridget and I were excluded from press events related to UNO Hockey (since we run a fan site for the hockey program called MavPuck.com). 

Bloggers, YouTubers, SnapChatters, Instagrammers, Tweeters and Facebookers have been painted with labels like “new media," "alternative media,” or worse. The question you have to ask yourself is this: When will these people and platforms — which are often "adjuncts" to so-called accredited news organizations — become all that’s left to dole out information to the public?

You see it trending more that direction each year. News organizations try to maintain editorial legitimacy by keeping newsrooms and operations staffed and stocked — all while subscribers, ad sales, and print sizes continue to plummet. 

It is not a sustainable model. 

What will a world look like if “citizen journalists” rule the day? Are they already ruling the day?

I realize large organizations — especially those with an entrenched leadership structure — often change at a glacial pace. 

Some will point to the fact that newspapers are designed as money-making ventures. They’ll cynically say that journalistic purity has never been the sole goal for these institutions. Rather, they’ll argue that editorial content is based (at least in part) on what attracts eyeballs, and greases the wheels with potential advertisers. 

Some will go further and suggest that these institutions were too slow to figure out what appealed to younger demographics. 

I don’t know what the future holds for the Omaha World-Herald — or other daily newspapers around the country. 

Instituting the “more restrictive” paywall in January of this year — followed by significant layoffs in February — wasn’t an attractive look for the newspaper. It will bring into question the viability of print media in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area — an area that spans roughly 900,000 people. 

Will the next decade see newsrooms whittled down even further — only to become paper-thin versions of their former selves?

Stay tuned...

Monday, February 19, 2018

Book Review: “Without Fail” By Lee Child


My effort to fill in the gaps and finish every single one of Lee Child’s novels (before the author’s April 11 appearance at Baxter Arena) continued this week with the author's 2002 outing “Without Fail.” 

As I said in my review of “Echo Burning” last week, Lee Child doesn’t write the same novel twice. Because his protagonist is a loner who wanders the country (since he left his life as a military policeman), he can head anywhere and become embroiled in a variety of intriguing mysteries. 

“Without Fail” finds Jack Reacher in New Jersey. He had hitched a ride with aging R&B musicians in California — headed for greener pastures in Atlantic City. Reacher is trying to help the pair receive the proper “fee for service” at the lounge where they’re performing. 

It’s November. It’s cold in New Jersey. Reacher sets out to find an affordable clothing store where he can purchase a coat and some warmer duds. He also needs more money, and contacts his bank to have funds wired to Western Union. 

The call to the bank sets our plot into motion. It turns out a United States Secret Service agent named M.E. Froelich is looking for someone who can help with an investigation. Her research points to Jack Reacher, but the fact that he’s off the grid makes him a hard man to track down. 

But find him they do. 

Froelich discovers Reacher on his way to pickup the wire transfer at Western Union. He spots her black Chevrolet Suburban. The two chat and Reacher learns that Froelich had worked with — and dated — his deceased brother, Joe.

“I want to hire you for something,” she said. “On a kind of posthumous recommendation from Joe. Because of what he used to say about you. He talked about you, time to time.”

Reacher isn’t looking for employment, but is intrigued by her “interesting proposition” — the agency needs someone to poke holes in their protection procedures for the Vice President-Elect of the United States.

In short order Reacher finds himself a consultant for the U.S. Secret Service. He hires a former colleague — Frances Neagley — to help them test the security around Vice President-elect Armstrong. 

Reacher and Neagley prove that the politician isn’t as safe as one might believe. 

But this wasn’t a mere “test” of policies and procedures. The would-be veep has received a threatening letter (intercepted by the Secret Service) — a simple message on a particular stock of white paper, printed on a Hewlett-Packard laser printer, in Times New Roman font, with a single fingerprint (that doesn’t come up in any of the government databases). 

It’s a puzzle that sends Reacher, Neagley, and Froelich spinning around the corridors of Washington, D.C., and the wide-open spaces of the Great Plains (Armstrong is a senator from North Dakota).

Reacher is trying to figure out if those threatening Armstrong are hoping to implement their nefarious deed and escape — as Edward Fox did in the movie “The Day of the Jackal” — or if they are planning to die in the act of treachery — like John Malkovich’s renegade CIA agent in “In the Line of Fire.” 

The story itself is compelling. It lacks the action and theatrical punch featured in some of Child’s other Jack Reacher stories — until the final act of “Without Fail,” which is pretty terrific. 

Instead, “Without Fail” is more procedural in nature, showing Reacher analyzing a variety of evidence in the hunt for the truth (he even turns to various iterations of the constitution for clues). The antagonists in this story are basically unseen, and there are a variety of red herrings thrown in for good measure. 

Reacher also finds himself in an awkward romantic relationship with Froelich as the novel progresses — the agent still has some of Joe’s old suits and personal belongings in her home. 

Froelich is conflicted as she tries to convince herself (and Reacher) that she isn’t trying to bring Joe back from the dead, or live vicariously through his brother. 

The early setup of the story reminded me a bit of Stephen Hunter’s novel “Point of Impact” (which was made into the movie “Shooter” starring Mark Wahlberg). The two stories ultimately take divergent paths. 

Reacher’s brother Joe was a key plot point in Child’s first novel “Killing Floor,” and it was nice to see Reacher get a bit of closure on his sibling in “Without Fail.”

Lee Child worked in television before he became a writer at age 40 (he was laid off by Granada television). In this clip he talks about the importance of dialogue and research in his work:


One of my favorite aspects of a Jack Reacher novel is the banter between characters. It doesn’t matter whether Child is writing the novel in first or third person (six of the Reacher novels are told using the first person narrative), the conversations are crisp and quick.

I also like Child’s view on research — not to let it overwhelm the story, Too many novels I’ve read have awkward “info-dumps” at certain points, and you can tell the writer is excited to share how much they learned in the research process. 

“Without Fail” is an intriguing novel in Lee Child’s repertoire (if you’re new to the Jack Reacher novels, I’d start with “Killing Floor”). The story gives new insight into Reacher’s family life, and adds additional depth to the character. It is a tad slower than the best outings in the series, but worth the read.

Also, as I mentioned in my previous review of “Echo Burning,” Lee Child is set to give a free talk at the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s Baxter Arena on April 11. Click here to learn more about the event — which includes ticket information. 


Tuesday, February 13, 2018

You Should Be Watching Amazon’s “Bosch”


I consume a considerable amount of detective fiction. 

My love of the genre started when I was in third grade and I pulled the Hardy Boys novel “The Secret of the Old Mill” off a bookshelf attached to my bedroom wall in the two-bedroom apartment my family lived in at the time. 

I quickly became fascinated with the finer aspects of detective work, and enjoyed the various tropes the genre had to offer. This was the 1980s — a time when shows about private investigators and police officers dominated network television. 

One of today’s finest writers in the detective genre is Michael Connelly. His novels focusing on Detective Hieronymus ‘Harry’ Bosch are among the best procedurals — meticulous and authentic in their research, tone, and style. 

The first Connelly novel I read was “Lost Light” in 2003. I was immediately hooked. Connelly’s brooding, noirish feel harkened back to classic detective fiction. His main protagonist was incredibly compelling.

Amazon decided to turn the exploits of Harry Bosch into a TV series on its Prime Video streaming service a few years back. The first season of “Bosch” debuted in 2014, and Amazon just announced the fourth season of the show — set to drop on April 13, 2018. 


My wife and I love the series, and consider it to be one of the finest detective shows around. 

Here is the trailer for “Bosch” Season 4:


The show feels authentic (Connelly insisted they shoot on location in Los Angeles). The beating pulse of the series is provided by actor Titus Welliver, who plays the title character. 


Welliver’s portrayal of Harry Bosch is pitch perfect. While the intense detective is dogged in his pursuit of justice, he isn’t the pat “anti-hero” often seen in the genre these days. 

He’s hard-boiled without being overdone. 

There is a quiet intensity to Welliver that serves the series well. He might not be a performer you’re readily familiar with, but his work as a character actor over the years makes him instantly recognizable. 

In my mind, Welliver’s performance is Emmy worthy, and he should receive more accolades. He adds a certain edge to the character that is neither cliche, nor obtrusive in any manner. His version of Bosch is honed smooth like a fine blade.  


There are other notable performances in the cast. Jamie Hector is terrific as the unassuming Jerry Edgar (Bosch’s partner in the LAPD) and Lance Reddick provides a stoic intensity as Deputy Chief Irvin Irving — a man navigating the tricky waters of law enforcement and Los Angeles politics. 


Amy Aquino plays Lieutenant Grace Billets — Bosch’s immediate superior, friend, and confidante. Aquino is excellent in the role, and provides a nice counter-balance to Harry Bosch. 


One of the interesting aspects of the series is that the show pulls from a “mashup” of Connelly novels — slicing and dicing his procedurals into each season’s story arcs.

In this clip, Connelly discusses the novels that will be featured in the fourth season of “Bosch”:


That technique is a nice touch. It allows readers to see familiar plot points and established pillars of character development, but it also means each season feels like its own unique thing. 


One of my favorite aspects of the series is the development of Harry’s personal life — in particular, his relationship with daughter Maddie (Madison Lintz). Not only do these threads humanize Bosch, they help keep the melancholy character grounded. 

Another thing I like about the series is the opening title sequence. I know that might seem trivial, but growing up in the 1970s and 80s exposed me to a number of excellent title sequences, and my feeling is that they add a key bit of punctuation to a television series. 

The “Bosch” title sequence features the song “Can’t Let Go” by Caught A Ghost — played over a kaleidoscope of Los Angeles images. There is sort of an OCD quality to the song, and the overall sequence sets a nice tone for the show:


There are number of quality shows for viewers to consume these days, and I know time is limited. I highly recommend you consider adding “Bosch” to your “must-see” list. 

It’s nice to see Michael Connelly’s vision come to screen — in a manner that stays true to the stories told on the printed page. 

I think it is the finest “original” in Amazon’s lineup, and is definitely worth your time.



P.S. - Titus Welliver recorded a video message about the fourth season of "Bosch" on his Twitter account today (Feb. 13, 2018)... it includes some good news about a fifth season of the show. 

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