Texas Chainsaw Massacre 40th Anniversary Gets a Black Maria Limited Edition!

Dark Sky Films has announced a special limited edition set dubbed The Black Maria for the upcoming 40th anniversary home video release of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

The set boasts a great poster, a Leatherface apron, and the film in all it's 4K glory!

This release is a complete 4K restoration with some fantastic features!

Read on for more!

Dark Sky Films Brings

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: 40th Anniversary

Black Maria Limited Edition

Exclusively Available Through Gorgon-Video.com Starting September 16th

Collector's Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo and Single DVD and Blu-ray Also Available on September 16th

 

It's been imitated and remade, but never equaled. Tobe Hooper's THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE rose from a notorious 1974 sleeper sensation to rank as one of the greatest horror films ever made. Now, to mark the film's 40^th anniversary, Dark Sky Films is presenting the digitally re-mastered masterpiece on Blu-ray for the first time in a stunning Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Collector's Edition box set.

 

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE appears in an all-new 4K digital transfer and with a newly created 7.1 surround sound mix supervised by director Hooper (Poltergeist). This release marks the only transfer of the film to go back to the original 16mm A/B rolls, the actual film that rolled through the cameras. The Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Edition of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE will be released at retail in October but will be available exclusively at www.gorgon-video.com for 30 days starting September 16, 2014. Fans of the film will recognize the unique packaging as a replica of the iconic 'Black Maria' cattle truck that comes to Sally Hardesty's rescue when she's being pursued by Leatherface, a fitting nod to the legions of TCSM enthusiasts who were instrumental in keeping the film at the forefront of the genre throughout for the past 40 years and a true collectible display piece.'

 This four-disc DVD/Blu-ray combo pack will include a wealth of extras, including:

A Leatherface apron

Theatrical mini-poster

Five audio options

Four feature commentaries with the filmmakers and cast,

Several making-of featurettes

Deleted scenes, outtakes, bloopers, trailers and much more

 

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE received a mixed critical reception upon its initial release - the Los Angeles Times called it "despicable" - but horror fans immediately recognized it has a breakthrough in unbearable suspense. The story, written by director Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel, is dreadfully simple: Five young people on a weekend getaway in remote Texas countryside fall prey to a chain saw-wielding butcher (dubbed Leatherface because of his mask made of human skin) and his demented cannibalistic family. Thanks to startling scenes such as a woman being impaled on a meat hook, horror cinema would never be the same. Violent, confrontational and shockingly realistic, the film terrified audiences and was the most buzzed-about release of its time (a buzz fueled by the marketing campaign that claimed it was based on a true story).

Thrust upon an America disillusioned by the Vietnam War and Watergate, the 1974 shocker faced a storm of controversy, censorship and outcry. But this masterpiece of horror has stood the test of time to become a landmark motion picture and cultural milestone, having opened the (sliding steel) door to the entire slasher genre of the 1980s and beyond.

In addition to the Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Edition of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE , the film will also be released as a standard DVD, Blu-ray and DVD/Blu-ray Combo on September 16 at retail outlets nationwide.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40^th ANNIVERSARY BLACK MARIA LIMITED EDITION BOX SET

Street Date: Exclusively at gorgon-video.com only September 16, 2014

Street Date: retail outlets nationwide October 14, 2014

SRP: $99.98

Rate R

4K Digital Transfer, 7/1 Surround audio

EXTRAS:

A Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth

* Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw

* A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen

* Off the Hook with Teri McMinn

* The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman

* New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Grandpa's Tales: An Interview with John Dugan

* Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll

* Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Blooper Reel

* Outtakes from "The Shocking Truth"

* Horror's Hallowed Grounds: TCSM

* Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents "Making Grandpa"

* Still Gallery

* 40th Anniversary Trailer

* Trailers

* TV Spots

* Radio Spots

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40 ^th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD & BD COMBO

Street Date: September 16, 2014

SRP: $49.98

Rated R

4k Digital Transfer, 7.1 Surround audio

EXTRAS:

Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth

* Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw

* A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen

* Off the Hook with Teri McMinn

* The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman

* New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Grandpa's Tales: An Interview with John Dugan

* Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll

* Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Blooper Reel

* Outtakes from "The Shocking Truth"

* Horror's Hallowed Grounds: TCSM

* Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents "Making Grandpa"

* Still Gallery

* 40th Anniversary Trailer

* Trailers

* TV Spots

* Radio Spots

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40 ^th ANNIVERSARY DVD OR BD

Street Date: September 16, 2014

SRP: $24.98 DVD / $29.98 BLU-RAY

Rated R

4k Digital Transfer, 7.1 Surround audio

EXTRAS:

4 Feature Commentaries:
 

* Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl

* Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns

* NEW Commentary with Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper

* NEW Commentary with Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

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Arnold: @Terminator Genisys Wraps!

"Can someone bring me my prune juice and a COOOKKKIIEEEEE...!!!!"

Ho. Ly. Shit! Paramount Pictures gets it, readers, and they understand how important it is to get another Schwarzenegger/T-800 flick back on screen before this glorious era of action stars is dead and gone.  The Terminator franchise has such a rich mythology, and although folks may rag on some of its recent incarnations (Terminator: Salvation, Sarah Connor Chronicles), these stories are fantastic and need to continue.

Enter Terminator: Genisys, the fifth installment in the series.  I'm super excited!  And yeah, I'm ecstatic that an old Arnold is back in the movies; so sue me.  I really liked The Last Stand, and he's really taking his comeback seriously, playing with fans and trying to deliver on what his fanbase cries out for!  It's like he was a politician or something!!  Here's just a few words from the man himself:

 Hasta la vista, baby. I want to thank the cast and crew of @TerminatorGenisys for a fantastic shoot. It was challenging, it was fun, and it was rewarding. From our director to the producers, from the camera team to catering, from visual effects to hair and makeup - we couldn't have done it without you. I can't wait to see our finished project and I know we'll remind the fans why they fell in love with the Terminator. On July 1, 2015, I'll be back.

And bet on ME being back in that theater seat, dudes.

Terminator Genisys stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Emilia Clarke, Jai Courtney, Jason Clarke, Matt Smith, Byung-Hun Lee, and JK Simmons.

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Blu-ray Review: Curtains

It's been over 30 years since Curtains was first released and relatively forgotten. As the years went on, the film grew a cult like status and its fans have been clamoring for a proper home video release (a DVD released in 2010, was not acceptable due to its poor transfer). Well, thanks to the folks at Synapse Films, that day has finally come as Curtains has finally gotten the loving respect it deserves.

The film is about a director casting a coveted role of Audra so he invites several actresses to his remote mansion to work towards finding his perfect cast. Of course his first choice is a method actress so she locks herself away in a mental institution to learn what it means to be crazy. She breaks out once she hears of Stryker's (the directors) plans to choose another Audra.

Of course murder and strangeness occurs as the women do whatever they can to earn the part in this film.

The interesting thing about Curtains is the lack of a main character. There is no Laurie Strode, no Nancy Thompson. This is interesting because that means that no one is NOT the killer. There is no one safe to identify with because anyone could be hiding underneath that creepy old hag mask. You never really know who the killer is until the ultimate revelation.

The film is acted well and is among the better examples of 80s slasher films. This one is a bit calmer than most. It's not kill after kill and it gives the viewer room to breathe and to suspect who might be behind the killings.

The real star here now is the absolutely wonderful transfer Synapse has delivered. They did a masterful job, the likes of which only someone with a love of the film could be capable of. Fans should be ecstatic over the picture and sound. They've got some good features to dig through as well, including a trailer, commentary, and more. Synapse has really gone above and beyond with this title and it should serve as an example to other horror labels. Treat your films right and your fans will love you all the  more for it. I can't wait to see what Synapse does with Prom Night.

Fans of early slashers will eat up Curtains, and the beautiful transfer makes it a definite must watch for fans of the genre.

Well done, Synapse Films. You've raised the bar on what a label can do for a much loved film and a genre sorely in need of more respect in the home video market.

Curtains is available now.

Curtains

8/10 Hag Faces!

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Movie Poster/Trailer: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One

Lionsgate dropped some Hunger Games goodies at comic con this year including the above poster. But, I suspect now everyone will be talking about this nifty little teaser trailer for Mockingjay Part One, which I enjoyed. It's an attention grabber without being too revealing. Really a good tease all in all.

Ok I guess you just want to see it now right?

Fine!

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@AchorBayEnt and @Scream_Factory's Halloween Complete Set Extras Revealed! #MichaelisComingHome

We finally have the full details of the extras included in the EPIC upcoming Halloween Complete Collection which is coming in a 10 disc and deluxe 15 disc set on September 23.

I for one cannot wait for this. I've supremely excited and hope it's a monster success so we can get more releases like this.

Highlights include a high def transfer for the holy grail of Halloween lore, the Producer's Cut of Halloween 6!

Check out the full specs by clicking the RAWR!

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Blu-ray Review: @Criterion Collection's Scanners

One of the most eagerly anticipated blu-ray releases has arrived as David Cronenberg's sci-fi/horror classic Scanners has finally hit in glorious high def thanks to the folks at Criterion Collection. 

Scanners is one of those holy grail titles that fans have been chomping at the bit to see on blu-ray since the format launched. Until now, all that was available was sub par imports from overseas. Demand hit a fever pitch last year when Scream Factory released their double feature set of Scanners 2 and Scanners 3 and a lot of fans were expecting Scream Factory to drop the bombshell that they were going to release it. Instead, months later, thanks to one of Criterion's teaser images, word broke that the much loved label was releasing Scanners. 

And here we are, at long last, with a high def release that this classic film deserves.

Click the RAWR for the full review.

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#TMNT News for June 2014

This week is pretty big for the Ninja Turtles, or as the 21st century is calling them for some reason, the TMNT.  Michael Bay, surfing off the hot praise of his new Trans4ormers movie, is reintroducing my beloved heroes in a half shell as kinda weird-looking monsters in his produced incarnation out this August.  And we have a trailer!  And more exciting news below the jump!!

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Your Favorite Movies Are Slot Machines.

Gambling is big business and so are movies so for a long time now these two worlds have been joining forces to bring players to the slot machines.

You have casinos all over the world using popular hollywood films to lure players to their machines. Singapore casino games, Vegas casino games, Monte Carlo casino games, you name it and your favorite movies are there.

Most of these film based games are penny and nickel slots so I don't often get to play them. I prefer high roller slot machines like quarters and dollars. Plus I usually stick to the Wheel of Fortune slots.

Here are a few interesting movie based slot machines for your enjoyment.

First up, this monster machine for James Cameron's Avatar!

I wonder if it's in 3D?

Comic movies are not to be left out in the cold.  Here is a look at an Iron Man branded machine! 

 If you show it your Iron Man 2 ticket stub you get a free spin. (just kidding.) (maybe.)

Next up one of the greatest movies of all time (if you ask me anyway). JAWS!

Make sure you do not play the Jaws: The Revenge machine as that one just takes your money and slaps you across the face.

James Cameron gets double representation here as one of his greatest movies, and one of the best action films ever, gets the slot treatment.  Check out a screen from the Terminator 2 slot!

You'll be back to feed it more money I bet.

Oh look, even classic Batman gets a slot machine!

Where's Burt Ward?

Finally, for the kid who likes to gamble, the candy man himself, the Wonka slot.

I wonder if it gives you candy if you win?  That might anger some folks.

That's all folks. I hope you liked our little diversion here.  I love movies and I love slot machines so I might have to hit a few of these up next time I am Vegas bound.

Before we go, how about a bonus look at someone winning a jackpot on a Clue based slot! I'll be honest, I have no idea what is happening in this video.

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Batman V Superman New Logo and Official Title!

Warner Brothers has revealed a brand new logo for their upcoming Man of Steel "sequel" and, well, there can be no doubt now as to what this movie is going to be.

I do dig that logo. Mixed feelings on the subtitle though. It's very very on the nose. It's like a flick on the nose to be honest.

What do you think?

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Anchor Bay and @Scream_Factory Team Up for #Halloween Mega Set!

After a weekend of speculation, we can announce that it is true, Anchor Bay and Scream Factory have come together to release a gigantic franchise spanning mega box set of the Halloween franchise.

The set will feature every single Halloween film, theatrical, unrated, and in some cases TV versions of the films. Also included is the holy grail of this franchise, the Producers Cut of Halloween 6!

The set also includes all new bonus features, commentaries, documentaries, and more. I can barely contain  my excitement.

There will be two versions of this set available on September 23. A 10-disc and a 15-disc limited edition.

This is crazy awesome. I'm pretty much jumping for joy right now.

Click the RAWR for the full press release!

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New Transformers Posters, Trailers Out This Week

Michael Bay has made a lot of money on the backs of the Transformers franchise. The first three films have generated over $2.5 billion at the box office, and that doesn't even take into account the myriad tie-ins. Between toys, video games, apparel, and more, the Transformers name has been slapped on just about anything anything imaginable. Heck, Gambling.com even has a review of a Transformers slot game. But given the franchise's on-screen genesis as a bald-faced vehicle to sell merchandise, none of that licensing should be surprising.

What is slightly surprising is how long it took Bay and company to bring the Dinobots into the franchise. Since their introduction in the 80s, the Dinobots have been been among the most popular Transformers in every iteration of the robots in disguise (the benefits of transforming from giant robots into giant robot dinosaurs being a topic left for another time).

Months back fans knew the Dinobots would finally be coming to the silver screen in June's
Age of Extinction, and this week those same fans are being given opportunities to get a better look at the upcoming film.

During Monday's episode of The Voice, a teaser trailer featuring some new footage aired, promoting original music from Imagine Dragons that will be on the film's soundtrack. The band will also play at the movie's Hong Kong premiere. In addition to that footage, new posters have been released featuring better looks at the new looks of Optimus Prime and Bumblebee, and later this week another new trailer will be released.

With a little over a month left before the premiere of the fourth Transformers film (the final one that Bay will be directing), the marketing machine is in full swing to drum up fan fervor, which this week's announcements and trailers make abundantly clear. Given the success of the past three films, the difficult to screw up concept of "giant robots fighting one another all over the globe," and the addition of the long-awaited Dinobots, the fourth movie in the franchise looks to continue printing money for all involved.

Transformers: Age of Extinction opens June 27 and stars Mark Wahlberg and Nicola Peltz.

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From The TCM Classic Film Festival Part One

The TCM Classic Film Festival Part 1 of 3

By Jonathan Weichsel

2014 marked my third year in a row covering The TCM Classic Film Festival, a four day event that is my absolute favorite thing in Los Angeles and is a must-attend event for lovers of classic film. 

With rarely fewer than five screenings or events going on at any single time, and occasionally seven or more programs to choose from, TCM was once again a weekend full of difficult, sometimes heart breaking choices. Do I want to watch Jerry Lewis introduce The Nutty Professor, or sit in on a conversation with Kim Novak before Bell, Book, and Candle? Do I want to watch William Friedkin introduce Sorcerer, or attend a rare screening of The Women introduced by Oscar nominated actress and film buff Anna Kendrick? These are almost impossible choices to make, but the programming at TCM is so strong that although I regret missing one screening or another, I left each program I attended happy with my choice.

Click the RAWR for more!

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Shout Factory Announces Herzog: The Collection Blu-ray Set

Shout Factory has opened preorders for their epic Werner Herzog 16 Film blu-ray set Herzog: The Collection.  It's a beauty from the looks of it.

The sixteen titles featured include:

EVEN DWARFS STARTED SMALL
NOSFERATU THE VAMPYRE (also releasing on a Scream Factory Blu-ray)
LAND OF SILENCE AND DARKNESS
FITZCARRALDO
FATA MORGANA
BALLAD OF LITTLE SOLDIER
AGUIRRE, THE WRATH OF GOD
WHERE THE GREEN ANTS DREAM 
THE ENIGMA OF KASPAR HAUSER
COBRA VERDE
HEART OF GLASS
LESSONS OF DARKNESS
STROSZEK
LITTLE DIETER NEEDS TO FLY 
WOYZECK
MY BEST FIEND

No word yet on special features.

You can preorder it now from Amazon but if you ask quick you can preorder one from Shout.  The first 100 of them will be signed by the filmmaker himself.

Herzog: The Collection releases in July.

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Here Are Your Oscar Winners!

Last night, Hollywood gathered for the Academy Awards.  It was a mostly uneventful night with few, if any, surprises.  Well, there was pizza, and selfies like the epic one above.

There was also this:



Yeah, I don't understand how that happened either.

I thought Ellen did a good job.   She kept the predictable affair funny.

As for the awards, if you haven't guessed them all, click the RAWR for the full list.  Congrats to all the winners!

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Blu-Ray Review - Rocky: Heavyweight Collection

I love physical media.  I love collectors editions.  I love special edition collectors editions.  I do not love multiple versions of the same thing coming out.  I do not love double and triple dipping into peoples wallets.

Few movies have been taken to the well more times than the Rocky movies and MGM has done it yet again with another blu-ray collection featuring all of the films.  This time, we're getting the Rocky Heavyweight Collection.  It not much different from the Undisputed Collection that came out a few years ago.

This version brings a newly remastered version of Rocky to the table.  That's about it.

The rest of the films are the same as previously released.  No remastering or fixing happening for the sequels.  You're basically going in on another set for a remastered version of the original film.

I can't in good conscience recommend this.  It's a blatant double dip.  There's nothing really new here, outside maybe a feature or two.  It isn't worth it at all.

Fans of this franchise already have the other set making this one completely redundant.  If they want a remastered version they're better off just grabbing the Blu-ray book version.

This should be for the fans of the series only.  Superfans really.  It's not worth the $40 double dip.

The Rocky Heavyweight Collection is in stores now.

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Blu-Ray Review: Blind Date

Turn your Blu-ray player into a time machine and head back to 1987 for Kim Basinger and Bruce Willis' night of hi-jinks in the romantic comedy Blind Date now available for your high definition viewing pleasure.

Is it worth your time?

Click the Rawr to find out.

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DVD Review: Cassadaga

Now available on DVD is the new horror film Cassadaga.  Is it worth your time?  Is it full of psychics and mystery and scares?

Well...

Click the Rawr and I'll tell you.

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DVD Review: All Hallows Eve

I'm not gonna lie, I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder when it comes to horror movies that appear to go straight to video.  I grew up during a time where this meant your movie was terrible and in a lot of cases this is still true.  The thing is that today is a rapidly evolving world in terms of film and film distribution so have a movie release on DVD and not have a big (or any) theatrical release is not necessarily an indication of the quality of the movie.  Look at Curse of Chucky for a prime example, which I think went direct to DVD more as a way to get the Chucky Collection box set to sell more copies rather than as a determiner of its quality.  It's great btw.

So it was not without a bit of trepidation that I sat down to watch All Hallows' Eve, an anthology/narrative hybrid about a babysitter and her two charges watching an unmarked VHS tape.  The tape contains three stories all featuring a maniacal clown, amongst other things, doing all manner of horrific things to various people.

I had seen the trailer for this one and I found myself interested in seeing it, and after watching it, I am pleased to say it's damn good.  I watch a lot of horror movies and it takes a lot for me to get creeped out.  I'm not talking jump scenes, I am talking genuine creeps.  All Hallows' Eve delivers the good old fashioned under your skin back of your neck creeps.  The kind you just don't get anymore.

Heavy on gore and scares, this film delivers something for pretty much any horror fan.  When I finished watching it, I'll be honest, I was hesitant to turn the lights off.  I had no idea what manner of demon or monster would show up once the light was gone.

That is exactly the way you should feel after a good horror movie, the need to check your locks and then get up out of bed to check them again.  All Hallows' Eve left me with that feeling.

This is definitely a fun flick to watch with friends and one that you can enjoy scaring yourself with even if you're all alone.  Don't let the cover fool you.  This movie is about so much more than a clown.  It's really rather multilayered in terms of its scares and what kind of monstrosities you experience.

I'm not going to spoil anything for you just do yourself a favor and check it out.  It's a fun little flick that does prove that releasing on DVD does not have to be a indicator of a bad movie.  Not by any stretch.  I, for one, can't wait for a sequel.

All Hallows's Eve is available now.

All Hallows' Eve

9/10 Cursed VHS Tapes

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Movie Trailer: The Amazing Spider-Man 2

This looks pretty good. I hope having so many villains doesn't harm the story but I guess we'll see come May.

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WB Considers Numerous TERRIBLE Subtitles for Man of Steel 2

Warner Bros. registered numerous domain names that might be hinting at a potential subtitle for the upcoming Man of Steel sequel.

The problem is that they are all terrible.  See for yourself.

"Man of Steel: Battle the Knight"
"Man of Steel: Beyond Darkness"
"Man of Steel: Black of Knight"
"Man of Steel: Darkness Falls"
"Man of Steel: Knight Falls"
"Man of Steel: Shadow the Night"
"Man of Steel: The Blackest Hour"
"Man of Steel: The Darkness Within"

These are all cringeworthy. Shadow the Night? What does that even mean? This project is looking more and more like it will be a complete disaster and might possibly ruin the chances of a strong DC Universe on the big screen.  As it is it's getting further and further away from being a Superman movie.

Of course, if anyone out there wants to anonymously slip me the script for this to prove me wrong, you can do so at garon@popculturebeast.com.

Luckily, we have Arrow to keep our hopes alive.

SOURCE

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