Horrible Bosses

6

qqziiJan 15, 2023

Good comedy for the evening. The idea is original, there are decent moments, generally above average.

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5

ShiiraAug 16, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. In retrospect, we concur with Buddy Ackerman(Kevin Spacey), the movie mogul in "Swimming with Sharks", when he tells his disgruntled personal assistant to "grow up", because, culturally speaking, being a horrible boss is just par for the course in the movie biz. Bad behavior is just part of the culture. The flunky should know this. Upon its initial release, and the intervening years leading up to "The Devil Wears Prada", in essence, the female version of this "Player(The)" rethink, the moviegoer, for the most part, sided with Guy, the beleaguered assistant driven to desperate measures, when during a home invasion, Buddy gets his comeuppance for treating the hard-working underling like dirt, with rope and a chair, and a gun that just might go off. But now, courtesy of Andy Sachs, Guy is seen in a different light; a whiner, just one big baby, since the assistant for Runway editor Miranda Priestly, who in the 2006 film, bends but never breaks, even when faced with the seemingly impossible task of securing an unpublished manuscript for the next "Harry Potter" book. Compared to that, Guy's assignment is a relative piece of cake. He lacks Andy's resourcefulness. She would know to hire a helicopter pilot in order to hunt down a whitewater rafting client, somewhere in the Rockies. Guy just isn't cut out for the movie business. "I want my life back," goes the sniveling ingrate, while he holds Buddy hostage in exactly the same housebound manner as the secretaries' handling of their immediate supervisor, Mr. Hart, in "9 to 5". Although he lacks the intestinal fortitude to be a movie executive, Guy climbs the corporate ladder, nevertheless, as a reward for sparing his boss' life(he shoots the girl instead), therefore taking the buddy system to surreal heights. Feeling like a woman in a steno pool, he kills Dawn as a way of overcompensating for his emasculated feelings. Conversely, Andy, despite going toe-to-toe with the reconstituted woman(read: masculine), parlays her success for naught. Even though Andy may be the heir apparent of Miranda's empire, she goes to work for a dying industry, but the journalist doesn't worship haute couture, whereas Guy loves the movies, and is dumbstruck by the film illiteracy of his colleagues, who know Shelly Winters only from "The Poseidon Adventure". Insidiously, the filmmaker assigns a director with the name of Foster Kane, as a way to implicate the moviegoer as complicit philistines. He knows that the reference to "Citizen Kane" will go undetected. Similarly, in "Horrible Bosses", Nick draws a complete blank when Kurt compares their murder plot to "Strangers on a Train", while Dale confuses the Hitchc*ck film with "Throw Momma from the Train". To say the least, Kurt's analogizing of art and life is deeply flawed, but will anybody notice? In the 1951 thriller, it's not the bosses that Bruno and, arguably, Guy conspire to kill, but a domineering father and a promiscuous wife who won't give the tennis star a divorce. If these best of friends were to actually sit down and watch the movie, they would realize the fallacy in their thinking, since, as the title clearly articulates, the passengers are "strangers", not familiars, therefore, the proposed murder swap could easily be linked back to them. Does the filmmaker know this, or is the film as smart as its characters, and the baby sharks working under Guy who don't have the slightest apprehension of classic Hollywood? This misappropriated homage, to its credit, tweaks the plot points with some deftness, especially when Nick's boss(Spacey, again) discovers a lighter in his abode belonging to Kurt's boss, unwittingly planted by the unreliable film buff(as if fulfilling Bruno's plan to drop Guy's lighter at the crime scene), which propels the jealous husband(thinking that his wife is cheating) to gun down the idiot son of Kurt's mentor. Unfortunately, it lets the passed over VP candidate off the hook. Since the murder(regardless of its unexpected third party participation) is going to incriminate them anyway, it would have been a lot more interesting had Nick gotten out of the car. This raunchy, but ultimately tame comedy practically desecrates Hitch's good name by it the film's unwillingness to follow through with its lurid premise: What would drive an ordinary man to murder his boss? In "Strangers on a Train", Bruno feels double-crossed when Guy doesn't hold up his end of the deal. Arguably, he owes Bruno, since the film hints that the tennis star would have eventually done in the wife himself. "Horrible Bosses" isn't calibrated right. Unlike the other targets, Harken is truly horrible, making the game comic performances by Farrell and Aniston seem out of place. Given the chance, Nick would have slipped the rat poison in Pellitt's cocaine. He has a real axe to grind. Never mind the promotion. Things turn personal when the boss makes light of his grandmother's death.… Expand

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5

BikerjamesJul 11, 2011

Thanks Hangover. Now that you were so successful with the buddy trio movie we are going to have to suffer through all the wannabees. The only problem is that the Hangover was not predictable. This movie was like an extended bad TV sitcom.Thanks Hangover. Now that you were so successful with the buddy trio movie we are going to have to suffer through all the wannabees. The only problem is that the Hangover was not predictable. This movie was like an extended bad TV sitcom. Everything was predictable. I laughed twice, and looked at my watch at least 4 times wondering when it would end. I admit, however, that other people in the audience were laughing a lot more than I was, so others liked it more than I did. I also have to say that all the guest stars seemed to be having fun. Kevin Spacey in particular seemed to revel in his bad guy persona. Colin Farrell wasn't used enough, and Jennifer Anniston looked like she was having fun. Too bad the writing just wasn't up to par for me. Example - how many times have we seen someone find a container of cocaine and either drop it or sneeze on it? The whole movie was unoriginal and predictable like that. And VERY sitcomy. People don't act like this in real life.… Expand

4 of 11 users found this helpful47

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5

podunk411Jul 17, 2011

definitely a DVD rental, not a lets-go-to-the-movies-full-price-ticket movie. If Bridesmaids is still out in your area, that's a far funnier film and worth a full price ticket.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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5

TokyochuchuMar 20, 2012

A fun, yet forgettable film. This is a shame, as the premise of the movie is pretty ace and could have been woven into a much meatier project. Collin Farrell is very funny, though, and you can't help but wish that he had more screen time.

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5

RoscoAug 28, 2011

Horrible Bosses was one film that I thought had the potential to be a great comedy however I found it to be just another average, wannaebe film. Sure, I laughed here and there but in all honesty this just wasn't as funny as it should haveHorrible Bosses was one film that I thought had the potential to be a great comedy however I found it to be just another average, wannaebe film. Sure, I laughed here and there but in all honesty this just wasn't as funny as it should have been, its very much a wasted oppertunity. The idea is so so ridiculous it gave them a chance to ring it out for all its worth but unfortunately they fall miserably short. The comedy threesome (Bateman, Day and Sudeikis) are probably like most people and hate their bosses but these three are having an exceptionally difficult time. Bateman's psychotic boss is portrayed by Kevin Spacey and robs him of a job he believes should be his, Day has the maneater Jennifer Aniston as his hot boss and makes his job a "nightmare" on a daily basis, yes I know get molested by Jennifer Aniston seems so bad? and Sudeikis is under employment of coke-head Colin Farrell. Actually, Farrell is a revelation and quite funny. But they deicde they've had enough and hatch a plan from "m****r-f****r" Jones (Jamiee Foxx) to kill their bosses. A problem I had was with the similarities between the three leads of this and a film some may of heard of in the Hangover, you have the crazy, mental one, the sensible grown up and mr cool. Sadly they don't have the same charisma or coolness of the Wolfpack but thats not to say they are bad by any strech of the imagination. Ultimately, Horrible Bosses has the premise and the cast but it forgot the most vital ingredient, the funny!… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

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5

Edward9630Jul 23, 2011

Horrible Bosses is an alright film. It definitely funny parts in the film and the cast did a great performance for their characters. The problems with this film is alot of the scenes were they try to be funny really isnt funny at all and someHorrible Bosses is an alright film. It definitely funny parts in the film and the cast did a great performance for their characters. The problems with this film is alot of the scenes were they try to be funny really isnt funny at all and some of the things they try to do to be funny they could of done it in a better way then the way they did. Its not the worst comedy film ive ever seen but its not the best. I would give this film a high rental.… Expand

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5

rxqueenDec 13, 2011

predictable. but still slightly solid. worth seeing once but easily forgettable. though Kevin Spacey was great.. that man can do no wrong.

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5

Ven-WedeJan 4, 2012

While not "horrible", Horrible Bosses serves to be nothing more than an average comedy film, despite the promise of its premise. The actors give solid performances, with only Charlie Day's constant shouting really getting on my nerves. TheWhile not "horrible", Horrible Bosses serves to be nothing more than an average comedy film, despite the promise of its premise. The actors give solid performances, with only Charlie Day's constant shouting really getting on my nerves. The main problem with the film is the writing, which is nothing more than Hangover worship. Often the jokes fall flat as they are either all set-up with no punchline, or the opposite. Recommended for a look if you're a comedy fan, but if not, it is not likely to turn you into one.… Expand

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5

lasttimeisawMar 17, 2012

Too raunchy to be applauded and appreciated, this slapstick ragbag squeezes a whiff of middling laughters while all its characters are in deficit of credibility (compared with BRIDESMAIDS 2011). The film typifies that while possessing anToo raunchy to be applauded and appreciated, this slapstick ragbag squeezes a whiff of middling laughters while all its characters are in deficit of credibility (compared with BRIDESMAIDS 2011). The film typifies that while possessing an engrossing notion, it falls short of imagination and practical measures to present it into a gleeful feature-length work, a filmmaker's block? Surely it is. The glistening cast presents a leading-star-playing-wacky-supporting-role pattern, passably attracts their most loyal groupies and also intrigues many non-comedy cinema-goers to witness the fervently hyped overturn of these stars. Quite a cunning move and ostensibly it has functioned (a worldwide gross $209,638,559 is purely stunning). Plot-wise, Jennifer Anistonâ… Expand

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5

worleyjamersDec 7, 2012

I actually liked this a lot. Nothing special but still funny, smart, terrible...it all worked. I was definitely entertained. Jennifer Aniston was particularly funny.

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4

TheGorillaOct 6, 2011

Horrible bosses isn't that horrible, but it tragically failed as a comedy, because, this 'comedy', isn't funny at all. Just skip this movie, and save your hour and a half of your life on doing something. Do the dishes

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4

EpicLadySpongeFeb 19, 2016

This movie does have horrible bosses indeed. I would never work for bosses that are so horrible to work with... in this case... I would never work with anyone to make such a movie like this.

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4

MovieMasterEddyApr 9, 2016

Three hard-working professionals turn out to be pretty hopeless assassins in “Horrible Bosses,” a sorta-dark comedy predicated on the easily relatable notion that killing your supervisor would make the world a much better place. Too craven toThree hard-working professionals turn out to be pretty hopeless assassins in “Horrible Bosses,” a sorta-dark comedy predicated on the easily relatable notion that killing your supervisor would make the world a much better place. Too craven to take this idea to its properly nasty conclusion, this foul-mouthed effort instead coasts on its leads’ strong three-way chemistry and crack timing (quite literally, in a scene involving spilled cocaine), eliciting steady chuckles even as the plot bogs down in various dumbass shenanigans involving firearms, cell phones and fatal peanut allergies.

Written by Michael Markowitz, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein (from a story by Markowitz), the pic lives up to its blunt title, rapidly introducing three highly competent employees and their impossibly despicable employers.

Office drone Nick Hendricks (Jason Bateman) works endless hours on a regular diet of abuse from his sadistic supervisor, Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey). Nick’s two closest buddies aren’t much better off: Dental hygienist Dale Arbus (Charlie Day) must fend off the aggressive sexual advances of Novocain-wielding nymphomaniac Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston), while accountant Kurt Buckman (Jason Sudeikis) can only watch as newly installed superior Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell) destroys his company to finance a coke-snorting, hooker-happy lifestyle.

Since Pellit’s reckless waste-disposal methods could result in the deaths of millions, killing him is the only moral thing to do, Kurt argues during a boozy venting session with Dale and Nick. Soon all three of them are plotting to bump off their respective bosses with the help of a gangster (Jamie Foxx) whose expletive-derived name more or less sums up the script’s idea of wit. Bumbling burglaries and high-speed car chases ensue, as “Horrible Bosses” splits the difference between the I’ll-kill-yours-if-you-kill-mine setup of “Strangers on a Train” (directly acknowledged here) and the anti-corporate ethos of “Office Space,” though it’s seldom as amusing or thrilling as that combo would suggest.

The manner in which the central scheme plays out is predictably moronic, vulgar and juvenile, though the parties involved just about make up for it. The three lead funnymen (all of whom honed their comedic chops on television) are seasoned enough to make their displays of bumbling ineptitude seem positively skillful, building a consistently amusing rapport while inhabiting well-defined types — Bateman the measured voice of reason, Sudeikis the group’s skirt-chasing id and Day the squeaky third wheel.

Structurally, there’s a certain deftness to the way various gags pay off down the road as plot twists; audiences will be gratified to know that the sight of Sudeikis, introducing a toothbrush to an orifice without teeth, is not entirely gratuitous. And director Seth Gordon (“Four Christmases”) seems to grasp that the pic’s kill-your-boss fantasy is primal enough to excuse, and perhaps even warrant, a crude, sloppy approach. Indeed, it’s hard not to wish the helmer had abandoned the safety net and pushed his characters into darker, more daring territory; there’s at least one moment of violence so shockingly abrupt it provides a brief glimpse of the edgier comedy “Horrible Bosses” could have been.

As it is, Gordon falls back on over-the-top comic exaggeration by stacking the deck against the three big, bad bosses, who shrewdly account for most of the movie’s collective star wattage. While Aniston seems to be having a fun, vampy time as a succubus in scrubs, she’s the most tangential figure in a film that radiates a casual, leering contempt for women; for his part, Farrell lets his awesome combover do most of the heavy lifting. That leaves Spacey’s ever-reliable snarl to carry the day, lending the pic a twisted energy it could have used more of.

Tech credits are appropriately grungier than the usual studio standard. Brisk pic doesn’t overstay its welcome.… Expand

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4

AndrewBurgeSep 22, 2018

Seth Gordon's 'Horrible Bosses' has most of its artistry sucked out from it by the idiocy of its three lead characters. These are Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and the hyperactive imp Dale (Charlie Day). They are threeSeth Gordon's 'Horrible Bosses' has most of its artistry sucked out from it by the idiocy of its three lead characters. These are Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and the hyperactive imp Dale (Charlie Day). They are three modern-day blue-collar middle-to-upper class working men sick of their bosses so they decide to murder them.

No amount of midlife-crisis and collected anger is an excuse for such a limp plot. Yes, their stupidity and desperation is what makes the film funny but also makes me depressed. First, they attempt to hire a 'wet-work' professional to kill them. That fails in a very lame way which I will not spoil here. Then they go to the "neighborhood with the highest number of car-jackings" to find a tough guy. All the while Nick being the voice of reason telling them to take it easy now and then. Of course, he is not listened. His lines are mostly put in an attempt to offer an artificial level of adult rationality.

At least their anger is somewhat justified. These bosses are truly horrible. Take the abusive Dave Harken (Kevin Spacey), or the hedonistic Bobby Pellit (Colin Farrell) or even the sexually-obsessed dentist Dr. Julia Harris (Jennifer Aniston who gives a pretty savage performance). While these drive the cause for the plot which is pretty funny, some of the best jokes linger on for too long.

Stupidity is fuel for comedy, I get it. But the way in which is propagated here makes you annoyed at these characters rather than laugh at them. It's a very blurry line difficult to see. From moments of forced humiliation and misplaced lines (after they witness an apparent murder by Dale the first discussion that comes to mind for Nick and Kurt is who would get raped more in prison) to the obnoxious angry release of Dale, 'Horrible Bosses' is a bit funny but only at the cost of logical thoroughness.… Expand

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3

juanito_deformeDec 18, 2014

3 because the bosses who actually play their roles in the best way possible, the movie couldn't go further or better because lag of imagination in the situations, the general idea is just great but nothing else, poor comedy with stupid ideas,3 because the bosses who actually play their roles in the best way possible, the movie couldn't go further or better because lag of imagination in the situations, the general idea is just great but nothing else, poor comedy with stupid ideas, sometimes its feel like the scrip was written by a child. This movie is just another proof that good actors not always mean good movies.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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3

arrivistNov 14, 2021

An amoral, unfunny, forced, predictably moronic, vulgar and lightweight waste of money. The three lead actors enjoy themselves while the audience groan and file out.

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3

nacexi9935Jan 2, 2022

Your blog is showing more interest and enthusiasm. Thank you so much. ffxiv ishgard restoration macro

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2

NJWolfgangApr 17, 2012

Some funny moments. For the most part a piece of fluff that is so over the top that there is nothing believeable in this film. You'd get more laughs watching a few Three Stooges shorts. The three male leads are engaging but just plainSome funny moments. For the most part a piece of fluff that is so over the top that there is nothing believeable in this film. You'd get more laughs watching a few Three Stooges shorts. The three male leads are engaging but just plain stupid. Kevin Spacey is the standout and even his performance is just a little over the top and had this been a serious dramatic piece people would have been talking about Spacey in the Best Acting Supporting category. Anniston is pathetic. She proves she too can attend the Kirtsen Wig school of acting. That being how to enlighten the public with just how vulgar women have become. Come on Jenn you're better than this type of crap.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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2

andrew5725Jul 11, 2011

I liked the cast, I liked the premise, the only problem was they forgot the funny. I can literally count on my fingers the number of times I heard even a chuckle come from the relatively packed theater.

2 of 11 users found this helpful29

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2

hoops2448Oct 26, 2011

The perfect adjective for Horrible Bosses is right there in the title. Horrible Bosses is an abysmal attempt at eliciting laughs out of disturbing and disgusting situations. Bosses has a decent cast with Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell andThe perfect adjective for Horrible Bosses is right there in the title. Horrible Bosses is an abysmal attempt at eliciting laughs out of disturbing and disgusting situations. Bosses has a decent cast with Kevin Spacey, Colin Farrell and Jennifer Aniston playing the bosses. All three give decent performances considering the material they are given (Spacey even makes a joke about a grandmothers nickname pass as funny despite the fact its awful. I mean you feel bad for laughing not because of how mean Spacey is but because you feel as though you just degraded yourself.) Its the trio of actors who try and pass as the sympathetic yet weird underlings who plan to have their bosses murdered Strangers on a Train style who let the side down (if the script hadn't already done that). Jason Sudeikis brings nothing to the table despite his extensive comedy work on Saturday Night Live, Jason Bateman just plays the same old regular everyman character that he does in just about everything (Where is State of Play Jason, I liked that guy). Finally Charlie Day, as funny as he is on Its Always Sunny In Philadelphia seems to shout his lines in hope that loud noises will be interpreted by the audience as amusing instead of just plain annoying. Its a film that grates constantly because it never gets the dark comedy tone right because its too busy relying upon Hangover style jokes involving pubic hair and nymphomania (not necessarily in that order)… Expand

5 of 9 users found this helpful54

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2

cushicleOct 22, 2011

How this movie has a better overall user score than Drive is mind-boggling to me. Clearly these are very different types of movies, but after seeing drive in the theaters last night I decided to rent Horrible Bosses. After 30 minutes weHow this movie has a better overall user score than Drive is mind-boggling to me. Clearly these are very different types of movies, but after seeing drive in the theaters last night I decided to rent Horrible Bosses. After 30 minutes we stopped watching this steaming pile. Nothing was humorous, the entire thing was painful. Apparantly I'm in the minority, but this movie sucks.… Expand

2 of 6 users found this helpful24

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2

BarneyOnMTJan 6, 2016

WHAT I LIKED: It's overall a well plotted sit com with a great group of male actors and protagonists
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: It's not actually that clever in its humour, and is a very typical and cheesy American comedy with some ridiculous bitsWHAT I LIKED: It's overall a well plotted sit com with a great group of male actors and protagonists
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: It's not actually that clever in its humour, and is a very typical and cheesy American comedy with some ridiculous bits of humour. Plus the character's problems don't feel real enough for the 'comic relief' effect
VERDICT: Really this just boils down to what you find funny. Like stupid and random situations taken to the extreme with a bunch of slap stick moments? This is for you… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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1

warfieldNov 10, 2011

An ugly little movie. Assuming that production of this movie started with only a story outline, otherwise why would Bateman, Ferrell, Anniston, and Spacey get involved with a script that read like the movie I saw. Seems like actors asked toAn ugly little movie. Assuming that production of this movie started with only a story outline, otherwise why would Bateman, Ferrell, Anniston, and Spacey get involved with a script that read like the movie I saw. Seems like actors asked to improvise in quite a few spots: and they improvised none too well. I have liked some movies of this genre, but this one is poorly executed. Ferrell l I have really enjoyed in other roles: but shouldn't he have entirely eliminated his Irish accent for this role? [No set-up for having it, e.g., adopted from Irish orphanage.] I am surprised by high critic ratings on this one.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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1

BrendanVaughnJul 23, 2011

If you have any semblance of a brain or intelligence or a tuned sense of humor skip this film. Its tres' weak and just like so not funny. Bad. Pedestrian. #fail.

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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0

KutekittyAug 23, 2011

I'm with YOU, Brendan, I went to see it last night, I thought IT was going to be very funny.....I was looking forward to see what kind of "vengeance" They were going to execute on their bosses..maybe it WAS...just a Little...my friend and II'm with YOU, Brendan, I went to see it last night, I thought IT was going to be very funny.....I was looking forward to see what kind of "vengeance" They were going to execute on their bosses..maybe it WAS...just a Little...my friend and I found it to be extremely crude and crass...we left the theater after not even an hour into the movie. We are not prudes !!!!… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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0

ascoltami86May 17, 2013

Too many talkings, bra, bra, bra, boring.

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Horrible Bosses

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