Netflix bullishly moving forward with its password-sharing crackdown measures in Q2 2023

We were all dreading this, but it looks like Netflix is now looking at a broad rollout of its password-sharing clampdown in a few more markets. The company first introduced these measures in countries like Portugal, New Zealand, Canada and Spain and if reports are to be believed, the upper management at Netflix seems to be happy about how the launch of the service has turned out. Netflix is looking at deploying its new sharing plans in the US and other markets around the world sometime in the second quarter of 2023. As mentioned above, the streaming giant has already rolled out a ‘buy an extra member’ feature in 4 countries but is now looking at expanding that feature on a global scale. 

Netflix rolling out new password-sharing clampdowns

So, how does all this really work? Let’s break it down. Say you pay for one Netflix account and have shared said account with 4 other people in your family circle. Netflix says that all 4 individuals should be in the ‘same household’ in order to access the service. What this means is that Netflix is tired of losing money on garbage TV shows and is looking at new sleazy ways of ripping off its subscriber base. Part of what made Netflix the juggernaut it now is was the ability to share your account with friends and family (legally, of course). But, in a move straight out of Scrooge McDuck’s playbook, the company is looking at wringing every drop of blood out of its customers that it possibly can. Netflix’s co-CEO Greg Peters stated that the company is looking at ‘protecting its revenue and ensuring fair usage of its service”. Well, one step towards saving revenue would be to stop producing garbage!

How does it affect Netflix users in India?

How this pans out for the streaming giant is yet to be seen, and on a personal note, I have family on my account who do not live in the country. So, it’ll be interesting to see exactly how this turns out in a country like India. The streaming service is already the most expensive in the country and it’ll be difficult for someone to justify an extra bit of cash for a dying service with absolutely pathetic programming.

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Amazon is looking to ruin Tomb Raider with a new TV show updated for modern audiences

Amazon must really hate fans. The company first canned a Conan TV show because of ‘toxic masculinity’ and then destroyed the legacy of Tolkien with the blasphemous Rings of Power. Now, they’re coming for video game adaptations with the announcement of a new God of War series as well as a Tomb Raider show written by the ‘comedian’ Phoebe Waller-Bridge. With HBO’s Last of Us receiving a lot of undeserved praise, Amazon wants to cash in on the video game adaptation with their very own ‘reimagining’ and ‘retelling’ these stories for a ‘modern audience’. With the hiring of Waller-Bridge, it’s clear that they’re not looking at catering to fans but a more, ‘diverse’ and ‘inclusive’ audience. Expect the show to feature jokes that are about as funny as an autopsy and a lot of a ‘grrrl powaaahhh’ and ‘yaaas queen slay’ type of nonsense. In the words of Professor Tolkien, ‘Evil cannot create anything new, they can only corrupt and ruin what good forces have invented or made’. 

Tomb Raider at the movies

The first Tomb Raider film was released in 2001 with Angelina Jolie playing Lara Croft. The film was a modest success and featured a decent soundtrack to boot, with the Nine Inch Nails tune, Deep taking centre stage. It stayed relatively close to the source material and was a bit of a hit with fans. So much so that a sequel was quickly commissioned and released in 2003. Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life was a dud and halted any real momentum for video game adaptations. Then in 2018, we saw a lifeless reboot starring Alicia Vikander in the lead role. The film took inspiration from the more modern Tomb Raider games and really missed the mark when it came to fan reception. 

Any good video game adaptations?

Well, there are a few great adaptations, like the first Mortal Kombat and even Sonic the Hedgehog. These films stayed true to the source material and didn't stray too far from what the games so popular. Even the first Silent Hill wasn't as bad as most people say it was. It managed to stay true to the spirit of the game. But alas, just like the rot in comic books and cinema, the ‘modern audience’ has now come for video game adaptations. God save us all! 

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Amazon Prime Lite is reportedly being tested in India at 999year

A new Amazon Prime subscription tier is currently under test in India. The report first came from a website named OnlyTech and was later corroborated by Gadgets360. Aptly named Amazon Prime Lite, the new Prime plan could come at ₹999 membership price and offer a trimmed-down list of benefits. Here’s what that could include:

Amazon Prime Lite vs Amazon Prime: What’s different?

First of all, Amazon Prime Lite could cost ₹999 a year which was the earlier annual subscription price of the regular Amazon Prime membership. The latter is now costlier at ₹1499 and perhaps the ₹999/year Prime Lite plan could be to attract those users who are hesitant to pay up.

The ₹999 Amazon plan could offer an ad-supported SD Prime Video experience. As for other missing features, Amazon Prime Lite doesn’t bundle Prime Music subscription, Prime Gaming, free eBooks, and no-cost EMI option while shopping on the Amazon India website.

So, while you are getting a cheaper plan, you are losing out on some important features too. If you don’t care about those, the rest of the offering is said to be the same as the regular Prime subscription.

Amazon Prime Lite availability

Amazon Prime Lite is reportedly under test in certain parts of the country. Once the beta testing is done, it should be rolled out to mainstream users. Let’s see if the new ₹999 Amazon Prime Lite offering finds substantial user interest.

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Henry Cavill snubbed by DC, will not be playing Superman in future films

It looks like James Gunn and David Safran are cleaning house over in DC with sweeping changes. Good news first, Patty Jenkins is no longer attached to direct Wonder Woman 3 because she essentially couldn't take notes from the producers and let her ego get in the way of production. Films that actively mocked and went against the fanbase such as Batgirl and Supergirl were outright cancelled, signalling a new ethos courtesy of David Zaslav. This has caused a bit of a woke meltdown but since they aren’t the paying customer, it’s all just noise at this point. The one piece of bad news is that Henry Cavill will not be returning to his iconic role as Clark Kent/Superman. 

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No more Man of Steel as Henry Cavill calls it quite on Superman

The news comes after DC head honcho James Gunn revealed that he will be writing a new Superman film. He did not say much but Henry Cavill did confirm on an Instagram post that he is done with playing the Man of Steel. In a Hollywood Reporter interview, Gunn said that he is penning a new Superman movie that will focus on Clark Kent’s younger years, working for the Daily Planet. Obviously, casting Cavill as a younger Kent is not possible so we are going to see a new Superman on screen. Gunn also stated that his Superman film will not be an origin story. 

Peter & I have a DC slate ready to go, which we couldn’t be more over-the-moon about; we’ll be able to share some exciting information about our first projects at the beginning of the new year.

— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022

It’s an interesting time for DC as the previous regime of Walter Hamada and Anne Sarnoff was hellbent on destroying its characters with identity politics, shoving agendas and The Message down the audience’s throats with horrible choices like getting known racist and political grifter Ta-nehisi Coates to write a Superman film. It was clear that the strategy was not working and that is why Warner had to clean house and start off on a new slate without the baggage of the Snyderverse and all that came with it bogging it down. The company was bleeding money and it finally looks like they are trying to steer the ship the right way. 

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Tohos Shin Godzilla will return to theatres next year

One of theme most iconic movie monsters in history, Godzilla will be heading back to the big screen sometime next year. This isn’t the Legendary Godzilla, but rather the original character from the Toho films. The monster first appeared back in the 50s as Japan's reaction to nuclear annihilation and has since been rebooted both in Hollywood and Japan. The 2016 Toho offering, Shin Godzilla, finally saw the king of monsters return to his roots as an existential threat and not a goofy, kong-fighting beast. The film explored the real-world ramifications of a creature such as Godzilla actually destroying Japan. Shin Godzilla was directed by Hideaki Anno of Evangelion fame and was more of a think piece than an all-out monster film. 

From what we can piece together, the new film will be a direct sequel to the first. It will be directed by Takashi Yamazaki who is known for Parasyte Part 1 and more. The official Twitter account tweeted out the announcement along with a logo for the film. Check it out. 

There have been more than 3o films in the Godzilla series and it’s clear that the king of monsters has a special place in the hearts of fans and theatre-goers. Ever since his debut in the 50s, Godzilla has stomped his way to success on the big screen with Hollywood trying to capitalise on the trend with the god-awful 1998 Godzilla. The film changed everything about Godzilla and really wasn't about the giant lizard as much as it was about a big dinosaur. The film was directed by Roland Emmerich and was widely panned when it came out and still continues to be looked at as the black sheep of the Godzilla cinematic universe. 

Finally, in 2016, Toho took the reins and gave fans and critics a Godzilla film that was worth the wait. If the new film is anything like its predecessor, we’re in for a wild ride. 

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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WhatsApp enters the film-making business, will premiere 1st original on Prime Video

New Delhi, Sep 17 (IANS) In an unusual move, Meta-owned WhatsApp is venturing into the film-making business and will premiere its first original short film titled 'Naija Odyssey' on Amazon Prime Video and YouTube.

The 12-minute short film tells the story of NBA player Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was born in Greece to Nigerian parents.

"The Greek Freak. That's not me, that's not all of me. Naija Odyssey, the cross-culture story of Giannis by WhatsApp. Stream Sept 21 on Prime Video," WhatsApp said in a tweet.

The 12-minute short film signifies WhatsApp's foray into entertainment, a first for a social media messaging platform.

However, 'Naija Odyssey" appears to be a way to promote WhatsApp as Antetokounmpo recently signed an endorsement deal with the company, another first for the platform, reports Variety.

"'Naija Odyssey' is a story that reinforces how WhatsApp helps us embrace our multifaceted lives. In navigating relationships, identity, and even adversity, WhatsApp is there a" enabling you to embrace all sides of you by connecting you to those who matter most," a company spokesperson was quoted as saying.

The 12-minute movie will also be released on WhatsApp's social media accounts, including its YouTube channel.

Antetokounmpo was named the 'NBA All-Star Game MVP' for the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021.

Narrated by Antetokounmpo and his mother, 'Naija Odyssey' is inspired by the classic Greek epic poem 'The Odyssey', depicting different moments in his life.

(Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in

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YouTube Channel Store for streaming services reportedly in the works

Google-owned YouTube is working on to launch an online store like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video to let users subscribe to other streaming services and the new platform could be available as early as this fall. According to a report in Wall Street Journal, the YouTube 'Channel Store' will allow consumers to choose streaming services through the main YouTube app. The company is already in talks with entertainment companies about participating in the YouTube marketplace. The YouTube online store "has been in the works for at least 18 months". YouTube TV already has this capability for HBO, AMC+, Showtime, and many others. "YouTube is discussing splitting subscription revenue with streaming partners, although the terms may vary widely for each partner," the report mentioned. The pitch is that the new YouTube channel store would offer great marketing for streaming services because "consumers could watch trailers of shows or movies free on YouTube and then easily pay to subscribe to the service". YouTube in 2020 for the first time discussed launching an online streaming video store. Walmart is also planning to add streaming services as a new perk to its membership programme. Netflix and other streaming services will be part of Verizon's new Plus Play subscription manager.

(Except for the headline, the rest of this IANS article is un-edited)

For more technology news, product reviews, sci-tech features and updates, keep reading Digit.in.

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YouTube Music Season Recap 2022: How to View the Spring Recap

YouTube is a jump ahead of Spotify with its Season Rewind playlist feature. Well, besides playlists, the service offers you a list of your most played artists, songs, albums, etc in the previous season. It will be a recurring thing and is poised to come out every season. Meanwhile, its biggest competitor Spotify’s Wrapped is a bop every time it lands but is limited to annual appearance. There in lies one big difference between the two approaches. Let’s see what else you could expect out of the new YouTube Music feature.

YouTube Season Recap: How it works

Source: u/DecentSizedTurd (Reddit)

Like the YouTube Recap 2021, this one too would share personalized listening stats.

YouTube calls this “an exploration of your top artists, songs, albums and playlists over the last season”.

To view it, you just need to go to music.youtube.com/recap or the landing page on the YouTube Music app for Android and iOS.

Right now, only some users have got the spring Youtube Music playlist. But the company must be rolling it out in a phased manner.

Once you have the YouTube seasonal recap, you get to share it easily. After all, boosting engagement and reach are the goals behind such initiatives by the streaming platforms.

Thus, YouTube promises both seasonal and annual music recaps along with other stats and features.

So like the Spotify compilation which has inspired the new YouTube recap feature, let’s see if the latter manages to gain traction and have the same level of popularity if not one-up the competition.

As for other news, reviews, feature stories, buying guides, and everything else tech-related, keep reading Digit.in.

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Brahmastra Trailer Released Today

The trailer of the much-awaited film Brahmastra- Part One: Shiva was released on Wednesday, June 15th. The film’s star cast includes Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjun, and Mouni Roy. The adventure-fantasy film is written and directed by Ayan Mukerji. Now let’s talk about the trailer, shall we?

About the Trailer

Well, the trailer opens with the voice of Amitabh Bachchan taking us through the plot of the film where we are introduced to the ‘Astraverse’ i.e., a universe where elements of nature like fire, water, wind, etc. exist as weapons and have their own wielders. The story is about the weapon which tops them all, the Brahmastra. And the one who can wield it is Shiva, the protagonist of the film played by Ranbir Kapoor. Now, the catch here is that Shiva himself is no ordinary man but a weapon himself- the Agni Astra (fire weapon). Hence, we see a scene in the trailer where Shiva’s hand is on fire but when Isha (Shiva’s love interest in the movie) played by Alia Bhatt asks him whether he is ok, he replies “Main aag se jalta nahi. Kuch Rishta hai mera aag se” (I don’t burn in fire; I have a strange connection with fire). Now we all know where it is good, there lies evil too and hence there are these bad evil forces led by Junoon played by Mouni Roy, who are hunting the Brahmastra and Shiva. But going by trailer, Shiva is not alone in this fight, he has allies in Amitabh Bachchan and Nagarjun. The film promises to be a full-on entertainer and the visual effects used in the film are going to be a highlight. But there are going to be comparisons drawn between Brahmastra and other superhero genre films and for that, the makers must be ready. For now, let’s not be overly critical and hope this one help lift the spirits at the box office. The film is set to release on September 9, 2022.

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Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer gives us hope that Marvel will not ruin the Sorcerer Supreme

After the successful release of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Sony and Marvel have seen the first real hit from the Phase 4 series of films. Almost everything after Endgame was rejected by fans with Black Widow and Shang Chi delivering middling box office returns. The media tried blaming everything without actually addressing the problem. Marvel does not understand the fans anymore. We’re hoping that trend does not continue with the latest in the MCU Phase 4 lineup, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The latest trailer for the second instalment of the adventures of Marvel’s Sorceror Supreme does look like a fun time and the return of Baron Mordo as well as the debut of Evil Strange. 

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness trailer is out

The Multiverse was first explored in No Way Home with Strange opening up doorways to multiple dimensions in the extended MCU after a botched spell trying to help Peter Parker with a particular conundrum. Rest assured, you’ll find no spoilers here so we’ll keep it as clean as possible. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is essentially a play on the revered H.P Lovecraft tale, At the Mountains of Madness, but we assume it’ll have little to do with the famed horror writer, apart from the name. Could we see the return of the fearsome Dormammu? One thing we do know is that we’ll be getting our first look at Shuma-Gorath. The character was an important part of the Marvel Vs Capcom fight game series and this will be the first time we’re seeing a live-action version of the creature. The film is directed by Sam Raimi, the man behind the Tobey Maguire Spider-Man films as well as the Evil Dead trilogy. So, of anything, we know that Raimi can deliver. Our only fear is that the head honchos at Marvel will try and cut him out as they've done with countless directors who've challenged their bland, cookie-cutter aesthetics and storytelling skills. 

Story details are still under wraps but from what we can see, we assume that it will revolve around the various incarnations of Strange from the multiverse. Could we see different versions of characters from the MCU in the film? We definitely hope so. It’ll give fans a fresh perspective on the characters they’ve fallen in love with over the years. We also get a look at the Scarlet Witch after she enslaved an entire town and never faced any serious repercussions for her heinous actions. In fact, she’s still a hero and is enlisted by Strange to help him with his predicament. We only hope that it’s not the Scarlet Witch film with Strange as a side character. Marvel is perfectly capable of pulling off that horrible bait and switch as the company has made it its mission to shove ‘The Message’ down our throats. We can only hope that Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will buck that awful trend. 

Also Read: Hawkeye review: A hollow, lifeless show that is emblematic of the sinking MCU ship

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Netflix cuts its subscription prices by up to 60 across all plans

It looks like Netflix is going to get much cheaper for the average Indian. The streaming giant bucked the trend of a price hike, unlike Amazon Prime, and lowered its subscription fees by a maximum of 60%. Current users will also be ushered into the new plan without any issues. Users who have opted for the Premium plan will be billed according to the new prices on the next cycle. Users will also be asked to ‘Confirm Upgrade’ if they wish to avail of the new prices. The new prices are rather affordable with the Mobile plan available for Rs 149 a month instead of the previous Rs 199 a month. 

Netflix price cut up to 18% to 60% on all plans

On the day that Amazon Prime membership price hikes come into effect, Netflix has pulled out the rug from under them with the drop in price. With premium content on its platform, the streaming giant is hoping that it garners more subscribers from the Indian market. With content that is specifically targeted to the Indian audience, Netflix is banking on India being one of its biggest markets. In a statement, Monika Shergill, VP-Content, Netflix India said, “As Indians, we love great entertainment. Whatever your mood, tastes or plan, Netflix is now even more accessible. Whether you choose Aranyak on Friday, Money Heist on Saturday, Dhamaka and Sooryavanshi on Sunday, you can watch all of Netflix on your mobile for INR 149, and on any device starting at INR 199.” 

Aap @aliaa08 se convince ho gaye ya hum aur bole? #HappyNewPrices are here, which means you can now watch Netflix on any device at ₹199 and on your mobile at ₹149! pic.twitter.com/zdHrPlTJhi

— Netflix India (@NetflixIndia) December 14, 2021

The price change will take place today, December 14, 2021, and will come into effect from the next billing cycle for members. The breakdown of the plans is as follows, The Mobile Plan is now priced at Rs 149. The Basic Plan takes the biggest plunge with a massive 60% drop in price at Rs 199 as opposed to Rs 499, previously. And, even though you only receive access to standard 480p content, it’s still a good deal. The Standard plan has been dropped to Rs 499 a month as opposed to Rs 649 earlier and the Premium plan is now available at Rs 649. 

Also Read: Netflix looking at acquiring Scanline VFX, the studio behind Stranger Things and MCU special effects

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Netflix looking at acquiring Scanline VFX, the studio behind Stranger Things and MCU special effects

Netflix clearly isn’t satisfied with being one of the biggest OTT services out there and are now looking at jumping into the world of VFX. The streaming giant is looking at acquiring Scanline VFX. The VFX studio is based out of Munich and should be absorbed by Netflix sometime in early 2022. As reported by Tech Crunch, the studio has worked on hit shows such as Stranger Things and the rather disappointing Cowboy Bebop. Scanline was founded in 1989 and is now led by Stephan Trojansky, an award-winning special effects veteran. 

In a blog post, Netflix VP of Studio Operations Amy Reinhard stated, “Netflix will invest in Scanline’s pipeline, infrastructure and workforce and continue to support the pioneering work that Scanline’s Eyeline Studios is doing in virtual production to push the boundaries of what is visibly possible.” She continued by stating, “We’ll also continue to rely on many other studios around the world for our VFX needs so we can continue to ensure that our creators have access to the world's most innovative tech, and continue to bring the most compelling and cutting-edge storytelling to our members.”

So, we’re assuming that Scanline will be used to bolster the streaming service in terms of quality VFX on their exclusive shows. Scanline has also worked on shows and films like Godzilla vs Kong, Game of Thrones as well as The Justice League. Netflix has also acquired Alburquerque Studios and is looking at investing a billion dollars into growing the studio. Netflix is also looking at taking a dip into the world of games with the acquisition of Night School Studios earlier this year. 

Also Read: You can now renew your iOS Netflix subscriptions directly through the app

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HBO Max coming to India soon, likely to start at Rs 69 per month

HBO Max India launch may happen soon

Home Box Office (HBO) Max is an on-demand video streaming platform owned by WarnerMedia Studios & Networks. HBO Max was first launched on May 27, 2020, in the United States and Latin America. As of June 30, 2021, the platform has over 67.5 million users.

As per a report published on OnlyTech, HBO Max is likely to enter India very soon and the company is testing three monthly plans. The report also claims that the company has engaged Nepa, a market research firm to conduct an online pre-launch survey.

HBO Max India plans leaked online

The leak reveals that HBO Max will launch three subscription plans in India namely ad-supported, mobile, and standard. Subscription plans are likely to start at ₹ 69 per month. HBO Max users can create five profiles per account. Mobile and Standard subscription plans are ‘ad-free’.

Ad-supported: This is the entry-level subscription plan, costing ₹ 69 per month. Under this plan, users can stream standard definition (SD) content in 2 concurrent streams on all devices. Users will get access to movies a year after theatrical/digital release, and series episodes after their season are complete. Mobile: Priced at ₹ 139 per month, users can stream standard definition (SD) content only on 1 mobile or tablet. Users will get access to movies six to eight months after theatrical/digital release, and series episodes in three weeks after release. 

The annual subscription of the Mobile Plan is priced at ₹ 1,001 per year at a 40 percent discount over the monthly subscription plan.

Standard: Priced at ₹ 329 per month, users can stream 4K content in three concurrent streams on all devices. Users will get access to movies and series episodes directly after their global release.

The annual subscription of the Standard Plan is priced at ₹ 1,974 per year at a 50 percent discount over the monthly subscription plan.

HBO Max India plans are not final, says the company

HBO has said that the prices are not final. “We routinely conduct market research with consumers in countries around the world that test a wide range of possible offers and price points for our services. Those being reported that suggest a future launch of HBO Max in India are amongst many being tested and evaluated and do not reflect any current plans,” a WarnerMedia spokesperson said.

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Ghost of Tsushimas new update now lets you give foxes Belly rubs

The latest Ghost of Tsushima update focuses on enhancing user experience by making the animated foxes in the game even more adorable. Over the course of the Sony exclusive, players are required to locate fox dens, and can pet their foxes goodbye on completing their tasks. While the foxes in the game have always inspired love and affection from players, the new update makes them practically irresistible. 

What’s the new update in Ghost of Tsushima?

The new Ghost of Tsushima update allows users to enjoy their interactions with foxes more. Users could always pet the foxes, but what’s different now is the way the foxes react. The cuddly creatures now tap their feet in excitement when anticipating being petted. Moreover, users can also indulge in a few belly rubs before moving on to their next quest. The foxes happily roll over onto their backs for belly rubs. So, if you’re an animal lover and have a blast interacting with the wildlife on Iki Island, this update is right up your alley. 

More Ghost of Tsushima updates to note

The fox update isn’t a standalone one - it was released as a part of the Director’s Cut which features an expansion of the Iki island. Version 2.07 also addresses a few bugs like missing armour, players’ not being able to access their rewards unless the game was reloaded, long haptic feedback while travelling, and smaller quest bugs. There are also a few UI changes to make the game more aesthetically appealing.

Also Read: Ghost Of Tsushima Director’s Cut: 5 Things We Loved And 2 Things We Didn't

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