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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:29 am:   

Hmm... true sequel to The Exorcist, eh?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ninth_Configuration#Release_and_reception
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.193.63
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:34 am:   

I loved The Ninth Configuration. Have you seen it, Tony?
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:43 am:   

I've seen bits. I quite like Blatty and his zany views, though, and the ideas in his books.
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 147.252.230.154
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 02:45 pm:   

Yeah, it feels like it was made with no obligation to financial matters, like reading a 1970s genre novel you've never heard of from a 2nd-hand shop, its pages made golden by time, and a brown stain on the back cover that you try not to touch.
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Simon Strantzas (Nomis)
Username: Nomis

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 38.113.181.169
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 03:50 pm:   

I've read both the original novel, "Twinkle Twinkle Killer Kane" and the revised version, "The Ninth Configuration", released after the movie. The former pretty much reads like a screenplay anyway.

The movie is one of those classic "tone-shift" movies, where the first bit and the last bit seem like completely different films. And, of course, that finale... wow!

There are few films as imprint on my consciousness. I even stole from it for one of my stories! (Though I'll never admit what went where.)
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:08 pm:   

So - I have to see this, basically.

Proto - yes, that feeling. Imagine if that could happen more often.

Simon - which book to read, do you think? Which is best? Some hate his style ('Cars.' was one 'sentence' in the Exorcist that really stood out for me, for instance.)
I was really moved by the book The Exorcist, and the ending of The One You've Not Seen, pushed on to us so heavily by Mark Commode. I felt it wasn't all just about evil necessarily but also shared consciousness. Some felt the ending of the movie was meaningless, but I felt it hinted at this quite heavily, that we are all possessed by one another, good and bad, to differing degrees.

Am I the only fool to actually like Exorcist II btw? I caught up with it last year and was gripped throughout.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:22 pm:   

Wow. You two's remarks and these reviews have won me over.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081237/usercomments
There is a God.
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 147.252.230.154
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:28 pm:   

It's like receiving an enema with the contents of a lava lamp.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 04:42 pm:   

'Contents'?
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 147.252.230.154
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 05:52 pm:   

Yeah, those blobs.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 05:57 pm:   

Was maybe thinking you meant the whole thing...
So you've seen it? The reviews say amazing things.
'Further proof of God's existence, for anyone who feels the "Ninth Configuration" argument advanced by Kane doesn't hold water, can be found in the fact Wilson and Keach were last-minute replacements in a low-budget film made only to help create a loss-leader for the producers'
I love the idea of miracles making their way out through cracks in our desires.
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Simon Strantzas (Nomis)
Username: Nomis

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 38.113.181.169
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 06:16 pm:   

It's a flawed film, but a fascinating one. Worth at least a rental. Blatty's ability to write farce really comes into play in the first bit.

Plus, if like me you're a fan of Exorcist III, it's fun to pick out the actor overlap (no Fabio, alas)
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 147.252.230.154
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 06:53 pm:   

Tee-hee:

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/blog/editors_corner/article/11975/

If you can't see how this is relevant, you're a failed human being.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 07:03 pm:   

Astronaut food?
:-(
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 07:04 pm:   

Branson is evil?
Ha! I geddit now! That's um, excellent...!
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.177.248
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 08:22 pm:   

I agree with Simon (not for the first time): it's a flawed, but fascinating film. Keach was superb in this. I loved the gothic feel (particularly the location) and the comedic touches and philosophical musings sprinkled amidst the menace and oddness. And yes, that ending, by God!
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 89.19.89.162
Posted on Wednesday, January 28, 2009 - 11:24 pm:   

No, there isn't really a link, I just don't know how to make a new topic.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 12:42 am:   

You Joaquin Pheonix, you.
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Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin)
Username: Richard_gavin

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 65.110.174.71
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 01:02 pm:   

I like this film too, primarily for its bits of comedic dialogue ("The Little Sisters of the Holy Sacrament is a legitimate order, so f*ck off"). I think Blatty has a tremendous ear for comedy, and for great dialogue in general.

Blatty's bone-dry but often absurd humour was also delivered well in EXORCIST III: LEGION; a criminally underrated horror film that is far better than the other dreck sequels in that franchise.
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.192.93
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 01:28 pm:   

I agree, Richard. I loved the carp in George C. Scott's bath in Exorcist III.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 01:43 pm:   

I'll have to rewatch The Ninth Configuration after this thread...

Regarding Exorcist III, everyone keeps saying how underrated it is, but by whom? Everyone I know thinks it's excellent, and even the critics seem to admire the film - I remember good reviews when it came out.
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Mick Curtis (Mick)
Username: Mick

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 194.106.220.19
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 01:56 pm:   

I think it was the second film that got the worst reviews, remembering back too many years...
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Joel (Joel)
Username: Joel

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 217.37.199.45
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 02:15 pm:   

I can't take exorcist/demonic possession drivel seriously, full stop. Except in the sense that in the past, people with epilepsy would be subjected to exorcism – often with fatal consequences. They didn't have the option of finding the priest's rituals absurd.
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Gary Fry (Gary_fry)
Username: Gary_fry

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 86.31.106.3
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 02:18 pm:   

I tried to read Blatty's novella in 999 and couldn't get off the second page.
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Simon Strantzas (Nomis)
Username: Nomis

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 38.113.181.169
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 02:24 pm:   

Blatty's comedic ability was on full display when he worked with Blake Edwards. "A Shot in the Dark" comes immediately to mind.

And I think Zed that E3 is maligned by most people, at least compared to the original. After all, though we all know which bit is the scariest, a lot of people can't get past Spider-Granny.
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Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin)
Username: Richard_gavin

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 65.110.174.71
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 03:20 pm:   

Simon's right. But, really, when isn't he?

Gary: I think E3's reputation has evolved in the same fashion as most cult films: a gradual build-up over time, along with some critics going back to re-assess. I don't really remember any reviews of it back in 1990 to be honest. I always thought that it slipped under the radar, lost in the endless stream of horror sequels of that time.

E3 suffered a pretty rocky production. After being turned down by most studios, Morgan Creek eventually agreed to release it...on the condition that an exorcism scene be tacked on to the end. Blatty's story never had an exorcism (which is why his source novel was entitled simply LEGION). But what's a filmmaker to do? The suits forced him into it. I think the movie would've been better without the flinging of holy water, but what do I know?
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 03:31 pm:   

I always that that if they'd filmed LEGION as per the book, the film would be a masterpiece. that book is amazing. Blew me away when I first read it.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 06:59 pm:   

I used to have the feeling that folk who got possessed were so not to harm the victim, but the people around them. And to show them up.

If that sort of thing is real, of course.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 06:59 pm:   

I still liked Exorcist II. Is anyone able to watch it again to back me up?
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Hubert (Hubert)
Username: Hubert

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 78.21.22.182
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 07:05 pm:   

Only ever saw the first instalment, which I didn't like very much. I'd expected a lot more from Friedkin, especially after the magnificent FRENCH CONNECTION. To this day I think Blair's performance is ludicrous; I can't imagine why members of the audience fainted back in '74.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 07:26 pm:   

It's odd, but it's one of these films that affects me differently at different times. Once I watched it with all the sense of fear you'd expect from watching snooker on the telly, and at other times I've been afraid to go upstairs after and had to put on every light.
But Blair's acting, yes - in the Version in the extra scenes she's a bit cringy.
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 78.152.195.215
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 07:32 pm:   

"I can't take exorcist/demonic possession drivel seriously, full stop."
You only mean as a real phenomenon, surely?

"I used to have the feeling that folk who got possessed were so not to harm the victim, but the people around them. And to show them up."
You're right, Tony. Friedkin (Fried kin!) said he always showed close ups of the other characters reacting to the horror to emphasise the effect it was having on them.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 07:39 pm:   

It always felt like the whole situation was some sort of test of these people. Maybe it's not Satan doing it, or he's in cahoots.
Possession is fascinating, even if it's not real, and imagined. The idea of it is enough to make one wonder all sorts of things.
If it means anything I sort of believe in it...
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.241.143
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 08:24 pm:   

I think THE EXORCIST is a masterpiece. Despite not believing in God (and therefore the devil), the notion of possesion terrifies me.
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Simon Strantzas (Nomis)
Username: Nomis

Registered: 09-2008
Posted From: 38.113.181.169
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 09:15 pm:   

As far as I'm concerned, Zed, the only other person allowed inside of you is me.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.241.143
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 09:16 pm:   



Get thee behind me, nomis.
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Allybird (Allybird)
Username: Allybird

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 79.70.92.193
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 09:44 pm:   

Simon is a rudey...BTW has anyone celebrated the Chinese New Year?
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 89.19.82.146
Posted on Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 09:59 pm:   

In the future, it'll probably be normal to own a noggin on a time-share basis. 6 Billion+ bodies aren't environmentally sustainable.
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.185.101
Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 12:55 am:   

I did, Ally - I even started a thread for that very purpose. Happy Year of the Ox to you!

The firecrackers have been going off around my house (not by me, I hasten to add) all night and all day since Monday...
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 09:28 am:   

Ooh!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4392789/Hospital-calls-i n-exorcist-after-ghost-spotted.html
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Weber_gregston (Weber_gregston)
Username: Weber_gregston

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 212.121.214.11
Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 04:54 pm:   

I loved the exorcist 1 and 3. I didn't rate any of the others. Apparently the first film (possibly the others as well) are banned in certain countries for being pro-Christian. Quite ironic when it gets banned in the western world for being evil.
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.195.70
Posted on Friday, January 30, 2009 - 06:25 pm:   

Tony - I honestly can't remember much about the second film, except for feeling disappointment (about the quality of the film in general, and the fact that the great Richard Burton was in it). I remember the hypnosis scenes being pretty strange, with Pazuzu flying around Africa, or something.

I think the first and third films are very good indeed, but the prequels are awful. What a waste.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 01:05 am:   

It peters out, but till then there are several mments to savour. I watched it last year and was utterly absorbed.
Watch it - anybody!
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.241.143
Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 01:23 pm:   

I tried to rewatch EII last year, Tony, and turned it off after about 30 minutes. I's very, very bad...
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Simon Bestwick (Simon_b)
Username: Simon_b

Registered: 10-2008
Posted From: 86.24.165.182
Posted on Saturday, January 31, 2009 - 01:48 pm:   

I got as far as Richard Burton going 'It was horrible... utterly horrible.' I and the other two viewers present agreed with him. So we switched it off and watched something else instead. Can't remember what. Probably a zombie movie.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 12:09 pm:   

Maybe because I realised it was a spiritual movie rather than a horror movie clinched it for me.
What is this weird gifty/curse that means I'm to be forever alone in my bizarre tastes...?
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Protodroid (Protodroid)
Username: Protodroid

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 78.152.203.102
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 12:38 pm:   

I'm just waiting for it to come on telly again as it's not something I'd risk buying. But the few minutes I did see of it looked bonkers, but sincere, so I'll give it a go when I can. Boorman used to be great back then.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.241.143
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 01:08 pm:   

Maybe because I realised it was a spiritual movie rather than a horror movie clinched it for me.

What clinched it for me was the bad direction, absurd script and unfocused plot. Even Burton was bad in it.
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Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin)
Username: Richard_gavin

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 65.110.174.71
Posted on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 10:12 pm:   

Tony wrote:
"What is this weird gifty/curse that means I'm to be forever alone in my bizarre tastes...?"

Perhaps not, Tony. I seem to recall an article by Kim Newman some years ago (perhaps his "Shivers" column) where he admitted to not only liking EXORCIST II, but actually preferring it to the original.

I wouldn't go that far, nor would I say that I'm a fan of EII. However, there are some interesting elements to the movie that are unfortunately eclipsed by the film's flaws.

I think the scene when Max von Sydow first makes the arduous climb up to visit the possessed boy is tense, and Morricone's score was good too.

So there you are. You're not utterly alone!
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Huw (Huw)
Username: Huw

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 218.168.177.84
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 07:47 am:   

I may be mistaken, but something in the back of my mind is telling me that Peter Nicholls, in his book Fantastic Cinema, had some praise for Exorcist II.
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Simon Bestwick (Simon_b)
Username: Simon_b

Registered: 10-2008
Posted From: 86.24.165.182
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 10:50 am:   

The Exorcist prequel, Dominion, was pretty good- the original version, directed by Paul Schrader, before they took it off him and gave it to John Frankenheimer to balls up. Worth a watch.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 213.219.8.243
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 01:39 pm:   

It was Renny Harlin, mate...which says it all, really.

Schraeder's version is a decent enough film: quiet, introspective, and with a very strange atmosphere.
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Richard_gavin (Richard_gavin)
Username: Richard_gavin

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 65.110.174.71
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 04:09 pm:   

I've been meaning to rent the Schrader version of this film. Thanks for the reminder, Simon! I remember thinking it strange that a studio pulled the plug on the production when the movie was basically done, and then brought in an action director to essentially remake the film.

If this original version is quiet and strange as Zed says, then I'm sure I'll enjoy it.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.157.112.5
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 07:25 pm:   

It had atmosphere but for me felt uncinematic. It had a curiously tv movie feel, and didn't have as much depth as I'd expected.
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Zed (Gary_mc)
Username: Gary_mc

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 81.96.241.143
Posted on Monday, February 02, 2009 - 08:16 pm:   

I'd agree with that assesment, Tony. It's what i'd class as an interesting failure.
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Tony (Tony)
Username: Tony

Registered: 03-2008
Posted From: 109.249.184.196
Posted on Monday, October 26, 2020 - 12:20 am:   

Wow. A conversation between loads of people.

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