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Cassie Tremblay
Cassie Tremblay

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Zodiac (2007) - Full Reaction

What a story, what a cast, what a movie, what a psycho. Here we go... possibly Carly's last October movie ha ;) This is the Theatrical version of the movie (~2h37m). I didn't realize there was a directors cut until after we watched it!

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Zodiac (2007) - Full Reaction

Comments

Jake Gyllenhaal = excellent actor. I like Ruffalo too.

Clay F

That was good; I think they had him with Lee. It's a lot harder to catch a killer than one would think. There have been more than 220,000 unsolved murders since 1980.

Eddie Perkins

Oh no, at the end of the movie they're in Ontario, California, my hometown actually, I grew up right by that airport. I also went to Riverside Community College for a few semesters, where supposedly one of the crimes took place. I read Greysmith's book when I was in high school but since then there have been a lot of documentaries about the case, in at least one they talked to Don Cheney who said Allen had him lick and attach stamps to a bunch of envelopes because he had some excuse, I forget what exactly, but he claimed he couldn't for some reason. As far as I know they never checked Cheney's DNA against the stamps. Thr two documentaries I found on YT that were really good were "His Name Was Arthur Leigh Allen" and "This Is The Zodiac Speaking", between them they interviewed Mike Mageau, Bryan Hartnell (the other survivor), Don Cheney, the operator who received his first creepy phone call admitting to the first few murders, and several other people involved in the case. Honestly all signs point to Allen but like Jack the Ripper we just may never know. Also, you should check out Gone Girl, another great movie from David Fincher.

Joe D. MacGuffinstuff

Great film. For another true story, I will continue to recommend IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, has investigative elements to it, wrongfully accused characters, Daniel Day-Lewis.

SeanATX

No one mentioned that the woman who jumped from the car with her baby, Kathleen Johns, was played by Ione Skye, who was Diane Court, in Say Anything (1989).

Larry Darrell

Agreed Director’s Cut was better. The whole scene of Toschi and Armstrong listing the incredible list of evidence against Leigh Allen, being cut didn’t make sense. There was another with Sherwood that explained about handwriting between two hands didn’t match.

Larry Darrell

You two have to watch "Nightcrawler" for more of Jake Gyllenhaal playing a very different role!

DaftBasterd

amazing i loved this reaction so much, this is what we want. reactions that make your really feel

TinCan Cosmanaut

The problem with Arthur Lee Allen is his DNA didn't match. They pulled saliva samples from letters they know came from Zodiac. Some have compared to the killer in Texarkana Moonlight Murders, See The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976) there are striking similarities between those two killers. I don't think it's the same guy. How many killers switch their MO like that? From shooting couples to shooting a taxi driver? I always thought that Arthur Lee Allen was the best . suspect. In Criminology school, I always thought it was him. Then the DNA came out and another Cypher was solved in 2020. I read the book Zodiac it's a great book. Hurdy Gurdy Man by Donavon was the song from the beginning and the end.

Zachary K.

PANIC ROOM would be a great reaction.

Stick Figure Studios

This is my favorite David Fincher film. My cousin works with him a lot and did work on this film so it was great to hear some of the BTS stories but I think what really sets this movie apart for me is Jake G's performance. He is one of my favorite actors and I think underrated but the journey he takes on this movie is intense. Plus, I always appreciated that Robert Graysmith was at the Chronicle from Day 1 rather than the countless number of people who have come to this unsolved case due to its infamy of being perhaps the most famous unsolved case in American history. Although, I must say that when I first heard about a killer who called himself Zodiac and wrote cryptic ciphers to the newspapers, I thought it was a made up story like the Boogeyman. There was one confirmed update on the case which was another one of Zodiac's ciphers was finally cracked in just the last year or so. I also lean toward Allen being the killer although I know there's evidence/theory to suggest otherwise but until the police confirm a suspect like they did with the Golden State Killer, all we'll have is speculation and one of David Fincher's best thrillers!

Sarah H.

It's hard to pick with Fincher in the director's chair but I truly appreciated the attention to detail and how the story gives a satisfactory ending to Robert Graysmith's journey to writing the book since I was hesitant to watch this movie based on an unsolved murder. The acting in this movie is simply incredible.

Sarah H.

Juuuuuuuuuune!!!!!!

Bryan Erickson

Starting to watch a 4 part documentary, “ the most dangerous animal of all” . About a guy who was abandon as a baby, sought out his natural born parents to find out that he believes his father was the zodiac killer. Watched part 1 last night. Watch the rest over the next few nights. Only 45 min a show. On Disney+. Your typical family type content.

Brian McGovern

I've been waiting for you to watch this. I too love true stories and especially true crime stories. This, in my opinion, is the best true crime movie ever and is very historically accurate. I've actually visited the crime scenes in this movie (Lake Herman road, not shown in the movie, the opening park scene and the cab driver location). The movie depicts these scenes accurately and the story follows it to a "T." I was a kid when this was going on and I remember the news reports because of the threats to school buses. David Fincher created a masterpiece.

KauaiKeith

Ai, I was surprised to see that the Spec ED BR only has the DC. I had it on iTunes as well but the DC is better for sure. IMO.

AdrianF

Also Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, beginning of his comeback and possibly his best role (but what do I know I suck the heads of fish)

Jacob King

Creature Feature idea way too late for the polls but if you like Jake Gyllenhaal then OKJA is a must. My true crime nerd brain wants me to point out that handwriting analysis is about as reliable as zodiac signs or tea leaf reading. I think Fincher is aware of it in making the film because it never gets them anywhere and ends up complicating every avenue they go down. My film nerd brain wants to explain that Dave Toschi was the basis for the Steve McQueen character Bullit and the Clint Eastwood character Dirty Harry which is why everyone was at the movies in that one scene to see Dirty Harry capture Scorpio/Zodiac.

Jacob King

Ruffalo and Downey Jr from before they sold their soul to the devil. The devil being Marvel if anyone should be in doubt. Been a while since I’ve seen this. Good excuse to give it a rewatch.

Shehab Dawoud

Always liked this film and it always reminds me of another "scary" detective movie about a true crime serial-killer, Jack the Ripper, "From Hell" (2001), I don't think it's actually that scary now that I remember it. I haven't seen it in like 20 years but I remember it being a good watch.

LuMarq

Although this all happened a little before my time, I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. So this movie hits a little a harder for me. I know all the cities mentioned, the newspapers, locations, etc…It must have been scary to live through it. I’m a little surprised you didn’t mention Anthony Edwards (a.k.a. Goose from Top Gun) as Mark Ruffalo’s partner. Hope Carly has recovered. As soon as I saw the couple at the lake. I was like “Oh boy. This is gonna be traumatic”. Cassie, you on the other hand, have come a long way from when you first started your channel. Nice reaction ladies!

Robert da Spruce

Darn…my blu ray only has the directors cut

Walter Crockett

I think Cassie did

Cole Jennett

I really really wish u guys would react to all the Scream movies. You would have a blast. Funny, scary, who done its

Craig Hepworth

Oh wow what a surprise, this is a must watch!!

TinCan Cosmanaut

Sure Carly should watch the Thing. We could place bets on how long she makes it through the movie before she passes out or runs screaming from the room.

Rick Williams

Although the case has never been solved. San Francisco PD has plenty of suspects. DNA has been uploaded to CODUS, yet nothing has turned up. A lot of suspects have been eliminated. They are currently working on family history DNA. Like they did with the Golden State Killer.

Zachary K.

You two ladies love investigations. You need to watch more investigative movies and mysteries. Maybe a poll on mysteries/who done it movies. Great Reaction Ladies. Carly I am glad you were able to hang on through the beginning of the movie with the murders and make it all the way through.

Rick Williams

Now you two have to watch Dirty Harry IT stars clint Eastwood

MatthewBrown74m

Although as a movie it ends unsatisfying, it still is a fond personal favorite. Fincher is always meticulous, but here he shines exceptionally in setting the timeframe and mood.

Wu Sha Ling

SWEET! FREAKING! MERCY!

Philip Alan

It says in the description that they watched the theatrical cut.

Tim Raths

So, Cassie, is Carly permanently damaged from this, or just rattled enough to pass on the rest of October/Halloween? I mean, she has to watch The Thing with you, right?

Above Average Dave

@Astraeos... John Wick 4

Robin Craft

In 2021 Case Breakers, an independent investigative group made up of some 40 former law enforcement officials, academics, journalists, and former military intelligence workers announced they had cracked one of the most famed cold cases in history. Gary Poste, they asserted, was the Zodiac Killer. I believe they caught him from a Family tree DNA testing kit. They were able to backtrack through family DNA given willingly by people wanting to know more about their family tree. It was a young female relative that helped connect him to the crimes.

Powers209

I'm sure you've already made the decision, but I think your sister definitely should not be present for the rest of the Halloween line-up. It's already going to be right at your limits, and your sisters limits very much seem to be below yours. Just given what movies you'll be watching, yeah, definitely recommended.

Astraeos

Whats JW 4?

Astraeos

Excellent choice. Look forward to watchiing it again along with your full reaction.

Clay F

You guys should watch the Netflix series 'Manhunter', which was created by David Fincher.

JPDotCom23

This movie is based on Robert Graysmith's book

JPDotCom23

Charles Fleisher, who played Bob Vaughn, was also the voice of Roger Rabbit.

JPDotCom23

SIAP - the movie scene was from Clint Eastwood's "Dirty Harry". A movie based along the Zodiac killing. You should give the Dirty Harry series a look, while you are at it

Bill Maurer

we still don't know what happened to Jimmy Hoffa. The Film the Irishman (and Frank himself, the alleged hitman) are unreliable narrators at best. Great film but hardly accurate.

Armchair Wizard

You guys not watching the uncut director's version, keeps throwing me off

JPDotCom23

If you want a really light RDJ film (if you haven't seen it already) watch Home For the Holidays. Thanksgiving film directed by Jodi Foster and also starring Holly Hunter and Anne Bancroft, among others. One of my favorite roles of his and super cute. But I'd honestly be surprised if you guys haven't watched it, it's right up your alley.

China Andronicus

He was always incredible. He had done Chaplin while still struggling and gotten an Oscar nom for it. Amazing role. Still I'm so glad he made it out and is going strong, and happy for him and his wife. They're great together.

China Andronicus

In all likelihood, Zodiac is dead. The two most recent suspects that looked the most good are dead, too. One died in 1984, the other in 2018. Again though, nothing but speculation, theory, circumstance, and coincidence. Go figure, right. 😏 If he is still alive, and that's a big "if", the last final deathbed confession is gonna be the only thing left we can expect. Eventually, it'll come out like how we learned the identity of Deep Throat or what really happened to Jimmy Hoffa, or it won't and no one will really care.

Zane From Canada

You guys really need to take this film with a grain of salt. It's very well done and quite heavily based on fact but there is a lot of wiggle room. Allen was not the only suspect by FAR and the film made it way too definitive. I would not be so convinced as you were, not by a longshot. Someone previously listed a bunch of facts in a note so I'm not going to do it again, but seriously, I wouldn't be so certain just because you'd like it to have been resolved, as frustrating as it is to not know.

China Andronicus

He’s also wearing the best wig I’ve ever seen. He’s been bald since the 90s. He was on ER with George Clooney back in the day. I think you might like it.

djKENTO

omg i knew i recognized him!!

Cassie

sorry had to do a switcheroo due to filming with carly! i’m trying to decide if i wait until after october 😕

Cassie

Cool, thanks!

Simon Haynes

It got pushed to this week

Choof

Based on a true story. No one is sure if he was ever captured. Makes the movie even more scary. If you haven’t seen it Mindhunter Netflix Limited series worth watching terrifying

Doc Larry

Sorry if this has been answered already but did I miss JW4 or is that still to come?

Simon Haynes

Maybe or maybe not, but there's a couple of scenes added in the DC that I'm baffled were missing from the theatrical release. I'd have to watch this version again (my memory is hopeless) but there were a couple of occasions where I was confused by a jump/cut that works better in the DC

AdrianF

Loved this reaction, thanks!

AdrianF

To think Robert Downey Jr did this film, Tropic Thudner and started his journey as Iron Man all within a short time (within. year or so of this film) which helped him over come his drug addictions and becoming just one incredible actor is great to see.

LightsCameraJake

It’s really good when you do the odd extra film, but I think I’d just watch the YT edit as wasn’t really a fan of the film. The pacing was just to slow and I found myself looking at my phone more than watched the film lol. I know you’ve see Silent of the Lambs, so I’d definitely recommend Red Dragon as a follow up. The Bone Collector, Along Came a Spider or Kiss the Girls are all good films if your looking to watch one or two more thrillers this month

Dean Holt

It will come. Chill!

Cole Jennett

I'm a fan of true crime. I love this movie and I loved your guys' reaction. My mom told me a pretty scary true crime story. In the mid 80's she lived in Scarborough Ontario in Canada. She lived next door to a woman, Debbie Mahaffy, who had a daughter named Leslie, who was a bit of a problem child: Breaking curfew, staying out late drinking, that find of stuff. My mom was friends with Deb and kept in touch over the years. In 1991, my mom got a call from Debbie saying that Leslie came home late, knocked on the door but couldn't get in and was now missing. She was asleep and didn't hear her. Later, her worst nightmare came true. Her daughter Leslie had been snatched right outside her door by Paul Bernado and Karla Homolka (The Ken and Barbie Killers). 😳

Zane From Canada

What happened to JOHN WICK 4???????????????????????

Craig Russell

I didn't know some of this, thank you for sharing!

Nathan Jasper

Because of Graysmith's book and this movie, most people assume that Arthur Leigh Allen must have been the Zodiac, but there are a lot of dissenting opinions and alternate suspects floating around the true crime community. As long as the movie was, there was still more evidence about Allen, some supporting the idea that he was the killer and some which would seem to rule him out. From the little I have read about this, I tend to think it was probably Allen, but who knows. Considering these murders occurred nearly 60 years ago, we are getting to the point where Jack the Ripper researchers are today. Soon every witness, every survivor, every contemporary investigator will have passed away and at that point it's nothing but guesswork. When I was in high school in the early '90s, there was a serial killer active in New York City who was dubbed the "New York Zodiac" or the "Zodiac Copycat." For a while police considered the possibility that the original San Francisco Zodiac had moved east and "re-activated" but eventually the NY Zodiac was caught and he was a much younger guy (born in 1967). He's still in prison today. There are a lot of weird connections between the Zodiac Killer and Hollywood: * In this movie, when Graysmith and Toschi met at the theater they were watching the 1971 cop movie DIRTY HARRY, the first in a series of 5 very popular thrillers starring Clint Eastwood. It was very obviously inspired by the Zodiac case, with Eastwood playing a San Francisco inspector hunting down a deranged killer calling himself "Scorpio." Considering that this was produced and distributed while the real Zodiac was still actively writing letters, this was either a very brave or a very stupid thing to do. But Zodiac never mentioned the movie in any of his letters. Maybe he liked Scorpio's performance. * But earlier that year, a low-budget movie called THE ZODIAC KILLER screened in San Francisco, and the entire movie was apparently a bizarre plot to lure the Zodiac out and apprehend him at his own premiere. The director and producers handed out pieces of paper to the audience asking them to fill out why they think the Zodiac killed, and when handed in, hired handwriting experts behind the theater curtains compared the handwriting to that of the Zodiac letters, and they planned to jump out and grab the Zodiac if they could ID him. The director was convinced that, despite no positive match in handwriting, that the actual killer was in the audience the night of the premiere. * That idea was itself incorporated into a serial killer movie, the 1976 movie THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN (what a title!), based on another real life serial killer who was never captured, the "Phantom Killer," a masked man responsible for the Texarkana Moonlight Murders of 1946. That movie ends with a flashforward scene to present day, where people are lined up outside a movie theater to watch THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN itself, and one of them is hinted at being the actual Phantom Killer. * The last Zodiac letter from January of 1974 refers to the movie THE EXORCIST as "the best satirical comedy that I have ever seen." In 1990, the sequel EXORCIST III came out in theaters. One of the villains in that is another Zodiac clone, the Gemini Killer. Again, the real Zodiac, if he was still alive, did not issue a public review of the film.

Patrick Flanagan

If Cassie watches The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, hopefully it will be the original 2009 film and not the inferior Fincher remake.

Just Plain Bob

Fincher's director's cuts are never great. Theatrical runs for him are the best way to go. James Cameron on the other hand, always choose the director's cut.

Nathan Jasper

I always find these movies "based on a true story" the scariest ones. The ALL-TIME scariest movie based upon a true story is "The Return of the Living Dead" If you don't believe me it says it right at the begining of the movie.

Barry Justice

PoorCarly. 5 minutes in and she is already almost traumatised. That picnic scene is more terrifying in daylight, than any boogie man scene at night in any other horror movie.

Brian McGovern

“My uncle had problems with his probate, and he had to take these big pills and drink lots of water.” 😂

Brian McGovern

In Carly's defense, I've seen a lot of blood and gore in films to the point I think I've been desensitized to movie violence and still the Mother/Baby scene in this is still one of the most disturbing scenes I think I've seen. Which is crazy because nothing ended up happening to them. It goes to show how great directing and acting can affect you without lots of graphic violence. As soon as I think about this movie I remember how unsettled I was during that scene and the scene in the basement. Both of which have no violence and all the characters made it out ok. Which is a testament of how well made this film is.

Jyn Jilly

One of my favorite movies ever and now one of my favorite movie reactions ever. Im glad you guys liked this.

Choof

I was born around this period, but my father was somewhat fixated on discussions (documentaries, news specials, etc.) in the years that followed. In subsequent years of the murders, certain people would claim to have figured it out but none of them were ever substantiated. I found it mildly amusing during the Post-Game commentary when Carly expressed that she was very uncomfortable during the bloody, first half of the movie (we’re truly sorry about that) but then she said, “that’s not okay.” That admonishment was aimed at YOU specifically, Cassie. Oops! LOL. I completely understand if she throws in the towel. “Comedy Month” should probably follow October. If it helps… this movie may have been more palatable [need a better word here] if one of the detectives were dressed as a bat - maybe she can think of it that way, because these were crimes usually committed by fictional villains in places like Gotham City or Metropolis. Think of this movie as the first half of a BATMAN story. Enjoyed this one! Take care.

Ike

If Cassie wants more of this genre this October, Manhunter (1986) would be the sickest follow-up. - Avid Fan

Roy Batty

Fantastic. More David Fincher please! Panic Room or The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Daniel N

Oh and "Dirty Harry" is a *must* watch after this, as it owes much to this real life case. It's also a superb cop movie, along with the French Connection probably the premier 1970s Detective movie.

Dryfesands

I am so excited to see if either of our intrepid heroes realize that Ruffalo’s partner is Goose from Top Gun… will report back.

djKENTO

Right up there with All the President's Men as one of the best true-life detective movies out there...watching this when I get home from work.

Steve Mercier

Just finished the reaction and thoroughly enjoyed it (though I felt bad for Carly a few times there during the murders earlier in the film). To answer the question in your outro, no, I was never obsessed with the Zodiac case because, like you, I've never been much of a true crime nut (even though my dad was obsessed with the JFK assassination conspiracy and I inherited some of his fascination with it), but I will confess to becoming for a while a bit of a "Ripperologist," i.e. one who studies the case of Jack the Ripper: basically the "original" serial killer who murdered several prostitutes in Victorian London. In fact, if you're interested in another good movie like ZODIAC (though admittedly inferior to Fincher's film) that proposes a fictional solution to the real-life unsolved mystery of Jack the Ripper, I would suggest FROM HELL with Johnny Depp as a possible reaction for next October... not a Carly movie though. :-)

Stick Figure Studios

I watched this as a German, who knew absolutely nothing about the Zodiac killer case going in, and I must say, it did contribute a lot to me not liking it initially. It was like i.e. watching „JFK“ and being disappointed that they didn‘t know who shot the president at the end of the movie. I‘ve grown to appreciate it over the years, especially from a cinematic standpoint, but I never watched it again completely. This will now be my second time and I expect to like it a hell of a lot more.

Andreas Köther

Cassie's seen SE7EN but it was before the channel.

Stick Figure Studios

I was born around the time he started those killings so I remember hearing about it occasionally when i was little and less and less as I got older.. I watched the movie originally back when it was first released. It was not a good one to watch before you head off for bed, that's for sure.

Andrew Rose

this is one of those movies that really gets under your skin, and Fincher of course is a master when it comes to this; it’s also nice to see a pre-MCU movie with Iron Man, The Hulk, and Mysterio, lol

JL_83

you keep watching these kind of movies, the SAW franchise isn't too far.

zynjams

that guy you're talking about became a probate lawyer. He settled my late fathers property.

zynjams

What happened to John Wick 4?

Gideon James

What a pleasant surprise. That's another from my bucket list (the other being The game). Looking forward to watch it again.

Björn Von Knorring

I am a fan of true crime books and thoroughly enjoyed Robert Graysmith's book when I first read it more than 20 years ago (although he engages in rampant speculation about possible additional Zodiac murders at the end of his book, with little or no evidence to back up his theory). When I heard that David Fincher was directing a movie based on the book, I was excited because I thought it was a good marriage of material and director but a bit worried because I had a hard time understanding how the book could be properly adapted. Using Graysmith as the central character and using that character as the audience's point of view was a simple solution and worked beautifully. Count me among those that consider this to be Fincher's best film. One note: Arthur Leigh Allen WAS NOT the Zodiac. DNA testing of the saliva on the Zodiac letters cleared him and Don Cheney (the first person to point the finger at Allen) a few years ago. Of course, it is possible that Allen had someone else lick the stamps for him, but why would he? DNA wouldn't be successfully extracted until 1984 and wasn't used in a criminal case for another two years after that (for more on that, I HIGHLY recommend The Blooding by Joseph Wambaugh, his account of that groundbreaking case/investigation). So, unless Allen had the power of precognition, he would have had no reason to use any trickery regarding the licking of the stamps. There are strong rumors that DNA testing has linked the letters to an Air Force veteran (who I won't name since the authorities haven't) but, of course, that leaves the question as to why he hasn't been identified. In short, the case is still unsolved and will likely remain that way.

Just Plain Bob

Oh fantastic! One of my favourite Crime Thrillers. That's tonight's viewing absolutely sorted. Can't wait to see what you and Carly make of it. Oh, and because I always ask for it . . . "The Elephant Man" :-)

Dryfesands

My dad was a MP at Presidio during this time. Mom wasn't allow to leave the base and w/ the theory of the Zodiacs ties to the Army they too, were investigating. Oh Skin Diving is basically just "diving" without scuba gear, kinda like free diving. By the way Matt Reeves the director of "The Batman" pulled a lot from Zodiac for the Riddler character, which the Zodiac has been referred to as the "real life Riddler" and he also pulled a lot from Fincher for the directing style of The Batman

Ryan Towell

Lynch is such a great actor... able to play sweet and innocuous like in FARGO or enigmatic and scary like here.

Stick Figure Studios

Cassies liked the Game, Watched the Social Network, Liked Zodiac. It's time for Se7en , Fight Club and Gone GIrl. And yes, I don't think Carly should watch any more of "scary and absolutely terrifying week" her reaction to the beginning of this movie didn't bode well.

rakeshldn

That scene with John carrol lynch was probably the most intense scene in the film mostly because I think many do believe that his real life character was the killer.

Night King01

I'm not going to watch this at this time of night,I mean the hunt for the Zodiac killer? This movie will probably get to me,Serial (Cereal) killers,Uni-bombers and clowns I'll lump them all together.♡

Celeste McAllister

That picnic scene is terrifying. The guy actually survived the attack and was even brought on as an advisor on this film to provide more accuracy. They even had to helicopter in trees in order to recreate the setting as the actual location they filmed at had changed drastically.

Night King01

My ex lived in the trailer park from the end of the movie… with the squirrels. Maybe the best Bay Area movie ever made.

djKENTO

Many hail this as David Fincher's masterpiece and it's hard to disagree (although I personally prefer SE7EN). This film is just excellent in all its areas. I've seen it many times, but haven't watched it in a while so I'm looking forward to revisiting it with you both. :-)

Stick Figure Studios

Yeah this is one movie that can make the hairs on my arm stand up which isn't that easy to do because most scary movies don't bother me , unless they're based on a actual true story and it actually happened which this story actually is

Wyatt Nuxoll

OMG i was just thinking about how much i like this movie yesterday! Imagine the literal cheer of glee in my bedroom when I saw you post this.

Taylor Stuckey


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