Moviefone Editorial

Tag: mrs. doubtfire

  • Every Chris Columbus Directed Movie Ranked from Worst to Best

    Chris Columbus attends the NYC Special Screening of 'The Thursday Murder Club' on August 14, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Netflix.
    Chris Columbus attends the NYC Special Screening of ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ on August 14, 2025 in New York City. Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Director Chris Columbus has made some of the most beloved movies of all time!

    Beginning his career as a screenwriter on such classics as ‘Gremlins‘ and ‘The Goonies‘, Columbus would go on to direct some of the most popular movies in cinematic history including ‘Home Alone‘, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire‘, ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone‘ and ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets‘.

    His latest film, ‘The Thursday Murder Club‘, which is based on the popular novel and stars Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan, opens in select theaters on August 22nd before premiering on Netflix August 28th.

    In honor of his new film, Moviefone is counting down every movie Chris Columbus has every directed, from worst to best, including his latest.

    NOTE: For this list we are only including films Columbus has directed, and not movies were he is only credited as the writer or producer.

    Let’s begin!

    17. ‘Pixels‘ (2015)

    (L to R) Michelle Monaghan, Adam Sandler, Josh Gad, and Peter Dinklage in 'Pixels'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    (L to R) Michelle Monaghan, Adam Sandler, Josh Gad, and Peter Dinklage in ‘Pixels’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Video game experts are recruited by the military to fight 1980s-era video game characters who’ve attacked New York.

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    16. ‘The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two‘ (2020)

    Kate Pierce (Darby Camp) is reluctantly spending Christmas with her mom’s new boyfriend and his son Jack (Jahzir Bruno). But when the North Pole and Christmas are threatened to be destroyed, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus (Kurt Russell).

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    15. ‘Bicentennial Man‘ (1999)

    (L to R) Robin Wiliams and Sam Neill in 'Bicentennial Man'. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.
    (L to R) Robin Wiliams and Sam Neill in ‘Bicentennial Man’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

    Richard Martin (Sam Neill) buys a gift, a new NDR-114 robot. The product is named Andrew (Robin Williams) by the youngest of the family’s children. “Bicentennial Man” follows the life and times of Andrew, a robot purchased as a household appliance programmed to perform menial tasks. As Andrew begins to experience emotions and creative thought, the Martin family soon discovers they don’t have an ordinary robot.

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    14. ‘I Love You, Beth Cooper‘ (2009)

    A valedictorian’s (Paul Rust) declaration of love for a high-school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere) launches a night of revelry, reflection and romance for a group of graduating seniors.

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    13. ‘Rent‘ (2005)

    This rock opera tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in late 1980s East Village, New York, USA. The film centers around Mark (Anthony Rapp) and Roger (Adam Pascal), two roommates. While a tragedy has made Roger numb to new experiences, Mark begins capturing their world through his attempts to make a personal movie. In the year that follows, they and their friends deal with love, loss, and working together.

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    12. ‘Heartbreak Hotel‘ (1988)

    When a teen (Charles Schlatter) tries to set up a band at his school, his mother (Tuesday Weld) – who was a big fan of Elvis Presley (David Keith) – gets in a wreck. He and his band members then decide to kidnap Elvis and hook him up with his mother.

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    11. ‘Only the Lonely‘ (1991)

    Danny Muldoon (John Candy), a Chicago policeman, still lives with his overbearing mother Rose (Maureen O’Hara). He meets and falls in love with Theresa Luna (Ally Sheedy), whose father owns the local funeral parlour. Naturally, his mother objects to the relationship, and Danny and Theresa must either overcome her objections or give up the romance.

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    10. ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York‘ (1992)

    Macaulay Culkin in 'Home Alone 2: Lost in New York'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Macaulay Culkin in ‘Home Alone 2: Lost in New York’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Instead of flying to Florida with his folks, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin) ends up alone in New York, where he gets a hotel room with his dad’s credit card—despite problems from a clerk and meddling bellboy. But when Kevin runs into his old nemeses, the Wet Bandits (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), he’s determined to foil their plans to rob a toy store on Christmas Eve.

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    9. ‘Stepmom‘ (1998)

    Jackie (Susan Sarandon) is a divorced mother of two. Isabel (Julia Roberts) is the career minded girlfriend of Jackie’s ex-husband Luke (Ed Harris), forced into the role of unwelcome stepmother to their children. But when Jackie discovers she is ill, both women realize they must put aside their differences to find a common ground and celebrate life to the fullest, while they have the chance.

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    8. ‘Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief‘ (2010)

    Accident prone teenager, Percy (Logan Lerman) discovers he’s actually a demi-God, the son of Poseidon (Kevin McKidd), and he is needed when Zeus’ (Sean Bean) lightning is stolen. Percy must master his new found skills in order to prevent a war between the Gods that could devastate the entire world.

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    7. ‘Nine Months‘ (1995)

    When he finds out his longtime girlfriend (Julianne Moore) is pregnant, a commitment-phobe (Hugh Grant) realizes he might have to change his lifestyle for better or much, much worse.

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    6. ‘Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets‘ (2002)

    Cars fly, trees fight back, and a mysterious house-elf comes to warn Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) at the start of his second year at Hogwarts. Adventure and danger await when bloody writing on a wall announces: The Chamber Of Secrets Has Been Opened. To save Hogwarts will require all of Harry, Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione’s (Emma Watson) magical abilities and courage.

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    5. ‘The Thursday Murder Club‘ (2025)

    (L to R) Celia Imrie, Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan in 'The Thursday Murder Club', which will launch on 28th August 2025 exclusively on Netflix. Photo: Netflix.
    (L to R) Celia Imrie, Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan in ‘The Thursday Murder Club’, which will launch on 28th August 2025 exclusively on Netflix. Photo: Netflix.

    Four septuagenarian friends (Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Sir Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie) living in a retirement community form the Thursday Murder Club to solve cold cases for fun. But when a shady property developer is found dead, the four find themselves in the middle of their first live case.

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    4. ‘Adventures in Babysitting‘ (1987)

    When plans with her boyfriend fall through, high school senior Chris Parker (Elisabeth Shue) ends up babysitting the Anderson kids, Brad (Keith Coogan) and Sara (Maia Brewton). What should be a quiet night in, however, turns into a series of ridiculous exploits, starting when they leave the house to pick up Chris’ friend Brenda (Penelope Ann Miller). Soon, Brad’s buddy Daryl (Anthony Rapp) is involved, and the group must contend with car thieves, blues musicians and much more.

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    3. ‘Mrs. Doubtfire‘ (1993)

    Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams), estranged from his exasperated spouse (Sally Field), is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job — disguised as a British nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children’s best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start.

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    2. ‘Home Alone‘ (1990)

    Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) makes the most of the situation after his family unwittingly leaves him behind when they go on Christmas vacation. When thieves (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) try to break into his home, he puts up a fight like no other.

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    1. ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone‘ (2001)

    Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter in ‘Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe) has lived under the stairs at his aunt and uncle’s house his whole life. But on his 11th birthday, he learns he’s a powerful wizard—with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. As he learns to harness his newfound powers with the help of the school’s kindly headmaster (Richard Harris), Harry uncovers the truth about his parents’ deaths—and about the villain who’s to blame.

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  • Actor Martin Mull Dies Aged 80

    The cast of 'Rosanne'.
    The cast of ‘Rosanne’. Photo: ABC.

    Preview:

    • Actor and musician Martin Mull has died.
    • He was known for movies such as ‘Clue’ and ‘Mr. Mom’.
    • His daughter Maggie paid tribute.

    Martin Mull, an actor, comedian and musician who brought deadpan delivery and wit to every project he appeared in, has died. He was 80.

    Following a long illness, Mull died on Thursday.

    Related Article: Donald Sutherland, Star of ‘M*A*S*H’, ‘Klute’ and More Dies at 88

    Martin Mull: Early Life and Career

    Frank De Vol, Martin Mull and Fred Willard in 'Fernwood 2 Night'.
    (L to R) Frank De Vol, Martin Mull and Fred Willard in ‘Fernwood 2 Night’. Photo: T.A.T. Communications Company.

    Born in Chicago in 1943 and raised in Ohio and Connecticut, Mull’s artistic journey began with painting. He earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Fine Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design.

    While funding his art studies, Mull discovered his talents for music and comedy. He formed bands, wrote songs (including a country tune titled “A Girl Named Johnny Cash”), and explored stand-up.

    His dry wit and low-key delivery, often paired with a deadpan facade, became his signature style. This unique blend of humor landed him a record deal and several Grammy nominations for his comedy albums.

    Mull’s big break on television came in the 1970s with the cult classic satirical soap ‘Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman’ a satirical soap opera as Garth Gimble, a hilariously volatile husband who met a comedically gruesome demise.

    This role led to the spin-off talk show parody ‘Fernwood 2 Night,’ further solidifying Mull’s reputation for absurdist humor.

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    Martin Mull: Movie Work

    Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Eileen Brennan, Christopher Lloyd and Lesley Ann Warren in 'Clue'.
    (L to R) Michael McKean, Martin Mull, Eileen Brennan, Christopher Lloyd and Lesley Ann Warren in ‘Clue’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Throughout his career, Mull appeared in numerous shows and movies.

    He played Colonel Mustard in the cult favorite ‘Clue,’ Leon Carp on ‘Roseanne,’ and the eccentric art teacher Willard Kraft on ‘Sabrina the Teenage Witch’.

    Other movies included ‘Mr. Mom’, ‘Jingle All the Way’, ‘Killers’, ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ and ‘A Futile and Stupid Gesture‘.

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    His TV career was even more prolific and eclectic, including ‘The Afterparty’,  ‘Grace and Frankie’, ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’, ‘Veep’,  and ‘The Ellen Show’.

    Most memorably, he brought quirkiness to recurring roles on ‘Two and a Half Men’ and the critically acclaimed ‘Arrested Development’, where he played the unforgettable Gene Parmesan.

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    Yet despite his busy schedule, he still found time for his true passion, as he amusingly explained to The A.V. Club:

    “I’ve been painting all along. All of this has been a way to try to put paint on my table. You know, every painter I know has a day job. They’re either teaching art at some college or driving a cab or whatever. And I just happened to luck into a day job that’s extraordinary and a lot of fun and buys a lot of paint.”

    Martin Mull: Family

    Martin Mull in 'The History of White People in America'.
    Martin Mull in ‘The History of White People in America’. Photo: HBO.

    Mull was married twice before meeting and marrying Wendy Haas in 1982. They have a daughter, TV writer Maggie.

    Maggie announced his death on Instagram:

    “I am heartbroken to share that my father passed away at home on June 27th, after a valiant fight against a long illness. He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials. He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny. My dad will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and coworkers, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and — the sign of a truly exceptional person — by many, many dogs. I loved him tremendously.”

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by maggie mull (@mulltoons)

    Martin Mull in 'The History of White People in America'.
    Martin Mull in ‘The History of White People in America’. Photo: HBO.

    Martin Mull Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Martin Mull Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Musical to Premiere This Fall in Seattle Before Broadway Run

    ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Musical to Premiere This Fall in Seattle Before Broadway Run

    Robin Williams in Mrs. Doubtfire
    20th Century Fox

    The arrival of “Mrs. Doubtfire” the musical has been announced.

    The stage adaptation is set to open this fall in Seattle, Deadline reports. Performances will begin Nov. 26 at the 5th Avenue Theatre, and opening night is scheduled for Dec. 13. The show will run through Dec. 29.

    The musical is based on the 1993 film “Mrs. Doubtfire,” which starred Robin Williams as a divorced dad who lost custody of his kids. A struggling actor, he decided to disguise himself as an older woman to be hired as their nanny and spend more time with them. The film also starred Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan, and was directed by Chris Columbus.

    “Mrs. Doubtfire” is eventually headed to Broadway. Casting remains to be announced, but in the meantime, we know Jerry Zaks is set to direct and Lorin Latarro will choreograph. Tony nominees Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell are writing the book, with Kirkpatrick working with Wayne Kirkpatrick on the music and lyrics. The production’s music supervisor will be Ethan Popp.

    Kevin McCollum is producing and it is presented by special arrangement with Buena Vista Theatrical. McCollum was the one who announced the dates of the Seattle run, indicating progress for the project. There have been plans to bring “Mrs. Doubtfire” to the stage as a musical since at least 2015. With the new creative team announced in August 2018, it now seems that the show will finally go on.

    [via: Deadline]

  • ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Cast Reunites, Remembers Robin Williams

    ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Cast Reunites, Remembers Robin Williams

    20th Century Fox

    The cast of “Mrs. Doubtfire” gathered for a reunion to celebrate the family comedy’s 25th anniversary and honor the memory of star Robin Williams.

    Lisa Jakub, Matthew Lawrence, and Mara Wilson — who played the three Hillard siblings — reunited with Pierce Brosnan (the new boyfriend of Sally Field’s mom character) for an interview on “Today.”

    “There is a sense that no time has passed,” Jakub said. “It’s a bit of a time warp.”

    They reminisced about Williams, who played the kids’ dad and disguised elderly British nanny. In particular, they recalled his fatherly advice about mental health and addiction.

    “One of the most powerful things for me about working with him is that he was very open and honest with me talking about his issues with addiction and depression,”Jakub noted. “That was so powerful to me at 14. I have struggles with anxiety my whole life.”

    Lawrence added, “Robin was like a guiding source. He would just all of a sudden, out of the blue look over and be like, ‘Don’t do drugs. They really messed up my brain, I’m serious. Do not do them.’ That stuck with me.”

    The actors also talked about Williams’ zany improvisations.

    “We did a lot of takes,” Wilson said. “It would be like, ‘Okay, take 25.’ And Robin would be different every time.”

  • 12 Things You Never Knew About ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’

    12 Things You Never Knew About ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’

    20th Century Fox

    “Mrs. Doubtfire” is widely regarded as one of the best movies in Robin Williams‘ career. It certainly shows off his comedic and dramatic range like no other.

    As the hit movie celebrates its 25th anniversary this week, here are some interesting facts you might not know about the saga of kindly old nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire.

    20th Century Fox

    1. The movie is actually based on a 1987 novel by British writer Anne Fine called “Alias Madame Doubtfire.”

    2. A then-five-year-old Blake Lively tried out for the role of the youngest Hillard child, Natalie. She didn’t get the part, obviously, but it doesn’t seem to have harmed her career.

    20th Century Fox

    3. Because of Williams’ penchant for improvisation and adult humor, there are multiple, significantly different cuts of the film that range from a PG-13 rating all the way to very, very R-rated.

    4. It took over four hours to apply Williams’ makeup each day. During filming, he could sometimes be seen walking the streets of San Francisco in full costume rather than remove it to run errands.

    5. The address Daniel gives the delivery driver is the actual address of the San Francisco home used for exterior shots of the Hillard household. Fans have been leaving flowers and gifts on the steps of the house ever since.

    20th Century Fox

    6. Legendary “Looney Tunes” animator Chuck Jones was tapped to create the cartoon Daniel voices during the opening scene. The full five-minute short is available as a bonus feature on the DVD release.

    7. Fox pressured writer Randi Mayem to change the ending so that Daniel and Miranda remarried. Mayem left in protest, and both the studio and director Chris Columbus eventually agreed that the film worked better without the happier ending.

    20th Century Fox

    8. Numerous scenes and even entire subplots were cut from the final film, including a conflict between Daniel and his nosy neighbor, Gloria, and a fight between Daniel and Miranda at a spelling bee.

    20th Century Fox

    9. Actress Lisa Jakub was expelled from her Toronto school for taking time off to film the movie. Williams wrote a letter to the school asking them to reconsider, but failed to change their minds.

    10. “Home Improvement” star Tim Allen was offered both the role of Daniel and Stu at different points, but turned down both parts.

    11. After years of struggling with developing the screenplay, a “Mrs. Doubtfire” sequel was officially announced to be in development in 2014. Unfortunately, Williams’ death in August 2014 brought an end to that project.

    20th Century Fox

    12. “Mrs. Doubtfire” may find a second life as a stage musical. A Broadway adaptation has been in the works since 2015.

  • ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Cast Reunites For Photo Ahead of 25th Anniversary

    ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ Cast Reunites For Photo Ahead of 25th Anniversary

    20th Century Fox

    Oh my dears, a “Mrs. Doubtfire” reunion has happened at last!

    Several members of the cast of the classic 1993 family comedy got together for a photo ahead of the movie’s 25th anniversary, which is November 24.

    “Mrs. Doubtfire” starred the late Robin Williams as a dad of three, estranged from his wife (Sally Field). Desperate to spend time with the kids, he dresses up and acts like an elderly British nanny.

    Lisa Jakub, who played the eldest of the three Hillard children, shared a picture on Instagram featuring herself, on-screen siblings Matthew Lawrence and Mara Wilson, and Pierce Brosnan (who played Field’s love interest).  Only Field is missing.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BpVP-ryH636/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Jakub also shared a video, in which Brosnan (who was Fields’ love interest in the film) zooms in an image of the three younger actors at the 1993 premiere and then says, “Love you, love you all so much. So good to be a part of your lives.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BpVUGHun4-6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    With the 25th anniversary of “Mrs. Doubtfire” coming up, nostalgia for the film is at its peak and a Broadway musical version of the movie is underway.

  • 12 Iconic ’90s Movie Scenes That Are Forever Burned Into Your Brains

    12 Iconic ’90s Movie Scenes That Are Forever Burned Into Your Brains

    20th Century Fox

    Some movie moments you just can’t shake. The 1990s happen to be full of unforgettable film quotes, bits, and frames that help define the decade.

    Not that you need to be further reminded or anything… but here are 12 iconic ’90s movie scenes that are etched firmly in our memories forever.

    1. ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ (1993) – “Hello!”

    Now that’s a way to hide your face. Just stick it in a cake and allow a social worker consume the loose globs that fall from it.

    2. ‘Titanic’ (1997) – “I’m the King of the World”

    Have you ever been on the front of a boat and not done this?

    3. ‘There’s Something About Mary’ (1998) – The Hair Gel Scene

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    And the world was never the same again.

    4. ‘Jurassic Park’ (1993) – Those Vibrating Water Cups

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    “Did you feel that?” Um, yes. There’s a T-Rex LITERALLY around the corner.

    5. ‘Clueless’ (1995) – Freeway Meltdown

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    “Getting off the freeway makes you realize how important love is.”

    6. ‘Pretty Woman’ (1990) – Shopping Revenge

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    Best comeback ever?

    7. ‘Home Alone’ (1990) – Kevin’s Aftershave Scream

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    I mean, Macaulay Culkin is still asked to recreate this on a regular basis…

    8. ‘Pulp Fiction’ (1994) – The Dance Contest

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    Ah, I can just hear it now. “It was a teenage wedding and the old folks wished them well…”

    9. ‘Goodfellas’ (1990) – That Copacabana Shot

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    The tracking shot to end all tracking shots.

    10. ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ (1991) – Hannibal Lecter’s Fava Beans Noise

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    Call it a slurp, call it a hiss… nothing will  make it any less terrifying.

    11. ‘Forrest Gump’ (1994) – “Life is like a box of chocolates…”

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    …you know the rest.

    12. ‘The Lion King’ (1994) – That Baby Simba Lift

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    I still get chills.