December 31 and January 1
All movies are 2012 releases unless otherwise noted. Availability: 
DVD | 
Blu-ray | 
Both Blu-ray and DVD
Cosmopolis 58 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
Robert Pattinson's first attempt to branch out, post-Twilight, into brainier fare was a mixed bag, at best. An adaptation of Don DeLillo's novel of the same name (which itself received mixed reviews), David Cronenberg's film traces a day in the life of a billionaire as he travels throughout Manhattan in a limousine. If that sounds to you like it doesn't amount to much of a movie, well, that's what some critics thought, too. Several reviewers, however, ranked Cosmopolis among the year's top films.
Justified: Season 3 89
While season 3 lacked the previous season's breakout star (and Emmy-winner) Margo Martindale, the FX drama once again impressed critics and viewers with a terrific string of episodes revolving around a complex new villain played by Neal McDonough. Mykelti Williamson also joined the cast in the third season, along with returning stars Timothy Olyphant, Walton Goggins, and Nick Searcy. Catch up now before the fourth season kicks off on January 8th.
Looper 84 Add to Netflix Queue
One of the best-reviewed sci-fi films in recent years, Looper comes from writer-director Rian Johnson, previously known for the highly stylized dramas Brick 72 and The Brothers Bloom 55. Set in the near future, this thought-provoking, action-filled though inconsistent time-travel tale centers on a mob hitman (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who kills people sent back in time from the even more distant future, only to hesitate when one of those targets turns out to be his older self (played by Bruce Willis). Shane Carruth, the director of the time travel cult classic Primer 68, served as a consultant, while Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and (an excellent but underused) Jeff Daniels round out the cast.
| More movie releases on December 31, 2012 and January 1, 2013 | ||
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| 41 | Little Birds Juno Temple, Kay Panabaker |
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| 52 | Putin's Kiss Documentary |
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| 38 | The Trouble With Bliss Brie Larson, Lucy Liu, Michael C. Hall, Peter Fonda |
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| TV on DVD/Blu-ray | ||
| Being Human [US version] Season 2 |
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| Charlie's Angels Season 5 |
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January 8
Archer: Season 3 75
It wasn't just the presence of Burt Reynolds that made the third season of FX animated comedy Archer its best yet—though, as far as guest casting goes, it doesn't get any more perfect than that. The series became one of TV's most reliably funny half hours thanks to episodes like the 2-part Moonraker take-off "Space Race" (featuring Bryan Cranston), the three-part "Heart of Archness," and the train-based classic "The Limited," and we can only hope for more of the same when it returns for a fourth season beginning January 17th.
Dredd 59 Add to Netflix Queue
It was certainly better than the first time British comic book hero Judge Dredd ventured to the big screen (yep, that would be the 1995 Sylvester Stallone dud), but this brooding, ultra-violent action film wasn't without its own problems on and off screen. Karl Urban (Star Trek) stars as the titular hero, a one-man judge, jury, and executioner in the future dystopian metropolis Mega City One, where residents are getting hooked on a new time-distorting drug called Slo-Mo. The script comes from Alex Garland (28 Days Later 73, Never Let Me Go 69), who reportedly had the final edit of the film after producers lost faith in director Pete Travis (Vantage Point 40).
Frankenweenie 74 Add to Netflix Queue
Tim Burton's second film of 2012 grossed less than half of what Dark Shadows 55 took in but fared far better with critics. A remake of his own 1984 short film, this black-and-white, stop-motion animated tale parodies Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein story with a plot centering on a young boy who brings his beloved pet dog Sparky back to life. The vocal cast includes Winona Ryder, Catherine O'Hara, Martin Short, and Martin Landau, and, naturally, there's a Danny Elfman score.
| More movie releases on January 8, 2013 | ||
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| 45 | The Bone Collector (1999) Denzel Washington, Angelina Jolie |
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| 54 | Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best Ryan O'Nan, Michael Weston |
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| 51 | The Brothers Grimm (2005) Matt Damon, Heath Ledger |
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| Cape Fear (1962) Gregory Peck, Robert Mitchum |
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| 68 | Compliance Ann Dowd |
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| Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy |
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| 51 | Fear (1996) Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon |
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| 50 | French Kiss (1995) Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline |
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| Grand Hotel (1932) Greta Garbo, John Barrymore |
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| 50 | Hit & Run Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Bradley Cooper |
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| 31 | House at the End of the Street Jennifer Lawrence, Max Thieriot |
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| 45 | Jack & Diane Juno Temple, Riley Keough |
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| Mrs Miniver (1942) Greer Garson, Walter Pidgeon |
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| One Fine Day (1996) George Clooney, Michelle Pfeiffer |
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| 65 | Samsara Non-narrative documentary from the director of Baraka |
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| Stolen Nicolas Cage |
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| 56 | Touchback Kurt Russell |
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| Two-Lane Blacktop (1971) Criterion Collection (DVD version previously released) |
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| 73 | Whores' Glory Documentary |
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| 74 | The Wise Kids Indie coming-of-age drama |
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| TV on DVD/Blu-ray | ||
| 3rd Rock From the Sun Seasons 5 & 6 |
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| An Idiot Abroad Season 2 |
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| 44 | Anger Management Season 1 |
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| Buck Rogers in the 25th Century Season 2 |
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| 62 | Dallas [2012] Season 1 |
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| Dance Moms Season 2, Vols. 1 & 2 |
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| 75 | Enlightened Season 1 |
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| Episodes Seasons 1 & 2 |
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| 74 | Game Change HBO movie |
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| 61 | The Goode Family Complete series |
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| 79 | The Hour Series 2 |
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| Inventing David Geffen American Masters documentary |
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| Red Dwarf Series X |
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| Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden TV movie |
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| 79 | Smash Season 1 |
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January 15
The Intouchables 57 Add to Netflix Queue
One of the biggest box office hits in the history of French cinema, this 2011 dramedy provoked a more tepid response from American critics upon its release in 2012. Still, The Intouchables, a based-on-a-true-story odd couple tale of a wealthy disabled widower who hires a black Muslim ex-con as his caretaker, has been singled out as one of the best foreign films of the past year by numerous critic groups, and is one of the frontrunners for a foreign-language Oscar nomination later this month.
Taken 2 45 Add to Netflix Queue
After 2009's surprise hit Taken 50 turned Liam Neeson into a bankable action star, a sequel was inevitable, though the new film comes from a different director (Transporter 3's Olivier Megaton). This time, it is Neeson's ex-wife (Famke Janssen) who is kidnapped, with the bulk of the action taking place in Istanbul (not Constantinople). Like the first film, Taken 2 took in hundreds of millions of dollars at the box office, making a third installment highly likely.
To Rome with Love 54 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
Woody Allen's late-career revival in France (in the form of 2011's charming Midnight in Paris 81) failed to translate into ongoing success when he moved to Italy for 2012's disappointing To Rome with Love. The comedy blends four different Rome-set stories, with an ensemble featuring Alec Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Judy Davis, Jessie Eisenberg, Ellen Page, Greta Gerwig, Alison Pill, Roberto Benigni, and, for the first time in six years, Allen himself. Note that two far superior Woody Allen films—Sleeper and Hannah and Her Sisters—are also out on Blu-ray this week.
| More movie releases on January 15, 2013 | ||
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| 78 | 5 Broken Cameras Documentary |
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| 33 | About Cherry Ashley Hinshaw, Heather Graham |
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| 20 | Branded Ed Stoppard, Leelee Sobieski, Max von Sydow |
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| 68 | Detropia Documentary |
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| 67 | Farewell, My Queen Léa Seydoux |
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| Gentleman's Agreement (1947) Gregory Peck, John Garfield; directed by Elia Kazan |
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| 90 | Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) Mia Farrow, Michael Caine, Dianne Wiest; directed by Woody Allen |
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| How Green Was My Valley (1941) Walter Pidgeon, Maureen O'Hara |
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| The Man Who Knew Too Much (1934) Criterion Collection |
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| 69 | The Other Dream Team Documentary |
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| 45 | The Possession Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick, Natasha Calis |
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| Sleeper (1973) Diane Keaton; directed by Woody Allen |
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| 56 | Three Stars Documentary |
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| The Tin Drum (1979) Criterion Collection |
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| Wake in Fright (1971) Donald Pleasence |
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| Wild River (1960) Montgomery Clift, Lee Remick |
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| 42 | Won't Back Down Holly Hunter, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis |
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| TV on DVD/Blu-ray | ||
| Being Human [UK version] Season 4 |
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| Ghost Hunters Academy Complete series |
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| House of Cards [UK version] Complete miniseries |
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| The Jackson 5ive Complete series |
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| 63 | Life's Too Short Season 1 |
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| 86 | Men of a Certain Age Season 2 |
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| Merlin Season 4 |
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| Perry Mason Season 8, Vol. 2 |
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| Simon & Simon Season 8 |
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| 67 | Twenty Twelve Complete series |
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| The Wild Thornberrys Season 2, Part 3 |
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January 22
End of Watch 68 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
Filmmaker David Ayer has made cops his business, with previous credits including the screenplays for Training Day 70 and S.W.A.T. 45, as well as writing and directing Harsh Times 56 and Street Kings 55. His latest police drama ranks near the top of his best work. End of Watch looks at the friendship of Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña, longtime partners who find themselves in over their heads after a major drug cartel bust in South Central Los Angeles. The supporting cast includes Anna Kendrick, America Ferrera, Frank Grillo, and Cody Horn.
The Imposter 77 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
One of the better documentaries released in 2012, The Imposter recounts the story of a missing Texas boy who is reunited with his family over three years after vanishing without a trace at the age of 13. The catch? It's not him after all, but a French con man whose imperfect impersonation of the child inexplicably fooled family members and government officials until a private investigator caught on to the truth. The story is told partially by the imposter himself, supplemented with dramatizations of key scenes, resulting in a film described by critics as stylish and thrilling.
The Paperboy 45 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
The very definition of a divisive film, Lee Daniels' over-the-top follow-up to Precious 79 has been the subject of ridicule from many reviewers, while also showing up on few critics' top-ten lists for 2012 and receiving Oscar buzz for Nicole Kidman's performance. The pulpy Southern drama is, like the director's previous film, based on a novel (by Pete Dexter, who, unlike Sapphire, doesn't get a shout-out in the title), and centers on a journalist (Matthew McConaughey) and his brother (Zac Efron) who attempt to free a death row inmate (John Cusack) at the request of his pen pal/groupie (Kidman). Is it "great trash" (Roger Ebert) or "bizarrely dull" (Nathan Rabin)? Judge for yourself in the comfort of your own home.
Searching for Sugar Man 79 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
An early favorite to win this year's Academy Award for the best documentary of 2012, Searching tells the story of superstar folk singer-songwriter Rodriguez. Never heard of him? If you're from America, you're not alone; the Detroit-based artist dropped out of the music business in the early 1970s after two poorly received albums. His music, however, caught on in a major way in South Africa, a fact that escaped the singer's notice until a fan tracked him down decades later, leading to the unlikely career revival depicted here.
| More movie releases on January 22, 2013 | ||
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| 71 | Beauty is Embarrassing: The Wayne White Story Documentary |
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| 55 | For a Good Time, Call... Ari Graynor, Justin Long, Lauren Miller |
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| Frontier Horizon (1939) John Wayne |
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| 76 | Hara-Kiri: Death of a Samurai Directed by Takashi Miike |
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| Ivan's Childhood (1962) Criterion Collection (DVD version previously released) |
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| 79 | Keep the Lights On Julianne Nicholson, Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth |
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| King of the Pecos (1936) John Wayne |
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| 30 | Nature Calls Johnny Knoxville, Patton Oswalt |
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| The New Frontier (1935) John Wayne |
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| 51 | Nobody Walks John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby |
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| 83 | Pina (2011) Criterion Collection; Dance documentary directed by Wim Wenders |
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| The Quiet Man (1952) 60th anniversary ed.; stars John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara |
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| The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1976) Alan Arkin, Vanessa Redgrave |
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| 67 | Trust (1990) Adrienne Shelly, Martin Donovan; directed by Hal Hartley |
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| 58 | Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning Jean-Claude Van Damme |
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| TV on DVD/Blu-ray | ||
| Kendra Season 4 |
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| 61 | The Men Who Built America Complete miniseries |
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| 66 | Method To The Madness of Jerry Lewis TV documentary |
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| Scarecrow and Mrs. King Season 4 |
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January 29
Hotel Transylvania 47 Add to Netflix Queue Watch Trailer
Animator Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter's Laboratory, Samurai Jack) makes his feature film debut as the final of six (!) directors attached at one time to this computer-animated comedy project, which depicts a gathering of famous monsters ranging from Dracula and Frankenstein to hunchbacks, werewolves, and invisible men. The voice cast includes Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Cee Lo Green, Steve Buscemi, David Spade, Fran Drescher, and Jon Lovitz. As to be expected from such a troubled production, it wasn't exactly a critical success, but huge box office receipts mean that a sequel is headed to theaters in 2015.
Seven Psychopaths 66 Add to Netflix Queue
Acclaimed Irish playwright Martin McDonagh follows his feature film debut, the cult hit In Bruges 67, with another blackly comedic crime caper (with a greater emphasis, this time, on the comedy) that stars Sam Rockwell and Christopher Walken as a pair of dog thieves who pick the wrong pet owner to steal from: a psychotic Los Angeles gangster played by Woody Harrelson. Colin Farrell, Abbie Cornish, Tom Waits, and Gabourey Sidibe also star, and most reviewers enjoyed its twisted, off-beat, and self-aware sensibility.
| More movie releases on January 29, 2013 | ||
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| 53 | The Awakening Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Rebecca Hall |
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| Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 Conclusion of animated film |
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| 62 | Citadel Horror |
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| 22 | The Cold Light of Day Bruce Willis, Henry Cavill, Sigourney Weaver |
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| The Duellists (1977) Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel |
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| 62 | Hello I Must Be Going Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott, Melanie Lynskey |
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| 40 | Paranormal Activity 4 Kathryn Newton, Matt Shively, Katie Featherston |
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| 66 | Tales of the Night French animation |
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| That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) Directed by Luis Buñuel |
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| TV on DVD/Blu-ray | ||
| Downton Abbey Series 3 |
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| Hey Arnold! Season 3 |
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| Misfits Season 2 |
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| 67 | Pan Am Complete series |
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