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stuartpiles
Will always be a fan.
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Star Trek: Arena (1967)
One of the best episodes & the one that got me into Star Trek.
This was the episode that got me into Star Trek "The Original Series, and Science Fiction in general. The
end of the episode is fantastic. The end says something about us, and a very old set of laws that have lasted for ages, and are still respected today. ....No, I won't tell you about those laws, but watch this episode it is one of the very best. It has all the elements of an outstanding science fiction story and a great drama by itself. You must watch this to understand the incredible attraction that Star Trek "The Original Series has for me, and for everybody else. And it is totally classic in every possible way.
Singin' in the Rain (1952)
One of the happiest, most joyful movies ever made.
Yes, it is that simple. Totally wonderful. Well edited, and exceptionally well done. Just watch it and you will love this movie too. The dancing is wonderful, and the music is wonderful. I remember going to a special screening in a full sized theater (downtown Chicago) and being totally taken by the wonderful nature of this film. See it on a large screen if you can. It is one of the greatest, most wonderful films ever made. If you watch this movie completely, you will agree to what I have said
here. Just watch this film and enjoy it. I surely hope that
you have the time to watch this film and enjoy it. The story moves along very smoothly and is totally complete
and happy. Give it a chance, and then watch it again. And enjoy it again if you have the time. After the second viewing you will agree with every word that I have written here.
It's a Wonderful Life (1946)
This is a Wonderful Film ..
This will be very simple and very short. It is a wonderful film with wonderful actors by a great director with an outstanding script that will make you feel great after watching it. Also, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. So, if you want to feel good after watching a movie, this is it.
Maverick (1994)
Enjoyable for all to watch
Enjoyable and Fun. It is worth watching, and comparable to the
TV show for which it was named after. It moves quickly and
is well written. The actors do a great job with this film and so does
the director.
Around the World in Eighty Days (1956)
Very Happy Enjoyable Film.
Yes, it is long, but totally enjoyable to watch. Fun,
creative, special effects. And star appearances
I would say this is an outstanding movie to watch.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)
Nothing Changes Over Time...
The message that is given on the front page of this film at IMBD is........."An alien lands and tells the people of Earth that they must live peacefully or be destroyed as a danger to other planets."..................................................This message in 1951 makes as much sense today as it did then. Of course we do not know if visitors from another planet have given this message to our leaders in secret, but I wish that some alien would land and give this message to everyone everywhere. How could we go wrong with the idea of "living peacefully"...I enjoyed this film when I saw it sometime ago, even though the costumes and the ship seemed out of date in our age..
........It didn't matter at all. What mattered is the Earth needs this message now
even more than before in 1951. The film is well directed and keeps your attention all the way through. Acting in outstanding, and the script is easy to follow and understandable. Watch this film and see if you agree that the message that this film gives is as good today as it was when it was made. The message and the way it is delivered by the cast far outweigh the setting in the early 50s and staging. I urge you to watch and listen, and then decide if this is a great film.
Fourteen Hours (1951)
Incredible Movie.
...I saw this film in a movie theater in 1951. Yes, that is 68 years ago. I give it 10 stars because I remember it, and it had me uneasy and scared. I remember being taken by my grandmother to see this. It was the first movie I had ever seen, and I was 5 years old.. I watched and remember it to this day. A guy on a ledge that is going to jump off the building.
...I have to say that I remember wondering what was going to happen to this guy standing on the ledge wanting to jump off this building. I didn't know anything about movies, but I know now that this movie worked in a very special way. I remember it, and I remember how I felt as I watched it. Uneasy and frightened, and wondering what was he going to do?...Now as I write this words more than 65 years later, I realize this was an outstanding movie. If a film keeps a 5 year old paying attention and wondering what was going to happen, throughout the film, once it gets going, it must be some sort of special film. Why? Because as I read the reviews and what the movie was about now, I am sure that that was exactly what the film director wanted the audience to do. Pay attention and wonder what was going to happen. This film worked, and I am happy to say that 68 years later, I am still alive and able to write these words. If you can watch this film. I never saw it again, and I remember what I remember. See if you agree or disagree. It is up to you. I think it would be available at a library somewhere. One more sentence. Thank You for reading this.
..................Stuart.........................
Toy Story 4 (2019)
A good film, not the best not the worst, but an average film.
I was disappointed because I expected more. By more I mean more drama, more inclusion of something special, not just an average experience. It left something lacking and undefined. This film certainly is not the level of the first 3 Toy Stories. It lacks the quality of any outstanding animated film. I left the theater feeling like I missed something. It was not an excellent film but average. That is not what I expected. I have seen many animated films going back more than 50 years. While this was not the best and not the worst, but I would not recommend it. While there are some good parts, there are some uneven and bad parts. I guess the best way to describe this is to say that Toy Story 4 is not fun, and that says a whole lot.
High Noon (1952)
Not just a great western, but a truly great movie.
This film is one of the greatest dramas ever filmed. Why say that? It has a pace that is unsurpassed in films. It moves along in a way that few do. The acting and story are outstanding and the film is edited in a very special way. It is a movie that we do not want to end, but it does so in a way that tells a great story. We pay such close attention to the story , events, and individuals who are in the story, that the film is over quicker than imagined. Gary Cooper is great in this film as are the rest of the supporting actors and actresses. While the story is not unusual, the combination of action, acting, character portrayal, direction and pace is. After viewing this film someone will leave the theater knowing that he/she has seen a great film. It is a feeling that one gets when a person has seen a masterpiece. Watch it and see if you do not agree that this is a great film.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
Not the best, not the worst..Average
There was something unnerving about this film. There seemed to be a disjointed story that moved in an uncomfortable way. While the film was somewhat enjoyable, it, it does not rate the incredible reviews that it received. It is a good movie that one might enjoy, but the animation is not great, and the voices are not great. I have seen many animated films, and there is an unnerving aspect to this. I would say that there is something missing, that is hard to describe. Perhaps it is the description of the characters, or the pace of the story, but this film did not feel right to me. I did not come out of the theater with that outstanding feeling that one gets when he has seen an outstanding film. Wish all the best who see this, but I would not recommend it ..
Baby Driver (2017)
An Outstanding Movie, but disturbing to watch
As far as I am concerned, this was not a fun film. Baby Driver has outstanding acting, great direction, stunts that are terrific, and a story that glues one to the screen, but I did not find this movie fun. Why Baby Driver absorbs the viewer into a world of crime that is quiet disturbing to me.
Since this film makes the story come alive, it is very believable. We get to know the characters and have a feel for them. Baby is the driver in this crime outfit, and he is clearly the only sympathetic person in the crime group. Baby is a good person who is a great driver.. The criminals are evil, plain and simple. That evil is shown in many ways that we understand.
Those outside the crime group are not evil Those people are normal and have the characteristics of normal people. There is the girl friend a truly likable person. There is the older man that Baby lives with who has a disability that Baby learns to accept and further he learns to help with. There are people that baby meets on the street who are also normal. And these people are contrasted with the evil group in a way which is extraordinary. This is a drama, a deep and personal drama that is portrayed as an action picture. While it does have great action and stunts, it is first a drama. Deep and personal and in some ways very dark.
I was under the impression that this film was going to be total "fun" but it was not in my opinion. This is a film that contrast good and evil in a special way. The cars move through Atlanta fast and glorious. There is this stunt and that stunt, but to me this is not about cars and stunts. (although that is what it seems on the surface)
This film is about people and its main character, Baby, who is a driver for this crime group. While the crime group is clearly evil, Baby is not. Baby is basically good. How Baby deals with this contrast and the consequences of it in his life, is the essence of this film.
Zootopia (2016)
Wonderful, uplifting film, everyone will enjoy
Zootopia is wonderful movie going experience. Lots of fun, with a special message, special characters and a film that is very hard not to want to see again.
The voices and the characters are very special. A family of rabbits who have a farm and grow carrots, have an ambitious daughter who would like to be a "police officer." No rabbit had ever become an officer in the city of Zootopia. All kinds of animals had made it to police officer from that city with an incredible variety of animals, (that all speak English) but no rabbit.
So our friend decides to try to get into the academy. She has terrific grades and great attitude and gains admission. Her journey from cadet to officer is our experience and I doubt that anyone would not enjoy traveling along.
All the characters are fun and believable. (if you can accept the basic premise of Zootopia which we all accept) The fox who is also terrific is a bit of a con artist, but we get to know him and like him too. Others in the film are the family, the politicians, the crooks, and a variety of officers on the force. and more!!
I can say the film is exceptionally well written, directed, and voiced in a way that makes us believe that this is real. Animation is my hobby and this is one of most enjoyable that I have ever seen. It is a fun movie in every way. There is even some music that all will enjoy. Go see it. My guess is it will become one of the most popular if not the most popular animated film ever.
Inside Out (2015)
A great film, about someone facing real problems presented for all to understand
One of the finest animated films ever made. It is a drama for 8 or 9 years and older. An exceptional drama.
Furthermore, Inside Out goes into a totally new place for animation. That place in our minds, and how we struggle for inner peace, is displayed in a very special way in this film. I do not think this has ever been done in such a way in a film presented in a form that all can easily understand. While the animation is creative and incredible, this film is not about the animation. The animation is just the way problem is presented.
Like the stage of a play presenting a problem. It is a real life issue about a difficult change in a life that many of us have been through.
I have watched hundreds of animated films, both short and long. This film is different because it deals with real change in real situations. And this is a real person we can identify with, and presentation is unique in its own way. It is not about a princess, or toys, or birds or a time long long ago. It is about an eleven year old who moves from one part of the country to another, and her fears of that move and the resulting normal emotional issues that occur after the move is made. To some, this can be difficult to watch and that is understandable. Some films are difficult to watch.
It is about now, in a drama that is complex as well as difficult. In her head as well as ours. It is a wonderful film about a wonderful person searching for a life in a new place outside her comfort zone. It is the kind of search that many of us go through, and one we all hope to win. Please consider that this search has never been presented in such a special way before. It is a great film about this search. Also, watch this movie and discover a fundamental truth: While the struggle isn't easy, and it is very hard, it is worth the battle.
The Croods (2013)
A Wonderful Family Movie...
This is a great family movie. It is wonderful to watch and enjoy for that reason alone. A family deals with powerful problems within the family and outside of it. As it does so, it warms the heart in a very special way that hard to describe. While the story is somewhat predictable, the feeling of warmth that you have for the characters is not. I was surprised by how much I cared for all of the people in this film. I wanted this family to come together and overcome their difficulties. I was not let down and honestly, I cried out of happiness at the end. The first time that has happened in a very long time..
OK, I like sentimental films that work. and this film works. It takes you into a truly make believe world and makes you believe. The father is a warm and truly stubborn fellow who we learn to love as he deals with the rest of the family on its dangerous journey.The mom is strong and loving in her way and, the daughter has her own kind independence as teenage daughters do..So over time, we learn to care about the group in the same way that we cared about the troop of travelers in "Land Before Time." But this is much sharper and the characters have more depth and there is more comedy than the "Land". Also, because it is a journey with humans and a family we really like, our journey becomes more personal. We meet up with a new person who we also learn to care about and wish him success too. And we like the pets, yes pets.... And I will close by saying this: Croods is a very rare warm, entertaining and loving family film. And watching it is outstanding way to spend time with people you love...
For that is what this film is really about.
Rio (2011)
Outstanding Animation, Color, Music and Lots of Fun.
This is a film that is very unusual. It has color and backgrounds unequaled in current animation. Perhaps in Titan AE you see such bright and beautiful color, and of course Fantasia, but in today's world, now and in the theater, this is it. Also, it is an upbeat musical and very easy to watch and enjoy.
It has a Latin bent to it with the story of a geek male bird who meets a hard nose lady bird from Rio. The plot is fairly straight forward, and somewhat predictable, but the fun, and happiness of this film are in the story, the jokes, the music and the pace. . This story is happy and joyful almost all the way through. There is music and carnival, color and light, jokes and soaring views, birds and more birds, conflict and love, and some surprises too
In 3D it has got to be great, but I saw it in 2D and knew what a gift this one was anyway. There is a joy to life and love here, that few films have. It is a happy musical journey with dancing and fun that everyone can experience. There is no deep sub plot here, just a wonderful time in Rio with some wonderful birds and people..What is unusual is this film made feel very happy. Happy enough to sit through the end titles still tapping my foot to the Latin beat. It is a joy, and I walked out with a big smile on my face.
Jeremy (2010)
Well done, dark, short film.
This is an interesting well acted short film about a young man of 14 looking for some kind of meaning in a life that looks meaningless. It is dark, intensive, and mysterious.
Jeremy lives in a trailer in a small town with a seemingly insensitive group of people who mock him and make his life miserable. He has just found out that his father, who is in prison, is to be moved from a close location to one hours away. Jeremy will not be able to see him regularly anymore. After that meeting, we view the family that Jeremy is living with. These people are mean except for one, who cares for Jeremy, but is too drunk to help much.
Jeremy starts searching for more, after the meeting with his father, and we follow his search. He does some reading, then looks for meaning at two churches.
While slow at times, this film is worth watching. There is a real feel for life in the trailer and the closeness and intensity of it. You feel that through camera use, scene setting, and language. The trailer has only so much space.. Only when we get out of the trailer do we move beyond narrowness. We see the larger world beyond that trailer, and watch as Jeremy tries to interact with new people and larger experiences. The larger world is represented by open fields, space, and light, and a sense of freedom beyond a very small world. The director has created situations that makes us feel uncomfortable as to contrast with that larger world that Jeremy seeks to find. That search as we all know, is worth the effort, so Jeremy represents something in all of us who look beyond our own small trailer worlds.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)
One of a Kind, Tastes Good Enough to Drink.
It is a wonderful film with just a hint of the crazy truth added to the arsenic to make it taste just right. Cary Grant acting frantic like only Cary Grant can act frantic, with a great cast, especially the original Broadway Brewster Sisters. Capra has given us a dark comedy that is not only funny but harmless enough. Fun but but let us not forget that we are indeed dealing with murder. And odd in a way that feels so good that you might want to sit down for a meal with the sisters.
The script is flawless, as is the direction. So many nice touches, especially Peter Lorre as the sidekick. Teddy is marvelous as the other brother, and even the beat cop (Jack Carson) is someone that you might want walking the beat near you. His boss, James Gleason, is also a great addition to the cast.
Today, there is so much that is past off as comedy that it makes one laugh at the idea. This film just makes one laugh. Have fun and watch Arsenic and Old Lace
Fast and Furry-ous (1949)
Wiley meets Roadrunner...first time...one of the funniest,,
More than 50 years ago, I saw this in a movie theater. I recall when Wiley saw the Roadrunner take off at top speed, his jaw dropped. Later, I found out that this was the first time that happened at their very first meeting.
That huge gap in Wiley's jaw represents the ultimate frustration that led to many more encounters. But after that gap, a laugh followed. Poor Wiley. Actually, no. Lucky us. Millions have laughed since and will in the future. This first toon in the series, is one of the best. I especially like the refrigerator scheme. You will too. ..Fast and Furry-ous is pure fun. It is highly recommended for all that like to laugh.
WALL·E (2008)
Something you gotta see.
No animated film is like WALL-E. I have seen most full length animated films, and few even approach it. Yet none that have had this wide distribution or universal appeal have ever been released in the U.S. Yes, the French film Les Triplets had a dark view of modern society, yet it had limited distribution.
Other art animated films have also been very bleak, but not as multi layered as this one. Also, Wall-e's view is from that of the two robots, not the ego centric view of humans. That too gives it a very special presence on the screen. ..I would urge everyone to see this film. Decide for yourself.
An Inconvenient Truth (2006)
It is inconvenient, but so is death by global warming
Finally saw this film .I saw the movie "In Invenenient Truth on the evening of Wednesday August 16..Now , I had read about the science and its implications long before.. I had accepted this as truth, before I saw it because, I read much, and a very good friend who was a science teacher told me about it, and it's truthfulness.. So, I believed this ahead of time , mainly because I trusted this friend for his honesty, and I have known him for over 35 years, he knew this subject, and wouldn't lie to me.. ..So seeing the movie, was somewhat anti-climatic. ..It is an impressive film, some excellent visuals, some humor, quite sobering, but one must ask three questions about it? A. Is the science presented factual? ..B. Is Gore a lier C. If Gore is a lier, Why?
A. .I do believe the science is factual..Almost all independent climatologists who have examined these charts, pictures, and numbers, says what he is saying is truth.. ..A few studies say otherwise, but, if one looks at who is financing those studies,and who is paying those scientists, one finds those studies questioning the validity of Gore facts, are not independent, but financed by oil and coal interests..They obviously are not independent. They have something to lose.
B. Is Gore a lier? Would he purposely lie about all of what he presents? While some of the film seems self serving, that is not important. Are the fact presented lies....If so, why? Spoilers ahead.... ...Gore presents his history, about the germination of his beliefs when he was a student at a university in the 60s. He names the professor who motivated him, shows the professor's research projected into our times, which has been proved correct, and he shows, his efforts later in Congress in the 80s to make the country aware of these ideas and efforts to change the laws (His efforts at that time failed)....If you watch the film, one gets the feeling this is not a new issue, but something that he believes in deeply, and would not lie about. More importantly, these beliefs are not new, but have developed in him over a 40 year period. . ....
C....Let's assume he is a lier.Why? Why go to this much trouble to lie, and deceive everyone?...Does he think he can get away with it??Certainly after the films release, people would check his numbers, pictures,and charts and prove him completely wrong..I do not think that has happened.. ..His thesis is not, that "global warming is taking place." Everyone agrees that we are in a warming period. ..His thesis is that over the last 200 years," the rate of temperature is increase caused by recent human development,the results of the industrial revolution, .and population increases, is far greater than would normally exist. Also, this dramatic increase is caused by the increase in greenhouse gases, due to production of electricity, cars, etc. .. This rate is so much greater than it would normally be, that it actually threatens us all"... If he were indeed telling lies throughout, there would be rush to disprove every word in that movie.. This has not happened.
There are many impressive photos, contrasts, charts, and graphs presented here.
Clearly the most impressive chart was one shown that demonstrated the climatic changes over 650,000, years.. If you see this film, this particular chart, is really the key to his thesis, since it spans several ice ages, and takes into account the warming and cooling of earth without man, which has naturally occurred..and the warming that has occurred since man, and since the industrial revolution and the last l00 years., the last 50 and the last 10... ...The movie concludes with hope.
This fact from the Associated Press appeared after the film was released into the theaters. I would like to add it in support of seeing this film...This story has been widely circulated,,,I suspect that it is not news, but is of interest to potential viewers of the film.
By Associated Press Published July 14, 2006, 1:19 PM CDT
WASHINGTON -- The first half of the year was the warmest on record for the United States.
The government reported Friday that the average temperature for the 48 contiguous United States from January through June was 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit, or 3.4 degrees above average for the 20th century.
That made it the warmest such period since record keeping began in 1895, the National Climatic Data Center reported.
No state was cooler than average and five states -- Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri -- experienced record warmth for the period.
While much of the Northeast experienced extreme rainfall and flooding at the end of June many other areas continued below normal rain and snowfall.
As of June, 45 percent of the contiguous U.S. was in moderate-to-extreme drought, an increase of 6 percent from May.
Dry conditions spawned more than 50,000 wildfires, burning more than 3 million acres in the continental U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Worldwide, it was the sixth warmest year-to-date since record keeping began in 1880.
...I urge everyone to view this film..Decide for yourself the truthfulness of "The Inconvenient Truth." Soon it will be on DVD, you can rent it, and eventually you will be able to get it at the library for loan...Most libraries charge a dollar or less.. It is worth it, and the time spent watching it.... Even if you accept only some of this film, it is still worth seeing, because we need to ask ourselves this very important question.. ..."If the science in this film is truth, or has a reasonable chance of being the truth, then can we as humans afford to ignore it?" .................................................. ...................... Stuart
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
It works in a way no other movie could, THERE IS PROOF
Now, I must admit that this is one of my top five favorite films. There is a warmth, idealism, and kinda simple feeling of hope, that makes one believe that things will work out in the end. Capra knew exactly what he wanted, and it shines. Jimmy Stewart, in the role of his life, makes us believe, what we know is almost impossible in todays crass world.
Claude Rains is incredible as Senator Smith's evil mentor. Jean Arthur, as his confidant, plays the part so well,that we just want her to save the day.
The final scene, where the filibuster is taking place, is among the greatest ever made.
BUT THE PROOF, YOU ASK?
In the early 80s, I showed this film, over three days, to a group of 15 year old inner city teenagers. I taught Political Science in a very difficult school in Chicago. It was a new class, and not all of the "best" students took it.
I decided to show this film at the end of the year, just to see how long I could keep the students attention. I didn't expect much. Fifteen is a very tough age to keep any kind of attention span, and it was at the end of the day, 2:30 -3:15 pm. which made things worse. As the film began, there was rustling in the seats, boredom, that famous oh what a waste of time look...Mind you, this is 43 year old film, about a white Senator, in those "old" days, and being shown to a totally Afro-American crowd of 15 year olds, late in the day, (over a three day period, which meant the students would have to wait till the next day to see what was going on. ..By the end of the third day, Capra had worked his magic, and the entire class was spellbound by this film. They were there till the very end, and you could see how much they enjoyed seeing a film, that they wouldn't have looked at in a thousand years..Comments were wonderful. Any film that could accomplish this, more than 40 years after its conception, to a crowd that no one would believe would have any interest in, deserves to be truly called a "great film."
October Sky (1999)
A truly great period piece
One of the greatest period pieces ever made, it shows that teenagers are not fools, are real people, and can be more than they are programed to be...Anyone who blasts this picture, is a fool... ..Without question, one of the greatest underrated dramas ever put on film..The place is West Virginia in l957, and keeps his attention from beginning to end..Outstanding direction, by Joe Johnston and without doubt the father, Chris Cooper, deserved the Academy Award...Upbeat as they come, and wonderful to watch..You will never forget this film, one of style and grit,and grace, that is so believable, you can smell the coal train go by, and filth of the mine. ...Perhaps the most wonderful aspect of this film, is that it is a true story, written by the boy who became what he always wanted to be..This film is about that dream, and a group of young men, teens, working against the greatest of odds to win. And it really happened.
The Arrival (1996)
Totally Underrateed--One of the Best Sci Fi Films
A totally underrated film, depicts an alien invasion, that is taking place. Slowly, unknown, quietly the forces evolve, towards an end, that will destroy the earth.. . ...Charlie Sheen does a great job in the lead, but the writing and the direction are terrific, an understated masterpiece, totally forgotten, and almost unknown, it should have done better, but the box office and the Sci Fi fans let it die.sadly.. ... I think it stands with "The Day the Earth Stood Still and "Invasion of the Body Snatcher" - 1954 as one of the finest of its kind..So subtle in its story and the tension increases at such a gradual pace that it isn't noticed till a terrific ending. I strongly recommend this to anyone who loves this genre, but I doubt anyone will read this..This film, is just a lost masterpiece from my point of view...
Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006)
It is fun, but not as much as the first
I liked Ice Age 2, The Meltdown..It moved faster than I thought it would, and I enjoyed seeing the main characters again. The love interest was interesting, but not what it could have been. I am not sure how it could have been made better.
Certainly this film was good, very good. To me, it had only one purpose, and that was to make me laugh, and it did. I really wasn't anticipating a great film , but there could have been more laughs. As sequels go, well it wasn't as good as the first, but we all know, that almost none are. It was great to see Scrat again (Wiley Coyote) and many of the gags were excellent. Sid was really a star here, and I enjoyed the mix of spectacular special effects along with the gags of the motley crew searching for a way out of their current situation. One particular song with the vultures, was especially fun. I enjoyed this movie very much, and it came through. That is all one can expect these days. As they say, it worked, and as we know, many don't.
Romeo and Juliet (1968)
Breathtaking.
As I walked out of the movie theater in l968, I cried..For the first time in my life I cried at a movie..It is an incredible film. Brilliant,dynamic, and touching. Now this is being written in March of 2006, and I still recall my reaction..It is simply an amazing film, by an superb director, and well, not a bad writer... ..I might add, that I was young, knowledgeable, and someone who thought that they knew something about films...No,Just another foolish youth thinking more than he knew ... This film, opened a world that I had not seen before. While I had read parts of this before, and some of Shakespears works, they had never come alive like this before or since..I urge you to see this version. You will not be disappointed..I hope you take the time, it is well worth it, then, you will see how truly great this director, and this author really are..